42" PC monitor

[BliarOut]

My bro has just connected his PC to his 42" plasma via the HDMI input

So obviously I want to do mine too, but it's a bit more tricky. At the moment I've only got a bum basic VGA adapter in my PC and I'm pretty certain I've not got HDMI (Panny TH42PE40B).

Now in an ideal world this would also all be done without cables as the PC is in the office and the TV is in the lounge.

So can I do it? I've got scart available on the TV or at a push the rf input.

Yay or nay?

[BliarsGoing]

Doesn't that device go the other way?

I want the output from my PC on the TV and wirelessly if it's possible.

[Plotloss]

Whats wrong with the VGA input?

MORE than up to the job, everything else is just complications.

You cant do it wirelessly.

CAT5e baluns are your friend, I know just the man to supply them too

Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 6th September 13:19

[BliarsGoing]

My TV has only got SCART available as an input source. Currently the PC only has a very basic VGA card. Didn't ever see myself needing HDMI when I bought it

[Plotloss]

I'll read the question properly next time.

Easy course of action.

Replace VGA card with one with TV out (if you're not a gamer this is a £20 fix) and then run a composite and mini-jack to phono lead down from the office. (15m £7 ebay)

You could try a wireless sender but they're shit, especially shit if you have cordless phones, wireless networks, flourescents, aircon units, a fridge etc etc etc.

[BliarsGoing]

VGA, fairy nuff but I really want to avoid running cable (dspite working for a cabling company!) How shit is shit when we're talking about the wireless senders?

[Plotloss]

Every time the fridge clicks on etc you get lines across the picture, phones rining can cause snow, they're a last resort really.

Wheres the office in relation to the lounge?

Opposite sides of the house?

[BliarsGoing]

Yup, and the PC is on an internal wall.

I could get a CAT5 there under the carpet but the current wireless has served me well and I couldn't ignore the possibilities. I do have quite a lot, plus wireless keyboard/mouse etc to consider.

I suppose swapping the VGA card and using a balun one end and SCART balun he other end could work.

My graphics card is the weakest link on the home PC anyway

Any recommendations on cards?

[Plotloss]

Yeah composite & stereo audio over CAT5e is piss and cheap as cheaps.

I've got an ATI card in my machine, £27 I think it was, perfectly acceptable for playing Divx films as Divx is optimised for ATI hardware.

[Plotloss]

Something like this:

www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3T7Z&CategorySelectedId=11137&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11137,43280000&v=2#infoarea

Then a pair of baluns which are about £100 (which will carry both the audio and video signal over a single cat5e cable)

Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 6th September 13:49

[BliarsGoing]

Interesting... Do you know if there are DVI? >Scart Baluns around or do I need an interface converter? Wired looks to be the way forward

[Plotloss]

DVI is digital, SCART in either composite or RGB flavour is analogue so the signal will need to be converted.

No doubt there is such a thing though, let me finger the pamphlets, hang on...

[Plotloss]

They do exist but I'd say they are a waste of time to be honest.

As they will only be as good as the composite image that comes out of the other side of the converter.

I run composite to a CRT and its a great picture quality, V for Vendetta was indistinguishable in Divx format from a DVD.

[BliarsGoing]

Quality isn't the overriding concern, I've got a Cyrus DVD8 for movies which is lovely. All I really want to do is surf from the comfort of my sofa.

RGB video out > RGB SCART over baluns?

[Plotloss]

RGB as in a VGA signal?

What I meant was that the DVI signal will be degraded by the conversion, it will be easier and cheaper to swap the card to one with a composite or S-Video output.

Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 6th September 14:42

[BliarsGoing]

Woofers and tweaters? Would sir like a bag on the head? I dunno, can't you tell I don't do much with home PC's?

Now gimme an IP network and I'm happy.

[Plotloss]

RGB is only used in VGA, whilst component video has a red a green and a blue connector its not an RGB signal.

Video card with a composite video out, minijack to phono lead, a SCART adaptor to put the audio and the video on a SCART, SCART balun>cat5>SCART balun.

Job done.

[roop]

Bear in mind that when you output to standard resolution interlaced for TV use, the vast majority of TV's will look shit displaying a downconverted PC display. I wouldn't bother unless you can go direct VGA -> TV. The only time it's any good is for basic games and movies (and even then, the latter isn't as good as playing straight from your DVD player). I have my laptop firing into my Panasonic tele via S-Video and it's desperate. Fine for my r/c helicopter simulator but that's about it. On the other hang, I can hook it up via VGA to the LCD HDTV downstairs and it looks shit hot.

[BliarsGoing]

Cheers Matt All makes sense now

[Plotloss]

roop said:

Bear in mind that when you output to standard resolution interlaced for TV use, the vast majority of TV's will look shit displaying a downconverted PC display. I wouldn't bother unless you can go direct VGA -> TV. The only time it's any good is for basic games and movies (and even then, the latter isn't as good as playing straight from your DVD player). I have my laptop firing into my Panasonic tele via S-Video and it's desperate. Fine for my r/c helicopter simulator but that's about it. On the other hang, I can hook it up via VGA to the LCD HDTV downstairs and it looks shit hot.

Not entirely true, if its a TV Out video card then the format it presents the signal in is TV friendly.

Assuming a 60hz compatible screen.

Divx on an old but 60hz capable CRT is indistinguishable from DVD.