I am *NOT* a hardware guru (otherwise I wouldn't be asking this question). I recently bought a dedicated WinXP machine (DELL) for use as a PVR. The video card is an nVidia 7300LE TurboCache. It has 3 outputs. I recognize the VGA and the DVI outputs. There is a 3rd output, which is round and approximately the size of a PS/2 mouse/keyboard input.

I've searched Google, and various sites seem to refer to this output as either a "TV out" or "HDTV out". However, there is no explanation as to what this is, or how to connect to an HDTV, and I'm quite confused by what I've read. Is this output better/worse than DVI-I and what cable do I use to connect to an HDTV?

I'm expecting to buy an HDTV in the next 2 months, so I'd like to know what inputs it should have. In addition to watching live TV, I'll also be recording stuff that's on when I'm sleeping or when I'm at work. The HDTV will have to have a tuner, but I also need to be able to play back from my PVR machine to the HDTV.

This video card is one of the cheapest 7 series card that Nvidia produced. For a long time it was only available to system manufacturers like Dell and HP.

The output terminal that you are referring to is usually used with a breakout box or cable that looks something like this: http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/aiw-9700-pro/Cable2.jpg

This will provide you with an analog style connection to your new HDTV via the component inputs. The DVI connector should provide a better signal but that is in theory. Reality is that most folks can't see a difference between the DVI or analog. If your TV will be 1080P capable then the DVI might give you a better picture.

One note you may not be aware of - a HTPC will NOT give you a HD signal to input to your TV. HD signals can only be received from a set top box provided to you by your cable or satellite company.

Also, if the PC you bought does not have an integrated tuner card, you will have to buy that as well. The tuner card will allow you to record the analog stations via cable or over-the-air signals.

One note you may not be aware of - a HTPC will NOT give you a HD signal to input to your TV. HD signals can only be received from a set top box provided to you by your cable or satellite company.
Thanks for that info; what do I call the cable when I go to a computer store to buy one? One item on my Google search about the 7300LE ( http://www.geniman.com.hk/7300le_pcie.htm ) says, and I quote...
• Integrated HDTV encoder provides analog TV-output (Component/Composite/S-Video) up to 1080i resolution

All other theings being equal, which of "Component/Composite/S-Video" gives the best picture?

Also, if the PC you bought does not have an integrated tuner card, you will have to buy that as well. The tuner card will allow you to record the analog stations via cable or over-the-air signals.
I bought an OnAir GT external USB tuner with PVR software plus a CM4221 antenna and pre-amp in my living room. The USB tuner receives OTA digital and analogue (as well as cable digital and analogue, which I don't have). The USB tuner is very sensitive, picking up some Buffalo stations that my 2nd-hand Samsung TS160 never locked onto.

I am currently "enjoying HDTV" on an old 17" CRT computer monitor at 1280x1024. Even on that, the images are very clean and crisp, with no ghosting whatsoever. The HDTV is coming "Real Soon Now". The reason for my posting is that I want to know what inputs are required so I can play back through the TV stuff I've recorded on the Dell. That is going to be a mandatory item on the features checklist.

My HTPC outputs HDTV direct to my set with the component breakout cables on my 6600GT nVidia card. :)

Hey Walter! Good to see you started down the HTPC route!

That card may cover you with just the DVI connection as the NVidia cards have a reasonably good tewaking function in the driver in regars to dealing with any overscan or underscan issues you may have.

As for that cable for the multi-function port, if it is more than $20, then frankly, it is more worth your time to buy a Radeon X1600 with HDCP or a NVidia 7600GT. I know you are probably not looking to spend more money, but the 7300 that is in that system is at the very lowest range of supporting HDTV playback.

I'd just rather see you spend any extra cash on a better card than on more cables for that card. And a new ATI or NVidia card would ship with the rat tail connector too.

que3jxp
Hey Walter! Good to see you started down the HTPC route!
"HTPC" may be overstating it somewhat. I've got a HDTV PVR, feeding a 17" CRT computer monitor right now. A real HDTV is coming "Real Soon Now". The audio isn't anything to brag about either. For now, I'm running a pair of old computer speakers. I live in a condo, so there's no point in a super speaker system.

That card may cover you with just the DVI connection as the NVidia cards have a reasonably good tewaking function in the driver in regars to dealing with any overscan or underscan issues you may have.
The simpler the better.

As for that cable for the multi-function port, if it is more than $20, then frankly, it is more worth your time to buy a Radeon X1600 with HDCP or a NVidia 7600GT. I know you are probably not looking to spend more money, but the 7300 that is in that system is at the very lowest range of supporting HDTV playback.

