PC Video files to HDTV

[MikeyBK]

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OK, now that I got the XFX Video Card with a S-Video TV out and an extra DVI port that I could connect to the HDMI of my HDTV....Any members here already done this??
Should I do it thru the S-Video TV out or thru the DVI to HDMI cable??
What software is needed? Media Center enough??

[MikeyBK]

Wow...surprised no-one had any input..

Anyways, Seems I will be able to run DVI to HDMI and run it like a dual monitor, so I should be good to go...

Thanks anyways..

[Chewy]

now that I have moved it, admin might see it

search his posts and guides tho

maybe you can test some stuff with that "beast" you built

[MikeyBK]

Thanks Chewy, all input/recommendations from everyone on this forum is greatly anticipated and appreciated...

[admin]

DVI to HDMI works fine, especially if you are not looking at playing high definition DVDs (HD DVD or Blu-ray), as that would require you to have a HDCP compatible DVI port (only the newest cards are HDCP compliant - you can check by connecting your monitor through DVI and running the Cyberlink BD/HD Advisor). From memory, the 8600 GT series do not have HDCP by default (it's left up to the manufacturer), but XFX usually do put HDCP in their cards so you should be set for Blu-ray/HD DVD too. You will still need to connect the audio output to your TV or amp (or use your PC's speakers), as while HDMI to HDMI includes audio, DVI to HDMI does not.

Note that depending on your TV, the resolution might be limited to standard HDTV resolutions (720p, 1080i/p), and while DVDs, video and Media Center works great at this resolution, games are a different matter (they usually require proper PC resolutions like 1024x768). Also, your graphics card driver might have some specific HDTV settings that you must enable before you can use 720p/1080i/p output modes.

As for S-Video, best to skip it, as it is limited to 800x600 normally, as S-Video cannot support high def anyway.

Depending on your graphics card, there might also be an adapter that allows you to use component output too. Your picture won't be as clean as DVI/HDMI, but the cable is a lot cheaper and your TV might have more free component connections, so you can save the HDMI for a HD DVD/Blu-ray player (or a PS3). Another option is to use VGA, if your TV has that (that's how I've connected my computer to the TV) - the advantage is that the resolution/refresh rate support is much more flexible, works for games and the quality is not too bad either. But neither component or VGA will support full resolution (1920x1080) HD DVD/Blu-ray playback, so investing in DVI -> HDMI is a good idea.

[MikeyBK]

Thanks Admin...Very informative...