Old PC as media center?

david4

Member
Sep 7, 2007
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Hi, Have a significant opera collection on DVD's, since am updating to a new PC, thought to use the older PC with bigger HD's to transfer my collection.
The HDTV am looking into, has most everything BUT a PC input, I checked into PC to TV adapters on Newegg and it seems there is no a good alternative.
What will be the best option available?
thank you
David
 

david4

Member
Sep 7, 2007
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Shawn, thank you, sorry did not include the info
Emachine T2862
WinXP home sp2
Ram= 1GB (could increase it if needed
TV
Hitachi 42" Plasma HDTV (P42H401)
this TV has most all common input BUT no PC
 

kalrith

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2005
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That TV has 3 HDMI inputs. Get a video card with a DVI port and use a DVI-to-HDMI cable for the hookup.
 

Slammy1

Platinum Member
Apr 8, 2003
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I don't think that PC has an option to upgrade the video card, and seems to only have VGA. Another option would be a VGA to RGB. It can cause some copyright issues in the play back of some DVDs.
 

david4

Member
Sep 7, 2007
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Well, seems the idea of using a "video card with a DVI port and use a DVI-to-HDMI cable for the hookup"as suggested by kalrith may be viable, if can get a card to use a 32 bit PCI slot (I have 3).
I did a quick check on couple of sites and there are some cards available for relative litle money.
David
 

WraithETC

Golden Member
May 15, 2005
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You better make sure that when you send the PC signal through the hdmi input that it can actually display it at its native res. My LCD is locked at 640x480 on hdmi but can do its native through the vga input.