Watching TV on my Mac

[dgofaw]

Hi Folks.

I have a Dish Network satellite receiver and I would like to use my iMac G4 as a TV monitor. I don't need recording capability because my satellite receiver is also a DVR. I just want to watch TV on my Mac using the signal from my Dish receiver. Can anyone please tell me what hardware and software I need?

Thanks.

 

[Gil]

You would need a TV Tuner. Hauppauge and ATI are just a few of the brands that make 'em.

 

[Forrest]

A Tuner isn't needed - it's built into the satellite receiver. You just need a USB video interface. There are a few models listed here http://daystartechnology.com/videocapture/index.html

Note the G4 iMac only has USB 1.1 ports - so you'll have to settle for 320 x 240 resolution.

I think a TV would give you a better picture.

 

[Gil]

No, you use the Tuner, and tune to Channel 3, basically what all TV's w/ set top boxes do. The TV is always tuned to Channel 3, same goes with the TV Tuner.

 

[tmtomh]

No, you use the Tuner, and tune to Channel 3, basically what all TV's w/ set top boxes do. The TV is always tuned to Channel 3, same goes with the TV Tuner.

This makes no sense in terms of watching TV on a computer. You do indeed tune to Channel 3 (or 4, if Channel 3 is a real channel in your area) - but you only do that on a TV, which has two things an iMac G4 lacks: (1) A TV tuner; and (2) a coaxial RF input.

For a computer, all you need is something to get the video output of the cable/satellite box into the computer. Any modern box will have composite, component, and/or HDMI output; and the iMac has USB for input.

But, again building on what Forrest has said, you're going to have a tough time watching TV at an acceptable size or frame rate using USB 1.1, which is all the iMac G4 has.

If you just want to see the TV while you're working on your Mac, it might be serviceable. But if you actually want to turn your iMac into a TV, it won't work well enough.

The only other alternative would be to use Firewire for the video input instead. But - unless you already have a DV camera lying around - any firewire solution is probably going to be relatively expensive.

M

 

[alk]

Late model iMac G4s have USB 2.

Peace,

Drew

 

[tmtomh]

Late model iMac G4s have USB 2.
Peace,

Drew

Good point!