PC help: Watch digital TV on your computer

Q I have a Dell computer with Vista Home Premium and an analogue television. If I buy a digital TV adapter for the computer, can I also use it to watch Freeview programmes on my old TV when the computer is turned off?
J Hanley

A The simple answer is no. The computer adapter, whether an external USB device or internal PCI card, can only receive the television signal and convert it for a computer, not for a television.

There are good reasons for watching TV on your computer, though. Windows Vista Home Premium comes with Windows Media Center, a little like Media Player but designed for television programmes.

It enables you to pause and rewind live television, or start watching recorded programmes before they have finished, none of which is possible with a video player.

Adding more television adapters to the computer gives the ability to record one channel while watching another. It is also designed to be used with a remote control. If one was not supplied with the computer, you can buy one from Scan Computers for around £20.

There are some adapters that work independently of the computer, such as the Avermedia AverTV DVB-T STB7, and sit between the computer and the monitor, converting your display into a television.

This is good for avoiding the need for a television, but cannot take advantage of the Media Center features such as pausing live TV.