Best way to get output to TV?

[Fafnr1984]

Hey all,

I just got an extra PC - it's a Core 2 Duo machine with a Gefoce 8600 GTS graphics card.

I'm considering using it as a media-center type thing, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how...
I'd prefer to use HDMI to connect it, as the PC-port on my TV has my xbox in it.

How, is the question here... I know you can get DVI -> HDMI cables, but these don't carry sound, IIRC? This isn't good enough - the audio-in port on my TV is filled with the xbox-cable as well...

Do I need a new graphics card that specifically supports HDMI out, or does adapters exist that I can use? If adapters exist, I'd love if someone could link one! If I need another graphics-card, I'd likewise love recommandations.

Thanks a bunch!

Søren

 

[jiffylube1024]

Hey Søren,

actually, newer graphics cards with DVI do carry sound - not over the DVI cable, but with a special DVI to HDMI adapter the DVI plug carries the pins necessary for audio and video. I'm 99% sure that the GeForce GTS 8600 GTS supports up to 5.1 channel audio (Dolby Digital // DTS).


I know that with ATI cards, anything Radeon 3xxx series or newer supports 5.1 channels of HD audio.

Be careful to look into what you're buying first though -- usally a DVI to HDMI cable will not carry sound, only video. -- what you need is a DVI to HDMI adapter (they often come bundled with video cards), and a regular HDMI cable.

Make sure your DVI-HDMI adapter supports

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The only way the 8600GTS is going to pass audio over HDMI is with an internal SPDIF connection.

Your motherboard/sound card needs to have an SPDIF headers inside the case. Then you need to look at the 8600GTS and see if there are SPDIF header pins on it somewhere. You'll need a cable that looks like this to connect them.

Then a DVI->HDMI adapter or cable is all you'll need.