PC to HDTV hookup

[RTSDaddy2]

Ok Guys - I know by now you must be tired of me...but I have not one clue as to what I'm doing.

Here is the background. PC running an NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX graphics card with 64 MB DDR shared video memory.

I bought a DVI cable today and an adapter that will allow me to hook the cable to the VGA port on my computer.  I did all that, but when I turned the TV input to DVI, it told me "No signal" everytime.

That said, I was running the PC at 800 X 600, 75 Mhz refresh rate. 

My question is what am I doing wrong if the DVI cable with VGA adapter...is it my resolution settings? Or will I just not get a pic from the PC to the TV via the DVI port at all?

Thanks again, ahead of time.

Learning something new daily as I move through the process of this cab....

RTSDaddy2

[Harry Potter]

Seems your TV's DVI connection only accepts a digital signal. Although a DVI cable can carry both an analogue and digital signal, it won't display anything unless the TV is capable of receiving both the signals through the DVI port. Most DVI interfaces on TVs don't do this as it defeats the whole purpose of DVI if all you're using it for is an analogue signal.
What you need to do is get a video card with a DVI port on it and then it should work properly.

[RTSDaddy2]

Thank you kindly Boss   One other question -  would a DVI converter box also do the trick...and might you know which one might be cheaper, video card or box (don't worry about the cost question - can do the research, just wondering if  you knew the general figures)?

Guy at a local store told me DVI converter box was what I needed - any input on success / failure / ideas of video card vs. the box?

RTSDaddy2

[NeeBick]

Ok Guys - I know by now you must be tired of me...but I have not one clue as to what I'm doing.

Here is the background. PC running an NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX graphics card with 64 MB DDR shared video memory.

I bought a DVI cable today and an adapter that will allow me to hook the cable to the VGA port on my computer.  I did all that, but when I turned the TV input to DVI, it told me "No signal" everytime.

That said, I was running the PC at 800 X 600, 75 Mhz refresh rate. 

My question is what am I doing wrong if the DVI cable with VGA adapter...is it my resolution settings? Or will I just not get a pic from the PC to the TV via the DVI port at all?

Thanks again, ahead of time.

Learning something new daily as I move through the process of this cab....

RTSDaddy2

No, no.  Hdtv's only support 480p (720x480), 720p (1280x720), or 1080i (1920x1080).  You have to remember that hdtv's are extremely fickled.  You can't just plug and play. You need a program such as powerstrip to program in custom timing for your card to use.  Like 59.94hz instead of 75hz.
This is a thread that talks about setting up a ati radeon (very similar):
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=8f0d56c003f15310e53542cb76ec0602&threadid=206854

Basically, it is a real pain to get a computer to display on a hdtv. Go over to the avscience.com forums if you really want to try.  You'll find great discussion on their HTPC boards.

I would suggest a ati radeon with a component connector since it supports it straight out of the box. Not he greatest but it works well.

Note: I have successfully got my computer to run on my hdtv.

[Keller888]

Your troubles might not be worth the picture your trying to achieve.  My Sony Plasma HDTV has a input for DVI and my video card has DVI out, so obviously, I hooked them up to play some cool games on my HDTV expecting great resolution.  Buzzzz....wrong.  When I first hooked it up, the picture was horrible, blurry and really unplayable.  I did some research.  Since I have a Sony, they have a 5 input (RGB, H, Vsync) option in the back.  I bought a special cable that was a D-Sub 15 pin VGA monitor cable on one end and split into 5 BNC cables to attach to my Sony Plasma.  The result was a much better picture, no where near HD quality, but definately playable for most games, especially sport games.  Hi res graphic adventure games like Half Life or Doom just didn't look good, but they were at least playable.  Most sony's have this 5 input BNC connection on their monitors, maybe this is an option for you, I didnt' catch what kind of HDTV you had.  Hope this helps, but again....don't go thinking your PC games will be played in HD.

[RTSDaddy2]

Keller,

I realized I didn't mention the TV in my initial post - but it's a Samsung HD ready model TX-P2670WH.

[bsain]

Your troubles might not be worth the picture your trying to achieve.  My Sony Plasma HDTV has a input for DVI and my video card has DVI out, so obviously, I hooked them up to play some cool games on my HDTV expecting great resolution.  Buzzzz....wrong.  When I first hooked it up, the picture was horrible, blurry and really unplayable.

I recently had the same problem as Keller888 with my HDTV w/ DVI input. Upon buying the HDTV, I figured digital to digital would give me a great picture. After hooking up my computer with Nvidia MX 400 graphics card and DVI output and messing with resolutions, advanced timings and tv adjustments, I still could barely make out the text on the screen. I don't know why I'm not getting a clear picture other than the fact that the tv is a CRT HDTV vs an LCD or Plasma. I even spoke with one of the top companies who develop DVI technologies and even though we were on the same 'brain wave' we still couldn't figure out the problem.

As of right now I am planning on taking the tv back and purchasing another LCD monitor with DVI while keeping my Media Center PC hooked up to my old tv for games, movies and music. I plan on purchasing a 5meter DVI cable for 39.95 to run around to a desk and use a wireless combo mouse and keyboard and printer.

I'm curious to know, has anyone successfully hooked up there computer to HDTV 1080i res. with crisp clear text? If so, how and what was used (ie. computer and tv models)?

[Navmaxlp]

I had similar problems with my Panasonic. Power Strip can be great but a quick word of warning. Using it incorrectly can permamnently damage your TV. Does your TV have a VGA connector? Try as I may, I couldn't get mine working through the DVI port so I used the VGA connector and it works like a charm. VGA input on mine is called RGB. So you might want to look and see if you have anything like that. Picture quality is amazingly superior to Svid at least on a LCD projection tv.

