Mediaroom Not Loungeroom

Well the media center idea is with us so why not use it more. throw away the lounge, sound system and the TV and put a wide screen TV (or monitor) and powerfull computer and watch TV and ply music in the home using WMC or WMP. Play games and browse the internet on an all in one computer. We are moving to that way and fast by 2012 I woulden't be supprise to see 85% of people with their media center's.

So the Loungeroom will be a Mediaroom instead.

Can you do this with a regular 18.5 inch widescreen PC? If so, what all do you need? I've seen USB TV tuners before, do you have to subscribe to anything to get the signal?

Yes to the TV and No to subscribing you just plug into your normal airial and use standard cables as with normal TV set up.

Isn't there something made that will plug into your computer and you grab channels off of the internet?

Yes a TV Tuner, you can get them in analogue and digital and can plug into a PCI/PCI-E slot or external ones that plug into USB 2.0 ports.

How much do the USB ones cost? And do you get all of the channels, including the "premium" ones?

Can't you look it up? USB ones are anywhere from $45 to $190. Analouge ones are about $67 and Digital ones are $150. They get most channels but it depends on where you live.

In the UK we have Freeview ... just one of the options

In Australia we have Freeview as well.

I know our area no longer carry the analog signals. So if you decide to buy one make sure your area has the signals you are purchasing for.