Getting Freeview for WMC7

SoAdCrAzY · 25 Feb 2012 at 10:22

Ok, I'm a bit of a noob at this kind of thing.

I am moving into a bedsit so would like Freeview TV on my PC.

Are there any guides to doing this on Media Centre for Windows 7?

I have saved a TV tuner from my old PC (about 5 years old now). Everything is in boxes so may take me a while to get it. Would it be worth buying a new one anyway due to it's age?

Would I be right in thinking that I plug a Freeview box into the TV Tuner and configure it all on WMC? I also won't have the internet at the new place. Is that a problem?

Thanks.

Tealc · 25 Feb 2012 at 10:25

As long as the TV tuner has DVB-T rather than old analogue tuners it should work with WMC. If it doesn't have DVB-T then grab a new one. This is of course assuming that analogue transmissions are now switched off in your area. The card will need an aerial of it's own really.

Once installed WMC should pick it up as a tuner and allow you to search for channels.

WMC will want to connect to the internet but I can't remember what it actually gets from it so it might not be a required part.

Running a freeview box into the TV tuner is really not necessary as all it would do is see a video feed and would give none of the scheduling and recording functions you would normally get. WMC is pretty nice in that you can set a program to record in the middle of the night and it'll wake the PC from low power sleep to record it.

Blue160 · 25 Feb 2012 at 10:38

Just install the driver for the video card, then configure tv settings through WMC. It should do it all for you as long as the signal's strong enough.

Culinia · 25 Feb 2012 at 10:39

Tealc said:
WMC will want to connect to the internet but I can't remember what it actually gets from it so it might not be a required part.

Just to add it gets the 'Guide' (TV guide) from the internet. Allows easy recordings. Not sure how you would record without it, probably manually specifying time.

SoAdCrAzY · 25 Feb 2012 at 10:59

Tealc said:
As long as the TV tuner has DVB-T rather than old analogue tuners it should work with WMC. If it doesn't have DVB-T then grab a new one. This is of course assuming that analogue transmissions are now switched off in your area. The card will need an aerial of it's own really.

Once installed WMC should pick it up as a tuner and allow you to search for channels.

WMC will want to connect to the internet but I can't remember what it actually gets from it so it might not be a required part.

Running a freeview box into the TV tuner is really not necessary as all it would do is see a video feed and would give none of the scheduling and recording functions you would normally get. WMC is pretty nice in that you can set a program to record in the middle of the night and it'll wake the PC from low power sleep to record it.

Wow tv tuners are expensive. I will look for my old one as I think it'll be perfect and I have an aerial for it too. When I find it, I will post a photo of it on here to double check with you.

Thanks.

Jay794 · 25 Feb 2012 at 11:03

Just install TunerMCE no tv card needed

Tealc · 25 Feb 2012 at 11:05

SoAdCrAzY said:
Wow tv tuners are expensive. I will look for my old one as I think it'll be perfect and I have an aerial for it too. When I find it, I will post a photo of it on here to double check with you.

Thanks.

The cheapest I saw on ocuk was £20. Not sure of it's capabilities though. Expect to pay £100+ for HD dual tuner cards and considerably less for dual/quad tuner SD cards.

King Damager · 25 Feb 2012 at 11:11

I picked up two the other day, second hand for £11... They're not uncommon in the MM

kd

Jay794 · 25 Feb 2012 at 11:12

TV Cards are expensive, stream internet TV for free instead

rustynuts · 25 Feb 2012 at 11:34

Just use the website www.tvcatchup.com

SoAdCrAzY · 25 Feb 2012 at 11:37

I won't have the Internet so can't do any of the free methods.

rustynuts · 25 Feb 2012 at 11:39

Ah i missed that part of your post. My bad..

Jay794 · 25 Feb 2012 at 11:43

Me too, how do people survive without internet, that was part of the criteria for the location of my house lol

SoAdCrAzY · 25 Feb 2012 at 12:30

Jay794 said:
Me too, how do people survive without internet, that was part of the criteria for the location of my house lol

Lol I know. It's terrible. Hopefully I can get the Internet when I get a proper job but at the moment, I have just graduated from uni and am working at Burger King.

I have a 3 mobile broadband dongle which is pay as you go which I can use every now and then.

SoAdCrAzY · 2 Mar 2012 at 13:17

*bump*

Ok, I'm moved in. I haven't got the TV Tuner yet but was wondering if it'll work. My landlord said that the house currently doesn't have an aerial.

Will the TV Tuner be able to pick up anything?

Thanks.

Blue160 · 2 Mar 2012 at 13:25

Depends on the signal strength where you are. Where I am a proper aerial is essential.

wazza300 · 2 Mar 2012 at 13:37

SoAdCrAzY said:
*bump*

Ok, I'm moved in. I haven't got the TV Tuner yet but was wondering if it'll work. My landlord said that the house currently doesn't have an aerial.

Will the TV Tuner be able to pick up anything?

Thanks.

i get 100+ channels with my tiny matchstick Ariel that came with the card,

ukpolska · 13 Mar 2012 at 10:50

I know it's a bit late but this works really well from TVCatchup.com Microsoft Media Center Plugin

SoAdCrAzY · 29 Mar 2012 at 16:52

Finally found the card. I can't find any way of identifying it so would anyone be able to tell if it will do the job from these photos?

Tealc · 29 Mar 2012 at 17:19

That's not a TV tuner card. That is a PCI wireless network card. You can tell by the Link/Act LED along with the 2.4Ghz Omni antenna with RP-SMA connector.

At the very least a TV Tuner card will have a TV coaxial connector of some description.