Computers on your HD TV
- Thread starter Donk
- Start date
i have one of these:
http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?module=onlinestore&pluginoption=catalog
its awesome... you can stream movies (downloaded via torrents), youtube, hulu, etc. from it right to your tv with no computer necessary. i love it.
http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?module=onlinestore&pluginoption=catalog
its awesome... you can stream movies (downloaded via torrents), youtube, hulu, etc. from it right to your tv with no computer necessary. i love it.
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
HDMI transmits a digital signal (0's and 1's) and it works just fine on a cheap $8 cable. There is no need to buy the Monster Cable versions (you aren't trying to send a "clear" signal like in the old days).
I buy HDMI cables from www.monoprice.com and I've never spent more than $10 bucks for one.
Oh and BTW it's been rumored that Best Buy has a 600% markup on HDMI cables (or so I've read on the Internet).
PepinAddiction
Thought Criminal
I got a 32inch Vizio in my bar that a computer hooks up to. Uses the RGB port in the back. Looks great and makes for a nice jukebox.
PepinAddiction
Thought Criminal
Yeah, Monoprice rocks. They are just a few miles from my work and it's the only place I buy cables from.
I seem to have issues because I have my laptop hooked up via S video. I'm wonering if it is the cable or the video card thaqt is prohibiting better video quality. I am not eve sure my laptop is HDMI capable. I use it basiclly for playing around on the internet. But it would be nice to have better graphics while doing so, things a slightly fuzzy!
NJSTONE- how much do you want for the cable and how long is it?
NJSTONE- how much do you want for the cable and how long is it?
Craig Mac
BoM 4/10 7/11 12/14
S-Video is garbage IMO, you have a DVI port on the laptop?
njstone
BoM January 2010
I think it's 6', nice and thick. It's not a Monster, but it works great--it's the exact cable I use for my components, I just have an extra one because I use DVI for my laptop.
I got a deal on them, can't remember how much exactly. I'm happy to just gift it to you. PM me your addy.
what is DVI
I'm pissed now. I can't get my friggin laptop to create the quility image I know the tv can produce. Any ideas? my video settings will go up to 1280 X 800 but I can't get past 800 x 600 if I want to be able to see anything. suggestions?
NJstone, appreciate the offer but I don't think I can use it for my laptop. Plus I have no HDMI connections on my reveiver.
I'm pissed now. I can't get my friggin laptop to create the quility image I know the tv can produce. Any ideas? my video settings will go up to 1280 X 800 but I can't get past 800 x 600 if I want to be able to see anything. suggestions?
NJstone, appreciate the offer but I don't think I can use it for my laptop. Plus I have no HDMI connections on my reveiver.
njstone
BoM January 2010
Just another cable...came out right before HDMI. It does the exact same thing, but only video--whereas HDMI has the ability to do both audio and video in one cable.
My laptop doesn't have HDMI, only DVI, so that's why I use that. I use HDMI for my PS3 and my Dish Network HD-DVR.
Craig Mac
BoM 4/10 7/11 12/14
Donk if you have a port like this:
you can use that DVI to connect video at a higher resolution than S-Video IIRC S-Video can only do 800X600 max. My computer has a DVI out and TV has HDMI in, so I use a cable that has one of each on each end then run my audio seperately.
you can use that DVI to connect video at a higher resolution than S-Video IIRC S-Video can only do 800X600 max. My computer has a DVI out and TV has HDMI in, so I use a cable that has one of each on each end then run my audio seperately.
Electric Sheep
Dsicle - BoM Dec 06
Unfortunately, both of those are ANALOG video ports.
To get the kind of resolution your HDTV needs, you need (A) a video card that can produce higher resolution, and (B) a digital video out port, like DVI or HDMI.
Neither of those are particularly common on laptops unless you're talking about a relatively recent, relatively high end ($1500+) model. Remember, the whole reason laptops have ANY video out at all is primarily to do PowerPoint presentations on a projector, and analog 800x600 is plenty for that. Most consumer and basic business model laptops aren't built for anything more than that.
A desktop computer, of course, can generally be outfitted with a better video card that can do high resolution via DVI or HDMI.
Donk, many flat panel TVs, especially LCDs, also have a VGA input. Take a look behind yours. If you have one, it will probably be labelled PC. You can just hook it up just like a computer monitor directly to the VGA output on your laptop.
Gibbleguts, I use a Logitech EX110 wireless KB/mouse. Works very well even with my equipment rack 15' behind the seating area.
I built a dedicated HTPC for our home theater. We currently have a 720p projector displaying on an 11' screen. (Yes, that's big.) I specifically chose a motherboard and CPU combo that is capable of displaying Blu-ray. We don't have Blu-ray yet, but when we upgrade the projector to 1080p, I'll be able to easily upgrade the computer as well.
If anyone's interested, here's the motherboard I chose:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131354
It has integrated everything, which allows the system to run cool and quiet. The onboard graphics are capable of running all but the very latest computer games. You ain't seen nothin' till you've played Bioshock at larger than life size.
Also, the amount of online video nowadays is very compelling. Between streaming HD Netflix, Hulu, and Miro I pretty much never watch television anymore. If I can just wean my daughter off Disney Channel, I'll drop DirectTV and start using the two HDTV tuners in the PC.
Gibbleguts, I use a Logitech EX110 wireless KB/mouse. Works very well even with my equipment rack 15' behind the seating area.
I built a dedicated HTPC for our home theater. We currently have a 720p projector displaying on an 11' screen. (Yes, that's big.) I specifically chose a motherboard and CPU combo that is capable of displaying Blu-ray. We don't have Blu-ray yet, but when we upgrade the projector to 1080p, I'll be able to easily upgrade the computer as well.
If anyone's interested, here's the motherboard I chose:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131354
It has integrated everything, which allows the system to run cool and quiet. The onboard graphics are capable of running all but the very latest computer games. You ain't seen nothin' till you've played Bioshock at larger than life size.
Also, the amount of online video nowadays is very compelling. Between streaming HD Netflix, Hulu, and Miro I pretty much never watch television anymore. If I can just wean my daughter off Disney Channel, I'll drop DirectTV and start using the two HDTV tuners in the PC.