HDTV From PC?

Spiffyfast · #1 08-16-2005, 11:03 AM

I just noticed this the other day while surfing www.newegg.com some of the new graphics cards like the GeForce 6600 line have the option to output HDTV to a tv monitor. Since I'm a computer buff too, I was wondering if anyone has tried this and had any luck with it. I'm also curious as to what the quality is like, I couldn't imagine playing half life 2 on the big screen, how cool would that be. Right now I use an s-video connection, and it works ok for video, but text is almost unreadable. If anyone is doing this and can comment on their thoughts it would be appreciated.

BMXTRIX · #2 08-16-2005, 01:52 PM

Welcome to the HTPC world. Home theater PCs are not new and if you set up your PC to match the native resolution of your display exactly, you can get phenomenal results.

There are entire forums and sites pretty much dedicated to HTPCs - Google it. You can get info on the best video cards and computer setups and extremely quiet cooling systems so that your PC doesn't distract your fun with extra noise.

If you think it is cool to a TV monitor... Pick up a InFocus SP4805 projector for about $1,000 and try playing it on a 100" screen.

Spiffyfast · #3 08-16-2005, 02:06 PM

I've been using my pc with my home theater system for 2 years now as a DVR and to pump music and video through my set up. But the video always was lacking something being s-video out its nothing compared to what HDTV should look like.

BMXTRIX · #4 08-16-2005, 02:26 PM

Knowing the connections is critical. S-Video carries interlaced, low quality, 'standard' video to your television. It is a far cry from PC resolution and is similar to taking a photo of a Monet, then printing it in black and white, the photocopying it, then running it through the washing machine once or twice.

Your DISPLAY is crucial to being able to display high resolution images. If your display only has s-video and composite inputs, it can't do any better than what you currently have really. You can set your PC resolution lower - try 640x480 and see how that looks.

But, if your display has component inputs or better yet, a RGBHV or 15-pin VGA connector, then you can get STUNNING results.

HTPC is not a s-video connection and is not worth talking about in terms of quality, as you already know. A $2,500.00 plasma with a direct connection to your PC will give you image quality that should blow you away. If your display can't handle HDTV or doesn't have any PC inputs on it, then you have far bigger issues that aren't going to be handled by buying a new video card. A new display is in order to allow for higher resolutions and superior quality.

I have zero details on specific cards or products which are superior to others and all the connections I have made have utilized RGBHV connections, never component out of PCs.

Spiffyfast · #5 08-16-2005, 02:44 PM

My mitsubishi has a dvi input, but its not designed to accept a straight pc connection, I've tried it, didnt look right. So, right now im looking for a new card to output component video into my tv so I think thats the only option I have left for the best quality.

Francious70 · #6 08-16-2005, 02:47 PM

Don't forget DVI connections too, lots of cards and TV's have them nowadays.

Paul

BMXTRIX · #7 08-16-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiffyfast

My mitsubishi has a dvi input, but its not designed to accept a straight pc connection, I've tried it, didnt look right. So, right now im looking for a new card to output component video into my tv so I think thats the only option I have left for the best quality.

You have to start by recognizing that all electronic gear is stupid. The output from a PC isn't inherently different from the output of a DVD player over DVI. It is all ones and zeroes. So, if you have a PC, and YOU set it up to output an acceptable resolution over DVI, then the TV will happily display that resolution. The TV isn't designed to handle all computer inputs into it so you have to change your video card settings to something the TV likes to see.

Something like 1080i or 720p are becoming more and more common as output resolutions on video cards for this specific reason.

Spiffyfast · #8 08-16-2005, 04:33 PM

So after researching this topic all day at work

I think I have found that an ATI Radeon is going to be the best bet and here's why. The new Nvidia 6600 series have the ability to output hdtv, but only Progressive Scan so 480p or 720p. 480 would be too small for gaming and my tv doesnt accept a 720p signal. I found out the ATI Radeons 9500 and up have an optional dvi to component video adapter that can output selective 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. So bingo I can have 1080i output from my tv at HDTV quality and be able to use my computer at awesome quality on the big screen, too cool