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General discussion

how can i watch what's on tv on my mac (not the other way)

Feb 12, 2011 7:25AM PST

I know you can connect your mac to your tv via the Mini DVI to VGA, and that allows you to watch whats on your computer on your tv. BUT, how can i watch whats on tv, onto my macbook. Specifically i have a Dish Network receiver and I have recorded a program on it, and i want to be able to save that show i recorded on my mac hd. dish network told me my receiver is not compatible to conncet an external hard drive to it, so i cannot transfer whats on my dish network receiver to my mac this way. so, is my only option to buy one of those elgato or eyetv hybrid connectors? or is there another cheaper way. any help would be sooo much appreciated. thank you in advance.
-samantha

Discussion is locked

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Dish may know.
Feb 12, 2011 7:32AM PST
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cheapest option is $200
Feb 12, 2011 12:53PM PST

Unfortunately they have an expensive receiver, the VIP 922, that they will sell for $200, in order to be able to watch anything from your tv, straight to your computer, wirelessly, which is cool. but i was just looking for another cheap option to connect my macbook to what's on tv, for recording purposes. so basically, use my macbook as a dvd recorder. any help or ideas would be super..
-samantha

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Then we have a lot more to discuss.
Feb 13, 2011 12:27PM PST

Since the apple does not have video capture built in you'll have to get that first ($$$) then you have to configure it and leave your macbook on during the time you want to record (more $$.)

200 bucks is going to look cheap when you are done.
Bob

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No
Feb 12, 2011 10:27PM PST

No, this is an expensive proposition no matter how you look at it. Once you actually get it up and working, you'll also come to find just how much it was not worth whatever you paid as well.

This is one of those things that sounds better in your head than it works out in reality. Kind of like using a TV as a computer monitor. Sounds good, but doesn't work out nearly as well in practice.