Want to watch TV on comp

[DragonNOA1]

My system specs are below and I want to watch TV on my computer and maybe even possibly output my computer's video feed onto the TV (for movie purposes). But I have no idea what card to buy. I already have a 4200 AGP so I will prolly need a PCI card. I heard the Radeon's are good but would there be a driver conflict w/ two differ video cards in one system? I will only use it for TV since I already have a good card for games. Any sugestions? TIA

[DrZaius]

Hi DragonNOA1,

You'll need a TV tuner card with a S-video out port. Check out the ATI TV Wonder or any of the Hauppauge WinTV cards.

[sdkfz]

If the purpose is just to bring the tv in to the pc, a tv tuner card which is PCI and has no video capabilities will run you 50 bucks or so and up. this will avoid the two video card driver issue.

If you do want to go with the two cards you will have fewer (note I did not say none just fewer) problems if you stick with the same tech in both cards IE ati to ati nvdia to nvidia. But this would enable the tv out like you want.

Finally, you might want to look at an ati all in wonder card to get it all in one, here is the search at newegg for tv tuner cards

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...ption=tv+tuner

[morriswindgate]

If you are also looking at transfering video and editing, by all means look at replacing the present video card with an ATI All-In-Wonder card. They are also pretty good game cards to.

[DragonNOA1]

i have an nvidia vid card now but does nvidia make any tv tuner cards? and if i want to send my computer's video signal to the tv i should make sure the product has a "video out" port? j/c

[avx]

Why would you want to watch TV on your computer? I can understand watching like DVD's or Movies you have dled on your computer on your tv, but why vice versa...wouldnt you need a pretty nice Monitor to handle the Pixels and resolution for a good picture?

[Alaron]

To answer your questions DragonNOA1, NVIDIA does not make any TV tuner cards. ATI seems to have conqered that market. As for the computer to TV, yes the card will need a Video Out function. Most cards have Video Out, so that shouldn't be a problem to find. Video In is more difficult to find.

avx487, The resolution/picture quality is actually better on a monitor. TV displays are usually at 800x600. This is why using a TV for a monitor is not a good idea, because the TV cant handle the resolution the computer uses.

[Fuze]

So TV feed would be crisp on a computer monitor in otherwords?

[cobra]

Originally posted by Fuze So TV feed would be crisp on a computer monitor in otherwords?

Depends on how good of a signal you have coming in.
I have standard cable coming inot my pc w/ ATi All in wonder Radeon, and some channels look terrible.

[avx]

Really..sounds pretty cool...looks like I will have to set aside some extra money for my monitor in my new pc build 20 inhes should do, dont you think?

[mountaineer]

Using your tv as a tivo is a big reason to want to watch tv on your pc. Buying a Tivo system for your tv is much more expensive.

[DragonNOA1]

ya avx that's a good size, hehe... i guess i'll just go pick up a tv tuner card, it seems that it'll do the job, thanks everyone