Still watch TV on laptop after Feb. 09???

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Alabamaspirit, Dec 18, 2008.

  1. Alabamaspirit

    Alabamaspirit Light Load Member

    Will the change in Feb. to digital signal effect reception on the laptop. I am looking at getting one of the USB devices that connects a antenna to the computer. Thanks...
     
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  3. abjz71

    abjz71 Light Load Member

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    whichita ks
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    if is able to receive an HD signal it will work fine just read the side of the box
     
  4. Pur48Ted

    Pur48Ted Road Train Member

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    Those "USB" devices are already DIGITAL and you should have no problem. Just get a BIG antenna, digital signals don't have the range that analog signals do.
     
    Cybergal Thanks this.
  5. Alabamaspirit

    Alabamaspirit Light Load Member

  6. LandShark

    LandShark Road Train Member

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    I watch tv on my laptop off a web site called fancast. you can pick what cha want to watch many shows and movies to all free
     
  7. MrMustard

    MrMustard Road Train Member

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    They all aren't digital. I have one that isn't. Be careful and read the fine print. I'm still seeing analog tuners on ebay.
     
  8. Waterloo

    Waterloo Medium Load Member

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    One thing you can do if you are using your laptop in the truck, is to tap into your regular truck antenna. I don't know what you are driving, but my Volvo, Pete, FreightLiner, Kenworth, all trucks I have driven or owned over the years. All had a TV antenna connection in the TV cubby hole. I find in my Volvo that through this connection, with a regular RG6 Coax cable, that I can get digital TV on my 27" Samsung LCD I have mounted in my truck. And all of that runs through my factory CB antennas. And it is nice, especially on a Sunday. You just need to be close to a major town or city, as digital signals are line of site. Any hills, trees, buildings or passing big trucks will block the signal.

    Something to try, as I believe that the USB digital TV dongles will allow you to attach an standard RG6 cable. The RG6 cables are the same ones you would use for a sat tv setup, from the dish to the receiver.

    Mike
     
  9. Pur48Ted

    Pur48Ted Road Train Member

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    Yep, you are right. The only ones I have seen receive the HDTV signals. I wasn't aware of the analog units.
     
  10. MrMustard

    MrMustard Road Train Member

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    I got one of those Magnavox converter boxes from Walmart. They cost $49, but you can get a $40 coupon from the government at www.dtv2009.gov
    I had an old portable DVD player laying around with an 8" screen on it. It fits like a glove on the nightstand over my fridge in my Freightliner. It had RCA jacks for inputs. The Magnavox digital tuner had RCA jacks outputs. I put the two together, and the results were unbelievable. The picture is awesome, pretty much HI-DEF. Like you said it doesn't work well out in the boonies, but in town I pick up sometimes 20-30 channels. Best ten bucks I ever spent.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 19, 2008
  11. punkinhed

    punkinhed Medium Load Member

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    hello, cleveland!
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    aha! so that's what that thing is...
     
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