Can you watch normal TV on a iMac?

I'm afraid pr100 is wrong. if you get one of these Elgato EyeTV Hybrid (DTT + Analog TV) with analog input you'll be able to watch tv through your imac. This isn't the only option though, there are more here as well.

I don't know how these work yet, but do plan to get the Elgato EyeTV Hybrid at some point though.

I don't think there is any way to connect a TV signal directly to a computer. But you can watch all your TV channels on your Mac -- even on a laptop anywhere in the world -- by investing in a Slingbox.

http://www.slingmedia.com/

Simon

Bryce,

I think these guys are both right in a sense. There just two different means of watching TV through your imac. A slingbox will allow you to "connect" back to your tv wherever you are, given you have an internet connection (someone correct me if I'm wrong). This devise is beneficial if you want to be able to access your local channels from abroad or your tivo recordings. For example, I live in New York, but am in Japan, I can watch my New York news on my laptop. Of course, it works in your own home.

The other device is a tuner that connects to your iMac via usb. If you don't have cable, you can attach a pair of bunny ears to it and pick up your analog channels. If you do have cable, then hook that up and you have your basic cable. The elgato, I believe, also allows you to record shows when your not around.

I believe these are your options.

Slight correction: the Slingbox will distribute TV pictures around a home network without any internet connection. But to watch the pictures from your TV when away from home, delivery is via the internet.

Simon

I think I was right. The OP specifically asked about connecting his "normal TV plug" directly to his Mac.

Simon

The way it reads to me is that he wants to watch tv through an imac instead of his tv. So it'd be a coaxial input that's needed. Exactly what those devices provide.

Any which way, it isn't possible to plug a TV or a TV signal directly into a Mac. Every solution requires an intermediary device.

Simon

Here you go, just saw this today at a store. They usually make the windows only wintv stuff.

http://www.hauppauge.com/eskapelabs/index.html