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The W - Internet & Computers - Help gang
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PizzaMan
Linguica








Since: 27.3.04

Since last post: 6567 days
Last activity: 6532 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.00
Ok, i've searched, and i'm just not as computer savy as you guys.

I want to turn my computer into my entertainment center. Basically, I never watch tv stations on the old fashioned cable/antenna or whatnot.

I usually watch Internet TV. I'd like to pipe my computer into my tv, so i don't have to stair at the monitor when watching WAY to much Family Guy.

SO, could someone be a real pal, and basically give me an idea of everything i need to purchase.

Thanks, in advance.

Dennis
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EddieBurkett
Boudin blanc








Since: 3.1.02
From: GA in person, NJ in heart

Since last post: 54 days
Last activity: 6 hours
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.88
What kind of video card and tv do you have? I'm lucky in that my video card (NVidia GEForce4 MX 420) has an S-Video output, and my tv has an S-Video input, so I just needed an S-Video cable and then had to fiddle with the video card settings to get it to output. Depending what inputs your tv can accept, that will most likely dictate what kind of video card, if any, you will need.



Indiana! Indiana!

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JALman
Boerewors








Since: 7.7.02
From: Almost there

Since last post: 1851 days
Last activity: 205 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.46
Is your TV is an HDTV? Are you planning to use your TV and monitor at the same time? For regular TVs:

You need to know what kind of computer you have. Dell? Compaq? Self-built? If you don't have the manual with you, find the computer make and model by right-click on the My Computer icon, then selecting properties. If you have the information, enter it in Google or your favorite search engine and look up the specs for it. Look especially for any mention of Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or PCI-express (PCIe) slot; if either are present you can use a video card that uses either interface. Otherwise check for any available extra PCI (NOT PCI-express) slots. This will determine what kind of video card you need.

Next, you'd need a video card with something called "TV out," which is a RCA/Phono jack or S-Video jack with S-Video-to-RCA converter. Maybe you already have it but haven't looked. Most recent video cards would have this included. They can extremely cheap if you're just planning on watching TV and nothing demanding like "hard-core" gaming. I would warn that TV out will likely output a low resolution since non-HD capable TVs lack the high resolutions computer monitors have. I prefer online-shopping to brick-and-mortar stores because of pricing.

For audio you'd need a mini-stereo to RCA cable. They can be found at any mega-mart type store or Radio Shack. The mini-stereo end connects to your sound card on the back of your computer and the RCA ends connect to your receiver, VCR, etc.

(edited by JALman on 15.2.06 1947)
Leroy
Boudin blanc








Since: 7.2.02

Since last post: 3 days
Last activity: 2 hours
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.79
They do have RCA to S-Video and S-Video to RCA adapters. Even if your computer has a different connector than your TV, you should be

Connecting video is the first part, but you are probably going to want to route audio as well.

Depending on the TV you have, I would recommend picking up a media switch. I picked one up a Kmart for about $30. Mine sucks, but does the job. Basically, it allows you to route your DVD, VCR, videogames, and cable/satellite (or in your case, Internet TV), to various components.

So for example, my TV came with only one video input. With the switch, I can run multiple devices into my TV without having to repatch everytime. I can also run the audio of my Playstation 2, DVD Player, and VCR to the auxillary input of my stereo (much better sound quality than my television speakers).

Some of those switches can deal with S-Video/RCA Video problem.

Of course, if your TV has enough inputs to handle all of that, then you can pretty much ignore this post.





"Those of you who think you know everything are annoying to those of us who do."
David Brent, The Office

"Oedipus ruined a great sex life by asking too many questions."
Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 4 days
Last activity: 3 days
ICQ:  
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.81
This is a pain to do well, just so you know. I'm a computer guy, and I gave up and bought a TiVo. It was going to cost me about the same amount to do it, and the video quality never looked as good to me as a TiVo does.

If you are talking about using a sytem you already own, the most important bit is the video card. Make sure you have one that will go to TV if the monitor is not connected. The first card I ever did this with had that feature (it was an old Monster card back before they went out of business) but the second had to be turned on from the video settings - something that would have been easy enough to do had there been a monitor nearby (I was going to use the TV!).

I would recommend skipping this for now, and looking to buy a computer with a media center OS at the next round of computer purchases you make. TiVo is pretty cheap ($49-$69 after rebates) so if you are just looking to do an HTPC for time shifting programs, I'd go that route. If you are looking to do MAME and all that then maybe this is worth it.

In my experience text was almost always unreadable on my 32" TV due to interlacing, even at the lowest resolution settings for my video card.



Ignorance is bliss for you, hell for me.
Leroy
Boudin blanc








Since: 7.2.02

Since last post: 3 days
Last activity: 2 hours
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.79
I came across this today, interestingly enough. I didn't read it thoroughly, but what I did glance at seemed like it was in the ballpark.

Build It: A Homemade Media Center PC

Now, you may not want to drop the $2500 their suggesting, but it might give you some ideas as to what you might need to make things work properly.

(edited by Leroy on 16.2.06 1524)


"Those of you who think you know everything are annoying to those of us who do."
David Brent, The Office

"Oedipus ruined a great sex life by asking too many questions."
Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report
Battlezone
Potato korv








Since: 27.2.03
From: Seattle, Washington

Since last post: 5579 days
Last activity: 312 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.02
I just bought a Mac Mini, and I've found it painlessly easy to turn it into a Media Center PC-especially once I downloaded and installed Apple's Front Row program. All I need to do now is add a USB IR remote to the system, and I'm set.

Right now, I have an old PC in the living room that's being used to stream music from mine and my roommate's PCs, but I've found trying to stream video woefully inadequate. I'd like to be able to stream the video from the Mac in my bedroom to the PC in my living room. Is there a quick an easy solution for this? I'm wondering if it's just a matter of not having enough RAM installed in the computer itself, or if trying do stream video over a wireless network is just a waste of time.



"It's the four pillars of the male heterosexual psyche. We like naked women, stockings, lesbians, and Sean Connery best as James Bond because that is what being a [man] is." -Jack Davenport, Coupling
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I don't do Mac, sorry. Other then that, have you tried River Past Video Cleaner? It's available at Download.com and it's pretty good for converting.
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