Computer Power User Article - Advanced Q&A Corner

Each month we dig deep into the mailbag here at CPU in an effort to answer your most pressing technical questions. Want some advice on your next purchase or upgrade? Have a ghost in your machine? Are BSODs making your life miserable? CPU’s “Advanced Q&A Corner” is here for you. Andrew C. asked: I’m switching schools and the new dorm room I’ll be moving into is really small. To save space, I was thinking about using a TV as a monitor so I can have my computer, Xbox, and Wii all in one spot. Someone told me that if I do that, though, the resolution is going to really stink and I won’t be able to type papers and stuff like that. I don’t need anything fancy, but I don’t want to go blind writing papers on a TV, either. Is there an adapter I could buy to hook up my TV cable, Xbox, and Wii all to my computer monitor? I have an old 17-inch monitor that came with my Dell PC. Thanks! Many TV tuner cards have composite and S-Video inputs, which let a user connect things such as game consoles or set-top boxes directly to his system. It may seem like what you want to do is extremely complicated, Andrew, but it isn’t. There are two really easy ways to do what you’re asking: One way is relatively inexpensive, and the other requires you to purchase a new monitor. The most cost-effective way to turn your computer into a TV, complete with multiple video inputs, is to install a TV tuner card. There are a number of tuner cards from companies such as ATI, Leadtek, and Hauppauge that have F-type TV cable inputs and a couple of composite and S-Video inputs for your consoles. If you go this