We have an old CRT type TV with a digital converter box to watch TV in our Roadtrek, and our old XP-based netbook computer needs to be replaced as well.I was thinking of getting a new notebook computer with at least a 17" screen and a TV tuner accessory.Seems to me that this may be a good idea for our smaller "space-challenged" Roadtrek. Do any of you use this approach? How does it work for you?

I'm following as I didn't know that you could get a TV tuner for a laptop. Randu

Sounds like a good idea. If you get a Windows 7 laptop, it includes something called Windows Media Center, which provides the ability to record tv shows. Microsoft removed this feature from Windows 8, but maybe they added it back.Just watch out that the tv tuner add-on has a cable f-type input, so you can connect it to your existing antenna.

THIS ONE or a similar product is what I was thinking of. Our Roadtrek has a fairly decent TV antenna in the fiberglass roof that has worked well with the old CRT TV set and digital converter box. Hopefully, good TV reception on the notebook and the ability to record would make the proposed setup superior (and a lot lighter!) than our present arrangement.Before I plunk down the money for the TV tuner, I'd be interested if anyone has this or a similar tuner. Thanks in advance.

I have a Hauppauge USB TV tuner, which costs under $40. Comes with software to record and manage what it receives, which is digital TV off the air. It's about the side of a typical USB "stick". It's got the capability of working with an infrared remote, but I've never tried that.Windows Media Center is included with the Windows 8.x "pro" upgrade, and provides a better interface to watch, record and play OTA tv. I think the Pro upgrade is about $100. You can get it at BestBuy.So - yes you can. Personally I'd find the laptop screen a bit small for watching much TV. But for folks who watch streaming video on cell phones, I guess a laptop screen is like Imax.al

I use an HDHomeRun with my computer. It has two tuners which gives you the ability to view and record programming on your computer. The HDHomeRun connects to the computer using a network cable. There are also tuners that use a USB port.Once you have the tuner, you will need software to view or record programming. Some tuners come with bundled software. The HDHomeRun does not. If you are lucky and are using Win 7 you already have Media Center which works well. If you have Win 8 Pro you have to purchase Media Center for $9.99 or $99.99 for other Win 8 versions from Microsoft. Here's some links:SiliconDust HDHomeRunMedia Center AddOn

Watching over-the-air TV on a notebook computer

racer4
Explorer
May 03, 2014
VE3ESN,

I have used the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950Q (you linked to) for several years on a laptop and a desktop. It works good, no problems.
VE3ESN
Explorer
May 02, 2014
loggenrock wrote:
I had purchased an AVerMedia USB TV tuner for my laptop back in '08 to do exactly as you planned in our Roadtrek (http://www.avermedia-usa.com/AVerTV/product/ProductList.aspx?IID=3)
Really didn't use it much - just found it a hassle to hook it up every time to catch the news, etc. Still have it - it works quite well, just not convenient. Ended up replacing the CRT TV (thus freeing up cabinet space...) with a 19" LCD TV. BTW - weren't you travelling to AK with a cat in '08, too? IIRC, you had a microwave problem, right? We visited at a rest area in the Yukon! ST

No, it wasn't us - AK is still on the bucket list! We don't have a cat.

However, we did have microwave problems and a Roadtrek next to our site at Edisto Beach SP in SC did in fact help us. We didn't have the manual, but he did.

Thanks for your comments about the computer/tv tuner idea. Didn't think about the connecting/unconnecting hassle so we will probably go with a flat screen TV and a replacement computer, as some others have also suggested.
loggenrock
Explorer
May 02, 2014
I had purchased an AVerMedia USB TV tuner for my laptop back in '08 to do exactly as you planned in our Roadtrek (http://www.avermedia-usa.com/AVerTV/product/ProductList.aspx?IID=3)
Really didn't use it much - just found it a hassle to hook it up every time to catch the news, etc. Still have it - it works quite well, just not convenient. Ended up replacing the CRT TV (thus freeing up cabinet space...) with a 19" LCD TV. BTW - weren't you travelling to AK with a cat in '08, too? IIRC, you had a microwave problem, right? We visited at a rest area in the Yukon! ST
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
May 02, 2014
VE3ESN wrote:
notruffinit wrote:
I use a laptop and tuner running Win 8.1 pro Media Center with a 2TB Passport drive as my DVR. You can also watch live TV. And if you have a 17" Laptop you have as big a screen as some TVs. It works for me.

Interested in knowing what kind of tuner you have or are they all about the same?

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply to my original post; all advice is really appreciated.

When you make a final decision, please come back and let us know what you did and how it worked out. It would be very helpful to others in the same situation.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 01, 2014
Hauppauge makes WIN-TV,, and the REPLAY version is supposed to be quite good,, Takes a bit of horsepower. I used to do that with Analog TV in the analog days but alas, as Widders added more and more layers of bandages on all the open wounds windows has they computers got slower and slower and s l o w e r and . Well you get it idea, and now they wont' do it any more.

Have not yet tried with my new TOSH, but if I do WIN-TV is the way I'll go, likey the Replay Edition cause I already know how to use it (It is based on the RePlay TV units I already use, though it's not compatable with them at least not without some added effort and software, which I have)
VE3ESN
Explorer
May 01, 2014
notruffinit wrote:
I use a laptop and tuner running Win 8.1 pro Media Center with a 2TB Passport drive as my DVR. You can also watch live TV. And if you have a 17" Laptop you have as big a screen as some TVs. It works for me.

Interested in knowing what kind of tuner you have or are they all about the same?

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply to my original post; all advice is really appreciated.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 01, 2014
notruffinit wrote:
And if you have a 17" Laptop you have as big a screen as some TVs. It works for me.
If you don't care much about the audio, that works. Audio's a big deal for me, and wearing headphones for 2+ hours is not comfortable.
notruffinit
Explorer
May 01, 2014
I use a laptop and tuner running Win 8.1 pro Media Center with a 2TB Passport drive as my DVR. You can also watch live TV. And if you have a 17" Laptop you have as big a screen as some TVs. It works for me.
Tom_M1
Explorer
May 01, 2014
If the intent is to record TV, the simplest approach would be to buy a new TV and a DVR. A couple of options for a DVR found on Amazon:
iView converter
HomeWorx converter

Adding a USB hard drive allows you to record programs.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
May 01, 2014
I apologize for going a bit sideways here, but I still find that you will get the best use out of "purpose built" products. Buy a TV to use as a TV. Buy a computer to use as a computer. Putting a small replacement digital TV in the space of your current TV will give you the best picture and service and you will be able to use your computer at the same time you are watching TV. This also gives you some added freedom in your choice of computers especially when it comes to size. A 17"+ laptop is a big piece of hardware and should you want to take it along on a trip you may rethink that while if you had a more reasonably sized laptop it would not be such a big deal.
Anyway, just thinking out loud. Compare the cost of a TV tuner to the cost of a replacement TV and the cost of the laptops at various sizes to make sure you end up with something you won't regret.