TV to the laptop.

[Talbot]

Just finished installing a USB digital and analogue TV system to my laptop. Havent tried it onboard yet, but worked great at home from one of the normal aerials, so expect that an amplified indoor aerial should be fine. This is the one from Maplin and has the lowest system requirements of them all. Most require a 2.0Gb system or higher, this one requires a 1.6 with 256 mb of ram. I am actually running it on a 1.5 with 512 mb of ram. analgue is as good as the main tellie used to be on that aerial, and the digital is superb. Very pleased, especially as it will work on all TV anywhere in the world! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JKay]

Have you a link as too what you bought from Maplins?

cheers Joe

 

[Blue5]

Sounds good, give us a bit more info on product parts etc

 

[steverow]

Ah..but will it run C-map?

Steve

 

[Talbot]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97049&criteria=usb%20tv&doy=11m8 You will need a better aerial than is supplied. I will be looking in my nearest caravan shop! (although maplin have some indoor aerials with amps that can be powered by 12vDC)

 

[Talbot]

LOL! (same lappie!)

 

[StoicWarrior]

Talbot - I have also bought a Hauppauge USB unit for my laptop (their WinTV-HVR900) and while it works fine from home or office with a proper house antenna connected, I have found the little external antenna useless on the boat, unacceptable and unintelligible reception ... tried it in Gosport and S'hampton.

I am considering this ... http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/100111

 

[1114C]

someone at my work has bought
http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=6109&category_id=247&manufacturer_id=0
with great success - again you may need an improved aerial but a bit cheaper than some of the others

 

[Talbot]

Bit cheaper cause it only does digital. Maplin have just digital as well which are also cheaper than what I bought. I wanted something that would work on both analogue and digital anywhere in the world. and thats what I have - just need to sort out the right aerial.

 

[jimi]

That only does digital, I thougt analogue would also be useful for the time being? Any digi/analogue TV experts?

 

[StoicWarrior]

My Hauppauge WinTV-HVR900 is both digital/analog and multi-national ... I bought it for these dual criteria and will be taking it to my boat in the Med as well as up to the ski slopes in winter

Again, I give mine high marks for the receiver but low marks for the antenna included with the package.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

why are you guys going to such lengths .... and heights ...... to watch TV ?? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Jimi will say its to keep the family happy so more willing to go to the boat, which I can understand, but apart from that I go on the boat to get away from 'it all' !!

 

[fireball]

Ah - but does SWMBO do the same - or does she want to watch Emmerdale, Eastenders & Coronation Street?

 

[StoicWarrior]

Fair point, shy talk, but for me I don't mean sailing wkends with the lads or the occasional night on the hook in a quiet cove; I mean when on holiday for, say, a week or two, after the walkabout and meal in various ports, foreign or domestic, one gets tired of overpriced tourist traps quayside, overwrought family with too little to do in the evenings, or over the top Brits with brats in the restaurants ashore ... yeah I know, getting away is the goal, but you never real can, can you? Some modern conveniences are just that, modern and convenient. Yeah?

 

[awol]

Tried reading a book?

 

[fireball]

Sometimes it is nice to watch a film - and occaisionally they do show some good ones ....
I've been looking at the laptop tuners for a while (yer - I look at quite a few things!) .... once they are at a suitable price I will buy ... £50 is starting to look good!

The problem with books is that I need to take a library with me as I read quickly!

 

[StoicWarrior]

awol - gee, never thought of that; what a revolutionary new idea /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ... I just mentioned it to the teenagers ... they are really keen to try it during their summer hols ... one even volunteered to stay home and read his Shakespeare and promised not ot watch tellie at home, sleep in, see friends, drink my beer ...

 

[mobeydick]

I take it USB2.0 is not needed (though supported) then?

 

[Talbot]

All of these require 2.0

 

[JKay]

thanks for that Talbot

Is that all one needs?

cheers Joe