Want to watch TV on my thinkpad.. HOw??

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#1 Post by **daeojkim** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 7:28 pm

OK i would like to be able to watch TV on my T42.
What would be the best way fo doing this?

I saw some USB TV tuners that ranges from $60 to $150.
Has anyone used them? How reliable are they? The quality and so on?
Or is there some better way to watch TV on Thinkpad?

Thanks.

Kenn · #2 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 7:32 pm

An external tuner is probably your best bet. I've heard that the new USB 2.0 tuners are quite good - more than enough bandwidth for a large, crisp picture.

beeblebrox · #3 Post by **beeblebrox** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:35 pm

Avermedia AverTV PC-card (EUR 69,90)
or TerraTec PC-Card TV

Leon · #4 Post by **Leon** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 11:01 pm

I have Avermedia. It works great!

dr.b · #5 Post by **dr.b** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 3:41 pm

one more: Hauppauge

Conmee · #6 Post by **Conmee** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 3:49 pm

I've used Adaptec's VideOH! Media Center product which includes an external USB 2.0 capture device with audio/video/S-Video inputs and coaxial connections. It works with basic cable (up to channel 158), and even though I have Digital Comcast Cable, it still manages to grab the first 80 or so channels, plus a couple Cinemax channels that I DON'T get with my Comcast set top box.

I've also used the ATI USB 2.0 piece and I prefer it because of the TV listings (Gemstar) stuff, and the channel surfing features, among others. I also have used the ATI TV Wonder Pro PCI card in my Dock II which works as well.

Daniel.

#7 Post by **daeojkim** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 3:57 pm

Thanks everyone for suggestions.
Now I will have to shop around

X-mas gift to myself? LOL

arion · #8 Post by **arion** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:50 am

I am also looking at using DVB-T (Digital Terestrial TV) on my ThinkPad.

What I have found so far.

I have a VisionPlus DVB-T PCI card in my PC and the card works ok (even though it has an old BT878 chipset) but the software like all as I have heard is pretty bad (ie. not stable enough and a bit awarked to use).

The ASUS W1000a which is being advertised as having a TV Tuner built in uses a Lifeview Mini PCI card that appears to do Digital and Analog Tuning.

Lifeview has a PCMICA DVB-T card (Philips SA7xxx based) as well.

Steer clear of any product from AverMedia they are the worst I have ever seen. Avermedia drivers and application give no end of problems.

Leadtek have good sofatware and updates but still only make Analog cards.

I am down to a choice between USB2.0 or PCMCIA based DVB-T TV Tuner.

shutchinson · #9 Post by **shutchinson** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:08 am

The USB 2.0 devices are pretty good, though I would love to have a PCMCIA slot tuner. I mostly use the tuner when I'm on the road, and carying the extra bulk around is a pain in the butt.

Note, when trying to connect into hotel cable TV networks you often need a security tool. Essentially it's a hollow hex wrench that will fit into those plastic "guards" that they have in most hotels. You can find them on the net of course for about $8. (or so I've heard, all standard disclaimers apply).

Scott

ablem · #10 Post by **ablem** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 5:24 pm

SageTV with the Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U works great.

Only product that does Divx timeshifting. Really nice PVR UI and video quality and allows storing almost twice as much video per GB as other solutions.

ehd · #11 Post by **ehd** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:11 pm

i heard there were hi-definition tv tuner cards out now... im more interestd in hooking up game systems on the fly...

Want to watch TV on my thinkpad.. HOw??

Want to watch TV on my thinkpad.. HOw??

Plextor ConvertX PVR and SageTV

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