Can computer screens get TV through them?

HeyBigSpender

Soz in advance if this is a really stupid question but...

I want to have a TV in the bedroom. I also want a computer in the bedroom on which I can access t'internet and play computer games that my slow little laptop can't handle.

I presume there is a way that I can watch TV though my computer monitor so I don't have to have both a tv screen and a computer screen. (Space is an issue.) I don't mean 4 on demand , which I can already get on my laptop or any of that kind of thing, just an honest to goodness TV which I can attach to a freeview box and surf the channels when the kids have gone to bed, that I can switch over to the internet or a game if there is nothing on.

Can this be done? Or is it just such a strange request that nobody wants to do it that way?

cledor

yes it can be done , you can upgrade the PC by adding a PCI or USB TV Card. The computer will need to be running while watching TV.

Blacksheep1979

You can also get a scan convertor (little box) where you wouldn't need the computer on. Actually its not that - that will convert comp output for tv - but you can get a converter that will allow signals to be displayed on your monitor.

HeyBigSpender

Thanks. ARe there any minimum requirements for a PC to get these PCI cards. Why don't computers come with them preinstalled?

Blacksheep, would I still need a PCI card/USB tv card as well as the scan convertor?

Blacksheep1979

nope you can get (still can't remember what they're called exactly) them with either analogue or I believe digital tuners built in so only have to supply an arial and don't have to have the pc running.

Comps aren't supplied with tv tuners as most people won't want them so an added expense and they do use system resources. Should be able to run one on almost anything though.

cledor

see http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/48062 for one of the cheaper PCI cards available, it should be able to run on most PC's with Win98/WinME/Win2000/WinXP.

HeyBigSpender

Looks good! But will it work with Windows Vista?

How do I know there is a compatible slot on my PC for this PCI card? (Sorry, am a technotwit.)

cledor

According to http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/support/vista.html WinTV Express isn't Vista supported yet, but other models may be, check the site before ordering.

See http://images.google.com/images?q=PCI+Slot&hl=en&safe=off&um=1&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title for info /pics of PCI slots.