|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:28 pm Post subject: What is the best/cost effective setup for games/movies/TV |
 |
|
We don't have a TV and I don't want to buy one because I'll be getting a big widescreen monitor. I want to use this monitor for everything visual, include connecting my computer to browse the internet, watch DIVX movies and TV. The resolution of this monitor is 3000x2000 (or something like that).
I heard you can buy one of those DIVX hard disk video box which you use to put your 3.5" hard disk in and playback movies onto TVs and monitors. Some of them allows you to record stuff from the TV connector, which should probably also allow you to watch TV as well.
I only have a notebook that I can also use to connect to the big LCD monitor, but not to watch TV. The graphic card isn't good enough to play the latest games (like Q4, Fear etc), it is only an ATI 9600. Gaming isn't my highest priority but if it is easier/cheaper to build a computer to do all this then I will definitely consider getting a good graphic card. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Thunndarr
Joined: 30 Sep 2003
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Well, what you need is a TV Tuner card. However, I'm not sure you can get one added to your notebook, you'll have to check on that. TV Tuner cards for PC's aren't terribly expensive, perhaps around 50,000 won or so? In that case, it may be easiest just to build yourself a Home Theater PC. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Demophobe
Joined: 17 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| your 9600 will only display 2048x1536, full on. I wouldn't want to see it at that res either. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cubanlord
Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Location: In Japan!
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thunndarr wrote: |
| Well, what you need is a TV Tuner card. However, I'm not sure you can get one added to your notebook, you'll have to check on that. TV Tuner cards for PC's aren't terribly expensive, perhaps around 50,000 won or so? In that case, it may be easiest just to build yourself a Home Theater PC. |
OP, does your Laptop have an open PCI slot? If so, you may find a removable adapter to help remedy your lack of expandibility.
Building a PC for what you are asking for will run you around 900,000WON (not including monitor). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thunndarr wrote: |
| Well, what you need is a TV Tuner card. However, I'm not sure you can get one added to your notebook, you'll have to check on that. TV Tuner cards for PC's aren't terribly expensive, perhaps around 50,000 won or so? In that case, it may be easiest just to build yourself a Home Theater PC. |
I think you can get a USB version of them right?
I'm really interested in one of those 3.5" HD based players where you connect them to your computer and TV as the cheapest alternative for playing and watching movies. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Thunndarr
Joined: 30 Sep 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| rocklee wrote: |
| Thunndarr wrote: |
| Well, what you need is a TV Tuner card. However, I'm not sure you can get one added to your notebook, you'll have to check on that. TV Tuner cards for PC's aren't terribly expensive, perhaps around 50,000 won or so? In that case, it may be easiest just to build yourself a Home Theater PC. |
I think you can get a USB version of them right?
I'm really interested in one of those 3.5" HD based players where you connect them to your computer and TV as the cheapest alternative for playing and watching movies. |
Just a random USB-TV tuner card. This one is about $85 I guess.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815100132
I'm a little confused. In your first post, you said that you don't have a TV and don't want to buy one. An HD player wouldn't be useful at all unless you want a TV.
Here's my understanding of your setup, and the advice I give is based on the following, so if I made a mistake, let me know.
You have a computer.
You have a nice new 30 inch monitor.
You do not have a TV.
You do not want a TV.
If your goal is to watch downloaded video, then an HD player will be redundant, since you can display straight from your computer.
If you want to watch television without a TV, then an HD player will again be of no use to you, because you need a TV Tuner card.
If you want a portable device to carry downloaded video with you for display on a TV or a computer BESIDES your main computer, then an HD player may best suit your needs. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thunndarr wrote: |
Just a random USB-TV tuner card. This one is about $85 I guess.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815100132
I'm a little confused. In your first post, you said that you don't have a TV and don't want to buy one. An HD player wouldn't be useful at all unless you want a TV.
Here's my understanding of your setup, and the advice I give is based on the following, so if I made a mistake, let me know.
You have a computer.
You have a nice new 30 inch monitor.
You do not have a TV.
You do not want a TV.
If your goal is to watch downloaded video, then an HD player will be redundant, since you can display straight from your computer.
If you want to watch television without a TV, then an HD player will again be of no use to you, because you need a TV Tuner card.
If you want a portable device to carry downloaded video with you for display on a TV or a computer BESIDES your main computer, then an HD player may best suit your needs. |
Thanks Thunndarr, you're right!
I do have a nice 30 inch monitor and because of its size, its good enough to use as a TV. It will double as a dual monitor when connected to my notebook and I can also play games on it.
Only problem is my computer doesn't have a TV connector (to receive local channels) and the monitor only has DVI input.
So basically I just want something to interface it all so that I can also watch TV. I'm thinking that a USB TV Tuner like you suggested might help, but then I heard that some HD player can do that too. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Demophobe
Joined: 17 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wow. Read the customer comments about that unit!
| unhappy campers wrote: |
Pros: It came fast and looked really nice. Cool concept too bad it didn't work....
Cons: Well for one, do NOT install the software that comes with this thing on your system if you primarily use USB for your KB / Mouse. This software will most likely disable all USB on your computer and ca... More �
use you to have to reinstall windows if you dont have an alternative pointer / keyboard connection like PS2. Well after the software that was included with this thing killed my system, I tried it on another older computer that had PS2 connections. It would not work on that system either.
Other Thoughts: Needless to say when you find a product like this that sounds relly too good to be true for what ever reason including the price it; most likely is. I am not sure if this thing is not working due to the fact that there isn't a power supply included for it or if its just a peice of junk or some sort of scam. The (poorly written) documentation makes no mention of a power supply but there is a port that looks like its for a power connector. I was even going to try to find a power supply to use for it, but I couldn't find the specs for the power connector.
Comments: Seems to be a nice gadget and purchase and shipping were smooth. Package I received had obviously been opened and repacked, CD cover had penciled notes scribbled on it...unit was DOA - no response, lights etc. SENT IT BACK! (Too late for rebate 16 days)
Comments: Supports mpeg4 divX format which is a plus , but captured video quality was poor ( mpeg4 and mpeg2 ).
The video quality of the cam was even worse ,but i may have recieved a damaged unit - the only ex... More �
cuse for such low quality.
As allways , Newegg packed and shipped in a blast and got it here 1 day early.
Got it , fiddled with it and returned it!
Not worth the buck wanted for it, if u ask me. |
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Thunndarr
Joined: 30 Sep 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Demophobe wrote: |
Wow. Read the customer comments about that unit!
|
Yeah, that one was a real winner. Ok, here's another that I actually know is from a good brand. (Is it available in Korea? Will it work with Korean cable? Sorry, I don't have those answers)
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/products/data_pvrusb2.html
Edit: I don't know how good your Korean is, but I found another link on a Korean shopping website for the same thing.
http://pc.danawa.com/price_new.html?shot=N&cate1=863&cate2=892&pcode=62149
| rocklee wrote: |
So basically I just want something to interface it all so that I can also watch TV. I'm thinking that a USB TV Tuner like you suggested might help, but then I heard that some HD player can do that too.
|
I think you may have gotten some mistaken information. From what I understand, some HD players can record the signal from a TV, but not directly from the coaxial cable coming out of the wall. Basically, if your TV has audio/video outputs the HD player can then record whatever channel you are watching. If I'm not mistaken, an HD player would be more or less useless for you without a TV. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks, I have heard of certain HD players that can record from TV or video (Archos, iblue).
I might have to build a cheap desktop (SFF PC) with TV in/out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
