PC gaming on TV & Monitor

[carling220]

I've recently been persuaded that the PC can compete with the comforts of the PS3 (bed and 40inch TV) easily.

So it's just a case of buying a long 5m HDMI cable and connecting the two.


I've just tried to get a ps3 controller to work on the PC and had to do a system restore!

I'm right in saying, an Xbox controller will just plug and play being microsoft? Or not?


Another issue, my graphics card only has 1 HDMI output. 1 to the monitor. I don't want to have mess with plugs when i want to use the TV.

Are there any adapters around that let 2 HDMI cables input in to the one socket on the gpu, but switch between, without a loss in quality? Would the switching just occur in the nvidia control panel or something?

After that my theory is, simply start game on monitor with mouse etc, when its started jump over to the TV and use the controller to play.


EDIT: Wrong forum just realised, sorry. Could some kind moderator move this to the computer help section or similar?

 

[Dankk]

I've just tried to get a ps3 controller to work on the PC and had to do a system restore!

That can't be good. If I understand correctly, all you need is the MotionJoy software to get it to work correctly.

I'm right in saying, an Xbox controller will just plug and play being microsoft?

Yup. It's pretty much just plug 'n' play, with the exception of maybe having to run Windows Update to ensure you have the drivers installed. It's hard to argue against it as the best PC gamepad there is, seeing as many PC games are Xbox 360 ports specifically designed to use it, complete with the colored button icons and everything.

Another issue, my graphics card only has 1 HDMI output. 1 to the monitor. I don't want to have mess with plugs when i want to use the TV.

Are there any adapters around that let 2 HDMI cables input in to the one socket on the gpu, but switch between, without a loss in quality? Would the switching just occur in the nvidia control panel or something?

My question for you is: Why are you using HDMI to connect your computer to your monitor? Both your graphics card and monitor are obviously new enough to support HDMI, so they most likely support DVI as well. Drop the HDMI and use DVI instead. There is absolutely no reason to use HDMI with a regular desktop computer monitor, unless it has built-in speakers or something.

There. Now you have your HDMI jack freed up. Go ahead and use that for your HD television. You're set.

 

[NTAC]

I've recently been persuaded that the PC can compete with the comforts of the PS3 (bed and 40inch TV) easily.

Correct!

So it's just a case of buying a long 5m HDMI cable and connecting the two.

For the most part.

I've just tried to get a ps3 controller to work on the PC and had to do a system restore!

That seems a bit extreme.

I'm right in saying, an Xbox controller will just plug and play being microsoft? Or not?

Yes, you have two options:

1. WIRED XBOX 360 controller
2. WireLESS XBOX 360 controller + Microsoft Wireless Receiver (plugs into the PC via USB)

Another issue, my graphics card only has 1 HDMI output. 1 to the monitor. I don't want to have mess with plugs when i want to use the TV.

Are there any adapters around that let 2 HDMI cables input in to the one socket on the gpu, but switch between, without a loss in quality? Would the switching just occur in the nvidia control panel or something?

Oh yeah, go to monoprice and look around, there are HDMI Switches a plenty.

After that my theory is, simply start game on monitor with mouse etc, when its started jump over to the TV and use the controller to play.

Uhmm... not exactly, unless your PC Monitor resolution matches the TV resolution... but if you did not match, then I would just switch to the TV first then start up the game... either way, pretty basic.

There is one thing you are missing though, and that is AUDIO. How do you plan on getting that to work?

The HDMI cable is only going to cary VIDEO to the TV (since video cards don't produce audio), so you either need an audio cable, like an optical cable that runs from the PC to the TV, or your amplifier, not sure how you have it setup, or some type of wireless audio headset... Now the poster above me seems to think that my assumption here is incorrect.. I don't THINK it is, but who knows, maybe it is.

IF you provide more info on your setup we can be of more help... do you use TV audio or do you have an amp and speaker setup for your TV? If you have an amp / speaker setup it woudl obvoiusly be preferred that you run an audio cable from the PC to the Amplifier. I recommend the optical out cable, that's what I use, works like a charm, provided your PCs audio card supports it.

 

[Dankk]

The HDMI cable is only going to cary VIDEO to the TV (since video cards don't produce audio)

Not true. Maybe it depends on the card (maybe), but all Nvidia/AMD graphics drivers provide an audio driver for HDMI-out. I can confirm this personally, seeing as I play my PC on the telly quite often, and get both audio and video with HDMI only.

To check this for yourself: In Windows 7, on the bottom right in the task tray, right-click on the Sound icon, and click "Playback Devices". There should be a playback device labled "AMD HDMI Output" (assuming you have an AMD card).

