Add TV Tuner to a Projector?

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southafricanrob

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Hi - wondering if anyones done this before?
I need to buy a projector for work but only use it once month. Would like to ditch my small ass TV at home and just use the work projector - works great for movies etc from my raspberry pi.

Would like to be able to watch TV (yes free SABC/ETV crap;-) from time to time - any easy / cost effective way to add a tv tuner of sorts to the projector? I know you get USB tuners but haven't managed to figure out if that'd work of if i need s full fledged PC for that?
Thank all
 
excellent - thanks - i was only coming up with the USB ones..now to find a good projector ;-)

And excuse any ignorance - but will that Mecer one linked above support sabc tv at the moment (being analogue signal) despite being a digital tuner?
 
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Having a projector instead of a regular TV does look cool hence I was thinking of doing this myself. Also you should check online stores for a Projector and if you buying from Chinese sites then always check the feedback and do a quick search on Google and YouTube.

You'll see some video reviews.
 
Simple solution - use a DSTV HD decoder (SingleView or PVR) - and connect your satellite dish / outdoor antenna to the inputs of the DSTV decoder - then connect the required outputs (Analog or HDMI) to the corresponding inputs of the data projector.

Zapper rare view.jpg

The cheapest monthly DSTV subscription is EasyView - which costs R 39-00 a month - and gives you all the free-to-air channels - as well as a selection of various radio stations and general entertainment channels.

http://www.dstv.com/topic/compare-packages-20150713?pos4_GetDstv_ComparePackages
 
Thanks for the info - I dont have a dish or decoder and dont really watch enough TV to warrant the expense - really just want to option to watch the news of a cricket game here and there etc!
 
Just remember that, when Sentech eventually switches off the analog Terrestrial TV broadcasts & switches over to DVB-T2 Digital broadcasts, hopefully in the next 18 months or so (maybe sooner), your existing TV tuner will become obsolete.

Another option is to try & hunt down an old VHS video recorder in working condition, and just use its TV tuner to provide you with an output signal via its RCA AV outputs, to your Data projector.
 
Ivan Leon said:
Just remember that, when Sentech eventually switches off the analog Terrestrial TV broadcasts & switches over to DVB-T2 Digital broadcasts, hopefully in the next 18 months or so (maybe sooner), your existing TV tuner will become obsolete.
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Thanks and good point - I have found an LG projector that has a built in DVB Tuner so that might be a good future proof option

Another option is to try & hunt down an old VHS video recorder in working condition, and just use its TV tuner to provide you with an output signal via its RCA AV outputs, to your Data projector.
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And also good idea - i have a VHS sitting in the garage! changing channels may be an issue though..
 
southafricanrob said:
And also good idea - i have a VHS sitting in the garage! changing channels may be an issue though..
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Just trot down to your nearest Hi-Fi Corp / Dion Wired / Incredible Connection / Game / Makro / Hirsch's - and get a universal remote control - they usually have preset codes for most VHS Video Recorders included!

:whistle:
 
Thread revival!!!

I have been considering replacing to living room TV with a project, but i am worried about the usability experience especially for the kids.

Has anyone done this recently?
 
Caldo said:
Thread revival!!!

I have been considering replacing to living room TV with a project, but i am worried about the usability experience especially for the kids.

Has anyone done this recently?
Click to expand...

Honest question: why? Is it the biggest picture for your buck you're after?
 
Nick333 said:
Honest question: why? Is it the biggest picture for your buck you're after?
Click to expand...
Need to get a new TV for the living room, but with the new tech available in projectors, i am wondering would it not be better to get one.
Some benefits i can think of is a bigger 'screen', movies night, etc.
 
Caldo said:
Need to get a new TV for the living room, but with the new tech available in projectors, i am wondering would it not be better to get one.
Some benefits i can think of is a bigger 'screen', movies night, etc.
Click to expand...
Would look better in the living room than a TV, you need a High Lumens and ideally a short throw projector. Also a decent sound system.
 
You will also need a screen. So add R1000+ to the price

But consider the bulb life. Some are rated at only 2000hrs (2 years @ 3hr/day) but some are 20k hrs. Also projectors don't like sudden power losses. The good ones have a shut down sequence to protect the bulb when the unit is turned off.

You would also need even the most basic of sound systems. So another R2000.

Bonus is you don't need a TV license to purchase any of the above.
 
Rather get a bigish 4k screen (50 inches or so) and a sound bar. Muuuuch better bang for your buck (~R7000). Send a PM if you need help choosing
 
Get one of these. You won't be disappointed:

https://www.xgimi.com/en/H2-immersive-home-projector.html

It runs Android so Netflix, Youtube, Plex, Kodi, Showmax etc are a breeze. The built in sound is very good but I have mine hooked up to a bluetooth speaker below the projector screen. Picture quality and brightness is excellent. It's an LED projector so the the lamp life is ±30,000 hours. This blows away anything close to this price range.

 
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