Some high end laptops come with a video or ZV port (NTSC/PAL). Since I don't have a laptop with a ZV or video port yet, I can provide only some URLs BTTV (driver) xwintv (tvviewer). For further information see Video4Linux . To collect information about laptops with video port I have setup a page at TuxMobil - Hardware . Alternatively to the ZV port you might use the USB port.