svga / component adapter

[redls1]

Will using this cable make my computer look a little better on my hdtv or not worth the time?

 

[MoMeanMugs]

We need more info. Do you expect us to read your mind to know what equipment you have? If I have to drive over to your house to find out what you have, it's all coming home with me.

 

[redls1]

Sorry its a amd xp1900, 512 samsung pc2700 with the asus 8200 geforce3 64meg.

 

[MoMeanMugs]

Well, using an Nvidia card, you'd have to buy a transcoder with runs $120 plus shipping at the cheapest. Personally, I'd buy a Radeon 8500 and get the component dongle. This will run you a couple bucks more but I can promise you the picture will be nice. What exactly do you plan to use this setup for anyway?

 

[redls1]

wanted to use the hdtv to try some gaming.

 

[jaybee]

Originally posted by: redls1
Will using this cable make my computer look a little better on my hdtv or not worth the time?

No. Do you already have a 15-pin connector on the tv? If not, and I assume you don't have component or s-vhs output on the card, you have to use the transcoder. If you do have vga-in, you are in luck.

jaybee

 

[redls1]

I have s video out and in. Games look ok but text is bad. Didnt know if i could clear that up a little.

 

[jaybee]

Originally posted by: redls1
I have s video out and in. Games look ok but text is bad. Didnt know if i could clear that up a little.

I have heard that changing resolutions can help. Other than that, you are limited to the quality of the encoder chip and ntsc bandwidth. No equipment (other than a new graphics card or tv-output card) will help.

jaybee

 

[Apex]

Yes, getting a DSUB15 to Component converter (like the Audio Authority 09A60 for $110 shipped) will definitely increase your picture quality because your computer is a much better scaler than your HDTV's built in scaler. This is definitely the way to go if you're going to drive your HDTV with your computer.

Also, no, do not go with a Radeon and component dongle. ATI in their infinite wisdom, decided to limit the output to 480 when using the dongle, thereby discarding the biggest reason to actually use a computer to drive your TV.

 

[jaybee]

Originally posted by: Apex
Yes, getting a DSUB15 to Component converter (like the Audio Authority 09A60 for $110 shipped) will definitely increase your picture quality because your computer is a much better scaler than your HDTV's built in scaler. This is definitely the way to go if you're going to drive your HDTV with your computer.

Also, no, do not go with a Radeon and component dongle. ATI in their infinite wisdom, decided to limit the output to 480 when using the dongle, thereby discarding the biggest reason to actually use a computer to drive your TV.

Of course, what was I thinking. Instead of using the cheapo tv-out, simply use the vga out and input as component via transcoder. Of course, those transcoders are rather expensive. You can probably pick one up used for a decent price though -- many people bought them to use with the RCA HDTV/DirecTV receiver (DTC-100?).

jaybee

PS Sorry for the misinformation.

 

[Eagle17]

Also, no, do not go with a Radeon and component dongle. ATI in their infinite wisdom, decided to limit the output to 480 when using the dongle, thereby discarding the biggest reason to actually use a computer to drive your TV.

Ok I have the dongle from ati with a 8500DV and I run it at 720 and 1080 so you can run at higher res. what you aare refering to is watching a macrovision protected video stream ... the drivers will lock the video at 480 this is common on many but not all dvds.

Also there is still a slight overscan on the TV. This means that you can not see all of the edges... if you Buy a transcoder you will spend a lot of time in powerstrip trying to minimize this it is almost impossible to get rid of though. since you are only using for games you could use either card however if you want to watch a movie than you would want to go with the ATI (I have explainded this too many times to go into it again). BTW the ati with dongle would be a little easier than the nvidia. just remember as a monitor your tv is 60hrz in non-interlaced modes if you do not configure that before you hook a transcoder you could severly damadge your TV... just thought I should warn you.

 

[redls1]

Thanks for the info. I might try and see if someone would want to do a trade and go with the ati .