I want to use a laptop or netbook to record TV what do I need to know?

[flier]

Says it all really.

I am looking into buying a laptop or netbook. It will basically be plugged into our LCD TV/monitor (it has freeview) and I'd like it to be able to record tv that we can watch back later.

I'm sure this is possible but I don't know where to start. Then again maybe it isn't possible.

help!!!

You can buy a USB stick that does Digital TV and just plugs into the laptop (you plug a cable from your house aerial into the back of the stick)

Example1 Example2

Those may not be the best ones to get. I'm a bit out of touch.

With the old VHS recorders you could record using the TV's tuner. I'm not sure you can do that in this situation, but perhaps someone else will know.

I think this is the one we got, but it was ages ago and there may be better ways.

thanks GrandadOnagar. I'm already getting the freeview signal to the tv. I'm hoping I won't have to buy another receiver, just something that will allow me to record onto my laptops hard drive or even to a usb stick.

If you can alre4ady receive tv, isn't there software already loaded to play and record TV?

My laptop came with a receiver and software which allowed you to do this. I don;t know of any netbooks which will let you.

thanks kewcumber. Can I ask which laptop you have?

I have a big Acer Aspire media centre kind of thingie. BIg wide screen (17"), Acer;s own software allows you to record onto the hard drive, though I've only does it once it worked perfectly well.

It seems likely that you will need a Video Capture card in your laptop to do this. I can't be 100% sure though.

Kewcumber, does your laptop already have a tuner card then so you can see TV on it?

great, thanks kewcumber and GrandadOnagar now I know what to google for, I can start researching what I need to get.

mine is similar to this www.acerdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_8930G_Laptop_LX.AT10X.002/version.asp?PID=

thanks kc