What do I need to watch the World Cup on my laptop

[Royal Fleet]

With the World cup rapidly approaching I have noticed that 'work' rather inconveniently clashes with some of the matches. I have lobbied the CEO to close the office for the duration of the WC to allow me unfettered access to the matches, but I feel I should have a back up plan just in case he fails to agree with me (and he is American so I am not hopeful)

Plan A would normally be to use Iplayer and the ITV equivilant. Unfortunately being a US company our web traffic gets routed via the US, so this is a non starter.I also suspect they will be swamped at the time, so 'spoofing' a UK IP is not really an option either.

Plan B therefore is to get the hardware necessary to watch it via the TV signal. I work in Central London on the 6th floor of an office so I am hopeful of getting a good signal, but what is the minimum I would need to enable me to do this, bearing in mind I don't have access to a satellite feed or the like. Likewise it would have to be on my laptop so I can't put a card in.

I am thinking I need a USB TV card, but if I get a digi one would I not need to get a Freeview box, and Aerial. In which case an Analog one would probably be a better idea?

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[harryohh]

A usb DVB-T card and a little aerial will do the job fine.Assuming you can get reception in the office.

 

[Royal Fleet]

Most of the USB ones seem to be digital though. Am I right in thinking you would need a Freeview box as well, or just an aerial?

 

[PaulyD]

Just the aerial, the USB DVB-T is the tuner, then use windows media centre or bundled software to watch it

 

[stooeh]

Just the aerial, the USB DVB-T is the tuner, then use windows media centre or bundled software to watch it

This.

I have a tiny pinnacle nano PCTV usb thing and it works great on my netbook using an indoor desk type aerial.

 

[straxusii]

Beware dont rely on freeview usb aerials, in my experience you need a decent aerial for freeview and not the rubbish that comes with these things

 

[straxusii]

Or rent a UK dedicated server or virtual server to act as a proxy or find a uk proxy for your traffic