Reuse old PC for simple HT needs

[rmbelson]

I'm reusing an old PC as a minimal HTPC. I've run into some dumb newbie problems and am looking for LOW cost ways to solve. I will use PC to watch internet based vid on TV and to run some movies I have both on its HD and elsewhere on my home network. Will run DVD from my standalone player. Don't play games or run blu-ray.Using Toshiba 30hfx84 HD 30" CRT as the monitor. It has HDMI/Composite/Component/Svideo Inputs on back.

PC specs:
1. Motherboard: Abit AN-M2HD.
2. CPU: AMD X2 BE-2400 2.3GHZ.
3. Memory: 2x1GB (2GB total) Ballistix DDR2 800. - BL 12864aa804
4. Power Supply: Antec true power 480Watts.
5. Onboard graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV
6. Sound Card: SB Audigy 4
7. OS - Win XP
My problem: Going from NVIDIA hdmi out to TV hdmi image is terrible. TV does not have VGA in which I’m told is better. What is the right way to get quality image from screen as I do on regular PC monitor? I will go from Audigy out using splitter into my (also old) receiver.

I don't want to rebuild this box except to create reasonable, cheap way to get image to TV. Thanks for help.

 

[OlafSicky]

Buy a cheap card for $20 and put it in. Or try a different driver for you Geforce

 

[lucklessgorath]

Your Toshiba 30hfx84 has a 1080i display. And doesn't look like it supports 1080p which may be the issue you are having. See if there is an option in your Nvidia driver for interlaced. Or try setting your HTPC resolution to 720p (aka 1280×720).

 

[rmbelson]

Your Toshiba 30hfx84 has a 1080i display. And doesn't look like it supports 1080p which may be the issue you are having. See if there is an option in your Nvidia driver for interlaced. Or try setting your HTPC resolution to 720p (aka 1280×720).

From Toshiba manual:

The HDMI input is designed for best performance with
1080i high-definition video signals, but will also accept and
display 480i, 480p, and 720p signals

Note: This TV is not intended for connection to and
should not be used with a personal computer.

I'll check on the nvidia settings. Maybe my cheap solution will have to include a new cheap TV?

 

[NutBucket]

Possibly.