pc to tv?

[MegaWatt]

I want to hook my computers A/V up to my HT, but i'm not sure how to do this properly. I have a 'Sony STR-DE995 home receiver' and my tv model is 'Samsung HL-S5087W 50" DLP Projection TV'. Should i hook my computer to the tv or receiver? How?
Thanks.

 

[Gasman]

Depends on your video card, and sound (either on-board or sound card).
What outputs are on the video card? S-Video? (not worth the hastle)
If you have a dongle cord with component out, then I would go ahead. Personally, I would go straight to tv.
Sound, use the SPDIF (either coax, or optical = both are digital) straight to receiver.
No SPDIF, then you need a breakout cord. (not worth the hastle)
DVI out from video card? Then straight to tv (with either the DVI or a DVI-HDMI adapter)

EDIT, The receiver you have, has no DVI or HDMI.
Granted, I was never fond of using a AVR as a video switcher. (but that is a personal preference)

Read this, it should give all tips needed for HTPC (home theater PC hookup)
http://www.modthebox.com/htpc.shtml
and here - http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1820&page=12 <----that is the exact page for hookup.
and here - http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_3/feature-article-building-htpc-part-one-7-2002.html

or heck just use any of these
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=building+a+HTPC&btnG=Google+Search

 

[the grunt]

Hi MegaWatt,

I have my Samsung HL-S5687W hooked up directly to my computer with a VGA cable and it works great. Actually it works better than going through the receiver which caused over-scan issues so I stayed with VGA. You will love having a 50 inch computer monitor. Vast screen real-estate and you can sit across the room.

I couldn’t get SPDIF (optical) to work right so I went with 7.1 analog outputs to the receiver, but as Gasman said it depends on what options your soundcard gives you. I would stay digital, SPDIF if you can.

 

[audioman00]

tv is deff my new upgrade

how would it be to sit across the room in your fav couch or chair and browse the net, play media files, etc....? man... that must be the GOOD life.....How is the resolution though? Do you guys feel that it is as good as a flat panel pc monitor? or a bit foggy or distorted. I suppose it depends on the interface, in my case my pc has a component video output right on the back of the machine, but I just dont have the tv..... damn. Well just curious. take care and good luck with your setup.

 

[Adam]

How is the resolution though? Do you guys feel that it is as good as a flat panel pc monitor?

Last year, I was at my brother's house where he was running a Mac Mini through a 37" 1080p Westinghouse. Looked just fine. From about ten feet (I'm guessing) away, the problem for me was that the resolution was too high - it made some things too small to read. Luckily, the Mac had a nice zoom feature, so it wasn't too bad.

 

[Gasman]

hooked up directly to my computer with a VGA cable and it works great.

Doh, forgot about that. And yeah that would be your best bet.


For Audioman, I have used the front projection at 96" and the resolution was just fine.

 

[the grunt]

@ Audioman

how would it be to sit across the room in your fav couch or chair and browse the net, play media files, etc....? man... that must be the GOOD life.....

Since it’s a futon it’s actually even more decadent than that. Mostly I lay down propped up with pillows backlit keyboard on one side mouse on the other. For serious work I got an adjustable swiveling keyboard/mouse stand to make long typing sessions easier.

How is the resolution though? Do you guys feel that it is as good as a flat panel pc monitor? or a bit foggy or distorted

I run at the TV’s native resolution of 1920x1080 and it’s awesome. I sit about 7.5 feet away but with a 56” screen it’s almost a perfect 30 degree viewing angle. Best part is I don’t need glasses to read what’s on the screen because only my near vision is going (so far).

Only one issue. The size works perfect for surfing the net or working but for gaming I would like a bigger screen for that distance. About 73” would do it.

If your into hardcore gaming this link might help though it’s a bit dated now. It talks about lag in HDTVs.

http://gear.ign.com/articles/720/720303p2.html

 

[GlocksRock]

With my Samsung HL-R5067W I have to use the PC input on the tv, otherwise it won't work. I've tried using DVD-HDMI cables, and component video, running through the receiver and straight to the tv, and the only thing that works is using a VGA cable into the PC input on the tv. I think they newer models allow for connection of HDMI from a PC on a specified HDMI input. You will have to consult your owners manual for specifics on PC connection though.

 

[MegaWatt]

Thanks guys! Since my computer only has VGA out for video i will connect my video from my pc to tv with a VGA cable. Can you get a VGA 'Y' splitter so i could have my monitor and tv hooked up simultaneously? Maybe i'll upgrade my graphics card.

 

[MegaWatt]

Now for the sound. My computer doesn't have SPDIF or optical or coax outputs. I have this motherboard http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/D945Gtp/index.htm and i think the sound and video are build in. I used a program called 'EVEREST' to see what sound card i have i found "SigmaTel STAC9220 A1 @ Intel 82801GB ICH7 - High Definition Audio Controller". On the back of my computer there are three headphone type jacks, red, blue, and green. On the front there is one red and one green. I don't see how this is 7.1 but it says it is?

 

[the grunt]

Can you get a VGA 'Y' splitter so i could have my monitor and tv hooked up simultaneously? Maybe i'll upgrade my graphics card.

Yes you can, however, if you are splitting the same output to two different monitors at the same time remember that the computer will only output one resolution from each VGA output it has. I’m not sure if any splitters can change the resolution for you and if they can probably cost more than it’s worth. Better just to buy a new video card I think.

If you want to run dual monitors you need two outputs one each from two video cards or one card with two outputs. This allows each monitor to act as a separate desk top sort of.

If you don’t plan to run both monitors at the same time you can get a switcher that will allow you to switch one output between monitors but you will have to change the resolution each time you switch.

On the back of my computer there are three headphone type jacks, red, blue, and green. On the front there is one red and one green. I don't see how this is 7.1 but it says it is?

Each of these jacks caries multiple audio channels I thought it was two but your documentation should explain how they are configured. I didn’t see a manual on the link you provided or I would point you to it. I used a 3.5 male mini-jack to female RCA cord then hooked to it a male RCA Y to two male RCA jacks to hook up to the receiver‘s inputs. In my case each jack carried two channels. It took some trial and error for me as my documentation was a little sketchy.

Hopefully someone with a little more experience can offer more help.