Not sure about Nvidia, but I can't imagine it being much different.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Not true. Maybe it depends on the card (maybe), but all Nvidia/AMD graphics drivers provide an audio driver for HDMI-out. I can confirm this personally, seeing as I play my PC on the telly quite often, and get both audio and video with HDMI only.

To check this for yourself: In Windows 7, on the bottom right in the task tray, right-click on the Sound icon, and click "Playback Devices". There should be a playback device labled "AMD HDMI Output" (assuming you have an AMD card).

Not sure about Nvidia, but I can't imagine it being much different.

What he said and yes it holds true for Nvidia.

 

[carling220]

Thanks for the replies. Downloaded some dodgy software for the PS3 controller; bad idea lol.

I don't get why i'm not supposed to use a HDMI cable to connect my PC monitor to my PC? I thought since running in 1920x1080 high spec games HDMI cables were a must? (noob question?)

If not, why do the consoles require them to the TV? Or is DVI an upgrade on HDMI of some sort?

I did hear about DVI to HDMI? That was something I was considering to free up the port. If DVI is as good as HDMI though I'd may as well use that and just use the HDMI for the TV.

My Nvidia card sends sound and video straight to the TV in the tests I did (involved a lot of heavy lifting!). Bought AS2 for 7pounds as a test and looks sweet on the TV. Although to be honest, i hope there are some games out there not ported to consoles. I was considering la noire for PC, but if it's likely to be designed for consoles and restricted on PC i'm not so sure.

 

[Childs]

I don't get why i'm not supposed to use a HDMI cable to connect my PC monitor to my PC? I thought since running in 1920x1080 high spec games HDMI cables were a must? (noob question?)

If not, why do the consoles require them to the TV? Or is DVI an upgrade on HDMI of some sort?

I did hear about DVI to HDMI? That was something I was considering to free up the port. If DVI is as good as HDMI though I'd may as well use that and just use the HDMI for the TV.

They are required on console as a form of copy protection. HDCP is required when using HDMI, at least it is on PS3. You can use HDMI to connect to your TV/Monitor if you want, especially if the max resolution is 1080p. HDMI's main positives is ease of use (1 cable for audio+video). But in general, two things designed to do specific functions are better than one thing designed to do two. DVI + spdif would be better cause HDMI is limited to 1080p and certain audio formats because of bandwidth limitations. But for your purposes, I dont think it matters.

 

[ImpulsE69]

HMDI is not a must for 1080p, however I don't believe DVI has audio. Either will work for video, and DVI to HDMI works as well (just no audio).

 

[carling220]

My PC obviously has separate speakers plugged in.

So I could use DVI or DVI to HDMI from my PC, in to my monitor, play BF3 at 1080 and experience no drop in quality? Then use the HDMI from the nvidia straight to the TV?

Sweet.

So DVI is fine for monitor because i have separate speakers and the video shouldn't suffer. The HDMI is great to be saved for the TV because it will carry the sound with it.

Tomorrow i'll get my 5m HDMI cable and X box controller and hopefully a non console ported adventure game/l.a noire.

 

[Dankk]

I thought since running in 1920x1080 high spec games HDMI cables were a must? (noob question?)

No. In fact, DVI is capable of displaying resolutions even higher than 1080p, and is currently considered the norm for most PC <--> Monitor connections. As mentioned above, HDMI was developed as a method of copy protection for gaming consoles and DVD players, and can only transmit up to 1080p. It is intended for television and home-theater setups, much less so for computers. DVI is still the standard in that regard.

Just because HDMI is newer than DVI, doesn't mean it's better. Other than being able to transmit audio, HDMI is not the superior connection. You're fine. Very few people actually use HDMI as their standard monitor connection.

I did hear about DVI to HDMI? That was something I was considering to free up the port. If DVI is as good as HDMI though I'd may as well use that and just use the HDMI for the TV.

This is what I'd recommend. Use a DVI cable for your regular monitor, and an HDMI cable for hooking up your TV set. No need to muck around with adapters and such.

Good luck.

 

[carling220]

Thanks all, helped out a lot.

 

[NTAC]

Not true. Maybe it depends on the card (maybe), but all Nvidia/AMD graphics drivers provide an audio driver for HDMI-out. I can confirm this personally, seeing as I play my PC on the telly quite often, and get both audio and video with HDMI only.

To check this for yourself: In Windows 7, on the bottom right in the task tray, right-click on the Sound icon, and click "Playback Devices". There should be a playback device labled "AMD HDMI Output" (assuming you have an AMD card).

Not sure about Nvidia, but I can't imagine it being much different.

Ah thank you for the clarification, I stand corrected then

Unfortunately I'm fresh out of HDMI slots on my Amplifier so I still have to run HDMI to the TV for video and tolink cable to the AMP for audio, oh well.. good to know though for the future