TV tuner card for the new digital "over the air" broadcast changes
 

I use an antenna for "free" TV broadcast channels {no cable or satellite etc}.
So besides applying for the converter box coupons, I just ordered a TV tuner card & a USB stick that will pick up the ATSC {new digital signal}.

Has anyone tried these?

this is what I ordered-
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 ATSC/Digital/Analog TV Tuner PCI Card
Kworld USB2.0 Tv Tuner Atsc/qam Watch Record Digital HDtv On Pc

thought I'd give them a try and see how they work....

Another idea along with this is to hook up the TV as the computer monitor
or possibly build a second system for the TV/computer setup since I don't want to use & have to move my main pc from my desk....

so I'll wait to test out those cards and see if they do what we want first..:)

Hi Jo:

May I ask why you don't have cable or sattelite??

I'd be a dead duck without it.

Mel

well.... we don't watch TV that much and we just don't want to pay all that extra money for a bunch of channels that we wouldn't watch anyway.:D

The free over the air broadcast channels are fine for us, anything else we can probably find it on the internet and watch it on the computer.

This is interesting, Jo!
 

We do not use cable or satellite, either.

We pick up 5 stations and that is plenty for us!
We do not watch much TV.

I have been wondering about TV tuners ...and how to turn a TV into a computer monitor.

I have this extremely old Radio Shack TV that works as both!
(It is very old...well over 20 years old and it works fine! Great color, etc.! It is not connected to any updated computer.)

I have been wondering how come there are more of these "combinations" around?:confused:

I will read more on this thread as it continues!:D

Thanks for sharing!:hug:

Hi.

I went to my local Radio Shack to inquire about the tv converter thing. I have a $40 coupon and I asked the guys who worked there "Come February, will this thing work and will I get a picture?" (I have a little tv not connected to cable, and it's in my computer room. I thought that come next February, I'd simply hook up the converter box, and VOILA, I'D GET A PICTURE.

He then asked me "Do you get a picture now?"

I said: "of course not, since the World Trade Center fell, no one gets a picture using a rabbit ears antenna". He said: "if you have that kind of antenna, you won't get a picture in February"

I said: "but the guy on tv says that if you have analog, the box will convert it into digital". And the guy said: "yes, but this has nothing to do with getting reception, you need a roof top antenna".

I still don't get ANY OF THIS.

Good Lord.

I think....:wink:
The converter box is used to convert the new digital "frequency" or "air waves" that the antenna picks up so the TV can display the channels.
Or it converts the antenna so it can pick up the new digital signals... one or the other.

Basically there was only so many of the old analog frequencies available and so many things are using them all up they decided to make the "over the air" broadcast channels into digital frequencies.

Do you remember when cordless phones were analog, and now most are digital?

but as the radio shack guy said - If you didn't get a picture with an antenna before- you won't get one after the change either.

So if I'm not going to get a picture with the new box.

I'M NOT BUYING A NEW BOX.

Want to know what really scares me??

The day we have to replace the living room tv. It's a Sony. about 20 inches. and of course everybody we know has these GIGANTIC FLAT SCREEN TV'S IN THEIR LIVING ROOMS.

Some are on top of huge tv carts. Some are hanging on the wall.

Last night I went to a neighbor's home She's 27 years old. well-off and has everything new in the apartment.

I saw this humongous tv just free floating on her white wall.

I said: How is this attached? I then went behind the tv and saw these HUGE brackets holding the tv to the wall.

I said: "who did this for you". Her ex boyfriend, that's who!!!

I would LOVE to get this ex boyfriend to come to MY house (if I ever buy a big tv that is ) and hook it up for me.

Now here's my question.

They don't make regular tv's any more. They are all High Definition, right?

I only have regular cable. We do not want to pay more for HD channels because we have a regular tv.

So what happens, if let's say we buy some 37 inch flat screen tv, (Not to hang on a wall, but just to put on one of our tv carts, it would hold, we have big tv carts).

Would the tv work. Can I just take the cable from the back of my now tv, and just insert it on the back of the new big tv when I buy it.

Would the fact that it is in high definition, well, what kind of a picture would I be getting?

I went to the tv store that sells all these big tvs. I asked the question. (Now, I am NOT a stupid woman), I know how to ask a question.

The guy said "well, it depends if you subscribe to the service from Directv, blah blah"

I said: "I'm not subscribing to any new service. Just regular Directv".

He then said "why not?" oh my god, I walked out.

