HTPC help please

[alexwakelin]

I put together a computer from some old parts I had laying around. I want to connect this computer to my Philips 30PW8402 via DVI to HDMI cable. I mainly want to use this computer for web browsing and streaming netflix, maybe some light gaming. The computer is as follows:

ASUS M3A motherboard (socket AM2/AM2+)
AMD 2.4 GHz single core processor
Corsair 2 x 1 Gb PC 6400 ram
Nvidia 7800 GT video card
Soundblaster Audigy 4
Wireless Card
OS: Windows XP Pro

I have the computer connected to the tv via the DVI output on the video card. I believe the native resolution on my tv is 1080i/60hz. I am unable to find a resolion/refresh rate that will give me a usable picture. My video card detects the tv at 1080i/60hz, but text is unreadable and the flicker is unbearable. Still images look somewhat decent, but as is this computer is unusable. I tried to stream a movie from netflix and it appeared that the movie was playing (the time elapsed was counting up), but the video did not show up, video played fine when I hooked up my computer monitor. Also, my tv does have some minor overscan (I lose the bottom of the ticker on espn), but when hooked up to this computer it's waaaay out of control, much much worse. Is there any way to salvage this project short of buying a new tv? (just not in the budget atm) Thanks for any suggestions anyone can give me.

 

[Alex2507]

My first thought is that it's an HDCP issue. If your video card (I'm not that swift with computers) has another video out like composite or component, that is worth a shot.

 

[alexwakelin]

The 7800 GT does not support HDCP, but I have never had a problem streaming netflix when I was using that card in my main computer.

 

[mudrummer99]

I will second the HDCP issue thought. That card is not completely HDCP compliant, atleast with drivers out of the box. Check to see if you have to latest drivers for your video card and if that doesn't work, contact Nvidia directly to see if they can help. I'm not positive whether or not that card will be capable of doing what your asking it to do. An alternative for you might be that if you have a VGA input on the back of your tv that you use that. Unless you are going to use the computer to play Bluray or play games at really amped up resolutions you probably won't notice much of a difference. Hope this helps a bit.

Mike

 

[mudrummer99]

The 7800 GT does not support HDCP, but I have never had a problem streaming netflix when I was using that card in my main computer.

It may be an HDCP issue between that particular TV and your card, yes, it is that finicky of a problem.

Edit: NM this comment, I should read more carefully. Try updating drivers, that may solve it.

 

[alexwakelin]

The video card drivers are up to date, downloaded them a couple days ago when I put the system together. No luck on the VGA input on the tv, I have HDMI, component, S-Video, composite video. My video card has 2 DVI outputs and an S-Video. I'd really hate to buy a new video card as this system was put together from spare parts and I was hoping I could get something workable on a budget. I'm not sure I understand why HDCP would be the issue here though. The video card supports up to 2560 x 1600, and I've never had an issue with using it with streaming content before.

 

[mudrummer99]

Are all of your BIOS drivers up to date on this build? Check those too, it can cause issues sometimes as well, past that, that's all I got

Mike

 

[alexwakelin]

Didn't think about the BIOS, guess I'll try that when I get home tonight.

 

[Alex2507]

Try S-Video. Another thing is that there are 2 kinds of DVI connectors.
Give this a read to learn everthing I forgot.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/dvi-cables/index.htm

 

[gus6464]

HDCP is linked to the interface being used and not the content being sent. Streaming netflix to your monitor is totally different than going from DVI to an HDCP interface (HDMI).

While some content requires an HDCP connection in order to be watchable there is still a handshake involved when connecting two sources between interfaces. I bet you that if you use the component connection or s-video connection to the TV you will not have a problem with the video. When doing HDMI or DVI if one end of the connection has HDCP the other one needs to as well.

 

[adwilk]

Buy a vga to dvi converter.... Thats what i finally did... run a vga cable from the computer to whatever converter you need to get the signal to the tv... There are a couple types of DVI output signals and who knows which one you have based on the graphic settings of your card and comp. At least VGA is "pretty" standard based on what your computer decides to send out. VGA will always be usable. This is actually a pretty technical issue that goes way beyond resolution and refresh rates... Believe me... do yourself a favor and get the adapter... saves lots of headache and allows you to use your tv in a native format its comfortable with....

 

[alexwakelin]

Buy a vga to dvi converter....

Unfortunately no VGA out on this video card...dual DVI and VIVO which has adapters for s-video and component video.

 

[sparky77]

Some settings to look for in your video cards advanced setup are using overlays, theater mode, and overscan adjustment. Do you also have a computer monitor hooked up to the computer or just the TV?

 

[alexwakelin]

Some settings to look for in your video cards advanced setup are using overlays, theater mode, and overscan adjustment. Do you also have a computer monitor hooked up to the computer or just the TV?

I've been using the "clone" mode (monitor and tv hooked up to the dual dvi outs) to change settings.

 

[alexwakelin]

Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions, I've finally got this setup working well enough to at least watch streaming netflix on my tv. The flicker issue seemed to be more related to the settings on my tv: turning down the contrast and sharpness seemed to help that a bit. Setting all of my fonts to "extra large" helped with being able to read menus and such. I'm still working on the overscan issue. Connecting the pc to my tv via component video the overscan seemed to not be as bad, but apparently the netflix drm does not support this type of connection so it was back to the hdmi cable.

 

[Alex2507]

That over scanning thing made me think of something I didn't understand in this article:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43329

Give it a read and see if it does anything for you.