ntl Digital TV and a PC TV Card

[jon_aylwin]

Is is possible to get a PC TV card that can decode the ntl signal, so I can watch TV on my PC? Am running Win XP.

Jon

[SMHarman]

No, the only decoder equipment that can be connected to the NTL network is NTLs. NTL would need to associate this card you require with their network and your subscription so you decode the channels you are entitled to, and they won't do that.

You can get a TV card that will take the signal from the STB though. Or if you get an analogue card, the analogue free to air channels 1-4 and a few others are availiable, none of this is the DTV picture though.

[nffc]

Get an analog card with composite inputs, then get a scart-3phono / RCA breakout box and then input the video and audio into your PC (Former via composite input on your TV card, latter into your soundcard via suitable adaptor) and watch away.

Bonus is, unlike if you use the RF out (which may or may not work at all- having only freeview I don't know) it will be better quality (scart quality in fact) and in stereo if your STB supports it.

And of course you can watch channels 1-5 on your PC as well.

[nffc]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

the analogue free to air channels 1-4

Surely you mean 1-5?

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by nffc

Surely you mean 1-5?

No I think NTL only broadcast 1-4 as analogue chanels over the coax.

[nffc]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

No I think NTL only broadcast 1-4 as analogue chanels over the coax.

Hmm strange. Not having NTL DTV I don't know though. Would have imagined they'd broadcast five though, especially as quite a lot of the country still can't get it (as the system was only designed for 4 analog terrestrial channels anyway- it's a miracle DTT works well).

[Tezcatlipoca]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

No I think NTL only broadcast 1-4 as analogue chanels over the coax.

I can get 1-5

[jon_aylwin]

OK ... thanks for the info guys

So, my digibox has a scart and a normal aerial output (it's one of the Pace boxes).

My PC is in the next room to my digibox, so the only option cabling-wise is to use a standard co-ax lead and drill a hooe thru the wall.

Simple question - what will I receive on my PC from that?

I gather I will get 1-4/5 which I can control with the software - will I get other channels, depending on what channel my digibox is on?

And - slightly wrong forum for this one - if I want more control of my TV, for recording etc, could I use one of the cheap 'desktop', portable TV style aerials in connection with a digital TV card with Freeview decoder built in to receive more channels than ntl will give me via software?

Jon

[Scrubbs]

Originally Posted by jon_aylwin

OK ... thanks for the info guys


And - slightly wrong forum for this one - if I want more control of my TV, for recording etc, could I use one of the cheap 'desktop', portable TV style aerials in connection with a digital TV card with Freeview decoder built in to receive more channels than ntl will give me via software?

Jon

I have a haupgage card in my pc and i don't think it will work on a plug in aerial, I have mine spliced in to the one on the roof

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by jon_aylwin

OK ... thanks for the info guys

So, my digibox has a scart and a normal aerial output (it's one of the Pace boxes).

My PC is in the next room to my digibox, so the only option cabling-wise is to use a standard co-ax lead and drill a hooe thru the wall.

Simple question - what will I receive on my PC from that?

I gather I will get 1-4/5 which I can control with the software - will I get other channels, depending on what channel my digibox is on?

And - slightly wrong forum for this one - if I want more control of my TV, for recording etc, could I use one of the cheap 'desktop', portable TV style aerials in connection with a digital TV card with Freeview decoder built in to receive more channels than ntl will give me via software?

Jon

If you are doing it with the coax you can tune the card to the channel that broadcasts the cable box picture (what you have 6? tuned to on your TV). You can then see everything that NTL provide you.

You can then control the STB with an IR sender from the PC.

[jon_aylwin]

What's an IR sender ... and could you recommend one?

Ditto any recommendations on the PC card front?

Thanks for all the help!

Jon

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by jon_aylwin

What's an IR sender ... and could you recommend one?

Ditto any recommendations on the PC card front?

Thanks for all the help!

Jon

IR - Infra Red Sender. It sends commands from your PC by IR to the STB, in the same way the remote control does.

There are some threads on here about XP MCE etc have a look for them and they will have some good recommendations. This is not something I have done so can't give any more advice.

[Jonboy]

my mate has split off the rear of cable modem one to modem one to tv card and he gets about 12 chan's i think he said he is on fam pack but cant get all chn's he pays for but the picture looks a bit fuzzy to me and ghost lines on it if its in full screen but he's happy he can watch corrie whle the wife watches eastenders

[Mikey E]

You could get a coax spliter with one end going into the tv card (hauppague pvr250). This will give you the free-to-air-channels BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel4, five and QVC on the PC. The other option is to connect the VHF out on the digital box to your TV card which gives you the same free-to-air-channels (though not the picture isn't as good) and the currently selected digital channel.

The choice is yours!

p.s. not sure how jonboy's mate gets 12 channels!

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Mikey E

p.s. not sure how jonboy's mate gets 12 channels![/i]

Some FTA type channels are transmitted at frequencies that your average TV cannot pick up, but a TV card can.