ATI 3750 HDMI

[Vertigo]

So I've procured an ATI 3650 card which will be used to drive a TV via HDMI, except there's no HDMI out on it!

Seen all the guff about these cards' ability to output both video and sound via a single HDMI connection and that sounded perfect but the card itself has two DVI connectors on and the print on the box makes mention of an "intelligent DVI to HDMI adapter", but there's no such thing in the box.

Rather narked about this tbh. Considering all the PR about this feature and HDMI output in general, I was expecting the adapter to be included. Anyone else with such a card had the relevant adapter included or know where on earth I get it from. Note they say "intelligent" as if it's not a standard DVI-HDMI adapter, presumably this refers to the way it includes the sound though god knows how this works.

 

[Vertigo]

As I said, I don't think it's a standard HDMI adapter as it's supposed to integrate the sound aswell so a cheapo one from a fair or auction site ain't gonna do the job.

Have emailed both the retailer and manufacturer. Unless the answer is "oops yes, we'll send one straight out, very sorry" then the car will be going back and I'll not be buying anything from that manufacturer ever again.

 

[Vertigo]

No was another retailer as OcUK didn't stock the particular model I wanted.

The manufacturer's website shows five accessories and three of them are there but both the DVI dongle and HDMI adapter are missing. Have emailed both the retailer and manufacturer so will see what they say.

EDIT: Well just had a look around and found a couple of reviews of 3650 cards from this manufacturer and none of them came with the HDMI adapter but did have the DVI dongle. This prompted me to recheck the box and, sure enough, the DVI dongle is in there, it had just slidden out of view so I didn't spot it initially.

This basically means that it was never intended to come with the HDMI adapter which is really annoying as I'll now have to source one. Whilst tempting to just get a cheapy one from somewhere I don't know how this sound-over-HDMI is supposed to work and whether I need a special adapter to support it. Manufacturer is still getting a stinking email about deliberately vague marketing material!

 

[Vertigo]

You say "this is the..." as if there was supposed to be a link or picture with your post, or am I mistaken?

 

[Vertigo]

Does anyone know how the sound over HDMI functionality actually works? Does the card use some spare pins on the DVI connector to output the sound?

I'd happily buy the adapter separately but it's obviously not a "standard" one and I don't know what to look for.

 

[Vertigo]

Well it's going back as I've had enough of Powercolor. They skimp by omitting the adapter in the first place and then can't be bothered to respond to any support inquiries - avoid them like the plague, they're cheap for a reason.

As for ATI, well they're just as laughable. Whilst they've responded to my support enquiry, take a look at the drivel they've posted:

In order to enable HDMI support on the Radeon™ HD 2000 and 3000 series board through the DVI connector, AMD has designed a unique DVI-HDMI adapter that is only available through certified vendor(s) selected by AMD to authorized partners.

The Online Shop ATI is offering the DVI-HDMI adapter (Part Number: 6141054300G) as a replacement to lost or damaged adapters ONLY. It can not be sold separately. This adapter will not enable HDMI through the DVI output of any Radeon™ HD 2000 and 3000 series board; it will only work if your product was originally shipped with a DVI-HDMI adapter.

So they claim that the replacement adapter will only work if you had one to start with and if, like me, you weren't supplied with one then the replacement won't work. Err, wtf!?

 

[Vertigo]

Looks like just the job, thankyou kindly