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While there have been various attempts to meld TVs and computers, these have general not work out very well (the Macintosh TV immediately comes to mind). However, there is yet another round of attempts to merge the mindless entertainment of the TV with the mindless entertainment of the internet. Intel, for example, is now making chips for TVs and Google is working on its own TV OS. However, you can get your own internet TV (and more) now.
To cut to the chase, you can have internet TV (and more) simply by attaching a PC to your computer. When you want to watch TV, you just watch TV. When you want to use the computer, you just switch to that with the remote. It is as easy as that. But, here is what you will need and the basics of setting it up.
For an optimal set up you will need
- HD TV with an HDMI port.
- A laptop or small (and quiet) PC running Windows 7 Home Premium that has an HDMI port.
- HDMI cable.
- Wireless keyboard and mouse.
- A HD TV tuner for the PC (so you can use it as a DVR and actually watch TV while using the PC).
- Internet access, preferably wired (for optimal streaming and reliability).
You can, however, get by with less optimal equipment. For example, you can (with a proper adapter) connect a PC to an analog TV using an S-Video connection (although the quality will be rather poor). As another example, you can use a PC running Windows XP (hopefully the media center version).
Fortunately the PC that you use with your TV does not need to be a powerhouse (unless you intend to play high end games). A basic laptop or one of those mini-PCs should suffice. If you are buying a PC specifically for this purpose, be sure to get one with HDMI (assuming that your TV has HDMI).
The setup is fairly simple (assuming you already have your TV and PC in service with the tuner drivers and software installed): connect the PC to the TV via the HDMI cable, connect the TV tuner to the source of your TV signal (usually the cable coming from a cable or satellite box) and to your PC, and then turn on the TV and boot the PC.
If you have a PC that defaults to the HDMI output, then you will probably just need to adjust the video card settings and the TV to get an optimal picture. This involves setting the screen resolution to match the TV. If you are using a laptop or a PC that does not output to the HDMI by default, then you will need to set up the PC so that it uses the TV as its main monitor. Since a laptop has its own screen, you will be able to use that while you are dealing with the video settings. If you are using a PC that defaults to VGA or DVI, you might actually need to have a monitor on hand when setting it up to use the TV (especially if you are using an older PC and OS). Fortunately, most current video card software makes it easy to set up the video. Intel even has software that does the configuration more or less automatically-if your PC has an Intel video chip.
Once the video is working properly, you might have to adjust the sound. If your PC has an HDMI port, it can output the audio via this port. However, you will probably have to adjust your audio settings using the control panel. If your PC does not have HDMI, you will need to connect the PC to speakers.
Once the sound and video is working, then you are all set. If you have a good TV tuner card, you should be able to watch TV just fine via the PC-that way you can easily use Windows 7 to record shows or watch TV while doing other things with the PC. Most importantly, you can now use your PC with your TV, thus allowing you to watch videos, etc. on the big screen. For example, I watch Netflix and Comedy Central videos (full screen) on my TV via the connected laptop. Also, if you have Windows 7 (or other software) you can stream audio and video from other sources.
A few final points:
First, wired internet is generally better than relying on wireless. I use Belkin Powerline adapters to connect the laptop to my router (which is in my home office). I found that the wireless was less reliable.
Second, be sure that the PC has proper airflow. Don’t just put it on top of, for example, your cable box.
Third, be sure to keep your firewall and anti-virus up to date on the PC. It is, after all, still a PC.
Fourth, get a wireless keyboard and mouse. A media center remote is also not a bad idea.
Fifth, this setup is not just for video-it works quite well for music, whether your own audio files or from sites like Grooveshark.
Sixth, keep the porn to a minimum, or you’ll go blind.
