T.V.reception

[hideaway]

I have an antenna,Hauppauge box coupled to my laptop and can watch and record TV. However only over the air stations which are analog, I have seen ads for software that one can for a fee install in a computer which via the internet will allow the computer to become a TV set with access to world wide broadcasts. Yes I know that you will have to have contact with the internet but as I watch TV only when at anchor and I do look to anchor in areas where there are services this should work for me. Anyone out there have knowledge or experiance of the programs please. Calm seas and fair winds, Peter

I am glad you brought this up. Hope this is not highjacking your thread, but it brings up the question about the change over next year in the US to digital TV. How will this effect those who use the PC TV set up? Is this in place in other places around the world? I have concerns about being able to use the TV on my boat for anything aside from a monitor for the DVD player.
I am not sure, but I believe what you are referring to requires internet access to work. It is sort of like internet cable TV. That said, the answer is simple. If you can get internet, you have TV. If no internet, no TV.

[hideaway]

It is not only the US that is changing the UK is well underway. Peter

That is good to hear. I sure hope they are standardized. Would hate to reuire a different converter box for each country.

[scallywag]

Would the digital converter boxes work? The ones they are seller for non digital TV's.

[Chuck Baier]

Yes they will work but that does not answer the original posters question.

[uncle_fred]

have a look there you can receive digital even if you have the analog card
Watch Satellite & Cable TV on your PC For FREE! i do as well, it will receive ok.

[scallywag]

I guess I do not understand the question. Here is an online TV site that makes references to different publications. wwiTV.com - The ultimate guide to Live TV webcasts.

John

I get the original question. Sorry for hijacking the thread. The question is about the online TV programs that are advertised. You download a software program, and they guarantee you will get 200 or 300 channels with no further charges. The problem is that these channels are received through the internet. So, if you have an internet connection while you are sailing (such as a broadband card), and the signal is strong enough to get reasonable speed, you can watch 300 chanels of TV. Unfortunately, if you have a slow, or no connection, you can not watch anything. The PCTV software allows the PC to work as a receiver (Not sure if it works with digital signal). The downloadable programs only allow you to stream from a site.