Turn a PC into a TV?

[Zephik]

Whats the best way to turn your computer (in this case a laptop) into basically a TV? Its for my parents. They just got rid of their television service provider and today I showed them how to hook up a laptop to the TV and watch Hulu. But I think its too much of a hassle for them, especially since there isn't a remote control, they have to get up and use it like a computer.

Any suggestions? This is an area that I don't know anything about at all. I watch Hulu on my computer, thats it, thats my TV. But for them, they're very much used to an actual TV and they still watch the "over-the-air" channels, like 2, 4 and 6 or whatever. Anything out there to give them a similar experience?

[mtekk]

There are USB tv tuners that should work on the laptop (see http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380047%201685342849%201148542844&name=ATSC%20%2f%20ClearQAM%20%2f%20NTSC ).

[nevermind1534]

There are USB tv tuners that should work on the laptop (see http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380047%201685342849%201148542844&name=ATSC%20%2f%20ClearQAM%20%2f%20NTSC ).

I think he means using the internet to get the programming, but I could be wrong.

[Xpirate]

I own this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116031

The USB TV tuners require a fast processor. My laptop is an old Dell Inspiron 1200 with a Celeron processor. It works on it, but it does not process the HD video from it as easily as my super powered desktop can.

[mtekk]

The USB tuners need CPU horsepower if you have integrated graphics that does not have VC1 and other MPEG4 accelerators (most intel GMA chipsets happen to be like this), ATI and nVidia graphics processors should have enough muscle to do the decoding for you. Starting in June you won't have to worry about capturing NTSC (which may require some processor horsepower).

[BuzzKillington]

Hardware is about the only way to do it for now. I've tried out some tv software that promised thousands of channels but only a few basic channels actually came in. Thankfully it was through giveawayoftheday or I would have been slightly upset... lol.

[mtekk]

I think he means using the internet to get the programming, but I could be wrong.

If you want local channels, you will more or less have to use a tuner as there is no "one stop shop" yet for streaming video online (HULU is the closest thing we have at the moment). Besides that, not many local channels do web broadcasts of their content. There are some media center applications that can pull HULU content and work with a TV tuner as well (get a "media center" remote and it should feel more like a TV than a computer).

[nevermind1534]

If you want local channels, you will more or less have to use a tuner as there is no "one stop shop" yet for streaming video online (HULU is the closest thing we have at the moment). Besides that, not many local channels do web broadcasts of their content. There are some media center applications that can pull HULU content and work with a TV tuner as well (get a "media center" remote and it should feel more like a TV than a computer).

I was thinking they still have a TV that they will use for local broadcasts.

[Zephik]

Well what I would like to set up for them is something with a TV Remote (maybe works as a mouse too?) and the Basic Channels (like what you get through an antenna). Then anything else is just a bonus I guess. Most of the shows they watch are on Hulu, which is why I recommended it to them, but like I said before, its a bit of a hassle for them I guess so they aren't really into it too much.

I'm not sure if there is anything out there for what I need, just thought I'd ask here since I have no clue at all.

But maybe if there is something where they can hook up a TV antenna to their computer somehow, to watch over-the-air shows, but also somehow where the remote control can work as a mouse or something so they can go to hulu to watch some of the shows they like that they can't get from over-the-air tv.

[noopypoop]

The USB tuners need CPU horsepower if you have integrated graphics that does not have VC1 and other MPEG4 accelerators (most intel GMA chipsets happen to be like this), ATI and nVidia graphics processors should have enough muscle to do the decoding for you. Starting in June you won't have to worry about capturing NTSC (which may require some processor horsepower).

Don't some TV Tuners have a hardware decoder built in?

[nevermind1534]

Don't some TV Tuners have a hardware decoder built in?

Some of the expensive internal ones, but they're talking about PCI tuners.

[Zephik]

Looks like they'll just be better off plugging in the pc into the tv and watching hulu. Everything else seems either too complicated for them, too costly or not what they need.

Maybe I'll pay for some basic cable for them for awhile or something, or maybe get them this giant thing.

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-DB4-Directional-Antenna/dp/B000EHYG9K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239678140&sr=1-3

[Drum Thumper]

If linux is an option, I'd look into boxee.

[Zephik]

If linux is an option, I'd look into boxee.

I do have an old laptop thats missing parts left and right that still has Ubuntu on it. Which version of linux is it compatible with? All or just a select few?

[Xpirate]

Maybe I'll pay for some basic cable for them for awhile or something, or maybe get them this giant thing.

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-DB4-Directional-Antenna/dp/B000EHYG9K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239678140&sr=1-3

Before spending all that cash try to build your own. It is a lot easier than it sounds:
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15857

This antenna can go in the attic and it will work as long as you do not have some kind of metallic roof or radiant barrier.

[Drum Thumper]

I do have an old laptop thats missing parts left and right that still has Ubuntu on it. Which version of linux is it compatible with? All or just a select few?

It works with all flavors of linux. Ubuntu is what I am running on my boxee box.

[Luke122]

LinuxMCE is hella fun too. :)

[Drum Thumper]

LinuxMCE is hella fun too. :)

True. As is MythBuntu.

[BuzzKillington]

HAVA Titanium HD TV Streamer with Wi-Fi