Can't someone just tell me that if I buy a big 37 inch tv (It has to have a headphone jack, and many do, because I checked some of them)

So let's say Melody saves her money, wants to surprise Alan and goes into PC Richards and buys a 37 inch Flat Screen TV (They don't sell any other kind by the way).

So I bring it home. Can I just hook it up, and BAM, there will be my picture on the screen.

This is what happened when I bought a little 13 inch for my bedroom. I just unplugged the cable from the older smaller tv (that broke), and just put it in the back of the newer 13 inch that I just bough. BAM, there was my soap opera.

Now can I expect the same with some new big HD 37 inch thing that I want to buy?

Please tell me i don't have to go through hoops, hire someone to install this big tv thing.

I'm really serious.

Tv's don't last forever.

Alan would LOVE to see his movies up there on a big tv.

I'm probably the only person on my block who doesn't have a 55 inch tv.

I couldn't care less.

I'm just talking about the day when the living room tv DOES break down.

thanks much

Melody

Mel you are cracking me up.

I work in advertising so we are acutely aware of the impact of the switch to digital from analog.

It is expected that as of Feb 2009 that 20% of americans will not have switched and will not have TV.

It you do not have cable or direct tv (sat) you need to converter box. I believe its only 20 dollars or so.

Hooking up to the computer I do not know if you will get live TV . You can certainly watch TV on the computer but most of the shows are sligtly delayed from live TV.

Now mel you may be different. You live in a large city in a multiple dwelling I am guessing. So if you have cable the cable guy has something installed for the building and its not on the roof and they hook you into it when you sign up.

I believe most of NYC is cable and not satellite just because of all the buildings and its easier to run cable than have dishes everywhere. And if you have satellite the dish but face a certain way/exposure for you to get service. That can be tough in NYC unless the building as a whole gets satellite and its on the roof.

So here is what I know.

If you have direct TV now you are fine. Nothing to do for the switch from analog to digital. We have direct TV and I consider it to be the best of the services.

If you have digital cable you are fine as well. No need to do anything.

If you do not have digital cable call your cable comapny and ask them if there is anything you need to do or if they are addressing it on their end. There might not be anything you need to do.

If you only have analog TV you need the converter.

On the TV end of things.

Flat panels are great, we have two.

Its a misconception that all flat panels are high def. Some are high def compatible which means you need a converter or a special cable to make it high def. And some are high def ready which I think means you dont need any special equipment.

But here's the catch just because the TV is high def ready or compatible does not mean you have high def. Its a service that you have to sign up for and pay for...like a special cable tier.

Its funny but half of the people that buy TV's think they have high def and they do not know you have to pay and sign up for it.

Either way even if you dont sign up for high def service the technology of these new TVS are great and look as good as high def.

And its a great time to buy a new flat panel. Prices have never been lower and will continue to decline. Amazon and costco often have some great prices on flat panels so watch for them. Check out the vizio's. I believe that Pioneer's are very high end and Sony is overpriced as well and quality has declined. As they open more flat panel factories in Asia, the prices will fall and it becomes more commoditized. For example right now Samsung makes the majority of the glass for all the TV regardless of brands so worry less about which brand you want because its becoming parity.

And if you buy fro a best buy or circiut city they can come install it for you on the wall for a price I believe. Let someone who knows how to intall it do it because you would be very sad if it dropped while installing it or after installed.

Hope I helped.

I got the coupons for those converters too.

Instead of buying one of those large....errrrr huge tv's, I bought a projector. I can make the screen as large as 20'x16', and only have to replace the bulb every couple years. The big plus is I can carry it in a little bag anywhere I want and make a big screen!! LOL

I heard you get great TV signals with those converters, at least that is what my friends are telling me.

There is also a little box thing I found that you can connect to your monitor and it makes it into a TV.

[The TVBox 9 is a top of the line external TV Tuner with the ability to turn your LCD monitor into a TV without the use of a PC! Featuring cutting edge Progressive Scan technology and 3D-Motion Adaptive De-Interlace, the TVBox 9 displays sharper images while you enjoy full-screen SXGA high-resolution display (up to 1280 x 1024).]
http://www.aver.com/mpd/tvbox9_feature.html

Another option we might do -
buying a nice large monitor instead of a new digital TV { less cost & less power consumption} and use the TVbox9 thing.

You can search the energy star website to find out power use/ratings etc.
http://www.energystar.gov/

monitors 26"-32" use about 30 - 50 watts while on
similar sized TV use 124- 170W watts while on :(

I am not coverting my computer into a tv set. Alan ALWAYS watches tv on the computer. Everything that is broadcast on our tv is usually available online. I've watched Dancing with the Stars, Eureka (from the Sci Fi Channel), etc. So I don't need to convert my computer so I can watch tv. We already do this.

