/ Using a Computer as a TV

Using a Computer as a TV

If I want to use my computer as a TV, what do I need to do? Celeste Stewart

Using Computers as TVs

If you want to use your computer as a television, you have several options including watching streaming programming online, installing a TV tuner card, or using a network-attached television tuner. Each has its pros and cons, so do a bit of research and consider how you will be using your computer for television viewing before you invest.

Watching TV Online

The easiest and cheapest way to watch television on your computer is to watch online television programming. However, you should have a broadband connection in order to get the best performance. Broadcasters now regularly post streaming videos of their popular programs on their Websites. For example, if you go to NBC.com, you’ll find current and past episodes of popular shows such as 30 Rock, Heroes, Chuck, and The Office. Other sites such as Hulu.com also host televisions shows from a variety of sources.

TV Tuner Cards

Another option is to buy a TV tuner card for your computer. TV tuner cards are hardware devices that either install directly inside your computer’s case or connect via a USB or Firewire connection. If you simply want to watch television on your computer, a basic TV tuner card should suffice. You’ll need to install the card and its software onto your computer and then connect your cable or a TV antenna to the device.

However, if your computer is a relatively high performance computer with a large hard drive, you might consider a TV tuner card cable of recording television or a dual TV tuner card that allows you to watch one program while another is recording. Pay attention to system requirements as these processes are demanding on your computer system.

Network-Attached TV Tuners

You may have heard of a product called “SlingBox.” The SlingBox is an interesting device with loads of possibilities. It attaches to your home network and television cable signal. Once configured, you can then share the television signal across your home network. Any connected computer on the network can watch television. But it gets even better, you can also set the SlingBox up to share your cable television over the Internet. Of course, not anyone on the Internet will be able to connect. You’ll need to set up the system with login names and user passwords as well as configure client software on the remote computers. Once set up, you can then access your system remotely. For example, if you’re going on vacation, you might take your laptop with you. Once settled in, simply connect to the Internet and control your SlingBox remotely.

Watching TV online, using a TV tuner, or investing in a network-attached TV tuner like SlingBox are all viable ways to enjoy watching TV on your computer. The least expensive choice is to watch programming online while the most versatile choice is to invest in a network-attached tuner.