Martin Wilson
Aug 02, 2022
if you decide to cut the cord completely, you won't be able to watch live TV shows like the news or sports. To your good fortune, watching live television on your computer is still possible. You may watch episodes by streaming them via your web browser or by plugging a TV tuner device, which functions similarly to an antenna in that it receives broadcasts and plugs into a USB connection.
Free broadcasting is provided through network channels, such as NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, and PBS, and local stations. You will need an antenna to receive the broadcasts, and a means to transfer them to your computer to view them. The latter component, a TV tuner, may come in the shape of a dongle or a giant box plugs into any available spare USB port.
Tuners often come paired with software that assists with navigation. When you first turn on your laptop, the integrated apps will install any required drivers, search for channels that are currently accessible, and show those channels on your screen. After that, you may choose several choices using the mouse.
When you are out looking for tuner hardware, you should first check whether it is compatible with the operating system already installed on your computer, whether it is Windows or macOS. Also, consider whether the product comes with accessories, such as a remote control in the box. If you purchase a model with two or more integrated tuners as standard equipment.
If you already have a TV antenna installed in your house, you only need to connect it to the new tuner you purchased, and you will be good to go. If you don't already have one, you'll need to invest in an antenna to receive TV signals as they travel through the atmosphere. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward method for determining the number of channels that an antenna is capable of picking up. The number of channels that can be received depends on various factors, such as the proximity of your home to other structures and hills and the distance between your home and the nearest broadcasting tower.
One of our team's highly recommended products is the Mohu Curve 50 for PC, which can be purchased on Amazon for $70 and has a range of 60 miles. In other words, it performs well in whichever location you choose to place it.
Don't feel like getting any new hardware? Your web browser still enables you to watch live TV if you want to. In contrast to those like Netflix and iTunes, other services provide live content in addition to on-demand programming. This allows users to view live broadcasts of events, such as sporting events, as they occur. If you are just interested in viewing a few channels, then you should go to the websites of the firms that own those channels. You can watch content straight from several websites, including ABC, Fox, and NBC.
A monthly subscription to a service such as Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, or Sling TV is required to watch more than one channel simultaneously and access premium channels. There is a difference in the media provided by these solutions, but they all give a reliable connection and are simple to set up. For instance, YouTube TV does not offer a wide variety of sports channels, and Sling TV does not provide access to a significant number of local free-to-air stations.
Hulu Live TV costs $64.99 a month and provides users access to over 65 live channels in addition to the standard on-demand content available through Hulu. Because your location determines the precise combination, please enter your postal code to see the live programming available in your area. YouTube TV comes with access to more than 85 live channels for a somewhat higher price of $64.99 per month. For an additional $3 to $15 per month, you can tack on additional ones, like Fox Soccer Plus and Showtime.
If you already have a cable subscription, this could be the best way to watch live television on your computer. You can still use this method if you don't have a cable subscription. Your username and password are all that are required to access your account. Consider the Xfinity Stream service offered by Comcast. More than 200 channels are made available to members via this service. Go to the Xfinity Stream website, enter your credentials to log in, and you may immediately begin viewing.