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    Adding TV Functionality and Recording to Existing Laptop?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by hhuffman, Jul 10, 2005.

  1. hhuffman

    hhuffman Newbie

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    I am looking into a new Media Center Laptop and my wife has found that her work can sell me one of their 1 year old business centric laptops for dirt cheap. I would really like the TV functionality and DVR capabilities of the Media Center Edition Laptops and am wondering how hard/ expensive it is to build that into an existing laptop?

    Your advice is greatly appreciated,
    Heath
     
    hhuffman, Jul 10, 2005
    #1
  2. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    You need to buy the OS, but I don't know if they sell them seperately in a store, it might only come with a computer. Plus, you need to find out if that version of the OS will work on the notebook you're getting.

    After you install the OS on a compatible system, you need to get yourself a TV Tuner. Make sure you get one that will have Media Center Edition compatible drivers, as a user here found that their ATI tuner didn't work and could not locate compatible drivers. Once installed, the system should allow you to capture/playback video.

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Jul 10, 2005
    #2
  3. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    ZaZ, Jul 11, 2005
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  4. REDFROG

    REDFROG Notebook Evangelist

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    REDFROG, Jul 12, 2005
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  5. moulinneuf

    moulinneuf Notebook Enthusiast

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    I dont know if its the answer your looking for , I have not found any internal
    solutions but this is what I would recommand you look into USB TV Tuner :

    http://shopper-search.cnet.com/search/usb_tv_tuner.html

    http://www.hauppauge.com/Pages/products/data_pvrusb2.html

    http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1662871,00.asp

    http://store.snapstream.com/tvtunercards-usb.html

    ---------

    For alternate MCE ( Media Center Edition ) replacement :

    http://www.mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html

    http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net/index.html

    Some Modified x-box :

    http://www.upgrade123.com/catalog/article_info.php?articles_id=5

    http://www.upgrade123.com/catalog/article_info.php?articles_id=4
     
    moulinneuf, Jul 13, 2005
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  6. neokoros

    neokoros Notebook Guru

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    Yeah, I agree with the last thread. I think the way to go is a external usb 2.0 tv tuner (stay away from usb 1.1). I don't think the OS matters at all, as long as the tv tuner says it works with your OS (xp, 2000, or whatever it is, you should be fine) You can go to a site like newegg.com and type "usb tv tuner" and there are about 50 products that match it. Read user reviews before purchasing. It should come to $50-$100. Good luck.
     
    neokoros, Jul 13, 2005
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  7. ivar

    ivar Notebook Deity

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    One of the following USB DVB-T tuner will be available next week in Germany in "Norma" supermarket (norma24.de) for 80 Euro (under "blue media" brandname)

    http://www.yuan.com.tw/en/products/vdo_pd300mini.htm
    or

    http://www.yuan.com.tw/en/products/vdo_pd300.htm

    I already have the following pcmcia dvb-t duo (digital and analog tv) card
    http://www.lifeview.com.tw/html/products/external_tv/flydvbt_duo_cardbus.htm
    Cool hardware, but the software could be better.


    PS: Norma Germany: http://www.norma24.de/index_norma24.php
    go to ANGEBOTE, then to ab Mittwoch, den 27.07.
     
    ivar, Jul 20, 2005
    #7