How to Watch TV on a Computer

Computers are becoming all-around media hubs for consumers. You can play games, listen to music and even enjoy movies on your computer. Follow these steps to watch your favorite films on your computer monitor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

TV Tuner Card

1. Purchase and install a TV tuner card. A TV tuner card for your computer will allow you to connect your television service to your computer. Some TV tuner cards require you to open your computer and install on a PCI slot while many others will connect by USB, Firewire or some other external connection.
2. Connect your television service input to your TV tuner card. Be sure to verify that the TV tuner card is compatible with your television service. There are analog TV tuner cards that will work with traditional antennae and cable inputs, and there are digital TV tuner cards that are compatible with digital television signal.
3. Install the necessary software for your TV tuner card. Often this software will allow your computer to function as a digital video recorder as well. You will be able to not only watch television on your computer but also to record your favorite shows and watch them later.

Without a TV Tuner Card

4. Check on broadcast and cable television channels’ websites. Many broadcast companies, such as ABC, offer their shows for free on their website. This is a good alternative to the TV tuner card method if you are looking for something cheaper and easier.
5. Watch TV shows on DVD. Many computers have DVD players and many television shows are being released on to DVD. This is another good alternative to watching TV on a computer without a TV tuner card.
6. Visit video sharing websites, such as YouTube, that offer free video. While it may not be television in the conventional way, you can find clips, music videos, comedy routines and much more content than you could find on TV.

Tips & Warnings

• Beware of online scams about watching TV on your computer. There are many websites that offer streaming television to your computer for a price. Almost always these sites are charging you for video that is either available for free or it illegally transmitted.

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