Connecting to computer to tv.

[psbfan9]

I'm thinking it's time to get rid of cable. I have been looking at Apple tv, boxee box, etc,.. I'm wondering though if I should buy a laptop or desktop and use that instead of the other media servers. My reasoning is that it seems having something with a browser would give me more access to more media.

I would use my tv as a monitor via hdmi. Would it be as simple as connecting the hdmi cable to the tv from the computer? Am I missing something? Are there other options to consider?

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks.

Barry

[Adam]

Barry,

I hook up my MacBooks to my TV using HDMI cables with no problems. So, yes, it can be that simple. I can't say if a computer is the best option for you, but I wanted to let you know that it is easy to hook up (at least, mine were).

[Beatmatcher247]

Make sure whatever you getting has an HDMI out interface on the video card. If it is a DVI style output, you will need a DVI to HDMI adapter.

[Beatmatcher247]

If it has a DVI interface, it does NOT support HDCP. Also if you hook up HDMI to a DVI --> HDMI adapter, the HDMI cable will NOT carry audio signal over the HDMI. Long story short, just get something with HDMI output and you shouldn't have any headaches.

[BMXTRIX]

If it has a DVI interface, it does NOT support HDCP.

While I agree with your conclusion that he should get something with a HDMI output, it is not correct to say that DVI outputs will not support HDCP. It is very common for DVI to support HDCP, but it is not manadatory as it is with HDMI connections. I would expect that at this point the majority of DVI connections do support HDCP.

[psbfan9]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm still trying to decide what to do. I'll do some more research on media players.

[psbfan9]

My wife made a good point. If we get rid of cable, we lose the DVR capability. Now I'm thinking that I could get a new video card with HDMI and a long HDMI cord and run that to my tv and use Windows Media Center for the DVR. This would be cheaper than a new lap/desktop, but a little more expensive than a media streamer.

Any suggestions on a card? Or should I still consider a media server?

Thanks.

Barry

[Adam]

You can also use a TV tuner in your PC (like you mentioned) and then stream it to a media server. I do that with my PC and my PS3 using PS3 Media Server software (free). I don't know if other media servers can use that same software, but it detects my TV (but my TV is a year too old to support it).

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Make sure you buy from a place that allows free returns just in case it doesn't work.

Like Amazon direct or local Best Buy, etc.

[psbfan9]

Barry,

I hook up my MacBooks to my TV using HDMI cables with no problems. So, yes, it can be that simple. I can't say if a computer is the best option for you, but I wanted to let you know that it is easy to hook up (at least, mine were).

Thanks Adam. Do you hook up directly to the tv or go through your receiver?

A friend brought me an HD antennae today. We hooked it up and it works great.
But...
I forgot that I would need a toslink since there is no HDMI out on the tv. I was surprised at how much the speakers in the tv didn't suck. Tomorrow will be getting surround sound through the toslink and playing with Netflix (30 day free trial).


Still looking for that perfect box. Wants: Hulu, not Hulu Plus, would prefer something with a browser for internet content I choose, not chosen for me.