TV /PC question

mardatha

The OH is asking if there is any way we could watch downloaded TV programmes - soaps, iPlayer etc - on our big main telly instead of the computer or laptop?

OneADay

If your tv has a video input socket at the back, like that of a computer or laptop, you can plug the pc/laptop into the tv and view videos on the tv.

But you do need the tv to have video or dvi input socket.

Or if you had something like virgin tv, think they supply iplayer etc via their tv service (so no computer needed).

Darksun

What connections does your TV have? Most newer TVs have a VGA input, so you can usually just link your laptop up with a VGA cable. If it doesn't have VGA but has HDMI, and your laptop/PC has a DVI output, you can get a DVI>HDMI cable and connect using that.

It's really quite painless, there's quite a few threads about it on the forum with links to various cables/products so just do a search

frivolous_fay

The following does have a requirement for a bunch of equipment you might not have...
We use Play TV + Playstation 3 - iPlayer is part of the package.

Antispam

Or get a freesat humax HDR box which can play iplayer it also needs a homeplug and satellite dish (old sky dish wil do unless its really old) to get internet via your router and there is a cost implications around £280-300 in total for both products

Nintnedo wii also plays iplayer

mardatha

Oh brilliant TY both ! This is a new HD tv and has HDMI in. Next question- sorry to bug but we useless with this stuff- is how best to do this ?
Got the big main PC in the spare room which is never used as I use the laptop at the fire. How best would he connect that pc to the tv ? Bring the tower through here? Would that interfere with me on my laptop?

mardatha

We have a Humax HD ready box, but we had no idea it can play iplayer. But that wouldn't let us get rid of the tv license would it?

Taffybiker

Remember that if you use DVI or VGA from your computer, these signals do not carry sound so you will need extra audio cables unless you don't mind listening via your PC/laptop speakers.

mardatha

This all stemmed from a discussion on the OS forums on doing without TV. I dont watch TV at all and he only watches soaps and films...both of which we could get in other ways eh.

Darksun

mardatha wrote: »

We have a Humax HD ready box, but we had no idea it can play iplayer. But that wouldn't let us get rid of the tv license would it?

You'll need a TV license if you watch live TV, including live TV streamed over the internet. If you just download content and use services such as iPlayer you don't need a license. It doesn't matter what equipment you use for this (although having a lot of TV receiving equipment can look suspicious)

mardatha

We just realised that yes... ok many thanks all. This is a brilliant forum if you need a techie nerd in a hurry !