Laptop + USB TV Tuner Card = worthwhile?

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Laptop + USB TV Tuner Card = worthwhile?

MooPoo

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

#41607 19-Sep-2009 18:49

Hi

I have a mate that is coming over from the West Island and doing the NZ in a campervan thing.

He couldnt get a campervan with a TV so he wants to know if he can use his laptop to watch tv?

I told him he would need a USB tv tuner or something.

Is this doable? is this worthwhile?

what type of aerial would he need?

Any help is appreciated.

A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history - with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.

--------------------------------------------

Earthquakes. Shift Happens.

rp1790

755 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 180

Lifetime subscriber

#257245 20-Sep-2009 20:48

If he has a decent laptop it can work quite well. I use Win7 media center with a USB dual tuner (Tiny Tim?) and it's pretty good...on the whole. The aerial I use is this one, designed for indoor use. http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/active-flat-panel-indoor-aerial-freeview-p-77.html. Reception is awesome.

Mattv

242 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#257255 20-Sep-2009 21:36

Biggest problem is likely to be the lack of coverage in most of the places they will be visiting. ie DVB-T is really only available in the main cities see map at he bottom of this page http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/digital-terrestrial-i-8.html

eSPy

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#262398 8-Oct-2009 13:48

hey all! this is my first post here but ive been following the guide for a while now. Ive just recently got my DVB-T tuner (WandTV) working and its been great. Ive been using VLC on my HP laptop (Vista 32bit, 3gb ram, pentium dual processer 1.73GHz). Have only tried it in Lyall Bay, wellington but have managed to pick up all the wellington stations with the included antenna. its also really easy to hook up an external antenna as it uses the same standard cable. also good because it has a magnet on the base of the antenna for easy adjustments if necessary. i picked it up here if anyone is interested http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8325

wellygary

8837 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5315

#262400 8-Oct-2009 14:08

MooPoo: Hi

He couldnt get a campervan with a TV so he wants to know if he can use his laptop to watch tv? I told him he would need a USB tv tuner or something.

Yes, He could use a USB tuner,

Is this doable? is this worthwhile?
what type of aerial would he need?

For Terrestrial Analog, he could probably get fuzzy TV in many places, but to be honest it would be scratchy.

If he is desperate for reasonably quality TV he needs to get a USB sat tuner, and a dish to wave out the back of the van.

To be honest tell him to bring a pile of DVDs and if he is desperate for NZ telly ( gawd knows why) go to a pub in the evening.

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#262405 8-Oct-2009 14:33

Wellygary has it right here.

Analogue TV still has the best terrestrial coverage in NZ, and lower CPU requirements as well.

Failing that, the best overall coverage is via sat, and being SD is relatively low impact on the CPU as well.

Terrestrial digital looks the best obviously but can be very CPU intensive and is naturally only broadcast in the major areas, and also usually requires a pretty good aerial to be honest.

Over to you of course with which way you go.