Setting Up Aspire 8920 to watch TV in Auckland

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TotallyLost

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#37453 13-Jul-2009 19:52

Ok - so I know that I don't know much about computers - I am wondering if there is anyone who can explain to me in English how I can set up my new laptop to watch TV. I ran the set up wizzard but it said it could not find any tv channels - I had the aerial setup. I actually don't have a TV - there is an aerial on the roof of my flat but I don't think it is connected to anything. Does this have anything to do with the no channel problem . I did say that I didn't know what I was doing.

Spyware

3761 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#234890 13-Jul-2009 20:09

Given reception of DVB-T can depend on many variables you need to tell us which city you are in, how close to a transmitter you are and whether the aerial on your roof is a VHF or UHF aerial.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

TotallyLost

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#234910 13-Jul-2009 20:28

Ok. I live in Glenfield, North Shore City, Auckland. I have no idea where a transmitter is - The aerial is on the roof. My neighbour told me that the previous tenant had the aerial connected to a dish thing that is on the roof - they apparently had paid tv? does any of that help? sorry for being so thick about this.

Spyware

3761 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#235286 14-Jul-2009 18:29

Not really. Best thing is maybe find a cheap TV to at least check the analog signal on the UHF band (this is where DVB-T services are). Note: You will be looking for channels such as Maori, Prime, Trackside, Sky analog etc. If analog reception is OK then reason would suggest that DVB-T will be but may not be - an aerial installer will be able to advise. DVB-T transmitters are at Pine Hill, Sky Tower and Waiatarua.

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Snowflake

#235339 14-Jul-2009 20:27

TotallyLost: Ok. I live in Glenfield, North Shore City, Auckland. I have no idea where a transmitter is - The aerial is on the roof. My neighbour told me that the previous tenant had the aerial connected to a dish thing that is on the roof - they apparently had paid tv? does any of that help? sorry for being so thick about this.

if there is only a dish on the roof then you're going to be gong nowhere with your setup. A dish is for DVB-S (Satellite) not DVB-T (UHF Terrestrial).

For DVB-T Freeview you need to have a UHF antenna on the roof. see the following links for picvture of UHF antennae and how this is set up:
http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4a5c4060002c7b7a273fc0a87f3b068a/Product/View/L4735
http://www.freeviewnz.tv/setup_support/setup_hd

If you are running Windows Vista on the Aspire and are trying to get TV to work through windows media center - dont bother. It wont. You will need to download another program - mediaportal, gbpvr etc - and use that instead (or upgrade to windows 7 when it comes out). Search geekzone for gbpvr or mediaportal to find tips/instructions on how to configure those.

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Snowflake
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Twitter: @nzregs

TotallyLost

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#235376 14-Jul-2009 22:17

Thank you so much for your help. On the roof is the old fashioned tv antenna and the satellite dish - nothing like the UHF antenna - and yes I was trying to use the media centre on windows vista. Looks like I have some work to do if I want this to work. Thanks, again.

Biggles69

83 posts

Master Geek

#235680 15-Jul-2009 14:44

Your best bet might be just to get a DVB-S (satellite) USB receiver for your laptop you can get them for about $75 on trademe. just search for "DVB-S USB"
If the cabling in your house is already set up for sky then you should be able to plug straight in to that and get freeview via Satellite (Its on the same satellite as sky)
Your best bet would be to use GB-PVR (free easy to use tv/media software, just google it)