How does TV Out work?

[Warthog]

I know you can watch TV on computer, but how does it work? What connections are needed? Putting TV on my comp would just about finish off my goal of making my comp my total entertainment center! It already is or will be my stereo, gaming system (replaces N64, Playstation, etc), DVD movie player, radio...ummmmm can't think of anymore http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Anyways, thanks for your help.

Warthog

[Mr Twobit]

Can't think of any more?????
You forgot video IN!!!!!!
I have an ATI ALL-IN-WONDER PRO 32 meg AGP on my wish list!!! Want to set up a camera in my living room and watch my house while I'm at work!!!! (and let the world watch me walk around the house in my underwear!!! LOL)

[happyhamster]

Well, Tv-out is what lets you use TV as monitor, and that's apparently not what you want. You need a TV Tuner card, or a graphics card with TV Tuner built-in, like mentioned ATI All-in-Wonder. The cards let you plug tv cable right into them. I believe the stand-alone cards tend to be cheap, $60-100. I once was thinking of watching tv on my comp, but found several reviews stating that image quality was poor, so I abandoned the idea. Would be interesting to hear some opinions from people actually using it.

[daveleau]

I use the Hauppauge WinTV USB. It is nice but the image quality is not quite what it is on tv. A very slight lag that is rarely noticable. The picture is not bad enough to annoy. I enjoy it. I get to watch the Sopranos and hockey when I work and play. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Dave

[Warthog]

Ok. Thanks for your input (and straightening me out http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif)!

Warthog