Earlier, we posted a tip called “Watch TV on your computer”. It must have been confusing because we had several people tell us they couldn’t use the tip because they didn’t have a TV tuner card installed on their computers. Well you don’t need a TV tuner, but I need to make things clearer, I guess. So here goes. We’re going to try again. If you’re using Windows 7 – you can use this tip and you’ll be watching Internet TV on your computer in just a few minutes. You don’t need a TV tuner card to watch Internet TV on your desktop or laptop. You do need a high-speed Internet connection.
Rather than explore all the features of Windows 7’s completely revamped Media Center, I’m going to focus on one feature that I think most of you will enjoy. I can tell you that I almost didn’t this article done because I was watching Star Trek on Media Center’s Internet TV. I guess I expected very little from the Internet TV feature in Media Center. I was actually shocked. There are hundreds of TV shows, from current to classic. Things like CSI and The Big Bang to classics like Start Trek and The Love Boat. There’s also current news and full-length movies.
If you want to try it out, all you have to do is click the Start “Orb” (button) and type Media Center. Open it and select Internet TV. You’ll need to download it — it’s free, but it’s not included with Windows 7. It took less than a minute to download and install. Once you’ve downloaded and installed it you’ll be presented with a dizzying array of choices: movies, comedies, dramas, current and classic TV episodes, news, and more.
I chose to watch an episode from the first year of the original Star Trek. The picture and sound quality were excellent, considering I was watching a show over 40 years old, it looked as good as it did on TV
If you have Windows 7, be sure you open Media Center and install the free Internet TV feature. You’ll be really impressed with the number of choices you’ll have, and the quality of the picture and sound.
Hi. Another reply to Media Center and TV. This is what is happening to me. When I open Media Center, my option is “TV” NO “Internet TV”option. When I click on “TV” I then have 2 options, “RecordTV or Live Tv Setup”. When I click on Live TV Setup I get “Tuner not found” “The TV signal cannot be configured because Tv Tuner was not detected”
I am running Windows 7 Home Premium,so maybe it is not offered in the cheaper version??
I went on line to the instructions and my Windows Media Center doesn’t have the same options as on line instructions. also they do mention having a TV Tuner. I am confused to say the least…lol
I get a message to the effect that there is nothing available for my postcode.
I don’t know why Internet TV would not be available everywhere – but I don’t live in Australia so I can’t tell you. Maybe someone else in Australia could assist.
Read your blog , read several in fact , all saying its easy to install internet tv in windows 7 premium, just click down load and it will install! hah! oh no it wont! then you get other blogs saying it isnt available in the uk?? well It is, I have msn working just fine in Ultimate but it wont install in a 64 bit hp dv6 notebook, nor in a hp slip pc running 32 bit premium windows 7, tried all the check region tips , remove and replace windows mediacentre in windows features and reboot still no joy , installed and got rid of netflix that didnt solve it , so in the end simply clicked on msn site itself to watch videos and youtube! I had a guide in mediacentre detailing programs etc right clicked got settings then download now , most times it said the guide cant be downloaded , i ticked and unticked rebooted pc all boxes about cd album art and services off the internet still no internet tv! microsoft should have a fix tool but it doesnt! exasperating!
I too am having the same problem. Internet TV is not an option in my Windows 7 Media Center. The way I read the article, I can download the Internet TV part, but I cannot find any reference to it at Microsoft. How do I get the Internet TV and install it? I am now totally confused also.
I encountered a similar problem. Here are some instructions I found from a Google search.
Open Media Center and Open “tasks, settings, general” there should be “Automatic Download Options” Tab. Click the “Download Now” option. After that there should be more options available in the Media Centers Main Screen.
If there is no “Automatic Download Options” tab, try this hint found online (which worked for me)
1. Open Control Panel
2. Open “Region and Language”
3. Click the “Administrative Tab”
4. Click “Change System Local” and reselect your region. (mine was set to English US which I reselected)
5. Then click the “copy settings” and highlight both “welcome screen” and “new user” tabs and apply.
After completing these steps, I was able to access the automatic download option, begin the download process and several minutes later the Internet TV guide was available in the TV menu.
That’s kind of what we already said 🙂
I have been doing a lot of reading on this and Microsoft themselves say it is not available in all regions and is not available in Canada.So No Internet Tv for us Canadians
Is internet TV or tuner tv free on windows 7 ? I was asked to read ‘terms and conditions carefully’, in it I found that I will be responsible for all the charges. What are these charges ?
You don’t need a TV tuner. There literally dozens of free channels to watch. It’s up to you whether or not you agree to the terms and conditions. I’ve watched Internet TV on Windows 7 for over 2 years and watched only the free channels so I don’t know what those charges are. I’ve never paid anything, nor was I ever asked for any credit card information.
Thank you very much. I appreciate your reply. Thanks again.
Yogesh.