Adding a second VGA card to output HDMI to my LCD TV

[HungryHippos]

Hey guys, I could really use some help with this! Sorry it's quite long so please turn back now if you hate reading

Basically I was wondering how possible it would be to install a second VGA card so that I can output HDMI to my LCD TV. I will go over some details as to why I want to do this and what I want to achieve.

The end result is that I want to stream MKV 720p/1080p video files from my PC to my LCD TV. The PC is hard-wired into the router (which sits downstairs from here) and the LCD TV is basically set next to my PC. Currently I kind of achieve this by using my Xbox 360 as a Media Centre Extender, but the wireless signal the Xbox 360 gets is flaky at best and not really good enough for streaming HD Video reliably well to my TV, plus I have to convert the files beforehand so they work.

My TV is a Samsung LE26R87BD (26" and it supports 720p and 1080i) and my PC currently has a 4870x2 VGA card in it. The TV has two HDMI input ports and the PC has two DVI outputs. I understand it's possible to convert DVI to HDMI via a cable and plug it in that way but then the audio won't be sent across so it would need separate audio cables.

To simplify matters as much as possible I am considering buying a second VGA card to plug into my PC (either PCI-E or PCI slot) and then using this alone to output via HDMI signal to my TV the video and audio streams. The only considerations I need to take here are checking compatibility:

1. Will a second card work OK to occasionally output HDMI to my TV?
2. Which is the best card to use considering I currently have an ATI card, so will another Ati card be best or should I install an Nvidia one?
3. What's the best card to get for this purpose?
4. Are there any passively cooled ones that will do to the job and meet these criteria?

On top of this I have the following requirements:

• I don't want to have another network cable running down stairs
• I don't really want to use the wireless network to stream the content
• I'd like to stop using the Xbox 360 to do this
• I don't want to build another PC just to do this, especially when my TV and my PC are right next to each other right now!
• I don't want to spend too much monies, probably my budget for this is about £100 but the cheaper it works out the better

Any help appreciated, suggestions etc!

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Kenai]

I understand it's possible to convert DVI to HDMI via a cable and plug it in that way but then the audio won't be sent across so it would need separate audio cables.

You sure? Some cards can output audio over DVI though need to be hooked up accordingly internally. No idea if the 4870X2 can do this or not but worth checking out.

edit - brief googling suggests that some ATi cards come with a DVI to HDMI adaptor that allows audio to be carried also, probably worth digging out the box and checking

 

[HungryHippos]

You sure? Some cards can output audio over DVI though need to be hooked up accordingly internally. No idea if the 4870X2 can do this or not but worth checking out.

edit - brief googling suggests that some ATi cards come with a DVI to HDMI adaptor that allows audio to be carried also, probably worth digging out the box and checking

You my friend deserve a medal/cookie or two. I found the DVI > HDMI adaptor, plugged it in, and the video and sound now goes beautifully to my TV

Thanks very much indeed! The 4870x2 comes with an onboard sound device so no need to do anything else with it.