Do I need a PC input connection?

zzbusch2

Member
Feb 25, 2006
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1
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My question is, Do I need an HDTV with a PC input connection if I have computer with a video card that has an HDMI video out port? I'm looking at 50" HDTV (specifically Panasonic Viera), and I want to use my computer for storing and watching movies and television shows, etc.
I've got a PC with an nVidia 8800GTS card that will do HDMI out and 1080p resolution. Can I use it to connect to my HDTV?

TIA
ZZ
 
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Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
9,759
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should be fine if the hdmi support is solid on that card. might be worth the $40-50 to upgrade to a more modern card (GT 430) or the likes for htpc acceleration and compatibility. some of the earlier nvidia cards did some wierd stuff over hdmi. missing securom/wanting to do 1080i only/audio problems.

haven't had an issue with the gt 430 which is strictly a htpc card (24p/hdmi 1.4 3D/full bitstream audio pass-through).
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Are you sure your 6800 card has HDMI? I've never seen any 6800GTS card with HDMI.
 
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sivart

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2000
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I don't see why you would need a PC input unless you have a lot of other HDMI devices and you wouldn't have enough inputs on the TV.

Then a DVI connection (or RGB) would be okay.
 

zzbusch2

Member
Feb 25, 2006
37
1
71
Are you sure your 6800 card has HDMI? I've never seen any 6800GTS card with HDMI.

I mistyped. I meant I have an 8800GTS. Thanks for the replies. Now I can buy a less expensive HDTV. I was looking at the Panny 50" GT25. Now I'll pick a less expensive one.

Thanks.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,206
17,891
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I mistyped. I meant I have an 8800GTS. Thanks for the replies. Now I can buy a less expensive HDTV. I was looking at the Panny 50" GT25. Now I'll pick a less expensive one.

Thanks.

you said your video card has hdmi, you just need a hdmi cable. PC input is almost the worst connection you can make, they tend to be vga and limited to 1024x768.
 

zzbusch2

Member
Feb 25, 2006
37
1
71
So does HDMI only put out a 1920x1080 resolution? Is that the lowest Rez, or will it go higher?
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
With that vid card you wil need two connections. DVI to HDMI going from your second DVI out port on your card in to HDMI on the TV, then for audio SPDIF fiber to go from SPDIF out into your fiber input on your receiver (assuming you have SPDIF out on your mobo, AND it processes 5.1, AND you have fiber input on your receiver).

In this scenario you will have full 1080p from your PC to your TV/audio system. I have a different vid card, but this is the setup I use and it works flawlessly. Notice on my screenshot, it shows both my monitors (Syncmaster (PC monitor) and VF550M (TV)) and current mode is 1080p@60 Hz.

Capture-2.jpg


I have my desktops duplicated, although you can just extend the desktop of your PC if you wish also. I sometimes browse the internet while watching TV (PIP) thats why I have desktop duplicated. Either way, you can get full 1080p and 5.1 on your system from your PC.
 
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AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
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HDMI should be fine IF your TV can do 1:1 pixel mapping. It should have this feature, but not all TVs do. Mine is a cheap 32" 1080p Vizio and the only way to get 1:1 pixel mapping is to use the VGA input. But it's okay, VGA actually looks totally fine on my TV and supports 1920x1080.
 

Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
9,759
1
71
everyone uses displayport for > 1920x1200 . i will check if my ZR30W accepts that rate over hdmi 1.4