TV Box for Computer Monitor

[legodude83089]

Hello all, I just moved into my dorm for my Freshman year of college. I have a 24" Dell widescreen monitor and I want to use it as a TV. To do this I know I need a vga interface tv box. I've found a few but none with an atsc tuner.

Here at the dorms we have cable TV so atsc doesn't matter too much but it'd be nice to pick up atsc broadcasts later on. Do I need a QAM tuner for the cable? Does anyone know of any atsc vga interface tv boxes? Thanks.

 

[tzepp@cox.net]

something like this:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3296076&CatId=1427

$39.99

 

[legodude83089]

Actually it needs to be external as I don't have my desktop with me. I do though have my laptop.

 

[LeeJend]

There are PCMIA Cards and USB cards that can plug into a laptop and display ATSC and NTSC TV. Reception varies and a "Smart" antenna is recommended for ATSC off the air. Google laptop tv tuners or pcmia tv tuners. Figure $50-100. Read the reviews on any you like closely. Many suffer with over heat issues. You would also need a cable to run from the laptop to the monitor if you don't have one already. And your laptop will be tied up while watching TV which may limit using it for homework.

I have not seen any stand alone boxes that receive ATSC and will output in a monitor friendly format. The tuner boxes are all RF out.

I have seen zero vcrs, dvd players, etc that have ATSC tuners built in.

PArt of this is limits set by the government on what qualifies for the converter box rebate and I suspect a lot is tied to fear of having equipment classified as DCMA crack capable which would get it banned in the USA.

Warning, most ATSC converter boxes do not allow for pass through from their RF input. This means they will be useless with cable systems.

 

[legodude83089]

Will this tuner work with the cable? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815260010

As long as it can I think I'll get it even though it does not have an atsc tuner.

Edit: Will this work if I just set the video output to the monitor as composite? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815101002

 

[Taggert_LOA]

I don't see why that won't work. good price too.

 

[legodude83089]

I ended up getting the KWORLD TV Box http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815260010 for only $40 after a $20 discount with one of Newegg's advert's. The code for the discount is EMCAJCBAK if anyone else is interested.

Also I got the Logitech 980-000023 S220 Speakers with this CD Nominations for the Gramophone Awards 2000 so that I qualify for free shipping.