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    TV on my Notebook?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by animal_chin, Nov 26, 2007.

  1. animal_chin

    animal_chin Notebook Enthusiast

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    I recently got a Sager np2090 (with XP) and I LOVE it. Anywho my dorm is pretty small so I thought it would be a good idea to use my laptop screen as a TV (I didn't get the optional TV-tuner module in my Sager). So is my only option an usb based TV Tuner module? I have been looking at reviews and they seem to not have the best image quality. I will be viewing cable television when I watch TV on my notebook. Also if I want to play my PS2 on the screen is that possible with such a device? Thoughts on this please?
     
    animal_chin, Nov 26, 2007
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  2. JoeNewberry

    JoeNewberry Notebook Evangelist

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    A USB or ExpressCard TV tuner would be your best bet. Someone on the forums was asking just a little while back about finding the built-in tuner for this model for sale as a stand alone and I spent a good thirty minutes searching with no luck. Depending on the kind of external tuner you get, you could use a cable connection or audio/video connector like the PS2 uses. If you got one that just took RCA cables, you could use an RF modulator to hook up a coaxial cable connection to it.

    Picture quality often looks weird on a laptop LCD because over the air TV and cable are broadcast at much lower resolutions. So if you maximize that on your computer screen you usually get a pixelated effect. If you keep the picture in a smaller box, it won't look so bad, but of course you have to be closer to the screen to see anything.

    Here is a thread from the forums where people are comparing some different tuners, might be worth a look: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=107208
     
    JoeNewberry, Nov 27, 2007
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  3. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    As far as gaming goes, TV tuners have a characteristic lagging effect that will kill your gameplay. However, if you are willing to cough up a little $$ you can get a 'Gamebridge' adapter (NBR reviewed one at one point I think) which should work.

    Given your space restrictions, it might be a good idea.
     
    Greg, Nov 27, 2007
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  4. Clutch66

    Clutch66 Notebook Consultant

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    I have a USB Pinnacle TV Tuner and it blows. It's the biggest resource drain I have ever seen.

    Stay away! :(
     
    Clutch66, Nov 27, 2007
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  5. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    In my personal experience, avoid ATI TV tuners as well. Low quality garbage with crappy drivers to make it even worse!

    Hauppauge does okay, but there is always room for improvement.
     
    Greg, Nov 27, 2007
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