Watching cable television on your computer has been easier with the creation of dvb-c PC TV tuners and television software. You connect the TV tuner device either internally or externally on your computer system. These cable TV tuners or “TV cards” work the same way that a standard TV antenna does. The equipment receives broadcast TV signals that your computer reads to create live television output. Installing a PC TV tuner card or external TV tuner to your computer using a USB connection requires a few simple steps.
Internal and external cable TV tuners are two popular ways to watch cable TV on a computer.
Items you will need
- Cable TV tuner card
- Cable TV tuner box
- TV tuner antenna
- Audio & video cables
- Screwdriver
PCIe Cable TV Tuner Card
Step 1
Unplug the power cord attached to the back of the computer tower from the electrical wall socket. Remove the screws from the left-side panel of the computer tower with a screwdriver. Pull off the left-side panel to reveal the inner workings of the machine.
Step 2
Locate the peripherals component interface, or PCIe, slot on the motherboard. Different motherboards will have varying numbers of slots. Find an empty PCIe slot and gently press the cable TV tuner card into the slot. Fasten the card in the slot with a screw to keep it in place.
Step 3
Replace the left-side panel onto the side of the computer tower. Insert the screws into the designated holes in the panel and tighten with a screwdriver. Insert the antenna that came with your PC tuner equipment into the external sockets of the dvb-c TV tuner box.
Step 4
Connect the audio and video cables that came with your dvb-c PC tuner equipment to the computer tower. Attach one end of the cable to the PC tuner box and insert the other end into the colored sockets on the back of the computer tower. Match the corresponding colors to the matching color sockets.
Step 5
Install the drivers for the TV tuner card. Press the “Start” button on your computer’s desktop by first right-clicking “My Computer” and selecting “Properties” to open a new window. Click “Device Manager” and then “Multimedia Controller” from the list. Right-click and select “Install Driver.”
Step 6
Insert the installation CD that came with your TV tuner equipment into the CD-ROM drive of your computer tower. Follow the on-screen wizard to install the software on your computer. Reboot your computer to complete the installation. Use the software to watch cable TV on your computer.
External USB Cable TV Box
Step 1
Choose a universal serial bus, or USB, TV tuner that is compatible with your computer’s operating system. Digital TV tuners are compatible with most Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 computers and offer a better quality picture than older versions of analog tuners.
Step 2
Turn on the computer monitor and tower. Allow the computer to start fully before you begin the installation process. Insert the USB TV tuner stick into the USB port on your computer tower. You can find USB ports typically on the front or back of the computer tower.
Step 3
Insert the USB TV tuner installation CD into the CD-ROM drive on your computer tower. Follow the on-screen wizard to install the software to your computer. Allow the wizard to install the necessary drivers for the TV tuner to work properly on your computer system.
Step 4
Click the “Start” button on your computer’s desktop. Right click on “My Computer” and select “Properties” from the list. Click on “Device Manager” and expand the “Sound, Video and Game Controllers” option by clicking the “+” symbol next to the link. Look for the newly installed drivers.
Step 5
Reboot the computer to complete the software installation. Open the newly installed TV tuner software. When prompted by the software, scan for cable TV channels on your computer. Once it has completed the scanning process, you can watch TV programming on your computer.