If I want to hook up my DirecTv signal to my computer so that I can have a TV window open while doing other stuff, what's the simplest product that will accomplish this? At this point my DirecTV signal is not HD, but it probably will be at some point in the future. While it might be nice to have the ability to record this signal it's not a priority. Computer is an HP Pavilion a1740n if that matters. Thanks for any suggestions.
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My turn for a computer question
- Thread starter Carter
- Start date
thecomicbookguy
Nobody.
Re: My turn for a computer question
I'm far from an expert on this sort of thing, but you may want to look into a TV Tuner card for your computer. It's a video card that allows you to plug a cable into your computer, and watch TV on your monitor.
I'm far from an expert on this sort of thing, but you may want to look into a TV Tuner card for your computer. It's a video card that allows you to plug a cable into your computer, and watch TV on your monitor.
hockeyplayer1015
Capt
Re: My turn for a computer question
This would be my suggestion as well, you can get them fairly reasonable in terms of price, and some will also record onto a HD as well.
I know that you can hook up the computer to a TV via HDMI, S-video or VGA/DVI cable, but I'm not certain you can go the other way, as I believe computers are all output for that, not input.
This would be my suggestion as well, you can get them fairly reasonable in terms of price, and some will also record onto a HD as well.
I know that you can hook up the computer to a TV via HDMI, S-video or VGA/DVI cable, but I'm not certain you can go the other way, as I believe computers are all output for that, not input.
rufus
rock and roller
Re: My turn for a computer question
I have digital cable, and bought a tuner card a couple months ago to record the Tour de France on my computer, as my cable box DVR didn't have a big enough hard drive to capture all of the coverage. The signal goes out from the cable box and then into my audio video receiver, then out to TV.
For unscrambled channels, I can use the card's tuner, and choose any channel from 2 up through 75 or so. For anything that's scrambled, like HBO or something, I tune the channel on the cable box, and then choose the 'line input' source for the card, and it receives the signal out from my AVR. My system is old enough that I'm still using composite cables for signal.
Took some trial and error to get it set up and working properly, largely because the instructions were pretty vague, but I finally got it working the way I wanted.
I have digital cable, and bought a tuner card a couple months ago to record the Tour de France on my computer, as my cable box DVR didn't have a big enough hard drive to capture all of the coverage. The signal goes out from the cable box and then into my audio video receiver, then out to TV.
For unscrambled channels, I can use the card's tuner, and choose any channel from 2 up through 75 or so. For anything that's scrambled, like HBO or something, I tune the channel on the cable box, and then choose the 'line input' source for the card, and it receives the signal out from my AVR. My system is old enough that I'm still using composite cables for signal.
Took some trial and error to get it set up and working properly, largely because the instructions were pretty vague, but I finally got it working the way I wanted.
Re: My turn for a computer question
Adding a question to this - is there a tool out there that will tell me what speed/size hard drives are compatible with my motherboard? I'm looking for something similar to what crucial offers for RAM compatibility tests. I have a 200GB disc that has just under 2 GB of free space remaining, and I want to add another disc to it. I just don't know if my computer is SATA compatible.
Thanks
ETA: Stupidity of me - I know it's SATA (it's late and my brain's on the fritz). I need to know speed requirements - 5400 or 7200 - or limitations of my PC.
Adding a question to this - is there a tool out there that will tell me what speed/size hard drives are compatible with my motherboard? I'm looking for something similar to what crucial offers for RAM compatibility tests. I have a 200GB disc that has just under 2 GB of free space remaining, and I want to add another disc to it. I just don't know if my computer is SATA compatible.
Thanks
ETA: Stupidity of me - I know it's SATA (it's late and my brain's on the fritz). I need to know speed requirements - 5400 or 7200 - or limitations of my PC.
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unofan
Well-known member
Re: My turn for a computer question
To the best of my knowledge, as long as it's SATA and you have both an empty drive bay and excess cable hook-ups (SATA and power), you should be fine with whatever your budget can afford.
The only size limitation would come from how much your O/S recognizes, I think. And even then you could probably get around that with partitions.
It's been awhile since I researched hard drives, though. I just got a new computer 2 months ago, but focused on the CPU, motherboard and video card, not the hard drive.
To the best of my knowledge, as long as it's SATA and you have both an empty drive bay and excess cable hook-ups (SATA and power), you should be fine with whatever your budget can afford.
The only size limitation would come from how much your O/S recognizes, I think. And even then you could probably get around that with partitions.
It's been awhile since I researched hard drives, though. I just got a new computer 2 months ago, but focused on the CPU, motherboard and video card, not the hard drive.
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bostonewe
Short/Round
Re: My turn for a computer question
Building on an existing thread -- Does anyone have recommendations for an external hard drive? My last one bit the dust after about 7 years and I'm looking for a good (and reliable replacement). I don't need anything huge (TB), but decent sized to store pictures (I'm thinking 300GB or more).
