Comments on: How do I watch the ball drop without a TV?

Question: How do I watch the ball drop without a TV?

ellF — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:24:38 -0800

I am throwing a small New Year's Eve party, and would like to be able to show the ball dropping in Times Square -- and optionally more of the programing around that moment -- despite not having a television signal into my home. I've a large LCD monitor (42"), a laptop with an HDMI input into said TV, a Windows PC, and an XBox 360. What's the best way to go about setting something up for my guests and I to watch?

By: Netzapper

Netzapper — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:48:49 -0800

I don't know of any television network that does simultaneous webcasts of their programming.

Since you're asking about something that's especially "live", this is what you need.

Do you have a friend with a Slingbox? If so, I'm of the understanding that you can have them stream the programming to you in (something like) real time.

By: Argyle

Argyle — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:14:18 -0800

Since you are most likely interested in the network TV programming, I'd say focus on getting those signals into your monitor. You'll need a rabbit ear antenna of some sort to plug into an antenna.

A couple ways:

1) You can buy a digital TV tuner aka an ATSC tuner and pull the signal out of the air and plug it directly into your monitor. They will probably have a couple models at Radio Shack.

2) You can buy a digital TV tuner with a USB connection, plug that into your laptop and then plug your laptop into the TV via HDMI.

3) You can buy a combo DVD player/ATSC receiver and plug that directly into your monitor.

By: zsazsa

zsazsa — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:17:04 -0800

Over-the-air HD USB receivers for computers are really cheap. Some even come with little rabbit ear antennas. If you're close enough to the transmitter, that's all you'd need.

By: ellF

ellF — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:01:24 -0800

Brilliant - I've picked up a Hauppauge 1191 (950) from Amazon, which I'll set up on the Linux-based laptop via MythTV and display on the 42" monitor. Thanks!

By: Pronoiac

Pronoiac — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:44:46 -0800

I've a large LCD monitor (42"), a laptop with an HDMI input into said TV, ...

If that monitor is really a TV, what's wrong with just getting some rabbit ears?

By: ellF

ellF — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:52:16 -0800

Pronoiac: It's really a monitor - my wording was confusing.

By: Pronoiac

Pronoiac — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:21:42 -0800

Really? Wow. I didn't know they made 42" monitors.