The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Watching TV on my laptop

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Kaelang, Jan 25, 2011.

  1. Kaelang

    Kaelang Requires more Witcher.

    Reputations:
    717
    Messages:
    1,210
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Hey folks.
    I'm redoing my room soon and decided to kick my old TV and DVD player out. We are getting Direct TV soon and I was wondering if I can use my laptop to watch TV. I'm aware of coaxial USB tuners that will plug right in, but I'm wondering if there's anything I should know before hand. Will I get the HD channels, will Windows Media Center get the live TV, ect. Is there a way to connect the set-top box to my laptop or just connect my laptop right to the cable or what?
    Thanks.
     
    Kaelang, Jan 25, 2011
    #1
  2. Terry Kennedy

    Terry Kennedy Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    55
    Messages:
    115
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    DirecTV uses an encrypted satellite signal. There are very few satellite tuners at all (I don't know of any for USB or PC Card/Expresscard - doesn't mean there aren't any) and they wouldn't be able to process the encryption anyway.

    If you are getting a DirecTV DVR (HR2x for HD or Rxx for SD), you can install the free DirecTV2PC application which will let you watch recorded shows on your PC(s), provided the DVR and the PC(s) are on the same Ethernet LAN.

    That software is a bit twitchy (it is in a semi-permanent "beta" state) but it is likely the best solution for you.
     
    Terry Kennedy, Jan 25, 2011
    #2
  3. Patrick

    Patrick Formerly beat spamers with stiks

    Reputations:
    2,284
    Messages:
    2,383
    Likes Received:
    93
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Yeah, the Directv software is the best bet. Its what I use, and does a decent enough job.
     
    Patrick, Jan 25, 2011
    #3
  4. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    146
    Messages:
    1,943
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I use Slingbox Pro which you can watch your local channels while traveling and with wifi connection. It can also control the control box while you're away and does HD broadcast thru the internet.
     
    kanehi, Jan 29, 2011
    #4