Broadcast TV on LCD Monitor. Set-top box an option?

I'll be upgrading my computer monitor, and a lot now have input ports
they call "DVI/HDCP" in addition to the VGA input. I know I can
attach a DVD player to this input port. What options do I have for
viewing broadcast TV as well? Yes, I don't have cable, direct-TV, or
anything else, just a good-ol VHF antenna on my roof. VCRs have TV
tuners built-in, so maybe a VCR with DVI/HDCP output would be an
option? I don't really want to replace my DVD or VCR, so is there
such thing as just a tuner with DVI/HDCP output? Actually, I know
there are, but the ones I've seen are $100+, more than most VCRs these
days.

I don't want anything "PC" related, I don't want to have my PC even
turned on, or even have a PC involved, so TV-out cards or anything USB
related isn't an option for me.

On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:17:44 -0700, eselk wrote:

I'll be upgrading my computer monitor, and a lot now have input ports
they call "DVI/HDCP" in addition to the VGA input. I know I can
attach a DVD player to this input port. What options do I have for
viewing broadcast TV as well? Yes, I don't have cable, direct-TV, or
anything else, just a good-ol VHF antenna on my roof. VCRs have TV
tuners built-in, so maybe a VCR with DVI/HDCP output would be an
option? I don't really want to replace my DVD or VCR, so is there
such thing as just a tuner with DVI/HDCP output? Actually, I know
there are, but the ones I've seen are $100+, more than most VCRs these
days.

Take a moment and really think about what a TV is. Now, have you answered
your own question? No. Well a TV is nothing more than a monitor with a
built in tuner. So what are your options if you want to watch TV on your
computer monitor? In order of preference IMO.

1. Buy a TV with VGA input. Hook you PC to it. Hook your antenna to it and
you're done. Although you might want to get a UHF antenna also as that's
where most ATSC (digital) broadcast are. And you'd definately want a built
in atsc tuner if you are in North Amerca.

2. Buy a monitor with some sort of TV input that you can use with any
other device that has a compatable TV out. This could be vcr, dvr,
dvd/recorder, external TV tuner, etc., etc., etc. Again, I'd urge you to
get a device with an ATSC tuner in it.

I don't want anything "PC" related, I don't want to have my PC even
turned on, or even have a PC involved, so TV-out cards or anything USB
related isn't an option for me.

To each his own. Personally I've got a PC hooked to every one of my TV's.
Even one without a VGA input through S-video. I've also got 6 ATSC tuners
in my PC's so I never really watch TV as I record everything and then
watch it when and wherever I want. And while the TV's have tuners in them,
I rarely ever use them.

--
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On Aug 13, 12:46 pm, Wes Newell wrote:
Take a moment and really think about what a TV is. Now, have you answered
your own question? No. Well a TV is nothing more than a monitor with a
built in tuner. So what are your options if you want to watch TV on your
computer monitor? In order of preference IMO.

1. Buy a TV with VGA input. Hook you PC to it. Hook your antenna to it and
you're done. Although you might want to get a UHF antenna also as that's
where most ATSC (digital) broadcast are. And you'd definately want a built
in atsc tuner if you are in North Amerca.

All of the TVs I've seen do not work well as a PC monitor, except
maybe some very pricy ones (not sure, haven't looked at them).
Primary usage will be as a PC, and I've seen how TV looks on LCD
computer monitors, and it looks fine to me.

2. Buy a monitor with some sort of TV input that you can use with any
other device that has a compatable TV out. This could be vcr, dvr,
dvd/recorder, external TV tuner, etc., etc., etc. Again, I'd urge you to
get a device with an ATSC tuner in it.

This is an option, which I'll probably use if I don't find anything
better. This narrows my monitor selection a lot though, since almost
none of them have RCA jacks (what I've usually heard them called,
there in the USA -- also heard the term "composite").

To each his own. Personally I've got a PC hooked to every one of my TV's.
Even one without a VGA input through S-video. I've also got 6 ATSC tuners
in my PC's so I never really watch TV as I record everything and then
watch it when and wherever I want. And while the TV's have tuners in them,
I rarely ever use them.

