Hey folks,

I'm running VISTA Ultimate, and was wondering if there's a way to hookup my PC to my television so that I may run my home movies from my pc without having to burn to DVD.

I'm tired of burning coasters. I'd just like to hookup directly to my tv. Is this possible, and if so, what do I need to do?

PLEASE be very specific. List model numbers, websites, etc.

Thanks!

http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/02/0...

This what I use... but it's all based on taste and what you're looking for...

http://www.newegg.com/product/produ...

I guess I didn't read this right... what I posted above is how you can record TV and make your own DVR basically...

... as for hooking your PC up to your TV for watching clips... that's a little different.

The link provided by Sabertooth looks good...

...as for me, I bought a HDTV with a VGA plug so I basically setup my PC with my TV as my monitor. Some will say VGA isn't good enough and you should do DVI or HDMI but considering I mostly watch downloaded episodes of shows like "South Park" and "The Simpsons" the image quality isn't that bad for me.... If I need better quality that what my DVD player is for.

Funny thing you mentioned DVI.

I don't know much about DVI, except that my video card has a DVI output on it.

My TV on the other hand (which I happend to write a review on), http://www.epinions.com/pr-Panasoni...
has an S-Video input and composite inputs.

So I guess what I'm looking for is some sort of a DVI to S-Video/composite converter/adapter.

Bottom line is I need to convert both my AUDIO & VIDEO from my PC's DVI output to my tv's input. What kind of cable(s) do I need to do this?

The audio will be the easiest... there's no audio in the DVI cable. ;)

Basically all you need to do is go from the normal audio out from your current audio plug to the speakers. Here's my current setup: PC --> switch box --> receiver --> speakers.

There are tons of ways to do this... it just depends on where you want the audio to come from (ie, tv speakers, surround sound, PC speakers, etc).

If you want them from the TV speakers... but an adapter that goes from the "headphone" type plug to RCA type plugs then simply plug those into the S-video audio in.

If you're going for "top-o-line" stuff.... you can purchase a better sound card for your PC and goe with a digital plug like the RCA type or optical and then plug that directly into a receiver that supports the same.

Converting the image from your PC to your TV is where it will get a little harder and expensive... but you're right... you'll need either a DVI or VGA converter that will let you put your picture to the S-Video.... another option though would be to buy a video card the simply has an S-Video out... then it would go a little easier since you wouldn't need a converter... picture would probably look better too... but it's hard to say.

TK.

You're probably going this route in things...

for audio you'd probably need something like this:
http://www.yourcablestore.com/6-Foo...

For video something like these... ((NOTE: I can't be sure these are the correct items that will work for you... make sure you read the specs and make sure there's a return policy if they don't work))

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...

http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/ord...

If you're stuck on going directly from DVI to s-video.. I'd suggest getting one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/DVI-VGA-ADAPTER...

You won't notice any difference with VGA vs DVI to s-video... this is because VGA and DVI are so much better than S-video... and s-video is so crappy compaired to them.... that it's not with the extra expense of buying a "converter box" that will take you directly from DVI to S-Video.

If you're TV had something better like component, VGA, DVI or HDMI inputs... then it might be worth it... but then you'd only need a converter for component... and the rest wouldn't matter, lol.

and yes component (red,green,blue) is different from coposite (yellow with red/white audio).

TK.

oh... and before you start this... make sure your PC can output at the resolutions that are supported by your TV. If it's not an HDTV (hi-def) or EDTV (enhanced-def) and just a SDTV (standard-def).

Best way to know... is goto your TV makers website or other search and find your TV... then read the specs of what resolutions and fequencies it can support...

then goto your PC's display properties and go into advanced... under the monitor settings.. make sure "hide modes that monitor can't display" is UNCHECKED... and make sure you've got a resolution listed that your TV supports... you should be good to go after that.

Once everything is hooked up... you'll have two options... either making your TV your defaul monitor... or keeping your PC monitor attached and using the TV as a second monitor. I'm not fully versed in this but you might run into some software auto loading onto the #1 monitor vs the TV.

TK.

....lol... hope that helps. ;)

TK.

lol...it's useful, thanx
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Thanks boss!

Great info!