[bsain]

No, my tv did not have a VGA port on the back. I did have a hard time getting the DVI connection to work at all when I first got the tv, but even afterwards it wasn't worth the trouble. If anyone has questions as far as getting the DVI to show up at all let me know and I'll try to help. I think it has a lot to do with having a driver for the graphics card that can help out. I would like to know if it worked out for anyone. (to the point of being able to see clear text on the screen)

NOTE: Nvidia released A NEW DRIVER on MARCH 11th for there graphics cards, that includes help with HDTVs and Monitors. http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_71.84.html 

[RTSDaddy2]

Bsain,

Thanks for the input on the new NVidia driver - wish I'd waited about returning that DVI cable now, might have been able to do something with the new driver.

Oh well - we needed the money for other things and 2) I still think it'll be just as easy to replace my video card given my incredible lack of knowledge of how these TVs work.

RTSDaddy2

[RTSDaddy2]

Here we go with this again - checked the back of the TV again and it appears it does have VGA hookup - earlier in the thread it was mentioned that Navmaxlp's  VGA hookup on the back was labeled RBG (or RGB).

Question:  What will I need to hook it up?

RTSDaddy2

[Navmaxlp]

Basically it's just like a monitor cable but it's double ended. That should work.

[RTSDaddy2]

What if we used a Grandtec UltimateXP Scan converter, complete with RGB output...would we get the same thing, do you think Nav, as you have using a simple cable?

We're still torn on the issue...we like the idea of upgrading our graphics card, but what we've heard here is that Powerstrip can mess up your TV very quick...and we sure don't wish to do that.

[Navmaxlp]

After loking at the Grandtec, I'd say give it a try. Reason being...it's made for your specific purposes.  Power Strip most definitely can damage your TV if used with improper resolutions and with the info I've found on the converter it looks as though you'd be safe with it.

As for the CRT, they are technically better displays than any digital, LCD, plasma or DLP display you'll find. The reason the newer technologies are so expensive is due to the low weight and the small footprints these thing sport (not to mention you can hang it from a ceiling). For example, my current TV is a 50" LCD that replaced a 27" CRT. My LCD weighs less than 90 lbs and the only reason I had help carrying it was that I was deathly afraid of dropping the thing. The 27" on the other hand weighs in excess of 125lbs and is quite bulky. The only time you should see a difference between any TV is when one is HD and the other is standard def (some room for argument there between digital formats). I'd say you nailed the TV purchase right on the head. Only thing now is to protect your investment while getting the best display possible.

One last note about HD/SD.  A lot of times people mistake what that actually is. The difference between the two is like running your computer display at different resolutions. HD is either 1080i or 720p resolution while a standard DVD is 480i. It's possible that your original problem was that your TV was looking for one resolution from the DVI input while your PC was putting out another. Even though it was going through the correct cable, and the signal was there, the TV didn't recognize it because it was looking for something else. (just a thought).

All in all, look more into the product you mentioned and be sure it does what it says it does and if so, looks like you found a fix. Good luck.

BTW you may already have checked out this page but take a look. Goes a little more into depth about some things that we're talking about here.

http://www.grandtec.com/HDTV.htm

[RTSDaddy2]

Once again Nav, thanks

We found the Grandtec at Radio Shack last night...as it is that they do have a 30 day return policy, we'll probably try that first, for a couple of reasons:

1) Powerstrip - I am still slightly fearful of that program
2) Video card - Even if it would be plug and play, I have no idea

[Navmaxlp]

Hey I've learned more than my fair share on these boards, it's about time I was able to contribute some small part 

If you're going to look for one of those cables, it might benefit you to look at both the AV stores ie Best Buy/Circuit City and the computer stores. Mine luckily came with my TV.

[RTSDaddy2]

Ok, here's where we are.

[Navmaxlp]

Awesome glad to know we're getting closer. I found a few guides for you that should prove very helpful.

This one deals with Power Strip. If you follow this guide you'll be fine with it
http://www.htpcnews.com/main.php?id=powerstrip_guide_1

This one deals with a few other hardware options
http://www.htpcnews.com/main.php?id=transcoder_1

And here are some more general guides.
http://www.htpcnews.com/main.php?id=guides

The guys on the forums there are great. And it's a good crossover project from arcades. Be forwarned though, HTPCs as a hobby can be a bit more expensive and every bit as addictive as arcade refurb/mameing. (I've dropped at least 10 to 20 times the cash on my home theater as I have on my cab).

Hope that helps.

Hope some of that helps

[RTSDaddy2]

Hey,

Haven't had a chance to look at it yet, wife and I went out to movies.

[RTSDaddy2]

Was in a computer store today and was told that what I really needed was an "All-in-wonder" card as it actually sends a TV signal from the PC to the TV.

Did the guy know what he was talking about or not? Does anybody know?

[RTSDaddy2]

Ok,

Nav, did you still have to "tweak" things a little with Powerstrip in order to improve your text output?  Or is it just the CRT factor?  I was just talking to another guy at yet a third computer store and he told me we'd never get sharp text on this TV....and that ultimately is what I'm trying to do.

Neebick, I'm pulling my hair out here...and I don't have that much left to give.  Was your total solution the card and component part, plus powerstrip?

Thanks - it's just that we're being turned in 3 different directions by three different stores - I don't know whose telling the truth and who's just full of baloney (or bologna).

[Navmaxlp]

Ya look at the resolutions that your PC will output. If none of them are in them are in the HD range, you're going to have to use power strip. One thing you can try is to look at the documentation and/or the Samsung website and find out what resolution and freq the HDTV works best with, then setup Power Strip accordingly.