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    What kind of "thing" would I get for TV on my laptop?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by lottdod_1999, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. lottdod_1999

    lottdod_1999 Notebook Evangelist

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    Something that sticks in the USB ports, can accept a cable line in and get all my subscribed cable channels AND over the air stuff so I can use it when I'm away from home.

    I'd like to get stuff with cable and then record it like a DVR on my computer and then burn the tv shows on discs later on
     
    lottdod_1999, Mar 2, 2009
    #1
  2. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    Commander Wolf, Mar 2, 2009
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  3. lottdod_1999

    lottdod_1999 Notebook Evangelist

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    but are all those features I mentioned standard now?
     
    lottdod_1999, Mar 2, 2009
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  4. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    You'll have to look at the details for the products. I'm pretty sure you can get cable with all of these, but I don't know about over-the-air stuff. Recording should be pretty standard fare as well, but you'll probably have to find another software suite to do the DVD burning.
     
    Commander Wolf, Mar 2, 2009
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  5. Wolfpup

    Wolfpup Notebook Prophet

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    I'm confused as to whether ANY Vista compatible TV Tuner will work with Windows Media Center (the built in DVR software) or if only certain tuners that explicitly say they do will.

    I'm kind of confused by why so many tuners ship with so much extra junky software, when all I (and probably most people) want is for it to work flawlessly with Media Center...
     
    Wolfpup, Mar 2, 2009
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  6. WestDev

    WestDev Notebook Enthusiast

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    Look into a USB Digital Air Tuner with Clear QAM (to pick up cable channels through co-ax). I ordered the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950Q for this purpose. Works with Media Center as well, and you should be able to find one from Ebay or Buy.com for < $90. Will install once my new M4400 arrives on Wednesday :D
     
    WestDev, Mar 2, 2009
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  7. mikey88

    mikey88 Notebook Enthusiast

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    You need a TV tuner for this purpose. Finding a one with all those requirements could be difficult, spend some time on newegg and you should be able to find something.
     
    mikey88, Mar 2, 2009
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  8. Wolfpup

    Wolfpup Notebook Prophet

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    As to whether it actually works well, or with Media Center...
     
    Wolfpup, Mar 2, 2009
    #8