TV tuner card
An expansion card capable of showing TV stations on a monitor using a TV tuner card. The TV tuner card allows the user to connect a coaxial cable to the computer. The computer could then display basic cable stations and digital cable stations on the monitor. A TV tuner card can even provide a method for recording TV shows on the computer for later viewing, similar to how a DVR (digital video recorder) device works.
One of the popular and well-known brands of TV tuner cards is Hauppauge. Their line of WinTV tuner cards work with many computers and operating systems, including Windows XP, Vista, and 7. Internal TV tuner cards for desktop computers plug into a PCI or PCI Express slot, and external TV tuners are also available for use with laptop and desktop computers. Some of these TV tuners include a remote control for easy access and programming. Prices start around $50 for the basic models and can sell for over $100 for more advanced models.
Today, it's also possible to stream TV shows and movies over the Internet without needing a TV Tuner.