Am I missing something?

[biggles1000]

Right, this is a new computer, so I'm still not sure what's what in it.
The computer came with an AVerMedia DVB-T/PAL tv tuner card. (scroll down to the tv tuner section on this page: HP Pavilion p6565uk Desktop PC Product Specifications)
One thing that I-haven't-got-a-clue-what-it-is is some small thing that looks like an antenna (attachment 1), merely connected to the 'ANT' socket on a different (don't know what) card on the back.
The second image is basically my question (along with 'what on earth is the antenna thing??')
(I tried getting WMC to detect a TV signal with all cables as pictured, but it said it couldn't detect any (that could be because the TV signal in this house isn't particularly good, but I'll probably be back in Salisbury in a fortnight)
(yes, the cables round the back are a mess. Don't worry, that's just a temporary position)

EDIT: I looked inside, and the unknown 'ANT' connection isn't a card, it's a cover with the socket that then has a cable leading to something plugged into the mobo)

 

[UKMedia]

Hi

Here is a long shot.....Is there a small lump at the end of cable? Could it be a temp sensor that shouldn't be outside of the case?

Regards
UKMedia

 

[alphanumeric]

The connector that you have the red circle around and captioned as "Do I need a cable for..." is the AVerMedia DVB-T/PAL tv tuner card. That card, according to the web site, is a PCIe add-in card and not built into the motherboard. The cone antenna is likely for the 802.11 b/g/n WIFI card.

 

[biggles1000]

The connector that you have the red circle around and captioned as "Do I need a cable for..." is the AVerMedia DVB-T/PAL tv tuner card. That card, according to the web site, is a PCIe add-in card and not built into the motherboard. The cone antenna is likely for the 802.11 b/g/n WIFI card.

yeah, just took the side panel off again and traced the antenna cable - seems to go to this http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Doc/images/c02872338.jpg lying flat in the motherboard. I've never had a tower PC with WiFi built in, so I guess I just didn't know what to expect
So I'm guessing I do need to connect a cable to the tuner card from the house aerial? If so, does anyone know of any cheap wireless solution (eg two small wireless boxes, one connects to house aerial connection in living room, other box connects to tuner card on pc)?

(UKMedia, can't see a small lump, just the cable protection)

 

[alphanumeric]

Yeah, thats a WIFI card you would normally find in a laptop. It saves using up a PCIe slot I guess? Can't help you with the cable for the tuner card, I'm not up to speed on that stuff.

 

[biggles1000]

Yeah, thats a WIFI card you would normally find in a laptop. It saves using up a PCIe slot I guess? Can't help you with the cable for the tuner card, I'm not up to speed on that stuff.

ah. yeah, the rear space in the case is rather packed.
Thanks for the help I guess I'll have to ask my friend that seems to be obsessed with the way television works

 

[boohbah]

Im glad you asked the question about the Arial ,i have a HP computer and i have the same arial and had no idea what it is for as i dont have a tv tuner . i guessed it was for wifi but dont really use it as pc is hardwired to the reuter.

 

[biggles1000]

yeah, mine is currently connected via an ethernet cable, but I figured I should connect everything just to make it happy
I've never seen an aerial for WiFi before, I guess it is a bit of a help, as the signal strengths are better than with my useless old laptop. Would've been handy if HP had labeled it though, as it's completely unmarked other than the 'ANT.' connection

 

[seavixen32]

The cone is definitely an aerial for your wifi, which increases the signal strength of your wifi connection.

If you don't need wifi (for another computer such as a laptop) you can forget the wifi connection and just use your ethernet connection. I wouldn't recommend using both at the same time.

As for your TV tuner card, you need to connect it to a TV aerial socket using a coaxial cable. If your PC and TV set are in close proximity you can use an aerial splitter to connect both to the same TV socket. If that causes too much signal degradation you'll need to buy an aerial pre-amplifier, which will boost the TV signal.

There's also a red socket at the back of your computer lets you connect an infra-red remote control to use with your computer's TV setup.

I do believe you can also buy an extender which will allow you to stream media around your house.

Check the software that is provided with your TV tuner card, which should comprise of a driver for the card and software to set it up for TV viewing on your computer.

You can, if you wish, set up Microsoft's Windows Media Center for TV viewing instead.

 

[biggles1000]

Ok, as far as I know, there is only one aerial socket in the house, which is in the living room (well, I think there's one in the loft, but that's the socket that goes to the living room ). The room the computer is in is upstairs :/
Do really long cables exist for the aerial? (that would be a last resort, as it could look rather messy, trailing across the ceilings )
By an 'extender', would that be able to connect to the socket in the living room and stream live tv upstairs, but without interfering with the TV info the freeview box in the living room recieves? (eg. not both having to be on the same channel)

 

[seavixen32]

Information on media extenders here: Windows Media Center Extenders: frequently asked questions

If you have an aerial junction box in the loft it'll be less messy to have a new aerial socket fitted near to where your computer is and run a cable to it from the loft or even the TV aerial itself - any reputable aerial rigger can do the job if you don't fancy doing it yourself.

 

[biggles1000]

thanks for the link and tip

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome, I hope your new computer gives you a much-improved experience.

 

[biggles1000]

yeah, compared with my old laptop this PC is completely mind-blowing
Thanks again for all the help

 

[boohbah]

you could try a portable arial ,a half decent one is around £20 they usually have a signal booster inside. you may not get all the channels you could have with a attic or roof arial but its better than nothing ,also you may just have to move it about to get different channels.

 

[Barman58]

Wireless extension of a TV aerial possible though not always cheap

Philips 3100 Wireless TV Extension shows a SCART solution but Co-axial connections are available

 

[biggles1000]

does this look like a good one to go for? SLX Gold digiTop Amplified High Performance Indoor: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
When I look out my window, I can see the TV mast on the hill about 1-2 miles away, so hopefully the signal will be reasonable

Wireless extension of a TV aerial possible though not always cheap

Philips 3100 Wireless TV Extension shows a SCART solution but Co-axial connections are available

ooh, that looks cool... I think I'll have to get one of those in the near future, thanks for finding one