Using PC to watch TV-NOOB ALERT

[LanceCr1m1nal03]

As the topic says, I'm a noob to this. I have a decent PC built for gaming (most/all games 60fps+ @ 1080) and just realized that people are using their PC's to watch cable TV(???). I'm an idiot, I know.

 

Now my situation follows as this:

I live in an apartment complex that has a cable subscription and TV included in the rent, but I have no idea who my provider is but I could easily find out (rarely watch cable, I'm a gamer). I want to know if I can even do this at this point and if I'm already paying for it I might as well use it right?

Each room has a coax jack, and the TV included with the apartment doesn't use a set-top box or anything. Just plugs into the coax jack.

I DO NOT WANT TO PIRATE CABLE TV EITHER. I know people do it, but that isn't what I'm interested in. 

 

My questions are:

1) What hardware &/or software would I need to watch the current cable subscription I am paying for on my PC? (I'll post specs at the bottom)

 

2)Do I need anything from the cable company? I've read some about CableCARDs but I'm just not wrapping my head around it. Most info is outdated, unrelated, or I'm just a special person. 

 

PC Specs:

OS-Windows 10 Home 64-bit

PSU-Thermaltake 650W 80+ (idk the certification level)

MOBO:Asrock Pro4 Z97 

CPU:Intel i7 4790K, cooled with Thermaltake watercooler

GPU:MSI R9 390 8G

RAM:16GB ~2400mhz (GSKILL Ares, i think)

MONITOR: Samsung 27E390, LED 1080 60hz 5ms response time, supposedly full HDTV support

 

 

[Electronics Wizardy]

You can buy a tv capture card if you don't neet a settop box to watch tv. Here's one on amazon for 70 that connects via usb.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1191-WinTV-HVR-955Q-Tuner-Notebook/dp/B001DEYVXO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1453752534&sr=1-1&keywords=computer+tv+tuner

 

If you don't have a normal signal you have to use a tuner box and a hdmi or component capture card.

[TheGhzGuy]

As the topic says, I'm a noob to this. I have a decent PC built for gaming (most/all games 60fps+ @ 1080) and just realized that people are using their PC's to watch cable TV(???). I'm an idiot, I know.

 

Now my situation follows as this:

I live in an apartment complex that has a cable subscription and TV included in the rent, but I have no idea who my provider is but I could easily find out (rarely watch cable, I'm a gamer). I want to know if I can even do this at this point and if I'm already paying for it I might as well use it right?

Each room has a coax jack, and the TV included with the apartment doesn't use a set-top box or anything. Just plugs into the coax jack.

I DO NOT WANT TO PIRATE CABLE TV EITHER. I know people do it, but that isn't what I'm interested in. 

 

My questions are:

1) What hardware &/or software would I need to watch the current cable subscription I am paying for on my PC? (I'll post specs at the bottom)

 

2)Do I need anything from the cable company? I've read some about CableCARDs but I'm just not wrapping my head around it. Most info is outdated, unrelated, or I'm just a special person. 

 

PC Specs:

OS-Windows 10 Home 64-bit

PSU-Thermaltake 650W 80+ (idk the certification level)

MOBO:Asrock Pro4 Z97 

CPU:Intel i7 4790K, cooled with Thermaltake watercooler

GPU:MSI R9 390 8G

RAM:16GB ~2400mhz (GSKILL Ares, i think)

MONITOR: Samsung 27E390, LED 1080 60hz 5ms response time, supposedly full HDTV support

First of all, figure out that PSU

second, thats a super OP PC for watching TV.

third, People generally watch OTA (Over the air) broadcasts through their PC's, which is just a TV Tuner card and Kodi. If you want to watch something from Comcast or Verizon or whoever, you'll need a CableCard, as you said. However, they're really, really expensive. 300-400 USD. You would be just better off buying a set top box (actually renting but whatever) from your cable company because it's cheaper, and I bet the TV will work with it anyway. (If it has HDMI it will)

[SImoHayha]

 

uhhhh just use project free tv mate. No need to pay for a subscription or anything not technically not legal but to his and his own.

[LanceCr1m1nal03]

Thank you both for the info! And yes I know the PC is way OP for TV, it's meant for gaming and multitasking with different programs. Just wanted to add another feature/application for it since I never really watch TV on an actual TV haha

[TheGhzGuy]

Thank you both for the info! And yes I know the PC is way OP for TV, it's meant for gaming and multitasking with different programs. Just wanted to add another feature/application for it since I never really watch TV on an actual TV haha

It's cool man. Glad I could help!