Mostly had too many issues with TV cards, locking up my PC and such.
I do wish there was more of the "TV Jockey" type hardware available,
that is hardware which converts the TV signal (composite) to VGA. It
plugs in between the PC and monitor, and acts as a pass-through when
not watching TV (so VGA goes directly from PC to monitor when not
watching TV). I suspect the ones that are available are mostly junk,
since stores like CompUSA and BestBuy will only sale them on-line, yet
they sale the internal TV cards and external USB models in-store.

Thanks for the reply.

wrote:
: On Aug 13, 12:46 pm, Wes Newell wrote:
: Take a moment and really think about what a TV is. Now, have you answered
: your own question? No. Well a TV is nothing more than a monitor with a
: built in tuner. So what are your options if you want to watch TV on your
: computer monitor? In order of preference IMO.
:
If you want to watch TV on your computer one option is to get a
TV HD Stick which plugs into the USB port. It is a complete
analog/digital tuner under $1`\00 from Pinnacle, Radio Shack
and
other sources.
Cass

wrote:
I'll be upgrading my computer monitor, and a lot now have input ports
they call "DVI/HDCP" in addition to the VGA input. I know I can
attach a DVD player to this input port. What options do I have for
viewing broadcast TV as well? Yes, I don't have cable, direct-TV, or
anything else, just a good-ol VHF antenna on my roof. VCRs have TV
tuners built-in, so maybe a VCR with DVI/HDCP output would be an
option? I don't really want to replace my DVD or VCR, so is there
such thing as just a tuner with DVI/HDCP output? Actually, I know
there are, but the ones I've seen are $100+, more than most VCRs these
days.

I don't want anything "PC" related, I don't want to have my PC even
turned on, or even have a PC involved, so TV-out cards or anything USB
related isn't an option for me.

Try something like this:
http://www.viewsonic.com/support/acc.../nextvisionn6/

On Aug 13, 12:17 pm, wrote:
snip
I don't want anything "PC" related, I don't want to have my PC even
turned on, or even have a PC involved, so TV-out cards or anything
USB
related isn't an option for me.

I have a Samsung STB (SIR-T165) which sometimes 'crashes' like a PC
only worse. If the broadcaster has faulty data in the PSIP (part of
the data stream), the Samsung will go into a continuous re-boot where
it says 'HELLO' then the channel number for a few seconds, then
'HELLO' again and on and on and on..... While that nonsense is going
on, it will not respond to the remote or the local buttons. The only
'cure' I've found is to disconnect the antenna and go into the menu
and delete the offending channel and then re-connect the antenna. I
haven't had one of those in over a year until KCET-DT in LA 'switched
gears' to go to 720p from 1080i in July. Now all versions of STBs may
not do that, but how would a PC be any worse? The same faulty channels
do NOT bother any of the 3 ATI HDTV Wonder cards in the PCs. The
Remote Wonder (part of the tuner package) has volume, channel, pause,
stop, skip fwd / rev like a TV / VCR remote. It actually isn't much
trouble at all but I confess my wife does not attempt to run it though
she certainly likes the flexibility of the system.

GG

On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:46:10 -0700, eselk wrote:

All of the TVs I've seen do not work well as a PC monitor, except
maybe some very pricy ones (not sure, haven't looked at them).

Well, what have you seen? Old analog TV's? Hell no, they look like crap
used as a monitor. I've got a 27" LCD HDTV that looks as good as any other
LCD computer monitor. They're all the same as long as the display is the
same. TV, no TV. Doesn't make a bit of difference.

Primary usage will be as a PC, and I've seen how TV looks on LCD
computer monitors, and it looks fine to me.

If you've seen how TV looks on LCD computer monitors, it'll look the same
way on an LCD HDTV with similar native resolutions.