I just want to know the following. Can I walk into any tv store that sells 37 inch Flat Panel TVs. Can I buy one of those? Can I then hook it up to my vcr (exactly the way it's hooked up now),

I have Directv, NOT CABLE. So that's not changing.

I do not want an high definition service. I'm perfectly happy with the image I get now on my tv.

So when I DO buy my new BIG tv, and it's a HD tv, will I still be able to view the tv show IF I DON'T SUBSCRIBE TO ANY HD SERVICE.

Clear??????

And I don't live in a building. I live in a private house. So there's no cable guy coming to fix anyone's cable.

I do howver, hook up my own multiswitches, change coaxial cables (bet you thought I was dumb, hah??? lol).

Let me tell you, without me, Alan wouldn't be able to watch tv.

The other day I told him 'Alan when they stop making vcrs, and we can't buy any more, we'll have to buy one of thse DVD DVrs, or one of those dual DVD/VHS things, and we can play our tapes and record to a DVD rewritable rom"

Guess what Alan said?

"I have no idea what you just said and I'm sacred to death if something happens to you, how do you hook up anything, I don't know how to do anything". And I burst out laughing.

I am now showing him how to hook up VCRs. Yeah right!!!!

lol

Melody

Good Afternoon,
We have directtv and I installed an outside antenna about 25 feet high ( talk about staggering around with PN ) so I can get 4 HD channels and 9 analog channels all free and clear. When everything goes ditigal will I need the box since I run the os line thru my Directtv control unit. Thanks

Ok Mel,

First if you have Direct TV there is nothing you need to concern yourself about with the switch from analog to digital. No converter box needed.

P.S. I hate cable too...direct tv is heaven.

Yes you can walk in and buy a flat panel and probably hook it up the same way. Just ask the guy at the store if you need to hook up any differently if the connection have changed.

And yes if its and HD TV and you dont have HD service everything wil be the same. HD service just means you would get even more channels and have multiples of thinsg like you would have an ABC regular channel and an ABC HD channel. Without HD services those HD channels will just show up blank.

We have HD on one TV and not the other in our house.

Although Mel I am not sure how you live without a DVR. They are fab!

Don't get me started on DVR's. Tivo, and the like.

I know that SOMEDAY down the road, when NOBODY makes vcrs anymore, I will have to learn how to do the DVR thing. God only knows what Alan will do when he has to get a DVR box on HIS LIVING ROOM TV.

Oh, I know that if you have cable or directv, then when the switch is made in February, that we don't need to do anything.

But I have several tv's in my house, and the only one that DOES NOT HAVE CABLE SERVICE, is the little one in my bedroom.

That's why I went into Radio Shack and asked the question about the rabbit ears antenna. The little tv in the computer room has a rabbit ears and I get no reception whatsoever.

The guy said 'that's exactly what you'll get in February if you hook up the converter box. YOU NEED A ROOFTOP ANTENNA.

I am not GETTING A ROOFTOP ANTENNA.

I'll just go and tape on my other tvs.

So from what I read, Alan and I, if we ever inherit a gazillion dollars, can go into PC Richards, buy a lovely big HD television and hook it up to my Directv and I should still get the same picture I get now.

Right??

thanks,

Mel

You are right Mel!

Now when it comes to DVRs you know that you can just call Direct TV and have them just switch out your current direct tv box and put in a box tat has a dvr. I can't imagine that it is more than a coupel bucks a month more on your Direct TV bill.

DVR's are easier than VCRs to operate.

From the Direct TV website -

[ How do regular TV shows look on an HDTV set?

It really depends on screen size. Some standard-definition programming may look a little sharper and cleaner on your HDTV set, but more often, it looks worse. That's because all the little flaws and murkiness inherent in regular TV images become that much more obvious when blown up to larger sizes, especially when compared to crystal-clear HD channels. In addition, because SD programming has a narrow aspect ratio of 4:3, you'll see black bars on the left and right sides of the picture if you're watching on a wide-screen 16:9 set. If the black bars bother you, adjustments on all HDTVs can make 4:3 programming fill a 16:9 screen, but when doing so, they crop or distort the image.

03
Are HD and Digital TV the same?

All HDTV is digital, but not all Digital TV is HDTV. High Definition refers to the resolution of the video (720p, 1080i or 1080p). Digital TV means that the off-air signals are transmitted digitally (usually in ATSC) versus the older analog signals (NTSC). Digital TV broadcasts can be a mixture of standard definition and high definition programs.

