Things You'll Need:
- High-speed Internet access
- Ethernet cable
- A/V cables
- PC TV tuner or network-attached TV tuner
- Network-attached TV tuner software
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Step 1
Use a PC TV tuner. A PC TV tuner will plug into your computer through a variety of methods, but the most simple method is either a USB-based or FireWire-based PC TV tuner. Each will provide your machine with the ability to watch network television (Mac or PC). Connect either the USB or FireWire based tuner to the computer via plugging them straight into the USB or FireWire port (a small, rectangular socket marked with the universal symbol for either). You can install multiple tuners or use a dual-tuner card to record one show while you watch another.
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Step 2
Use a SlingBox or a similar network-attached TV Tuner. These kinds of tuners share television over your local area network or the Internet, meaning your desktop PC can play television from any area in your house or even outside your house. Aside from a SlingBox/similar tuner, you will need to first purchase a WiFi-enabled laptop.
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Step 3
Connect the SlingBox to your local area network. This connection will be made via the RJ-45 connection--or put into more simpler terms, using an Ethernet cable that then plugs into your broadband internet router. Also, connect the SlingBox to your television. You will use audio/visual cables to do s. These the three-pronged, red, yellow and white A/V cables that plug one end into the back of your network-attached tuner and the other into the color-matching sockets on the back or side of your TV.
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Step 4
Install the network-attached tuner/SlingBox software onto your computer.
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Step 5
Watch television online if you have a broadband connection. Networks now offer some of their programs online for free. Additionally, third-party portals also offer similar programming (see Resources). This is an option that requires no special hardware and no special steps to take, outside of pointing your browser to the URL (web address) of choice.
