How to Use a TV Tuner in Windows

How to Use a TV Tuner in Windows

One of the lesser-known add-on cards available for computers is the TV tuner card. A TV tuner allows you to connect a cable or satellite television connection to your computer, enabling you to watch (and generally record) televised video directly on your computer. Installing and using a TV tuner card is generally quite easy, though the exact options that may be available to you can vary depending on the type of TV tuner card that you have and the video or media player that you use to watch your televised video with.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

·       Driver installation CD or file

·       Cable or satellite connection

·       Philips screwdriver

1.      Step 1

Shut down your computer and remove the side panel from your case. Locate an empty expansion card slot (they should be at the bottom of your motherboard, near the back of your computer) and remove the corresponding expansion slot cover on your case using your screwdriver.

2.      Step 2

Position the TV tuner card so that it lines up with the expansion card slot that you will be plugging it into. Press down carefully but firmly, making sure that the plug tab on the bottom of the card slides fully into the expansion slot. Use the screw from the expansion slot cover to secure the outer portion of the TV tuner card to the open expansion port on the rear of your computer.

3.      Step 3

Replace the side panel of your computer and boot up your operating system. Windows should prompt you that it has located and is installing new hardware; if it doesn't, open the "Control Panel" option from your Start menu and select the "Install New Hardware" option from the "Hardware and Sound" option. (Please note that these options may have different names depending on the version of Windows being used.)

4.      Step 4

Insert the driver installation CD (or double-click the installation file that you have downloaded) and install the driver software for your TV tuner card. Follow the on-screen prompts to choose an installation location and input any other needed information. Reboot your computer once installation has finished so that Windows will be able to load up the proper drivers to use the TV tuner card.

5.      Step 5

Attach the coaxial cable from your cable line or satellite descrambler to your TV tuner card. If you are wishing to connect the computer to the cable line separately from your televisions, use a coaxial splitter to add a new cable line specifically for your computer.

6.      Step 6

Launch the television-viewing software that came with your TV tuner or your preferred media player that is compatible with the TV tuner that you have chosen. If your computer has Windows Media Center installed, you may also use that to view television channels.

7.      Step 7

Use the channel controls for your software to change channels or go to specific channels. If your TV tuner and viewing software allows for DVR functionality, you can also use the controls to rewind, record, and fast-forward live television (though the fast-forwarding will require a portion of the program to have been recorded already).

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