Can my PC do HDTV?

SexyPants · 30-June-04, 11:49 AM

Alright so the family's out of town and I started thinking, "What can I do?" LAN party was already a definate, but I realized I could hook my computer up to my HDTV Plasma screen. Yowza!

So I walk down to my Radio Shack and look at their DVI cables (I've got a Radeon 9800 Pro) and those suckers are ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. The guy says that that's how much it costs for top quality. Every time I go to Radio Shack I want to punch the guy working there in the face. Swear to god that places has become worhless since they decided to use gold.

So I check out prices online and see that I could get them for less than 20. HOWEVER, I realize there are many different kinds of adapters: DVI-A, DVI-I, blah blah. Some more snooping around and I see that not all computers will give an HDTV.

So the question is: What do I need? What cable? Do I need a component adapter? It would be nice if this could be under 30 dollars.

FunkyFresh · 30-June-04, 12:15 PM

Yup, ATi actually sells just such an adapter for the 9800 Pro. Retails for $29.

SexyPants · 30-June-04, 12:18 PM

I saw that and I'm considering it. Can DVI work though? Or would I not be able to tell the difference with Component?

FunkyFresh · 30-June-04, 12:22 PM

Just reread your orig post. Since ATi's site says the 9800 series handles "All-format DTV/HDTV decoding", I'm guessing you'll be ok from the computer end. Not sure which input your TV has (wish I had a plasma!), but it seems like you might just be able to use a straight DVI cable...

TekXoID · 30-June-04, 12:54 PM

If your HDTV has DVI input, which it should, you can just use a DVI cable. You can run it as a second monitor.

The adapter just seperates the colors for component,
you will have same or better picture using DVI-to-DVI.

Gotta love Dual RAMDAC's.

SexyPants · 30-June-04, 01:15 PM

Thanks to the two of you!

khellandros66 · 01-July-04, 12:30 AM

As long as the DVI out on you card can handle DVI-D/A as well as the HDTV and you use Powerstrip to setup the resolution to 1920x1024 you should be fine.

~Bob

FunkyFresh · 01-July-04, 10:48 AM

Hope it worked for ya!

Not sure you needed any more of an edge in the PR Arcade though.

30-June-04, 11:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
SexyPants 5-Hoe-1 Jeans Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,172	Can my PC do HDTV? Alright so the family's out of town and I started thinking, "What can I do?" LAN party was already a definate, but I realized I could hook my computer up to my HDTV Plasma screen. Yowza! So I walk down to my Radio Shack and look at their DVI cables (I've got a Radeon 9800 Pro) and those suckers are ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. The guy says that that's how much it costs for top quality. Every time I go to Radio Shack I want to punch the guy working there in the face. Swear to god that places has become worhless since they decided to use gold. So I check out prices online and see that I could get them for less than 20. HOWEVER, I realize there are many different kinds of adapters: DVI-A, DVI-I, blah blah. Some more snooping around and I see that not all computers will give an HDTV. So the question is: What do I need? What cable? Do I need a component adapter? It would be nice if this could be under 30 dollars. __________________

30-June-04, 12:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
SexyPants 5-Hoe-1 Jeans Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,172	I saw that and I'm considering it. Can DVI work though? Or would I not be able to tell the difference with Component? __________________

01-July-04, 12:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
khellandros66 Apex Master Tech Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Posts: 420	As long as the DVI out on you card can handle DVI-D/A as well as the HDTV and you use Powerstrip to setup the resolution to 1920x1024 you should be fine. ~Bob __________________ My Equipment HT Gallery Format Neutral List My Reviews

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
HDTV mood lighting. FOR ALL THE HDTV PEOPLE OUT THERE.	CubanConnectionZ	Anything Goes	2	14-February-07 01:09 AM
USB HDTV Tuner $60 AR	Dreyco	Deals and Steals	0	30-September-06 09:22 PM
HDTV for my room	Supersteve9219	Anything Goes	7	21-May-06 03:25 AM
LCD HDTV Monitor	DavidVaini	Anything Goes	9	10-October-05 08:19 PM
ATI HDTV Wonder	BrokenArrow	Video Cards	2	11-March-05 01:17 PM

30-June-04, 12:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Maine Posts: 3,021	Yup, ATi actually sells just such an adapter for the 9800 Pro. Retails for $29.

30-June-04, 12:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Maine Posts: 3,021	Just reread your orig post. Since ATi's site says the 9800 series handles "All-format DTV/HDTV decoding", I'm guessing you'll be ok from the computer end. Not sure which input your TV has (wish I had a plasma!), but it seems like you might just be able to use a straight DVI cable...

30-June-04, 12:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
TekXoID Banned Join Date: May 2003 Location: looking for love in the nearest gay bar Posts: 4,089	If your HDTV has DVI input, which it should, you can just use a DVI cable. You can run it as a second monitor. The adapter just seperates the colors for component, you will have same or better picture using DVI-to-DVI. Gotta love Dual RAMDAC's.

30-June-04, 01:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
SexyPants 5-Hoe-1 Jeans Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,172	Thanks to the two of you!

01-July-04, 10:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Maine Posts: 3,021	Hope it worked for ya! Not sure you needed any more of an edge in the PR Arcade though.