need some computer advice

[caldog]

I know a little bit about computers, but need some advice. I want to purchase a computer for e-mail/internet and to watch tv in my kitchen. What minimum system requirements should I be looking for? I'm not interested in recording TV or playing any video games. Is there any problem hooking up Bell Expressvu through my computer?

[cliff]

I know a little bit about computers, but need some advice. I want to purchase a computer for e-mail/internet and to watch tv in my kitchen. What minimum system requirements should I be looking for? I'm not interested in recording TV or playing any video games. Is there any problem hooking up Bell Expressvu through my computer?

Well to access the net/email any basic computer will do the job, anything that meets the base requirements of windows will do.

Wanting to watch expressvu through you computer complicates things considerably.

To do that legally, you will need an additional sat reciever, an IR blaster and an pvr/tuner card. I would recommend you stay with a hardware based card (such as any of the haupagge pvr line 150,250)

[rickyzhou]

Well, to get a tv feed into your computer, you'll need to know some basics and be willing to learn a bit.

You'll need a TV tuner card, that's the thing that accepts video feeds. These can range it price and quality, so it really depends. Also, if you have hdtv, you need an hdtv card (these are a bit pricey). I believe you also need an ok ($30-60) video card as well. Maybe cheaper, used.


Though, if you want simplicity, I suggest just buying a small tv, and hooking it up. Connecting it is the most complicated thing in this option.

There are cheap whole computers in the Buy/Sell/Trade section. I think I saw one for $60, no monitor though. That's perfect for just e-mail/internet, etc.