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Old 05-25-2013, 07:13 PM   #1
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Video/TV options

Looking for the best method of adding video/TV in the SMB?

Flip down screen, Laptop, etc.....

Not looking for a device on the roof, but just want something easy to use that can play either movies, or get TV when on the road. Looking for something with a big enough screen so easy to see and enjoyable.
Any suggestions/ideas are appreciated.

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Old 05-25-2013, 08:17 PM   #2
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Video/TV options

You can use a laptop with a USB TV tuner.
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Old 05-26-2013, 03:36 AM   #3
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Video/TV options

HP 23" All-in-one touchscreen pc with built in tv tuner and blu ray/DVD. Love it.
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Old 05-26-2013, 05:25 AM   #4
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Re: Video/TV options

What exactly is the USB TV tuner?
how does it work, what is cost?

Cost for laptop? thoughts on MAC vs PC?
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Old 05-26-2013, 06:30 AM   #5
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Re: Video/TV options

Go laptop all the way! You can use it for so many different things and it's totally mobile. I have the elgato TV tuner for the mac and can hook it up to cable or an HD tv antenna, but we usually just watch our favorite TV shows and movies from a hard drive. I mpeg all our dvd's (the dvd drive is one of the biggest drains on your battery). I convert the dvd's to mpegs before hand. If you can put the file on some type of flash drive you can save even more battery life. I have a 3TB hard drive with our entire movie library and all TV series on it so when we want to veg out we have a choice of what to watch. You can even get a small pair of usb speakers for a little more volume. At home we have a Mac mini hooked up to our TV, plug in the 3TB hard drive and...just make some pop corn.

This is a newer version than mine: http://www.elgato.com/eyetv/eyetvhybrid
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Old 05-26-2013, 06:36 AM   #6
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Re: Video/TV options

I just looked at the Elgato. I'm not thrilled with having to pre-record things, or with getting dvd's, etc... I was trying to find a device for Mac laptop that just gets TV. Turn on, adjust some antenna, and watch.

Can you do this, or is there a device for this?
(without some huge dish on the roof)
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Old 05-26-2013, 06:44 AM   #7
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Re: Video/TV options

It works just fine with an antenna. Mine came with a little one, but I use this one when I want more coverage.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can use it with antenna on the road or hook it up to cable at home.
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Old 05-28-2013, 08:14 AM   #8
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Re: Video/TV options

No Apple experience, but....

For PC Laptop I have used this:
Hauppauge 1191 WinTV-HVR-950Q TV Tuner Stick/Personal Video Recorder with Clear QAM and Remote Control (Black) The price bounces between $48 and $60 on Amazon. But I have found that it really needs a powered antenna to pick up over the air signals now that everything is digital.

For Android I haven't tried a USB tuner yet.
This looks interesting and I may have to have one when it comes out.
http://www.techhive.com/article/2023760 ... uners.html
http://www.rca.com/press-release/watch- ... tv-tablet/

For the van, now I just carry a 7" portable TV with a cable connect if the campground I am in has cable. It has a little antenna with it, but again works best with a powered one which I don't bother to carry. Watch videos on my Asus tablet (Android).
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Old 05-29-2013, 01:34 PM   #9
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Re: Video/TV options

just got a refurbished macbook pro in 17"

thought is to load some movies on it for bad weather when traveling.
Also other useful travel programs. (suggestions?)

any other ideas for video/tv on what I may do without other charges each month?
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Old 06-03-2013, 10:24 PM   #10
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Video/TV options

As noted, the El Gato and a decent antenna. It'll get you hi def TV if you're in range of a broadcaster.
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