There are 6 ways you can watch tv on a PC to my knowledge:
1. Setup a DVR with streaming functionality or connect a streaming receiver to a regular DVR. You can then access the DVR over the internet from computers via a web frontend or desktop/mobile application and use it to watch live or recorded programming. This would require a settop box though to decode the channels.
2. Illegally watch the programming on the web for free using websites that provide free access to their own DVRs. Quality tends to be pretty shitty though to save bandwidth.
3. If the network has their own web streaming service sign up for it through your cable provider and login to it on whatever device you want to watch their content on. This will only work for channels that provide this service however. Only a few major content providers do at the moment and I believe nick isn't one of them.
4. Get a cable card. They cost hundreds of dollars and basically provide the same functionality as a settop box, but for your PC. Your cable provider may require a technician to hook it up but more likely you'll just need to call them to get it activated/authenticated on your account.
5. If the channel is local than it will likely not be encrypted. In this case you can use a regular old digital tv tuner. Which are much cheaper than cable cards but will only work with unencrypted channels.
6. If the channel is local and nearby than you can skip cable entirely and setup an antennae.
What I THINK you're asking for isn't technically possible at the moment. I think what you're looking for is a service provider that provides all channels through the internet on any device legally without any equipment setup? To my knowledge that does not exist. You said your university only has cox available yet all 4 providers are available in your area? What exactly do you mean by that?
1. Setup a DVR with streaming functionality or connect a streaming receiver to a regular DVR. You can then access the DVR over the internet from computers via a web frontend or desktop/mobile application and use it to watch live or recorded programming. This would require a settop box though to decode the channels.
2. Illegally watch the programming on the web for free using websites that provide free access to their own DVRs. Quality tends to be pretty shitty though to save bandwidth.
3. If the network has their own web streaming service sign up for it through your cable provider and login to it on whatever device you want to watch their content on. This will only work for channels that provide this service however. Only a few major content providers do at the moment and I believe nick isn't one of them.
4. Get a cable card. They cost hundreds of dollars and basically provide the same functionality as a settop box, but for your PC. Your cable provider may require a technician to hook it up but more likely you'll just need to call them to get it activated/authenticated on your account.
5. If the channel is local than it will likely not be encrypted. In this case you can use a regular old digital tv tuner. Which are much cheaper than cable cards but will only work with unencrypted channels.
6. If the channel is local and nearby than you can skip cable entirely and setup an antennae.
What I THINK you're asking for isn't technically possible at the moment. I think what you're looking for is a service provider that provides all channels through the internet on any device legally without any equipment setup? To my knowledge that does not exist. You said your university only has cox available yet all 4 providers are available in your area? What exactly do you mean by that?
"Normally if given a choice between doing something and nothing, I’d choose to do nothing. But I would do something if it helps someone else do nothing. I’d work all night if it meant nothing got done."
-Ron Swanson
"I shall be a good politician, even if it kills me. Or if it kills anyone else for that matter. "
-Mark Antony
-Ron Swanson
"I shall be a good politician, even if it kills me. Or if it kills anyone else for that matter. "
-Mark Antony