How do you program a Microsoft Media Center PC to play broadcasted HD channels?

Question

I have a Westinghouse LCD. When I plug the coax cable into the rear of the TV, it picks up major HD channels such as Fox-HD and Espn-HD on channels that end with a decimal, such as 43.1. However, I recently got a new dell xps 420 with media center, and when I plug the coax into my computer rather than my TV the several digital channels I had don't show up. I really just want to be able to use my computer to pick up these channels and have them work with the Guide function in Media Center.

Answer 1

Your TV is using a QAM tuner to display the HD you're seeing. Your computer most likely does not have a QAM tuner. There are three tuner types and you will have to find out which one or ones your PC has.

ATSC-digital over the air TV

NTSC-analog over the air and cable TV

QAM-digital cable TV.

Media center does not work with QAM tuners, so that is why I am saying you probably don't have one.

Answer 2

In media Center, go to setup TV and make sure the PC scans for the correct type of channels.

For example, if you use cable, make sure it scans in cable mode.  If it still can't find them, see if can you add them manually.  If you still can't get them, then probably you don't have a QAM tuner to get cable.