internet on your TV

In our last post, we talked about ditching cable. Which is a good way to save money, but how do you watch those few good shows that were on cable? We do not recommend stealing cable, so don't even think about it! You could rent the season when it comes out on DVD... a year later. No, we here at P.S. like to watch the shows shortly after the air date. The almighty internet offers that solution. But how do you get around watching the shows you miss on a tiny screen? Hook your computer to your TV! You can play too, here's how!

Current equipment:

• Old desktop or laptop computer (with internet access)
• TV with a "PC In" port; either a VGA or DVI connection (could get a DVI to HDMI to go into an HDMI port)
• Spare 'Audio In' port on a stereo (if your TV has 'Audio In' under the 'PC In', you can use that)
  
• Monitor cord (VGA or DVI)
  

The rules:

• Total equipment cost should not be more than one month's cable bill. In our case, not more than $92
  
• No additional monthly charges (I'm talking about you Apple TV)
  

What to buy:

• Wireless keyboard and mouse (we found a ?? for $29.44)
• audio out (headphone connection) to left/right RCA cord (25ft of cord cost us $10.19)
• wireless internet connector if a network drop is not near your tv/computer setup (linksys $39.99)
• Monitor cord extension (VGA $11.49)
  

Instructions:

1. Install the wireless keyboard and mouse on your old computer. Follow any instructions they provide
2. Install the wireless internet connector if you computer is not near a network drop. Again, follow the instructions for that device.
3. Plug the RCA cord into your TV or stereo. Find a spare "audio in" section. Remember which section the cord is plugged. You will need to change the stereo to that function/source to hear sound.
4. Plug the 'headphones' end of the audio cord into your computer. Look for an icon that has sound waves coming out both sides (i.e., the stereo out).
5. Plug the video cord into the 'PC In' section of your TV and plug the other end into your video card.
6. Tune the TV to the PC channel and stereo to the external audio option.
7. Start your computer
8. Enjoy
   

The score:

Total cost for a month of cable: $91.42
Total cost for equipment (one time fee): $91.17

SUCCESS! Good luck!

*You could go out and by a new computer, or by expensive video and audio cards that would have better connectors, but that would defeat the purpose of saving money.