connecting PC up to HD TV

jammy_c

jammy_c

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James
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hey guys,

thought some of you clever lot would know the answer to my question;

I have recently bought a 42" 1080p LCD telly. it has 3 HDMI ports but no Monitor inputs, and want to connect my PC up to it. from reading around it looks like I need a convertor from VGA to HDMI, but as my graphics card also has DVI output, can I use a DVI to HDMI lead and negate the need for a convertor?

:thinking: cheers in advance,
James.
 
yes you can, but it wont transfer any sound
 
yeah, that's the only problem, but i could use the RCA inputs on the back of the TV to the 3.5mm jack on the soundcard via one of these, right?
 
might be worth buying a cheap graphics card with hdmi out.
 
stokecity_m said:
might be worth buying a cheap graphics card with hdmi out.
Click to expand...
yeah, did think of that, but the graphics card I have is fairly good and I don't want to down-grade (potentially) just for the sake of having a HDMI port.
 
What's your current card?
 
jammy_c said:
yeah, that's the only problem, but i could use the RCA inputs on the back of the TV to the 3.5mm jack on the soundcard via one of these, right?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can do this and will work, but the sound quality wont be at its best.
 
What sort of price would I be looking at for a half-decent graphics card with hdmi output? Couldn't tell you what i'm currently running. Will have to let you know next time i'm on the PC (currently on my mobile)
 
jammy_c said:
What sort of price would I be looking at for a half-decent graphics card with hdmi output? Couldn't tell you what i'm currently running. Will have to let you know next time i'm on the PC (currently on my mobile)
Click to expand...


Half decent would depend what it's used for.
If it's just to watch HD films etc then about £18 :D
Gaming etc will cost alot more.
 
DVI is HDMI. Its the same output different plug, In fact you can get a cable with DVI at one end and HDMI at the other because the signal (output if you will) is the same.

Im not 100% sure but i dont think a video card will output any sound.... im not sure at all though
 
Raj_p said:
DVI is HDMI. Its the same output different plug, In fact you can get a cable with DVI at one end and HDMI at the other because the signal (output if you will) is the same.
Click to expand...

a video card can output sound, and most with HDMI will.
 
stokecity_m said:
a video card can output sound, and most with HDMI will.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, i was just googling and found out.

I also read that if you have a dvi port, then they maybe a chance that it has a sound output too...

worth a try?
 
No, DVI cables are only for video, they do not transmit sound.
:(
 
Hmmm.... Ok. Cheers guys. Will have to let you know how I get on with this. It might end up cheaper getting a new graphics card, going to have to buy another hdmi lead anyway by the look of it. Just depends if it's hdmi to hdmi, or dvi to hdmi.
 
stokecity_m said:
No, DVI cables are only for video, they do not transmit sound.
:(
Click to expand...

I thought that some dvi's put out sound if the card has(s/pdif) cable and a dvi to hdmi cable is used...

i guess it does depend on the card too though
 
jammy_c said:
It might end up cheaper getting a new graphics card, going to have to buy another hdmi lead anyway by the look of it. Just depends if it's hdmi to hdmi, or dvi to hdmi.
Click to expand...

Tesco do a cheap HDMI cable for about £4.99, don't be swayed to buy one that costs any more as it's just a waste of cash :)
 
stokecity_m said:
Tesco do a cheap HDMI cable for about £4.99, don't be swayed to buy one that costs any more as it's just a waste of cash :)
Click to expand...

Sorry, had to jump in as I completely disagree with this comment...

If you're running anything for a 720p image up you will most certainly see the different between a 5 quid HDMI and a 30 quid HDMI cable even through a laptop! People have the wrong impression on HDMI cables! If you're buying unbranded HDMI cables then do not spend any more on it that 5quid.

A great example is between say a vivanco-Prohdhd cable and an Ixos xen. 40 quid difference in price but running through a bluray there is a noticeable difference!
 
norvic-boy said:
Sorry, had to jump in as I completely disagree with this comment...

If you're running anything for a 720p image up you will most certainly see the different between a 5 quid HDMI and a 30 quid HDMI cable even through a laptop! People have the wrong impression on HDMI cables! If you're buying unbranded HDMI cables then do not spend any more on it that 5quid.

