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    Coax to USB TV Tuner

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Bearclaw, May 18, 2011.

  1. Bearclaw

    Bearclaw Steaming

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    Does anyone have one? is the quality okay? what sort of software would I need for it?

    And finally, how expensive are they?
    Thanks.
     
  2. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    > dont have one

    > quality is ok but only SD no HD

    > it will come with its own capture software, but you can sometimes use other software as well

    > $20 - $100+

    Other Info: USB capture uses the computers processing power to compress and store the data. If you have a slow computer it can lead to performance issues and also makes the computer not usable for other things during capture.

    Definitely do not think about trying to "live stream" where your playing a console game or something and trying to watch it on the computer screen, there will be a delay between what you see and what is really happening.
     
  3. Bearclaw

    Bearclaw Steaming

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    I just wanna watch TV lol. The place I'm renting has free cable.
    Do you have a link to some of the cheap ones?
     
  4. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    Oh, you need a tuner not just capture, thats a bit different.

    Also more complicated since it has to be compatible with what ever stream it is. I think they changed most of the "free" cable like a year so that there is not much left to get without a cable box.
     
  5. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

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    I have a Hauppauge 950Q that allows me to use my laptop and Win Media Center as my tv in my dorm room. Quality is great, better when watching an HD show (obviously). Been using it since 2009 with no issues. Amazon has it for under $70. Hauppauge has there own software for watching and recording shows, but I use Media Center instead. The cool thing about Hauppauge's software is that it can stream your shows to a mobile device (for a fee).

    It is a good card, I have used it on 3 laptops with slow to fast processors (C2D SU9400, i5-430UM, and i5-2520M).

    Or if you are just talking about the coaxial cable, I've gotten cheap ones from Staples and RadioShack that work fine.
     
  6. Bearclaw

    Bearclaw Steaming

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    I'll have to investigate but I think the cable box from upstairs splits a connection to this room.