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Low profile card needed for media PC

Big Chris

Big Chris

Big Chris

Soldato
Joined
5 Apr 2004
Posts
5,461
Location
Bloxham
I have a PC setup as a media machine, connected to my TV via VGA and my stereo amp via jack > 2 phono cable.

I want to connect the PC to the TV using just one HDMI cable though - presumably this will handle both audio and video from the PC?

If so, any recommendations for a not too expensive HDMI card? Needs to be low-profile and preferably silent as my PC is not full-height, and there isn't a huge amount of room inside so no space for massive coolers.
 
So you mean at the moment your PC doesn't have a HDMI output is that what you mean?

If you get a graphic card with HDMI output, you can indeed send both the video and audio directly from the PC to the TV.

I know AMD cards has in-built audio processor which can process and send the audio alongside the video via HDMI, but I'm not sure if Nvidia graphic card have the same processor built-in, or if it is relying on spdif audio pass-through or something...hopefully a Nvidia user can confirm this for you.
 
Big Chris said:
Sorry yes, no HDMI out. Got VGA and display-port out currently.
Click to expand...
If I'm not mistaken, display port carries both video and audio, so that may be all you would need is a display port to HDMI cable or adapter?

Hopefully someone could confirm this for you, and also it would be helpful if you could provide the details of the motherboard you are using as well.
 
Marine-RX179 said:
If I'm not mistaken, display port carries both video and audio, so that may be all you would need is a display port to HDMI cable or adapter?

Hopefully someone could confirm this for you, and also it would be helpful if you could provide the details of the motherboard you are using as well.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure display-port does display only, I looked into this a while ago when I first got the PC and ended up going with the VGA & audio separately.
 
Though if you are using Display-port to HDMI adapter, you'd may only get 2ch stereo audio.

Not sure if using a display-port to HDMI cable instead of adapter will allow you to retain the 8-channel audio.
 
Marine-RX179 said:
Though if you are using Display-port to HDMI adapter, you'd may only get 2ch stereo audio.

Not sure if using a display-port to HDMI cable instead of adapter will allow you to retain the 8-channel audio.
Click to expand...
You learn something new every day! Thanks for the info.

Anyone know if the display-port to HDMI cables retain full audio? I'm getting a Bose Solo 15 soundstand and would like the PC to go via the TV into this in all its glory.
 
Big Chris said:
You learn something new every day! Thanks for the info.

Anyone know if the display-port to HDMI cables retain full audio? I'm getting a Bose Solo 15 soundstand and would like the PC to go via the TV into this in all its glory.
Click to expand...

I picked up an StarTech.com DisplayPort to HDMI Video Converter last month for my AMD 6450 and it did sound to my TV.
 
Big Chris said:
I'm pretty sure display-port does display only, I looked into this a while ago when I first got the PC and ended up going with the VGA & audio separately.
Click to expand...

You'd be pretty damn wrong then... If what you are saying is true then my brain has been making up the music and I've not been hearing anything through my DP;)
 
Big Chris said:
Hmmm... actually cheaper to get the HDMI graphics card though unless the DP>HDMI cable does full audio?
Click to expand...
The Startech adapter are not cheap...if you have to get one of those, you'd indeed be better off just grab a graphic card like the HD6450.

I was hoping someone can confirm for you if a display-port to HDMI cable would worth it (cost under £10) it. Have read some reviews on the rainforest, and people has comment able to get both video and audio to their TV...not sure if it is just 2 channel stereo or 8-channels audio.

I know you mentioned you are using a stereo amp, so for better sound quality you should really be connecting to it with RCA cables from a soundcard anyway (unless the stereo amp has a DAC and can take digitial input)? Could you give a bit more information regarding your audio set up?
 
Big Chris said:
Hmmm... actually cheaper to get the HDMI graphics card though unless the DP>HDMI cable does full audio?
Click to expand...

Marine-RX179 said:
The Startech adapter are not cheap...if you have to get one of those, you'd indeed be better off just grab a graphic card like the HD6450.

I was hoping someone can confirm for you if a display-port to HDMI cable would worth it (cost under £10) it. Have read some reviews on the rainforest, and people has comment able to get both video and audio to their TV...not sure if it is just 2 channel stereo or 8-channels audio.

I know you mentioned you are using a stereo amp, so for better sound quality you should really be connecting to it with RCA cables from a soundcard anyway (unless the stereo amp has a DAC and can take digitial input)? Could you give a bit more information regarding your audio set up?
Click to expand...

The Startach adaptor does 5.1 Surround Sound. It should be the same for cheaper adaptors.
 
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