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Media Center PC [Minus the OS]

O

Overkiller

Platinum Member
Hello,

I recently purchased a HD-capable Sony 30" widescreen TV[if that helps with the responses] and I wanted to set it up so that I could play my videos and movies off of my pc onto that Tv if i so chose to. I was wondering what I would need along the lines of a PC-setup (software and hardware) so that this could happen. I have a beefy system (3.2 P4, 9700 pro, 1 GB ram, etc) so that's not the issue. I basically want to be able to output video (for now, later I would like to be able to record as well).

As it is HD-capable I would like to maintain the highest quality possible (i.e. doesn't S-video out downgrade the quality noticeably?)

Lastly if I purchase the WMV ultra- high end quality dvd's which are only supposed to be played on Pc's...will those play on that tv as I am out-putting from my pc? Or would thoroughput be an issue as a 1-2 minute clip pushes 250-300 MB?

Thanks all!
 
Svideo does "downgrade" the quality especially on a HD capable TV.

As for the connection I say use DVI out of the video card directly into the TV. It should have DVI. If not you can get the HD video component adapter which ATI sells.

As for the WMV files that shouldn't be an issue the TV is basically a monitor it don't "process" anything.
 
I was just worried about thoroughput from the pc to the tv for those videos.

Also, does the pc have to be X ft. from the pc when using DVI connector?...

Also, I do not believe my 9700 pro comes w/ DVI out..does it?

Thanks guys!
 
I know you can buy really long DVI cables. Longest I have used is 3 meters. I think they have to be pretty high quality to run long distances.
 
you should have DVI out on your video card....I dont think i have seen a 9700 without one.

As for the cable I dont know what to tell you...I got a 12' one and it works ok.
 
well then this is cheaper than i might have imagined 😀

now for video capture. I know i could just upgrade to an all-in - wonder but i dont have 600$ for that right now. if i bought a stand-alone tv card say by ati or nvidia would i need to put the cable into that? because right now the cable is split to the tv then to the modem. if i add another interruption my ping would increase ever further...

just curious
thanks for the help guys!
 
Get a hardware encoding card. A PVR-150 from hauppauge is a good one. I have 2 in my media center machine. I have read some good reviews about the Fusion 3 gold cards if you are looking for HDTV capture.

I have a 2 way splitter going to my modem on one side and to another 3 way splitter on the other side for tv and 2 capture cards in computer. Doesn't look too bad, but I can tell a small difference.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys.

One more question (hah...beats starting another thread i guess!)

How do i actually get the movie to play on the tv from the pc. Do i just go to my video card properties and select the tv as my main display for that moment? Or do i need some sort of other software?

Also, when something is playing on the tv could i also continue usig the pc for say...writing a research paper. i.e. using both the tv for one thing (playing the video) and the monitor for another ( productivity apps)

Thanks!
 
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