A great example is between say a vivanco-Prohdhd cable and an Ixos xen. 40 quid difference in price but running through a bluray there is a noticeable difference!
Click to expand...
Sorry, I had to jump in ;) No there isn't.

If you believe there is, you are deluded. Full stop. PERIOD. I work in digital TV systems and if the cable works and costs £0.02, it will be exactly the same image quality as one that costs many, many times that price. The exception is when you go over 5 or so metres length where the cable has to be manufactured within closer tolerances so the digital signal is transmitted correctly.
 
norvic-boy said:
Sorry, had to jump in as I completely disagree with this comment...

If you're running anything for a 720p image up you will most certainly see the different between a 5 quid HDMI and a 30 quid HDMI cable even through a laptop! People have the wrong impression on HDMI cables! If you're buying unbranded HDMI cables then do not spend any more on it that 5quid.

A great example is between say a vivanco-Prohdhd cable and an Ixos xen. 40 quid difference in price but running through a bluray there is a noticeable difference!
Click to expand...

Argh. Utter utter tosh.

If you can "see" a difference then its a placebo effect and you're disagreeing with thousands of people inc the gadget show who did a good piece on the BS behind expensive hdmi. The only time to spend a bit more money is on runs of 5-10m+.

Obviously very cheap cables may not be built as well, personally I use the "that cable" site theirs are braided and built like tanks. Start from a fiver.
 
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I have a ATI 4870 and use a DVI to HDMI cable and it transmits sound to the TV. Not all cards do sound. Newish one should.
 
norvic-boy said:
Sorry, had to jump in as I completely disagree with this comment...

If you're running anything for a 720p image up you will most certainly see the different between a 5 quid HDMI and a 30 quid HDMI cable even through a laptop! People have the wrong impression on HDMI cables! If you're buying unbranded HDMI cables then do not spend any more on it that 5quid.

A great example is between say a vivanco-Prohdhd cable and an Ixos xen. 40 quid difference in price but running through a bluray there is a noticeable difference!
Click to expand...

Sorry but you are wrong. I'm not going to go in to detail why as others above have touched on it already.
 
:lol:

I'll let this one go...

No harm done ;) I feel slightly out numbered lol. But I stand by with what I said :)
 
stokecity_m said:
so do i :p
Click to expand...

:bat: ;)



Well at least Norwich will hopefully give Stoke a seeing too at the weekend... And I'll be watching it through my 30quid HDMI cable :D
 
norvic-boy said:
:bat: ;)



Well at least Norwich will hopefully give Stoke a seeing too at the weekend... And I'll be watching it through my 30quid HDMI cable :D
Click to expand...

i'll be watching it in person at the ground :p
 
norvic-boy said:
:lol:

I'll let this one go...

No harm done ;) I feel slightly out numbered lol. But I stand by with what I said :)
Click to expand...

Im on your side :)

i use QED Reference HDMI cables....

but let this go as it wil be a never ending chat. lol
 
Raj_p said:
Im on your side :)

i use QED Reference HDMI cables....

but let this go as it wil be a never ending chat. lol
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Lol that's like saying, I'm right but I'm not going to tell you why.

:-)
 
I am right and no, im not going to tell you why... Lol
 
clearly you aren't confident enough that you are right otherwise you would explain it.
 
joescrivens said:
clearly you aren't confident enough that you are right otherwise you would explain it.
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Im confident, but its just going to turn into a debate and we are all just going to stick with what we thought originaly. So pointless explaining when someone else wont agree and then stick there 2pence worth in.
 
Raj_p said:
Im confident, but its just going to turn into a debate and we are all just going to stick with what we thought originaly. So pointless explaining when someone else wont agree and then stick there 2pence worth in.
Click to expand...

not so.

If you have actual proof rather than opinion then you can show this and people who thought otherwise can be introduced to something they didn't know.
 
Tee hee... I've a degree in electronics, work in digital video systems and can explain in minute detail why different SPDIF interconnects can sound different when you connect transports to DACs. I can also explain - again in minute detail why HDMI cables aren't different (assuming they work in the first place of course). I could even refer you to the HDMI spec pages - although not now as I'm in a Wifi hotspot in Death Valley (49.5 deg C yesterday for all those suffering UK weather) ;) :D

A fool and their money is easily parted. Never a truer word with HDMI cables..... ;)
 
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