Hook a Virgin Media box up to my PC/monitor

MarcLister

MarcLister

MarcLister

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Moved back home after Uni and Mum watches TV a lot and we have different tastes in TV. We've kind of agreed to get a second VM box, which I think is possible.

I don't have a TV in my room but I do have a PC hooked up to a Dell 24 inch monitor. Could I connect this 2nd VM box up to my PC or monitor and watch TV through it? How would I get sound through?

I also have some spare PC components which I want to build into a spare PC, perhaps a Linux box. I have an LG 17 inch monitor so I could make the spare PC with the LG 17 inch monitor my "TV" if you like. This might be better for me so I can watch TV on the spare PC but still be able to use my main PC.

Is this possible and what kind of cables/hardware do I need and how much am I looking at for this?
 
I think that you can get an HDMI to DVI connection which might fit your monitor and then you'd have to push sound though the optical connection to your hi-fi.

What inputs does the monitor have?
 
The Dell has VGA and DVI. The LG only VGA. Think I would prefer to use the LG monitor so I don't have to choose between TV and using the PC.

Could I do this just with the LG monitor and not need the spare PC at all?
 
I think a standard VM box will only output over scart so watching this on a monitor will be difficult. 1 option would be to use a dedicated convertor but this will cost you £50 or so. Another option which will only work if you have a VIVO graphics card is to use an adapter to convert to s-video and connect this up to your graphics card... This will only work if the VM box can output s-video over scart, it may just do composite and RGB.

Of course a VM+ box will output over component so connecting it up to a VGA or DVI monitor should be easy with a simple adapter. This is probably your best bet!
 
MarcLister said:
So if I got a VM+ box I'd just need a component to VGA cable? And I wouldn't need a computer in between?

Ta for replying. :)
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Erm, I don't think such a thing exists, but I could be wrong. TV capture or tuner card is the way forward here, you can pick up a cheap analog one which has composite in, simply use a scart to composite lead, which does exist.
 
Sorry for the continued replies but I'm bored at work.

Anyway I think you have two choices. Buy a dedicated convertor to convert the scart/component signal to something that your monitor can display. This will be quite expensive but will mean that you can watch your TV through your monitor without the use of the computer.

Second option is to buy a capture card which will work much like a TV card and will display the inputed source through some software in windows. I would imagine an s-video capture card be cheap. Have a search for Leadtek PVR3000 which does component and s-video in and is still relatively cheap.
 
Turophobic said:
Erm, I don't think such a thing exists, but I could be wrong. TV capture or tuner card is the way forward here, you can pick up a cheap analog one which has composite in, simply use a scart to composite lead, which does exist.
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Would this be different to a normal TV card? I have a Nebula DigiTV card. Is that useless for what I want to do?

[DOD]Asprilla;11833663 said:
The VM+ box will output HDMI so you can get an HDMI to VGA connector can't you? You'd still need to ouput sound elsewhere though.
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Yes I've seen HDMI to VGA online. :) I also have a Hifi on my desk. :)

pre1twa said:
Sorry for the continued replies but I'm bored at work.

Anyway I think you have two choices. Buy a dedicated convertor to convert the scart/component signal to something that your monitor can display. This will be quite expensive but will mean that you can watch your TV through your monitor without the use of the computer.

Second option is to buy a capture card which will work much like a TV card and will display the inputed source through some software in windows. I would imagine an s-video capture card be cheap. Have a search for Leadtek PVR3000 which does component and s-video in and is still relatively cheap.
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I think I'd rather do the second option here. :) I'll be building the PC anyway so it won't hurt to use it for TV. :)

Would I need to use Windows to display the source or could I use something in Linux? To make it a bit cheaper. :)
 
A tv card, analog is cheaper as it is being fazed out, but a freeview digital one would do the trick also, as long as it has composite in. I got a Winfast pvr 2000 from here about three years ago which works well.
 
So it doesn't matter if its an analogue or Freeview/digital card as long as it has composite on it?

And again could I use a Linux build for this?
 
MarcLister said:
So it doesn't matter if its an analogue or Freeview/digital card as long as it has composite on it?

And again could I use a Linux build for this?
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Obviously you will need a card with linux software and drivers so you may have to do a bit of research. Maybe try asking in the linux forum if no one here can help.

*EDIT* and yes as long as it has composite in you should be fine.
 
pre1twa said:
Obviously you will need a card with linux software and drivers so you may have to do a bit of research. Maybe try asking in the linux forum if no one here can help.

*EDIT* and yes as long as it has composite in you should be fine.
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Cheers. About to post in there now to ask. I could install Windows but I haven't any spare licences so I'd have to pay for one which would nearly double the cost of the spare PC. Wanted to run Linux anyway so I will aim for that. :)

Phoenix211 said:
hdmi to dvi is better then vga though isnt it? digital to analogue and all that
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Yes. My Dell has DVI but I wouldn't be able to watch TV and be on my computer at the same which is want I would like. So whilst VGA isn't as good I would still be able to have the TV on as it were and be on PC at the same time. :)
 
I have had my Virgin cable box connected to my PC via the composite input on my Nebula DVB-T card. I found that Dscaler was superior to the DigiTV software. Picture was still ropey though.
 
Rhys said:
Wouldn't it be easier/equivalent expense to just buy a TV with a scart socket?
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Not really no. I haven't got space for a TV but I will have space for a monitor.:)

Failsafe said:
I have had my Virgin cable box connected to my PC via the composite input on my Nebula DVB-T card. I found that Dscaler was superior to the DigiTV software. Picture was still ropey though.
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Hmm I wonder if I have a Nebula card like that. :)

pre1twa said:
Dscler always gave a horrible picture for me. However WinDVR looks great over composite or s-video.
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WinDVR? Will google that. :)
 
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