topic Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies! in PCs & Accessories

Watching TV....how to for dummies!

ClaireP — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 14:04:44 GMT

Hi, well just purchased my first laptop for uni, however never been much of a techie, and I'm quite clueless about how to work it!

Anyways, the reason I'm asking for help is because I want to be able to watch TV on it.....I've got the PCG-K215B and it says you can, but does anybody know how to do this? Do I need to purchase any additional items?

If somebody could help I'd be really happy! But please don't make the responses complicated, as I said, I'm not good with all the jargon!

Thank you!!

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

tellingd — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 14:59:56 GMT

As far as I am aware you will not be able to watch TV on this machine. It does not seem to have the necessary hardware ('TV card') nor does it ship with Giga Pocket, Sony's proprietory TV software.

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

kee-lo_ — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 15:29:24 GMT

I'm not sure about this, but I did hear Sony were considering making gigapocket inside docking stations (there's one for the A series).

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

nick_pan — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 18:35:01 GMT

hey im in the same situation...where u going to uni by the way? cause if its in the uK, make sure u have a TV license..

guys i know the K series doesnt have any internal tv decoder or anything but cant u get set top boxes that connect via USB2 or something ? :smileygrin:

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

ClaireP — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 19:04:09 GMT

Thanks people!

Hmmn, it does say on the sony software that it came with you can, but maybe that's just general and doesn't apply to this specific model? it gives you the option of music, dvd, pictures and tv on some package, but when i tried the tv it just searched for a signal for a while, and came up with nothing.

yup i'm going to uni in the uk (uni of glos), and i have a license, so it won't be illegal!!

maybe i'll take it into the sony centre and see if they have any idea, but if i do have to end up buying a card or whatever i probably won't bother, although i really do like the idea of watching eastenders on it he he!

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

kee-lo_ — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 19:21:56 GMT

Claire,

Haupagge do a small box which you can plug into your USB sicket, around £50 IIRC.

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

nick_pan — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 21:09:00 GMT

lol, yeh i agree... i wanna be able to watch and record totp/cduk and stuff..cant be missing that while im in uni! :smileygrin: (busted!!!!)

lol, anyway, an external tvcard will set u back about 80 pounds..hmm but im definately considering it as i dont plan on fighting over what to watch in the common rooms every night!

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

kee-lo_ — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 23:38:41 GMT

Hehe good old college days.

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

ClaireP — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 13:10:35 GMT

Nick.......where are you going to uni? Are you as excited/ terrified as I am?! 3 weeks to go........then fresher's week, he he can't wait!

If it's going to cost 80 pounds I might as well buy a TV, that was the plan anyways, but thought the laptop would be cool, plus it would give me more room, as I'm don't think there will be much space in my pokey student bedsit! Oh well, never mind!

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

Titane — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 13:29:37 GMT

if your machine has Gigapocket, you can use tvtv .

Check here for more info about Giga POcket and tvtv services

Cheers

Titane

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

kee-lo_ — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 13:38:14 GMT

Are there docking stations with Gigapcoket yet Titane?

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

nick_pan — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 23:18:58 GMT

i dont think the k series has any gigapocket stuff..

and yeh claire, im nervous! im going to royal holloway in london so it should be alot of fun! i basically wanna get a tv card to do abit of recording as well but it obviously saves alot of space!

by the way, how do u get a tv license over there?

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

kee-lo_ — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 13:32:53 GMT

You normally get a form from the Post Office.
I think you can do it online too.

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

ClaireP — Sun, 29 Aug 2004 19:33:59 GMT

yup I got one from the post office last month when i was back home......121 pounds for a year. bit expensive, but worth it if you consider you could be fined up to a 1000!

checked my manual today, it does seem to imply you can, but guess i'm just too stupid to figure out what to do!

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

kee-lo_ — Sun, 29 Aug 2004 21:36:12 GMT

Whats your model again, I'll look at the manual in the morning.

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

ShadowPHP — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 19:32:34 GMT

It has TV-Out, No TV-In.

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

kee-lo_ — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 19:34:50 GMT

Shadow,

Any S-Video in?

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

robpaxton — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 20:05:54 GMT

Nope - the USB solution is the one to go for.

Re: Watching TV....how to for dummies!

kee-lo_ — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 20:09:57 GMT

I see.
Haupagge does a good one.