26 I have the right equipment for HD, but the picture looks the same as what I'm used to—why is that?

Often people who think they're watching HD are actually watching Standard Definition. High Definition can only be experienced with all the right conditions:
(a) HD television
(b) HDMI or Component connections
(c) HD resolution settings in the receiver and TV
(d) HD receiver: DIRECTV HD receiver (model H20 or H21) or DIRECTV Plus HD DVR (model HR20 or HR 21). A BBC module must be connected to your receiver.
(e) You must be subscribed to HD Access ($9.99/mo)
(f) Tuned to an HD channel
(g) Watching a program on that HD channel that is originated in HD by the broadcaster (HD icon in program guide)
]
more info
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global...420013#hd-faq2

Shelley:

Okay, EXPLAIN WHAT DVR's are. Is this what Tivo is?? I know that it's a hard drive and you get 30 hours of taping and you can watch a show while taping another show. (that is cool). But the whole point of Alan and I using VCR's was that we can EXCHANGE TAPES.

Like he'd be watching NCIS, and I'd be watching my soaps, (on my left set-up), and I'd be taping American Gladiators on my right set-up.

Then when Alan was finished in the Living Room, he would holler "can you give me the American Gladiator tape please?"

See, when you can't go on your foot for months at a time, all the guy had was tv, so this taping was perfect for him.

Since you are all-knowing and wise about dvrs, please give me a quick lesson. I'd appreciate it.

I'm still trying to find a way to program my new Toshiba (which I got yesterday for $25.00) and it works good but had no instruction booklet (now I've never needed any instruction booklet for any VCR, because I KNOW VCR's).

But on the remote, the programming button doesn't work.

If I buy a new universal remote, do you think it would work with my Toshiba?

It's not an OLD machine because on the front it has the red yellow hook-ups, so it's not that ancient.

Do you think I have a shot with a new universal remote, to finally set the time and program this new vcr. It's really a beauty, and I'm not ready to give up VCR's alltogether.

So thanks for any help, and if you can give me a quick (easy to follow) explanation of what DVR's are, I'd much appreciate it.

I know the day is coming when I have to call up Directv and do the dvr thing.

lol

Melody

DVR info- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_video_recorder

What you might like to try is a combo VCR/DVD plays both and records on both tapes & DVD's real handy :)

Thanks so much for the dvr information.

I know ALL about Dvd/VCR combos. All my friends have them, they HATE them. The vcr part always breaks down.

I just came back from CVS and I bought a universal remote.

Maybe after I program it, I can get to set the time and then program my Toshiba that I bought yesterday.

Either that, or I'll go back and break the guys legs!!!!

I'm italian you know!!!!!

lol lol lol lol lol

Our JVC combo machine is 8 yrs old and it has never had a problem, but we don't have any grand kids around yet to "play" with our electric equipment.:rolleyes:

Mel,

Lets see DVRs are just next generation VCRs...well two generations if you count DVD players.

A TIVO is a type of DVR, just a brand name. It was the first DVR. But now that technology has advanced, all the satellite and cable companies offer DVRs within their own set top boxes so you dont need an extra box or peiece of equipment. WIth TIVO its an extra box.

At first we had TIVO which was great. BUt now that everyone overs a DVR with service no need for it.

You can call directv and ask them to add DVR service. THey may or may not need to exchange your box which they will come and do.

And it may cost an extra $5 or $8 a month for the DVR service but but its great.

So think of the DVR hard drive as an extra big VCR tape that hold up to 30 hours of programming.

And you just program it via the same remote as the TV from Direct TV.

And you can watch one program and tape another at the same time.

And tape multiple programs simultaneously.

Then just watch at your leisure.

The best ever is you can watch a show live and actually rewind to watch something over.

So difference may be that instead of you and Alan switching tapes to watch something you watch it whenever you want or you switch TVs if you only have the DVR on one TV.

And when you tape on DVRs you select the program name from a TV guide like screen, no need to set times like a VCR.

Does that answer your questions.

Its interesting to look back at technology and wonder how did we live without this stuff like DVR and Ipods etc.

hehehe...shelley..grandmonkey was amazed at vinyl records. he said "wow, dashboards must have been real big."

:D

Shelly:

You said:

"The best ever is you can watch a show live and actually rewind to watch something over"

I BEG YOUR PARDON!!!!!

lol.