Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > TV/Video Cards > Help me connect my PC to TV
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96Firebird   07-17-2009 at 05:04:36 PM

Here's what I've got:

PC - (E8400, 8800GT, GA-P35-DS3L (using onboard sound))
TV - Cheapo Vizio VA320M LCD (32" 1080p)

Here's what I want to do:

Hook up my PC to my TV for viewing HD movies (pretty much as a second monitor) with sound coming out of the TV speakers.

Outputs on computer:

1 x coaxial S/PDIF Out connector
1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
1 x 3.5mm headphone out
2 x DVI out (1 in use for main monitor)
1 x S-Video out

Inputs on TV (all that are relevant):

4 x HDMI in
1 x S-Video in
1 x RGB PC (VGA?) in
1 x "PC Audio" in (3.5mm) (next to RGB PC)

So, what is the best way to do this? DVI --> VGA, but will that give me full 1080p since isn't VGA analog? Or is RGB PC (never heard of it) digital? I could do DVI --> HDMI, but then there is no audio coming through the TV. What are my options, and what is the best solution? And I'm not buying a new video card that has HDMI outputs, I'll settle for using my PC speakers for sound before doing that.

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Helloworld_98   07-17-2009 at 05:07:43 PM
- 0 +

get a 4670 and a hdmi cable, problem solved.

Message quoted 2 times
Reply to Helloworld_98
Bronze Graphics badge mousemonkey   07-17-2009 at 05:15:11 PM
- 0 +

Helloworld_98 wrote :

get a 4670 and a hdmi cable, problem solved.



:pfff:

@OP, Look into a DVI to HDMI converter + HDMI cable or DVI to 15 pin RGB/VGA converter and an RGB cable.

------------------------------ [:mousemonkey:1] http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5041/vr2009champ.jpg
 Reply to mousemonkey
daedalus685   07-17-2009 at 05:25:54 PM
- 0 +

Helloworld_98 wrote :

get a 4670 and a hdmi cable, problem solved.



That is the stupidest thing I've read all day. He already has an 8800gt with two dvi ports...

Listen to mouse, dvi to hdmi converter would cost you less than 5 bucks and work just fine. It is the best option and would allow full HD for the TV as well.

For sound you can just plug the s/pdif from the MB to the card and it will work fine.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by daedalus685 on 07-17-2009 at 05:27:34 PM
------------------------------ CPU: Q9550 at 3.6ghz (FSB 425mhz) | MB: P5E3 Premium | Ram: 4*2Gb Corsair DDR3 @1417mhz | GPU: 2 HD4890 1Gb (925core/1025mem) CF | PSU: OCZ ELiteXtreme 800W | Sound: Creative Titanium Fatal1ty Pro | 2*120gb OCZ Vertex SSD Raid0 and 2 500gb Raid0 HDDS
 Reply to daedalus685
96Firebird   07-17-2009 at 08:13:35 PM
- 0 +

daedalus685 wrote :

For sound you can just plug the s/pdif from the MB to the card and it will work fine.



It will? I was under the impression the DVI outputs on the video card would not output sound, is this not true? So I just need a cable to go from the motherboard to the video card and it'll output sound?

Reply to 96Firebird
daedalus685   07-17-2009 at 08:23:20 PM
- 0 +

Yes, the card has a socket for SPDIF which is for output to HDMI through a DVI to HDMI adapter.

------------------------------ CPU: Q9550 at 3.6ghz (FSB 425mhz) | MB: P5E3 Premium | Ram: 4*2Gb Corsair DDR3 @1417mhz | GPU: 2 HD4890 1Gb (925core/1025mem) CF | PSU: OCZ ELiteXtreme 800W | Sound: Creative Titanium Fatal1ty Pro | 2*120gb OCZ Vertex SSD Raid0 and 2 500gb Raid0 HDDS
 Reply to daedalus685
Bronze Graphics badge mousemonkey   07-17-2009 at 09:28:46 PM
- 0 +

Failing that a 3.5mm mini jack male to male cable, going from the audio out of the pc to audio in on the telly.

------------------------------ [:mousemonkey:1] http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5041/vr2009champ.jpg
 Reply to mousemonkey
96Firebird   07-20-2009 at 06:05:01 AM
- 0 +

If I use the PC Audio input on the TV I believe I have to run the video through RGB. They are right next to each other and in the same colored box. When I get the TV this week I'll see if there are options to use custom video/sound inputs.

Reply to 96Firebird
96Firebird   07-27-2009 at 03:59:20 PM
- 0 +

Looks like my card doesn't have an SPDIF input on it, so I guess I'm going to have to go the VGA + 3.5mm route. I can still run 1080p through this, correct? The TV's manual says it will support 1080p via RGB (VGA), but I'd like to make sure...

Reply to 96Firebird
gamerk316   07-27-2009 at 06:53:07 PM
- 0 +

The 8800 should have a spdif header, and then you could just go HDMI the entire way.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/images [...] xhaust.jpg

Above is a pic of a Zotca 8800GT. The white spot on the lower left of the card is where the Spdif connection goes. This connects to the motherboard, and allows for audio over a DVI->HDMI connection.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/images [...] _Audio.jpg

This is the cable you need; one SHOULD have come with the card...Take note: Not all soundcards/motherboards support this type of connection, in which case, you can't do this setup...

As for VGA, resolution isn't the problem, its quality. I would not go the VGA route to get 1080p, as you'll lose too much picture quality.


Message edited by gamerk316 on 07-27-2009 at 06:54:06 PM
------------------------------ http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/622598.png
 Reply to gamerk316
leon2006   07-27-2009 at 08:10:03 PM
- 0 +

I have an 8800GT OC 512 connected to HDTV for Blue-Ray, HD-DVD playback:

This board is more than capable for HD -DVD, Blue Ray Playback with plenty to spare. You don't need to purchase another video card.

Video Connection:

Use your second DVI output from 8800GT. DVI-HDMI Adator+ HDMI Cable. Connect to one of the HDMI Input on your TV. This will play 1080P but no audio. My 8800GT has no audio connector for SPDIF. I'm not sure about your card.

This is the best Video option connection. One cable and will play 1080P for sure.




Audio Connection:

Check your TV again for optical/coaxial Audio input. Most TV have an optical audtion input and output.
options:

1)If your TV has any of the optical or coaxial audio input connect it to your PC.

2)You can buy 3.5mm to RCA stereo cable converter to connect your 3.5mm (PC) to TV (RCA left and Right Audio).

-This is to connect to the 1X composite plus stereo (Audio) input of VA320M.
-Try the RCA Stereo Audio inputs at the rear of the VA320M. This may be assignable to digital inputs (3x HDMI) or Analog Video Inputs (2x Component YPbPr plus stereo Audio).



You need to check the TV to assign audio inputs to video input you are using.

below is the path to connection options for your TV
http://www.vizio.com/assets/0/92/4 [...] 57b9a8.pdf







Reply to leon2006
96Firebird   07-28-2009 at 06:27:13 PM
- 0 +

gamerk316, ironically Zotac was the only manufacturer to put the SPDIF input on the 8800gt. Sadly, EVGA did not.

leon2006, I've checked on my TV and there are no options to change audio source anywhere. All I have is an SPDIF output as well. Guess I'll have to settle for VGA + 3.5mm.

Reply to 96Firebird
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