How to Watch TV on a Laptop with a USB

Turn a laptop into a TV with an external USB tuner.

A laptop transforms quickly and simply into a portable television with an external TV tuner connected via USB cable. Unlike built-in TV tuners, there's no need to open the laptop case to install a USB tuner. The unit also disconnects in a second so the laptop can be shut down and readied for travel. USB TV tuners come with software on a CD-ROM that must be installed so the laptop can communicate with the tuner.

Things You'll Need

• Laptop with USB port and CD-ROM drive for software installation.

Instructions

1. Open the laptop's CD-ROM tray, insert the tuner software disc and close the tray.

2. Click the prompt buttons for the software on the laptop screen to advance through the installation, then restart the laptop when the CD-ROM is finished.

3. Plug in the USB cable on the end of the external TV tuner to any unused USB port on the laptop.

4. Connect the 1/8-inch audio plug on the cable attached to the tuner to the Line IN port on the laptop.

5. Plug in the power adapter to the tuner and connect the electrical plug on the other end to a wall outlet.

6. Double-click the name of the tuner software to launch the application on the desktop. Use the on-screen navigation buttons to change channels and increase or lower the volume.

References

• Hauppauge: WinTV-USB Specifications
• PC User: Which TV Tuner Should I Get for a Laptop?