WATCHING CABLE ON MY COMPUTER - advice needed

[George A.]

Hi,

I'm looking for advice... I'm curently in New York City, and I really want to watch the upcoming soccer EURO CUP at home. I don't have or watch TV out of principle, but would like to make an exception for one month.

However, I don't want to buy a TV. I want to watch ESPN on my Dell (2405) HD computer monitor. It has all kinds of inputs, component, composite etc but not direct cable input. I also don't have cable service (obviously, since I don't have a TV), but I do have Warner internet cable, so I guess it won't be too difficult to get cable for one month.

Once I get TV cable and ESPN, how do I go about watching it on my Dell? Do I have to buy a TV tuner? (I'm an a Mac system by the way). Or a VCR? The cheapest/less bulkier option would be best.

Any hints will be much appreciated!

George

 

[Mitch Gross]

If your computer has composite video inputs then you're all set. If you want to pay for HD cable, then you can likely use the component inputs but you should check the capabilities of your computer's video card first. You'll also have to do something for audio, but you're computer should have this as well.

 

[George A.]

Hi Mitch,

Thanks for your prompt help.

My Dell 2405 is connected to a dual G5 computer. The videocard I have inside is an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (I also have a Blackmagic Decklink HD with HDLink and sometimes I switch the Dell (it is my second monitor) to that output, but mainly it is connected to the ATI through the DVI port.

So how do I actually connect everything? Where do I plug the cable once I get the signal? Can I use the same cable that connects to my router? (I have cable internet)

When you say "if you want to pay for HD cable..." - is there another option?

Thanks! Forgive my ignorance as far as TV connections are concenred. I appreciate it.

 

[Mitch Gross]

Just ask the cable guy to do it for you.

In addition to the coax connector that we all know and love, the cable boxes have little RCA/phono connectors for video out and audio out. Use these.

 

[Andrew McCarrick]

If you don't want HD.... just go with SD cable and get a VCR. Plug the cable coaxial input into the VCR and the RCA outs from the VCR into the computer/monitor. For HD just replace the VCR with the HD cable box (as stated by Mitch).

Also, if you only have one cable connection point, you can purchase a splitter, to split off the incoming cable line so you can get one input into your router and one into input the box/vcr.