Whats Your Set-up?

[hohohaha]

Hi folks!

I just wanted to know how you guys have got your home entertainment system set up?

I want to convert just to using my PC to receive tv, and link it up to my big screen tv.... can this be done?

Also do you know if theres any kind of remote control for PC TV?

Thanks guys!

H

[Gav]

The possibilities are endless!

There are dozens of Remotes available for PCs.

Microsoft Offer 'Windows XP Media Center' and anything above Vista Premium includes Media Centre too.

There are also dozens of Linux Distributions that are designed to be used as Media Centres.

What do you want to achieve from your setup, and what is your budget, and what do you have already?

[foxlighter]

skystar2 pci would give you satellite tv on your pc and theres another new one out which will give you HD,

[RocketMBA]

I'm using an Xbox 360 with Vista Media Center? I'm not sure of the proper name for it, but it's the one you get with the £500 laptop in PC World. Previously I've used the XP edition of MCE with said Xbox 360, which was great.

Top tip: Xbox 360's MCE capabilities include full HD! Be sure to stream BBC HD to it!

[hohohaha]

Wow! judging by your responses guy's, things are looking good!

Gav, to answer your question, all i've got right now is a laptop with Windows XP.
I'm looking into switching my ISP, what are the absolute 'must haves' when ordering an ISP with a view to getting IPTV?

My requirements are:

#Want to watch what i want, when i want.

#NO constant pixellation and scrambling

#Remote control (and where to get one)

#Pay less than i do now, per month (£40 approx)

#Good technical support

#Be able to download unlimited movies and Mp3's


Foxlighter- i'm not sure what skystar2 pci is, but HD definately sounds interesting. . .

Rocket MBA- I don't have an Xbox, and can't really afford one right now, i've got a playstation 2 though, are there options with that?

I'm also having trouble knowing where to find actual places to subscribe to Internet TV - any bright ideas?

Thanks for all your help guys!

H

[RocketMBA]

I'm afraid the options with a PS2 are extremely limited - limited to the point of no hope. Still, there are so many varied and fine options out there, you won't have any trouble picking one

[Gav]

Originally Posted by hohohaha

Wow! judging by your responses guy's, things are looking good!

Gav, to answer your question, all i've got right now is a laptop with Windows XP.
I'm looking into switching my ISP, what are the absolute 'must haves' when ordering an ISP with a view to getting IPTV?

My requirements are:

#Want to watch what i want, when i want.

#NO constant pixellation and scrambling

#Remote control (and where to get one)

#Pay less than i do now, per month (£40 approx)

#Good technical support

#Be able to download unlimited movies and Mp3's


Foxlighter- i'm not sure what skystar2 pci is, but HD definately sounds interesting. . .

Rocket MBA- I don't have an Xbox, and can't really afford one right now, i've got a playstation 2 though, are there options with that?

I'm also having trouble knowing where to find actual places to subscribe to Internet TV - any bright ideas?

Thanks for all your help guys!

H

Sky Broadband 16Mbit isn't as bad as people let on, I get a constant 1.1MB/Sec speed which is VERY good and there are no download limits or torrent throttling.

For the 'what you want when you want' your best bet is Torrents. Torrents have what I call 'questionable legality'. Movie and Music torrents are obviously illegal, but TV torrents - maybe.

If I gave you a VHS of a program I'd recorded of TV, it wouldn't be piracy - would it?

There are loads of PC remotes. The Microsoft ones are good, and you can find them on loads of eTailers - such as eBuyer.com or Dabs.com

The SkyStar2 card is a 'TV Tuner' which allows your PC to record broadcast television. The SkyStar2 one is a Satellite one, but there are LOADS of Terrestrial (Freeview in the UK) ones out there, and even some cable tuners.

Also, the PS2 can be modded for video streaming, its a bit tricky though but apparently works well.

I'm very tired right now, and its Halloween. I'll give you some more advice tomorrow

[Jimdefruit]

Whilst a Skystar 2 usb unit will work with your laptop ok, the output will depend upon the processor speed and graphics capability. Unless it is a very high spec laptop, HD TV will not be good. Also only DVB-S transmissions like BBC HD will be available. Most of the HD transmissions are DVB-S2 which require a different tuner.

However, having said that, the SD broadcasts should be ok. I have assumed you are interested in the satellite transmissions. A terrestrial tuner would be required for the 'down to earth' broadcasts, depending upon where you are located.