Outputing Video to a TV from my PC

[flashbacck]

Is there anyway to output video from a PC to a TV? Like say you want to watch a DVD played by your PC, but shown on your TV. thanks,

flashbacck

 

[rbV5]

Yes, with a computer that has a video card with TV-out installed.

 

[flashbacck]

Oh. Well I got a Visiontek GF3. But I got the one w/o the TV-out. Do they have add-on cards that do the same function. Like does a TV-card have a TV-out? (sorry if this sounds stupid, but I've never researched into TV functions of a videocard...)

flashbacck

 

[calpha]

I've used a TV-out before, and I must say it's Measly at best. I used a RADEON all-in-wonder with an S-VIDEO output, and for watching movies it was OK, but not great.

however, I HAD a friend with a HDTV, and more importantly Component Input (RGB). He gets computer quality resolutions up to 70xX40x (can't remember the specifics...). His resolution is so good on his HDTV (>50 inches) that he plays games on it as well. The best part of this scenario is that the hardware an outside the CPU add-on. I'm sorry but I can't remember the name, and I don't talk to this guy anymore.

What I do remmeber is this:
The Output to TV does not compress/change/interlace the Video signal coming from your graphics card. It goes straight from the Video Card to the Compenent-Input-Switch to the Compenent Input on his TV. he got it for about 145-180 I believe.

lastly, if you don't have Component input, S-Video will do for you, but make sure you change your resolution down to 640x480.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

A scan converter. They are a little hard to find, and a lot of them limit you to 640x480.

 

[RobsTV]

Scan converters are the only way to go! It's a permanent solution.
Easy to find, most carry these today. Top of the line units are less than $100.
Unlike video cards with tv out that limit you to 640x480 or 800x600@60Hz,
scan converters allow you to go up to 1600x1200@120Hz, which is needed if
you intend on playing any games on your TV and PC at the same time.

TV's are what I do for a living, and I've been looking for the best solution
to allow PC to TV's since DOS days and Win 3.1. By far the best for general use
is a scan converter. DVD and gameplay is "excellent", while text such as internet
browsing is not too great, but is as good as any Web TV system.

A good place to pick up a unit cheap is e8ay. I'm using TView Gold w/FS400 chipset.

Do a search of these forums.
There has been a lot of scan converter info over the past year.