Tv on laptop

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 09:37
ThreadID: 12284 Views:2180 Replies:3 FollowUps:14
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Hi Guys, does anyone know if you can change a video card(?) in a laptop? I am trying to install a tv tuner, and having some problems. The software goes in alright, but when I try to install the unit, the audio and video wont go in properly. I called the company, they said my laptop (Compaq Armada E500) probably doesnt have a video card that supports "overlapping". Does that sound right? I find it hard to beleive that in this day and age I cant watch tv on my puter! :( Please help, I have a feeling I may get ripped off otherwise!
Thanks, Alison.
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Reply By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 09:53

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 09:53
Darren,

What operating System are you running? For TV to work, your video card/drivers need to be able to support video overlay. Updating the drivers and DirectX (ver 9.0b is the latest) might help. What TV tuner are you trying to install?

cheers,
Sam.
AnswerID: 55470

Follow Up By: Member - Darren C (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 09:56

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 09:56
Hi Sam. I was just reading your other posts and I hoped you would reply! I am running XP, and I downloaded drivers for the unit from their website, so I assume they are the newest. I read somewhere else about directx, but it was on areally technical site so I didnt really get it.
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Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 09:58

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 09:58
Darren,

What brand/model is the tuner? Is it a Digital or Analogue tuner?

cheers,
Sam.
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FollowupID: 317296

Follow Up By: Member - Darren C (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:01

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:01
It is an analogue tuner, Vidiot by AV Labs.
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FollowupID: 317298

Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:16

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:16
Darren,

to get the latest version of DirectX
you can go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=141D5F9E-07C1-462A-BAEF-5EAB5C851CF5&displaylang=en This is the web installer version, and it downloads only the components needed. If you want the full version you can go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A6DEE0DB-DCCE-43EA-87BB-7C7E1FD1EAA2&displaylang=en Or if you have a recent computer magazine CD lying around, there is bound to be a copy of DirectX 9b. Or if you have purchased any recent games, a copy might be on the CD (if it isn't already installed)

You can check what version of DirectX you currently have installed by going to
Start Menu -> Run
and then typing dxdiag and clicking Ok.

On The first tab down the bottom there will be a DirectX Verison.

Do you know what type of video card is installed in the Armada?

cheers,
SAm.

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FollowupID: 317304

Follow Up By: Member - Darren C (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:24

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:24
I have just downloaded and installed directx, but how do I find out what my video card is?
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FollowupID: 317307

Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:27

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:27
Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Display

Select the Settings Tab and then click the Advanced button down the bottom. The select the Adapter Tab. It should give you the name of the video adapter and also some info about it (ie how much video RAM it has, the chip type)
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FollowupID: 317308

Follow Up By: Member - Darren C (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:40

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:40
Hi, I dont have an 'advanced' button on my settings, but I looked in the device manager and found a 'display adapter'. (ATI RAGE Mobility compaq). Is that my video card?
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FollowupID: 317309

Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:48

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:48
Yep
thats it, and it should be able to handle video overlay without any problems. Compaq(HP) don't seem to offer any update drivers for the Mobility chipsets so I guess the one that comes with XP is the latest and ATI dont supply driver updates for notebooks powered by their chips due to each brand/model being different. Have you applied all the latest Service packs and patches to XP?
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FollowupID: 317310

Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:57

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:57
Darren,

have you access to another computer you can try it on? Is the laptop actually recognising the unit when you plug it in to the USB port?

Sam.
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FollowupID: 317312

Follow Up By: Member - Darren C (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 11:23

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 11:23
First of all, thanks sooo much for helping me, I know you are probably as busy as any one else. I just got on the microsoft site and tried to download a service pack it said I needed. It wouldnt install properly because I dont have a necessary product key. I bought the laptop off the internet second hand, so that might be why. I did find on there, an update for MSS Technology something, which I think has something to do with video and audio (?), so I got that. My hardware manager came up and said it found some new hardware! So I am going to try to install the tuner one more time. Fingers crossed. :)
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FollowupID: 317314

Follow Up By: Member - Darren C (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 11:50

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 11:50
Well I just tried to install again, software went in OK, restarted, now it is frozen on a scandisk screen. The funny thing is, I cant shutdown and restart, because it runs on batteries! Now I am waiting for it to do something, or for the batteries to run out. :)
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FollowupID: 317315

Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 11:53

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 11:53
Darren,

Sounds like XP was loaded using a now defunct CD-Key. There were a few "Corporate" CD Keys that were able to by-pass the Product Activation that were being used. Microsoft set Service Pack 1 up to detect these and not install.

By the way, check your member messages.

cheers,
Sam.
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FollowupID: 317316

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 12:18

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 12:18
The reason you are stuck on the Scandisk is as said, you have a shonky version of XP. Seen it many times ;-)

You can hack the registry and change it, but not advisable if your not sure what your doing.

You may have to buy a copy legit, and have it installed, or see if you can get a restore CD off Ebay, or somewhere for your make and model laptop, but they are rare..
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FollowupID: 317318

Reply By: REXY - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:15

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 10:15
Darren.
I dont know weather this will help you but i was in Harvey Normans the other day and they sell a "TV" box for about $300 ish that picks up TV signals, it plugs into the USB port on your Laptop and allows you to watch TV through your puter. Dont quote me but i think it runs through your windows movie player

Hope this helps

REXY
AnswerID: 55475

Reply By: William - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 20:25

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 20:25
My HP laptop will not accept a TV card.
I ended up buying from Globalsat this high definition wide screen LCD TV for $299.00
I am wrapped in the TV and is a better solution than using the laptop. The features of the LCD are extensive. I could not find anything else for that sort of money and quality.
AnswerID: 55565

Follow Up By: oldbuddy - Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 22:03

Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 at 22:03
I needed a new portable TV for travelling and bought the DSE 15" LCD TV for $599 and am very impressed. Good sound and picture. Samsung screen. Beats all of the hassles with trying to reuse the laptop. It can be wall mounted as well. Also comes with a good remote control and can double as a computer monitor with VGA input.
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FollowupID: 317446

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