Connecting PC to TV

Jamesbcd · 13 Jan 2011 at 00:55

Hi, I'm trying to connect my PC to a Samsung TV for MKV playback, as the PS3 is useless at it. It only has VGA and HDMI input, my PC only has DVI out.
The TV in question is quite far from the PC so I've bought several 10 metre VGA cables and connected them together with the little DVI to VGA adatper. All the cables I've tried, I get a picture but it's all fuzzy with lines going horizontally.

I moved the PC tower as a test, to connect them together using a short 1 metre cable and the picture was faultless. I can't move the PC to the other side of the room permanently, as there's no space.

Do all long cables produce the fuzzy effect? Only option I've thought is upgrading to a graphics card with HDMI out and connecting them that way? or is there another way?

TIA

CaptainCrash · 13 Jan 2011 at 01:20

You could try a DVI-HDMI adapter and a long HDMI lead, but even so several tens of metres may be pushing it.

I doubt if you'll get much joy with a VGA cable, which is analogue and therefore subject to inteference, particularly over long runs. Joining several short lengths together will only compound the problem, as there will be signal degradation at each join.

You might want to consider HDMI over Cat5e or Cat6 - not sure if I'm allowed to link to any vendors here, but a quick google should be productive. Otherwise, maybe a dedicated media player would be the best solution - AC Ryan have some nice stuff from what I've heard, and the Western Digital media player also gets good reviews at the lower end of the market.

Jamesbcd · 13 Jan 2011 at 01:40

The HDMI over Cat5e and Cat6 look expensive! The DVI-HDMI adapter totally slipped my mind. Will definitely give that a go.

Cheers.

Schizophonic · 13 Jan 2011 at 09:04

Is the PS3 networked? If so you can use a windows service and stream media off your PC to your TV via PS3.

http://ps3mediaserver.blogspot.com/

CSA · 13 Jan 2011 at 12:00

will the HDMI to DVi adaptor work with ANY graphics card with DVI output ? or does the G card need to have a certain spec ?

Semple · 13 Jan 2011 at 12:07

CSA said:
will the HDMI to DVi adaptor work with ANY graphics card with DVI output ? or does the G card need to have a certain spec ?

You mean DVI to HDMI?

If you did mean HDMI to DVI then it would need to be plugged into a HDMI port. And no the graphics card doesn't need a certain spec if it has a HDMI output then it will be fine at converting to a DVI signal.

CSA · 13 Jan 2011 at 12:36

yeah sry i ment DVI to HDMI,i have an old ATI 9800pro that want to connect to a tv but the card only has DVI outputs

Semple · 13 Jan 2011 at 12:38

Yeah DVI to HDMI adaptor. Or if it's an oldish TV and only has a VGA input then DVI to VGA adaptor.

Disco Boy · 13 Jan 2011 at 12:48

Move your computer and use a DVI-HDMI cable to plug into your TV. The picture signal is identical for DVI and HDMI so you'll get a good picture, but you'll need to plug some speakers into your pc for sound as DVI doesn't do sound.

CSA · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:31

Disco Boy said:
Move your computer and use a DVI-HDMI cable to plug into your TV. The picture signal is identical for DVI and HDMI so you'll get a good picture, but you'll need to plug some speakers into your pc for sound as DVI doesn't do sound.

yup was gunna do this , so just to confirm a DVI to HDMi adaptor will work on any card that has a DVi port ? i always assumed only the latest cards (last couple of years) supported that feature

Jamesbcd · 13 Jan 2011 at 15:35

I did actually try a DVI to HDMI cable, but had no luck getting a picture with that for some reason.

Ordered the DVI to HDMI adapter and HDMI lead so will give that a go when they arrive.

CSA · 13 Jan 2011 at 16:19

what card are you using james ?

Jamesbcd · 13 Jan 2011 at 16:48

An ATI Radeon XT 2600 HD. It's kind of old.

Not sure if the DVI to HDMI cable was a dud or it just wasn't compatible.

CSA · 13 Jan 2011 at 17:00

let us know how you go on with the adaptor

Too Tall · 13 Jan 2011 at 19:10

Personally i have my ps3 connected to the same router that my pc is connected to (it is hard wired for speed) Then just use tversity to stream stuff to the tv via the ps3

pepp77 · 13 Jan 2011 at 19:18

Jamesbcd said:
An ATI Radeon XT 2600 HD. It's kind of old.

Not sure if the DVI to HDMI cable was a dud or it just wasn't compatible.

I used to have the same card and used a DVI-HDMI cable with no issues at all.

Jamesbcd · 13 Jan 2011 at 19:18

nrenz123 said:
Personally i have my ps3 connected to the same router that my pc is connected to (it is hard wired for speed) Then just use tversity to stream stuff to the tv via the ps3

I do too, using PS3MediaServer. It's excellent but has some trouble playing MKV files.

pepp77 said:
I used to have the same card and used a DVI-HDMI cable with no issues at all.

Hmm. I've already ordered the DVI to HDMI adapter and HDMI lead now. So if that doesn't work, I'll definitely try another DVI to HDMI cable. I did get it off the bay as it was cheapest, so it was probably a dud!

Schizo · 13 Jan 2011 at 19:26

i used a 5 metre hdmi lead from the bay with a 5770 and the picture was all grainy with lines so a cheap hdmi will be useless.

Carl · 13 Jan 2011 at 19:57

I have a 9800 Pro too and use a DVI - HDMI converter as I use my TV as my monitor.

Works perfectly and running 1080p

CSA · 13 Jan 2011 at 20:02

Carl said:
I have a 9800 Pro too and use a DVI - HDMI converter as I use my TV as my monitor.

Works perfectly and running 1080p

Thats good to know, thanks for the info !