TV on a PC monitor

[The Stimulator]

Hi,

I'm fed up with swapping my portable TV and PC monitor around on the one table I have available in our spare room, so am thinking about a TV card, but aren't sure exactly what I need.

I don't need a digital/Freeview input at all, simply analogue, and to be perfectly honest there is no requirement to record programmes, as I'll be using the Sky + box downstairs and the main TV for viewing that kind of thing. A remote control would be nice.

The PC I'd be using isn't particularly high spec (AMD Duron 900Mhz processor, 1,5Gb RAM, and an ATI Radeon 7000 AGP card with 64Mb memory, running on WinXP). Upgrading the video card alone would be OK, but I want to avoid doing a major PC upgrade which would probably cost the same as a small flat screen TV - it is after all just a spare TV that could be used occasionally.

I was looking at the Hauppauge WinTV-PCI-FM which seems to offer what I need/want, but unusually for me I'm just asking for a bit of advice before I buy.

Many thanks, and happy new year.

Iain

 

[Fanum]

If you want the easiest way of doing it , just get a USB external device- you won't even have to open the box then.( and could use it on any machine easily)

The Hauppage cards are pretty good- I used to run one in an old machine and never had probs with it.

TV cards can make a bit of heat- another good reason to get an external one ,or if you do go for a PCI card, make sure you position it well (furthest slot from any other) and check the temp inside the box.

Also check driver availability if you might get Vista at some point.....Hapuuage are pretty good on driver support tho.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

I use something called WAND TV it's an USB device that plugs into your aerial as well, gives GREAT freeview and also acts as a HDD recorder, I've recorded Life of Brian last night and just burnt it to DVD absolutely perfect

Cost £5 off EBAY but £10.99 postage, still well worth it

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WandTV-USB2-0...oryZ3761QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
even cheaper now