<p>So instead of buying a TV, I was looking into just getting a USB stick (since they are the smallest option) that is a TV tuner. I've been doing research and just about everything I read goes over my head. I just want to be able to have my laptop set up to record some primetime shows so I can watch them later and also watch some live TV. As I understand it, I'd be able to go to say the library and watch what I've recorded.<br>
Any suggestions on what works and what doesn't or what to look for would be helpful.
Thank you!</p>
<p>Oh, and would my school have any problem with this? I know they don't like routers or live gaming because of the bandwith issue, but I don't think this goes through the internet, so it should be okay, right?</p>
<p>I’ve been looking a lot at Newegg, but I can’t tell the difference between the $20 stick and the $100 stick and don’t know what to look for in the technical side of things.</p>
<p>i dont have any personal experience with these things, so look for a second opinion, but i’m pretty sure QAM is the signal type that digital cable uses. ntsc is analog over the air, and the third option is digital over the air.</p>
<p>so as long as it supports QAM you should be in the clear.</p>
<p>I have one of those TV tuner for the computer, except mine is the HP ExpressCard one (Made by Hauppage I believe). Same principle though. </p>
<p>If you are planning to hook it up to a Coax cable jack (the regular ones in the wall) to record standard def channels, then you need to buy an NTSC compatible tuner. </p>
<p>If you are planning to record HDTV (especially over the air signals), then the tuner also needs to be ATSC compatible and will need an antenna. </p>
<p>You can find tuners out there that are NTSC/ATSC so you don’t need to choose. </p>
<p>Also, you need to make sure you have the software ware or the tuner comes with it. If you have Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate or XP Media Center Edition, you can control the DVR functions of the tuner through that, if not, you can use the manufacturer’s software (if included).</p>
<p>D has a Pinnacle brand USB tuner that she has used for two years of school so far. It has served her well. She can use her hard drive to tape shows when she is out.</p>
<p>Will be purchasing another for D #2 before she starts in the fall.</p>
<p>Depends on what type of antenna connection you have.</p>
<p>Do you have analog cable?
Do you have a regular antenna?
Do you have digital cable?
Do you want HD TV?</p>
<p>Also, the computer must be turned on and connected to the antenna in order to record. If you are at the Cafeteria with your laptop when the show is on, you won’t be able to record it.</p>
<p>NTSC - Analog signal in USA (currently only available through cable)
PAL - similar to NTSC, but used in Europe
ATSC - Digital television, also HDTV
QAM - Digital cable (unencrypted channels)</p>
<p>In general, the more expensive ones will encode the TV signal faster/better/less CPU usage, larger buffers, etc. Also confirm that it will encode wide screen vs. standard TV aspect ratio.</p>
<p>Note: because of the critical nature of the data transmitted (use it or loose it), you may want to connect it directly to your laptop, and not through a hub (shared bandwidth).</p>