College's and Students Turn to Cable through the Internet - Page 3

CNET, an easy-to-follow technology website, has a video that shows how to install a TV Tuner card.

Many desktop PCs today come with cable ports already installed or as options when buying the computer.

External TV Tuners are available for laptops and Apple desktops. A few PC laptops are beginning to include TV Tuner cards as well.

Scott Lipowitz, a sophomore at Ithaca College, gets his cable from Time Warner. But instead of having it sent to a television set, he uses his computer to download TV listings and save programs directly onto his hard drive.

Lipowitz prefers using his computer because he gets digital cable without the added costs of a television and cable box.

“I really like having the TV on my PC; it turns my computer into a full-fledged media center for games, schoolwork, Internet, DVDs and TV," Lipowitz said.

He admits the quality of the picture is not always as clear, but says it’s hardly noticeable. He also thinks that if more college students knew about this cable option it would be more common and very beneficial to students.

Alex Botsios, sophomore at Arizona State University, said he and many of his friends often use the Internet as an alternative to TV.

“In my opinion, the Internet is making basic cable almost not needed because of the vast amount of streaming video offered," Botsios said.

And if programs like Video Furnace or Broadband TV expand, streaming video and television will need to make room for cable directly on the computer.