I'd just rather see you spend any extra cash on a better card than on more cables for that card. And a new ATI or NVidia card would ship with the rat tail connector too.
This pack rat has a rat tail:p . That image looked familiar, so I went and dug around in my box of various assorted cables and found one that looks like it. The connecter even plugs into the card. The other end has 4 plugs, including the familiar red yellow and white composite. However, my 19" NTSC portable TV doesn't get any picture or sound from from the connection. The 19" TV does get sound+picture from my 2nd-hand Samsung TS160, so I know that works.

You may have to restart the PC with the TV connected for it to "come to life". I have seen this with some models of both NVidia and ATI based cards.

You may have to restart the PC with the TV connected for it to "come to life". I have seen this with some models of both NVidia and ATI based cards.
Thanks, but no luck. BTW, I compared the DVI output on the video card against the diagrams at http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_Connector_Digital_Visual_Interface_DVI_Bus.html and it appears to be a dual link DVI-I, which can handle digital or analogue connections.

One more question; most HDTVs seem to have HDMI connectors. Are HDMI-to-DVI connectors relatively foolproof? How will my PC know whether to send a digital or analogue signal out the DVI port on the video card?

The analog signals of a DVI-I connector are RGB signals (aka VGA). Some TVs take VGA but you'd need to plug a DVI to VGA adapter into the video card.

As far as DVI-HDMI goes all you need is a DVI to HDMI cable to make the connection. There are many sources for those and don't pay more than $25 or so unless you need a very long one.

As far as compatibility goes, some TVs handle the handshaking better than others so it's a bit of a crapshoot. FWIW, I have my plasma (NEC) connected to my HDTV via a DVI-HDMI cable an have had no handshake issues at all.

Quote:
The output terminal that you are referring to is usually used with a breakout box or cable that looks something like this:

There are a lot of this type of apparatus being sold on EBay, most of it useless junk. There were some old video cards that you could use a VGA to composite connector but the VGA of today has changed. If the documentation with the DELL shows a TV out, then it should be good. Otherwise, you are going to need some kind of video conversion.

I was wondering if anyone can help me regarding hooking up my laptop to a Plasma tv. I got a far as the deskstop showing on the TV but it doesn't show Outlook or the Internet. Any suggestions???
Thanks.

It often depends on the capabilities of the particular laptop and TV. Please provide the make/model number of both and have a look through the HTPC section of this forum, where connecting computers to displays is discussed. Edit - Thread now moved there.

Hi 57.
I have a Gateway 4535GZ Notebook and Samsung SPR4212. I also have a Shaw PVR.
Thank you,

I was wondering if anyone can help me regarding hooking up my laptop to a Plasma tv. I got a far as the deskstop showing on the TV but it doesn't show Outlook or the Internet. Any suggestions???

I have a Gateway 4535 GZ Notebook and Samsung SPR 4212 which is connected to a Motorola PVR

Thank you for any help..

I am assuming you have connected your laptop to your Plasma via VGA cable.

If so, make sure that your videocard is outputting to match your Plasma's native resolution, which I believe for a 42" plasma should be 1024 x 768.

Because you can see the desktop but can't see any applications, I suggest going to the taskbar and cascading your windows, or maximizing the window of the application you are trying to see on the desktop. You may have optimized your desktop for your laptop's monitor which may have a higher native resolution than your plasma, hence your inability to see any application windows.

Thanks for the info Cyclism.
I do have it connected via VGA cable. The resolution is set at 1024 x 768, just like you said. The deskstop picture is clear on the Plasma.
Everything is good except that other application is not showing.
I did try to cascade the windows as per your instruction.
When I move the cursor to the right of the laptop monitor, it does show up on the Plasma and disappears off the laptop.
Anymore recommendations?

Well Here are the details:

TV: Panasonic 58PX600U
Laptop: Compaq NC6000
Video Card: ATI Mobility Radeon 9600
Connection: VGA to VGA

The issue is that when I pull up the VGA input on the TV I see my computer desktop and can open all applications but if I pull up a media file or divx file or anything with video in it, I see black on the TV where the video is being shown on my laptop.

I'm assuming this is a video card issue, but maybe I can work around this another way? Maybe the S-Video cable?

Is there a setting issue with my video card or is not capable?

Thanks,

Derek

I assume you hear the audio? You just need a codec installed. Try ffdshow. Download and install the .exe file.

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=53761&package_id=48261&release_id=95213

So I have a Sony KDFE55A20 Rear Projection TV with an HDMI input.
My computer has a DVI input and I have a 128MB DDR ATI Radeon 9800 video card.
If I get a DVI - HDMI cable, will I be able to use my PC on my TV?
The native resolution of my TV is 720P (1366 X 768)

Thanks in advance for any assistance guys, I really appreciate it!

Can I hook my PC up to my TV??
My computer has a DVI input...Yes you can.
Your PC video card has a DVI output, not input.

Diogen.