How to use laptop as TV

radtech · 09-30-2007, 05:09 PM

I have an Acer w/ windows xp media center. I would like to use this as a TV/recorder. I do not know how to go about doing this. I have a VGA port on the back of my computer. No "S" cable or RCA either. I am finding it hard to find anything that will hook up to this stupid VGA. What else do I need? ANY help is greatly appreciated! I have a slot on the side of my computer that I'm assuming could be used for a Tuner card. It looks about the same size as a wireless notebook card.

Thanks!!

diduknowthat · 09-30-2007, 05:52 PM

You'll need an external tv interface device, something like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116624

As for the slot on the side of your computer, are you sure that's not just a standard PC slot?

Cupcakke · 10-01-2007, 03:26 AM

Picture of port you believe is to be entry for Tuner Card or Model # of your laptop?

My friend has one on his new HP laptop, works wonders.

radtech · 10-07-2007, 04:01 AM

sorry it took so long to get back to the forum. busy and all that. here a few pics of my slot. the only thing besides USBs on my computer is this VGA? port. I just want to use my laptop as a tv or DVR and put stuff on DVDs. Thanks!!

ukulele_ninja · 10-07-2007, 06:46 AM

Im not awesome at this by any means, but heres my observation. First off, are you going to be watching tv on your laptop screen? Or using an external monitor/tv? I think you may have your input/output need confused. VGA is an OUTPUT for an external monitor or tv. What you need is a INPUT for capturing video and audio. That expansion slot in the picture looks like a PCMCIA slot in which case you can just buy a PCMCIA video tuner and be set. If thats not a PCMCIA, they also make USB capture devices that would work as well.

ukulele_ninja · 10-07-2007, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diduknowthat

You'll need an external tv interface device, something like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116624

As for the slot on the side of your computer, are you sure that's not just a standard PC slot?

May be easier just to go with the USB version tuner. Works all the same.

radtech · 10-07-2007, 01:52 PM

thanks, I will try that. The worst that can happen is that it doesn't work! Thanks for the help

09-30-2007, 05:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
radtech New Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10	How to use laptop as TV I have an Acer w/ windows xp media center. I would like to use this as a TV/recorder. I do not know how to go about doing this. I have a VGA port on the back of my computer. No "S" cable or RCA either. I am finding it hard to find anything that will hook up to this stupid VGA. What else do I need? ANY help is greatly appreciated! I have a slot on the side of my computer that I'm assuming could be used for a Tuner card. It looks about the same size as a wireless notebook card. Thanks!!

09-30-2007, 05:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
diduknowthat formerly liuliuboy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Massachusetts Age: 19 Posts: 7,497	You'll need an external tv interface device, something like this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116624 As for the slot on the side of your computer, are you sure that's not just a standard PC slot? __________________ Media - Gaming Hybrid PC Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 4GB G.Skill DDR2 800 Memory \| 400GB WD SATA HD eVGA 8800GT 512mb Graphics Card X-Fi Xtrememusic Sound Card Hauppauge HVR 1800 MCE TV Tuner Scythe Ninja \| AC Accelero S1 Passive heatsink CM Elite 340 mATX Case \| Noctua NF-S12 Fans liusland - myminicity

10-07-2007, 04:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
radtech New Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10	pictures of my laptop sorry it took so long to get back to the forum. busy and all that. here a few pics of my slot. the only thing besides USBs on my computer is this VGA? port. I just want to use my laptop as a tv or DVR and put stuff on DVDs. Thanks!! Attached Images

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10-01-2007, 03:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cupcakke Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 115	Picture of port you believe is to be entry for Tuner Card or Model # of your laptop? My friend has one on his new HP laptop, works wonders.

10-07-2007, 06:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
ukulele_ninja VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Age: 23 Posts: 4,201	Im not awesome at this by any means, but heres my observation. First off, are you going to be watching tv on your laptop screen? Or using an external monitor/tv? I think you may have your input/output need confused. VGA is an OUTPUT for an external monitor or tv. What you need is a INPUT for capturing video and audio. That expansion slot in the picture looks like a PCMCIA slot in which case you can just buy a PCMCIA video tuner and be set. If thats not a PCMCIA, they also make USB capture devices that would work as well.

10-07-2007, 01:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
radtech New Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10	thanks, I will try that. The worst that can happen is that it doesn't work! Thanks for the help