I was looking at getting a slingbox so a family member could watch our analog cable TV channel lineup while they are temporarily out of the country. However, I just realized that my DELL desktop has a video card with a coax cable input.

When I first got the PC back in about 2003, I remember installing some software that basically allowed me to watch my basic analog cable TV channels. I didn't really wind up using it all that much, but I am now wondering if I can somehow use this video card to also maybe have some sort of slingbox feature for my family member.

Any suggestions on how to do this with the hardware I have? What special software should I maybe look into in order to achieve this?

[Wants Slingbox alternative; has PC with a video card.]Start by checking Orb (http://www.orb.com/).

I have been looking for a good solution, for another reason, and have encountered two products similar to the slingbox. They both have a virtual remote control (so the remote viewer can change the channel). There are as follows:

My HAVA
http://www.myhava.com

Pinnacle PCTV to Go
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/PCTV+Tuners/PCTV+Analog_Digital+PVR/PCTV+To+Go+HD+Wireless.htm

I'm going to preface this by saying I am not a fanboy of any kind. Just a value conscious - bang for the buck end user.

I can't imagine anything easier to setup & used then the end to end slingbox solution.
Just like TiVo, the SB has got the customer experience down to perfection.

I set mine's up in less than 30 minutes via the sling's powerline adapters & because i will be working in another city for most of the weeks going forward, I will be able to catch what's on my DVR live or recorded.

Start by checking Orb (http://www.orb.com/).

This is what I have been using for about 2 months now...I really like it, and it works well. I was travelling in Europe in late-June and was able to watch my stuff from home via Orb, no problems. Best part, it is FREE.

This is what I have been using for about 2 months now...I really like it, and it works well. I was travelling in Europe in late-June and was able to watch my stuff from home via Orb, no problems. Best part, it is FREE.

How's the latency/lag on orb?
I used it on my WinMobile PDA phone & found it laggy but have never tried it on a PC/laptop.

I have been looking for a good solution, for another reason, and have encountered two products similar to the slingbox. They both have a virtual remote control (so the remote viewer can change the channel). There are as follows:

My HAVA
http://www.myhava.com

Pinnacle PCTV to Go
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/PCTV+Tuners/PCTV+Analog_Digital+PVR/PCTV+To+Go+HD+Wireless.htm

Pinnacle is a rebranded Hava ...

I have a Hava pro and it's been working flawlessly since I got it. It was dirt cheap (price wise) also. I LOVE the mediacenter integration since it behaves just like a TV tuner card.
The only I dislike is that updates don't come as fast as they use to and the lack of API to do more with it (use it under linux with something else than RTSP).