Building on an existing thread -- Does anyone have recommendations for an external hard drive? My last one bit the dust after about 7 years and I'm looking for a good (and reliable replacement). I don't need anything huge (TB), but decent sized to store pictures (I'm thinking 300GB or more).
dropthatpuck
In Vino Veritas
Re: My turn for a computer question
I have an external Seagate tera drive on my office PC - works like a charm. Also have a Maxtor 300gb at home that I've had for over a few years and that works just as well.
I have an external Seagate tera drive on my office PC - works like a charm. Also have a Maxtor 300gb at home that I've had for over a few years and that works just as well.
Foxton
Banned
Re: My turn for a computer question
Clown your computer should be able to handle any speed hdd. That speed rating refers to how fast the drive spins, changing how fast it can access information.
My recommendation is to get a standard internal drive and put it into an external enclosure.
Clown your computer should be able to handle any speed hdd. That speed rating refers to how fast the drive spins, changing how fast it can access information.
rufus
rock and roller
Re: My turn for a computer question
Last I checked Newegg, it'll cost you pretty much the same as if you bought the external pre-packaged.
From what I've been seeing, WD is the drive maker of the moment.
Last I checked Newegg, it'll cost you pretty much the same as if you bought the external pre-packaged.
From what I've been seeing, WD is the drive maker of the moment.
Foxton
Banned
Re: My turn for a computer question
Depends, one of the nice things about just getting an enclosure for an internal drive, is that you can swap it with others if need be, you can even take your current one and access it through any other computer. You can also pick and choose which drive you want, usually getting a better spec drive. If you get a straight external drive, that's what you get unless you rip it apart.
dropthatpuck
In Vino Veritas
Re: My turn for a computer question
She asked for an external drive, fellas. I'm assuming she has her reasons.
She asked for an external drive, fellas. I'm assuming she has her reasons.
Re: My turn for a computer question
The WD My Passports are the best!!!! They are tiny, they are lightweight, they are powered by USB and they are cheap. Not sure what the max size is - the last one I bought was 500gb. I have a mini collection of them starting with the ?150 gb? that at that time was the largest. Rarely have any issues and 99% when I have an issue transferring data, I blame the other side of the transfer, not the passprt. If you have any desire to use with a laptop and travel with it, this is the absolute best.
If you are looking for a desktop one, you can probably find a faster drive that requires power. The recommendations that you buy a drive & an enclosure separately is good except I never seem to be able to get them right. BUT, I have this little doohickey that plugs directly into a drive - and works with IDE and SATA (not eSATA though) that works great - doesn't seem to have a model name, but brand is coolmax. You can see that you have it plugged in right, no issues with something unplugging while you are shoving it into the enclosure. I think it was under $15.
But My Passports really are the best - just do some shopping on Amazon and Newegg and look at all the options - they tend to be priced differently based on color (black is usually cheapest, but occasionally they have an unpopular, I assume, color and it goes for less). I have velcro on the back of my laptop screen and velcro on the passports so I can just stick them right on. They are so lightweight it isn't a problem.
The WD My Passports are the best!!!! They are tiny, they are lightweight, they are powered by USB and they are cheap. Not sure what the max size is - the last one I bought was 500gb. I have a mini collection of them starting with the ?150 gb? that at that time was the largest. Rarely have any issues and 99% when I have an issue transferring data, I blame the other side of the transfer, not the passprt. If you have any desire to use with a laptop and travel with it, this is the absolute best.
If you are looking for a desktop one, you can probably find a faster drive that requires power. The recommendations that you buy a drive & an enclosure separately is good except I never seem to be able to get them right. BUT, I have this little doohickey that plugs directly into a drive - and works with IDE and SATA (not eSATA though) that works great - doesn't seem to have a model name, but brand is coolmax. You can see that you have it plugged in right, no issues with something unplugging while you are shoving it into the enclosure. I think it was under $15.
But My Passports really are the best - just do some shopping on Amazon and Newegg and look at all the options - they tend to be priced differently based on color (black is usually cheapest, but occasionally they have an unpopular, I assume, color and it goes for less). I have velcro on the back of my laptop screen and velcro on the passports so I can just stick them right on. They are so lightweight it isn't a problem.
miker
Aged since 2002
Re: My turn for a computer question
I've have a Cavalry 1TB. No issues so far after 6 months, plug it in and store away. Great deal for <$100.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101146
Edit:
If file transfer speed is important to you (storing and accessing DVDs)...
try any with eSata, like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101133
I've have a Cavalry 1TB. No issues so far after 6 months, plug it in and store away. Great deal for <$100.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101146
Edit:
If file transfer speed is important to you (storing and accessing DVDs)...
try any with eSata, like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101133
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