How do I get/watch TV on Laptop?

Grumpy_Old_Duffer

Recently purchased a brand new Dell Inspiron 9300 Laptop (17" screen :j ).

Can this Laptop show TV?
What, if anything, would I need if I haven't already got it (hardware & software)?
If I've got everything I need with this Laptop, what do I do to start viewing TV?
Do you need a TV licence, if you're only using a Laptop to view TV??????????? (a 'Laptop' Licence:snow_grin :snow_grin )

:xmassign:

espresso

You would need to buy something like a FREECOM DVB-T USB adaptor. :rolleyes:

see here for more info.

You will get the necessary software but do remember that a good signal is required and depending how far you are from your nearest transmitter, you may need to connect it to a better aerial. You should however get many more channels from this digital receiver and radio stations as well :j

Yes you do need a TV licence to watch any TV on a computer

:xmassign:

tigermatt

Grumpy_Old_Duffer wrote:

Do you need a TV licence, if you're only using a Laptop to view TV???????????

You need a TV License to use anything with a TV Tuner in it, unless you can prove that you aren't going to use the piece of equipment for viewing television which is probably *very* hard to do. In fact, I don't even know if it is possible, even though it says on the TV Licensing site somewhere about it.

tigermatt

Darksun

It'll be covered under your normal house TV license (assuming you have one already), and this will also cover you if you're out and about with your laptop. Strictly speaking it has to be running on battery power if you're not in your house, but I doubt you'd have problems if it's not (eg plugged in at a friends/relatives house)

albertross_2

You could always hide the usb key if the detector van [wo]man comes knocking at your door.. If the country wants the BBC (which I do), then it might as well be funded out of general taxation, instead of a bureaucratic annual license fee. I'm sure that we all have better things to do, than to renew licenses every year. This is the politics forum isn't it?!

imsi

albertross wrote:

Or one of these: Freeview Digital TV & Analogue Adapter for USB2

http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/products/data_hvr900.html

( Around £63 + delivery )

The Freecom is cheaper (£42.00 ish) + delivery, but has fewer features

Can't see much difference in the features. Can you elaborate what you get for the extra £20+ ?
Is there EPG facility on the hauppauge?