How do I turn my telly into a computer?

adisciple

Hello techies!

I would love to be able to access the internet from my TV so I can let the children use the Cbeebies website without giving them access to my office!

I have broadband with one of the wireless hub things that BT gave me when I signed up, a freeview box (no tv subcription although BT keep pestering me) and an old TV with only one scart socket. Any ideas?

Someone did mention a PS3 but would I need a TV with scart?

Thanks

gonzo127

is you freeview box put into your tv through the scart socket? or do you mean one scart socket free?

do you have a spare computer/laptop? (how old and any other specs would be helpful)

also how much do you have to spend at a maximum?

kwikbreaks

You need some sort of computing device to run a web browser plus CRT TVs are pretty much useless as monitors.

adisciple

Thanks Gonzo127

There is just the one scart and this has something plugged in already. Can you get little adaptor thingys to make one into two?

I have a laptop. Quite a good one - my Dad got it for me from his work (surplus machine) - and it originally cost £700. No idea what it is and the spec. I haven't got an adaptor to plug it in so have not used it yet.

Haven't got a lot to spend (I frequent the 'debt management' forum too!) but could go up to £250 if it was a PS3 as I could double it up as a Christmas present for my husband and the children!

Appreciate your help!

adisciple

Thanks Quickbreaks

How about using a computer as a TV?

gonzo127

sorry for all the questions, how do you mean you have not used the laptop becuase of no adapter? do you mean no power cable?

kwikbreaks

adisciple wrote: »

Thanks Quickbreaks

How about using a computer as a TV?

That works just fine. You can either use streaming/downloads (eg iPlayer etc) or buy a TV adaptor which are pretty cheap. You would need an aerial feed for it though unless you are in a strong signal area and can use an indoor aerial. Heavy use of streaming may cause your ISP to have a purple fit of course.

gonzo127

silly question, if you have a laptop why dont you just get this up and running and let them use this instead of running it on the TV?

anyways although this is right about the old CRT TV's not being the best i personally think they should be fine for children on cbeebies website

with only one scart socket will mean you will have to buy a few extra bits which would be something like the following - please note i do not own and have not used any of the following parts so do not know if they work well together, or even if they are the cheapest/best of their type of product

http://www.amazon.co.uk/VGA-Video-Converter-Cables-Leads/dp/B001O841OI/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1282742867&sr=8-23 - this is supposed to convert the VGA and audio signal from a computer or laptop into a signal suitable for scart.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Strand-Way-Interchangeable-SCART-Control/dp/B0007P5FMQ/ref=pd_cp_ce_1 - scart controler block to allow switching between the electronics

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keysonic-ACK-540RF-Wireless-Keyboard-Touchpad/dp/B002WB1JYQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1282743623&sr=1-1 - wireless keyboard and track pad sot he children can sit on the sofa and still control the system

JasX

tbh if you're planning on updating your TV anytime soon modern flat screens tend to have both analog PC inputs, HDMI inputs (for modern PCs and laptops) and conventional TV inputs.

that way you end up with one display you can pop both onto.

Personally I have a long HDMI cable permanently wired to my TV from my PC which I can then use for streaming iPlayer or playing DVDs/Blurays on a full sized screen.

If you wanted to go the whold hog getting a wireless/bluetooth keyboard and mouse would let you 'use' the computer on a TV screen like that from anywhere in the room (eg relaxing on the sofa) and have the PC base unit tucked out the way.... but suggest going for as quiet a PC as you can find if you go down that route.

Trinitrotoluene

Sorry posted in wrong thread!

prowla

You really need an HDTV for computer use - we've got a plasma screen that is something like 852x480, and it's not really enough.