--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

On Aug 13, 9:15 pm, Matt Ion wrote:
wrote:
I'll be upgrading my computer monitor, and a lot now have input ports
they call "DVI/HDCP" in addition to the VGA input. I know I can
attach a DVD player to this input port. What options do I have for
viewing broadcast TV as well? Yes, I don't have cable, direct-TV, or
anything else, just a good-ol VHF antenna on my roof. VCRs have TV
tuners built-in, so maybe a VCR with DVI/HDCP output would be an
option? I don't really want to replace my DVD or VCR, so is there
such thing as just a tuner with DVI/HDCP output? Actually, I know
there are, but the ones I've seen are $100+, more than most VCRs these
days.

I don't want anything "PC" related, I don't want to have my PC even
turned on, or even have a PC involved, so TV-out cards or anything USB
related isn't an option for me.

Try something like this:http://www.viewsonic.com/support/acc...cessors/nextvi...

This seems like the best option so far. I've seen these, but only
brands I've never heard of, but this one looks like it might be good
since it is from ViewSonic. About double the price (between $180 to
$250) of some others, but that is probably because it is better
quality (and partially your paying for the "name" (brand)).

For the other people who recommend PC-based solutions, I guess I could
try an external device, USB or otherwise. At least then I think there
would be less chance of it frying my motherboard (I've had 2 cards
from ATI, one was an expensive "all-in-wonder", and I can't be sure,
but based on timing I relate them to PC problems I started having
after they were installed).

Also, I'll look into TVs again. I want something between 19" and
21" (I currently have a 19" CRT monitor), so if I can find an LCD TV
that works as a monitor as well (I'm not sure what specs to look for
to know if it will work well as a PC monitor), for a good price, then
that would be even easier.

On Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:28:54 -0700, eselk wrote:

Also, I'll look into TVs again. I want something between 19" and
21" (I currently have a 19" CRT monitor), so if I can find an LCD TV
that works as a monitor as well (I'm not sure what specs to look for
to know if it will work well as a PC monitor), for a good price, then
that would be even easier.

If you've got a 19" crt, you won't be happy with even a 21" HDTV because
of the difference in screen height of the widescreen TV's. At minimum,
you'll want a 23" and preferably something larger. Unfortunately they seem
to be really proud of the smaller LCD HDTV's and you can get a larger one
cheaper. I've used an Olevia 427V for about 6 months now I got on sale for
$399 at Comp USA. It works great for me and has good built in ATSC tuner.
The 527V is the same thing only in black vs. silver. So think larger and
save money at the same time. Putting money into an ATSC STB is just a
waste of money when you can get it built into the TV/monitor for nothing
extra. Walmart also sells a 26" vizio that gets top marks for about $450.
There you can get a refund easy if you aren't happy with it.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

On Aug 14, 11:48 am, Wes Newell wrote:
If you've got a 19" crt, you won't be happy with even a 21" HDTV because
of the difference in screen height of the widescreen TV's. At minimum,
you'll want a 23" and preferably something larger. Unfortunately they seem
to be really proud of the smaller LCD HDTV's and you can get a larger one
cheaper. I've used an Olevia 427V for about 6 months now I got on sale for
$399 at Comp USA. It works great for me and has good built in ATSC tuner.
The 527V is the same thing only in black vs. silver. So think larger and
save money at the same time. Putting money into an ATSC STB is just a
waste of money when you can get it built into the TV/monitor for nothing
extra. Walmart also sells a 26" vizio that gets top marks for about $450.
There you can get a refund easy if you aren't happy with it.

Checked www.compusa.com and www.walmart.com under monitors, by brand,
and didn't find either of those brands. It seems like there are so
few models that include a tuner, and they are usually "sold out" (but
I doubt they ever had many in the first place) or just "no longer
available"... makes me wonder if there are some technical issues with
them, especially since the manufactures can't even tell you a place
where you can still get one (if I don't find an item at the normal
places, I'll check the manufactures web-site and look for dealers/
retailers, then follow those links... and most for the models with the
tuners just lead me to broken links or more "out of stock, no longer
available" items).

I'll try the Vizio web-site and Olevia, but I'm guessing it will be
more of the same thing... they don't make them anymore, and the major
stores don't carry them (I'll admit I haven't looked at any specialty/
local stores).