To DVI, or not to DVI

[bombarde32]

Hi all,

Didn't see any other threads so I thought I'd start this one. I have a Dell XPS (Gen 4) I'm converting to a HTPC. The existing video out has a DVI option along with the normal monitor out.

I have no experience with DVI but I was going to buy a DVI to HDMI output to run it over to my receiver. I'm wondering if there's anything I'm unknowingly sacrificing in the process?

Thanks for any warnings or advice along the way ...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That's what I would do too. Convert DVI to HDMI and connect to receiver.

 

[GlocksRock]

You may want to consider getting a newer video card that has HDMI so you can pass audio and video. If this is something that would interest you, I'm actually considering selling my video card, it's a Gigabyte with a ATI Radeon 4350 chipset that works flawlessly for both audio/video over HDMI. Let me know if you are interested and I can get your more details.

 

[bombarde32]

You may want to consider getting a newer video card that has HDMI so you can pass audio and video.

Yes, you have a point. I was originally hoping to just get a bare bones system up and running based on what I have on-hand so my kids stop scratching the DVDs so bad.

But I'm seeing some MOBO's on newegg that can use my existing legacy hardware while providing a slew of options for future expansion (6 SATA ports, PCI express, SLI, Crossfire, etc etc).

Why can't I ever find a cheap hobby?

Glocks ... I sent you a PM.

 

[Nemo128]

Why can't I ever find a cheap hobby?

Interests are cheap, hobbies aren't. Like women. They're cheap to deal with when you're only interested, way more expensive when they're a hobby.

 

[lsiberian]

Interests are cheap, hobbies aren't. Like women. They're cheap to deal with when you're only interested, way more expensive when they're a hobby.

Unless your hobby starts paying you.

 

[krzywica]

Unless your hobby starts paying you.

LOL....lsiberian's pimp hand is strong.

OP - I had a 4350 not too long ago and they are excellent cards for HTPC systems. Good luck with your project!

 

[bombarde32]

LOL....lsiberian's pimp hand is strong.

OP - I had a 4350 not too long ago and they are excellent cards for HTPC systems. Good luck with your project!

Thanks. This all started with a burned out power supply on my XPS Gen 4. A new power supply (PSU) & case combo from newegg was cheaper than a refurb PSU from Dell (and the Dell PSU is the only one that fits in the XPS case). Then tonight I find that Dell also custom drilled the screw holes on their motherboards (mobos) to fit their case and I can't swap it into the new case.

So forget Dell ... new rig from the ground up. I have the case, psu and card (on order). Just ordered the new mobo and processor tonight as well. At least I can harvest the RAM, hard drive and CD drives from the old unit

Now I just have to find a place to recycle my perfectly functional Dell mobo and P4 processor unless someone wants it? It has audio and video cards, NIC and even a floppy drive and 56k modem . PSU is $100 from Dell if someone can make use of it PM me.

My wife is shaking her head and asking why I didn't just buy the darned PSU from Dell. I've just had it with a company custom fitting critical pieces of the desktop hardware so you have to buy THEIR spare parts regardless of quality or price. It reminds me of something Apple would do

 

[GlocksRock]

what P4 processor do you have, how fast is it?

 

[bombarde32]

It's a 3.2 GHz P4 that (I think) uses the 775 socket. I don't know the other specs off hand but I can find out.

 

[bombarde32]

It's Alive!!!

I guess this isn't a terribly useful post but after a couple days of work ... my HTPC is alive! (and stable - even better). Kind of excited since it's my first PC build ever. If anyone wants hardware reviews I'll write them ... just let me know what components (mobo, processor, software, etc).

The only thing I can't find is a good ISO player. I downloaded the free trial of TMT and it doesn't recognize the ISO format. Any suggestions?

Until then ... IT'S ALIVE! mwa hahaha.

 

[Seth=L]

Unless your hobby starts paying you.

This doesn't sound like something a married man should discuss.

 

[ChunkyDark]

The only thing I can't find is a good ISO player. I downloaded the free trial of TMT and it doesn't recognize the ISO format. Any suggestions?

Until then ... IT'S ALIVE! mwa hahaha.

PowerDVD plays ISO, so does vlc (free), but you can also just download virtual clone drive (free) from slysoft and mount iso's like a regular disc.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

[http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.html

Good luck with your machine,
Chunkydark

 

[Shock]

VLC player is the best player out there. I've yet to find a file format it won't play. It'll do your freaking taxes if you ask it to.

 

[HDPCsound]

the Vlc media player is also great open source program.
It supports most audio and video formats (H.264, Ogg, DivX, MKV, TS, MPEG-2, mp3, MPEG-4, aac, ...) from files, physical media (DVDs, VCD, Audio-CD), TV capture cards and many network streaming protocols.