Connect PC to HDTV and watch films from PC?

Discussion in 'HDTV discussion' started by jim2000, Apr 16, 2008.

  1. jim2000

    jim2000 Member

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    Hi there,
    I am new here, so be gentle. I'm also not overly technical.

    I have a PC, which I watch downloaded films on, using the VLC media-player.

    I am about to get a Panasonic 42" plasma TV, and would like to connect my PC to the new TV.

    My questions are:
    1. Will I need to upgrade my graphics card, in order to connect my PC to the TV (the current card is very basic). If so, what outputs need to be on the graphics card, in order to connect it to the HDMI input on the TV? (the TV will be the only monitor)

    2. Will the VLC media-player software be able to handle HD format films, or do I need to download a new player? If so, which one would you suggest (hopefully for free).

    THanks everyone.
     
  2. mugen001

    mugen001 Member

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    i have my laptop connect to my hdtv and use vlc to play downloaded movies. what i use is a vga cable to conect it to the tv. dont need any new graphics cards, your computer wont be HD the graphics will all be the same its like connecting another computer screen so like if you downloaded a HD movie off the net and play it on your computer it wont be HD on the tv, it be like looking at you computer screen only way bigger. if u need help on connecting it up or anything else just pm me
     
  3. mugen001

    mugen001 Member

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    oh and also vlc plays anything im sure it will play hd movie. what type of file is it
     
  4. jim2000

    jim2000 Member

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    Thanks for your response.

    Im not sure of the file - I'm just thinking ahead. I thought that I could get a graphics card with a DVI output, which then plugs into the HD HDMI input on the TV?

    I have seen that some file downloads are in HD format - and are obviously much larger file sizes - with better resolution?
     
  5. mugen001

    mugen001 Member

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    yeah the dvi is higher quality, vga is like standard
    hmm downloading hd movies of the net i dont think it would be that great arnt they compressed there for loose the real hd look or watever not sure. i was thinking of downloading some blu ray movies and putting them on my ps3
     
  6. jim2000

    jim2000 Member

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    What do you thnk of the PS3?

    I was thinking of getting one - mainly for the BlueRay DVD function.

    I noticed that the prices of PS3 vary hugely - why is that? I assume they all come with BlueRay?
     
  7. mugen001

    mugen001 Member

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    i hvae a 40 gig ps3 all of them come with blu ray high def gaming full 1080p difference between most of them is the hard drive space. and some other crap like 40 gig cant play ps2 or ps1 games so they say but seriously y would you play ps2 games on a ps3 thats about it ps3 kicks ass definetly get one
     
  8. XdjxedxdX

    XdjxedxdX Regular member

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    Ok i have a Sony Bravia 52" XBR4 and I got a VGA cable to hook my laptop up to my so I could watch downloaded movies from my pc also.But when I hook it up to the laptop and the tv I get a NO SIGNAL message on the tv. I have a HP Pavillion laptop is there something I have to do to get the video to be ported out the VGA port on the side of my laptop or should it just be as easy as plugging it in and go?
     
  9. barricade

    barricade Guest

    You probably have to use a hotkey to switch the monitors. You have to hit the function key and usually f4 or f5. Look on your F keys and see which one has a picture of a monitor on it or the word LCD
     
  10. XdjxedxdX

    XdjxedxdX Regular member

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    Awsome thanx Barricade your the best Im typin this on my TV right now and wow the pic is insane .Most people told me a comp pic looks like crap cause its too big phft OK... morons lol.Couldv'e saved me a DVD if I would have messed with this earlier and fugure it out I couldv'e just played the movie from the comp. SWEET Thanx again.
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2008
  11. pctvcable

    pctvcable Guest

    Now it's easy and affordable to connect your SPAM to your HDTV.

    SPAM SPAM SPAM
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 14, 2008
  12. technific

    technific Member

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    Wouldn't that depend on how powerful the graphics card is. It has to support that resolution otherwise it will be pixilated. However even if it is at a low resolution if you stand back about 5m it will look fine. So the decision is up to you. What do you want.
     
  13. amiable34

    amiable34 Member

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    i use a radeon graphics card with hdmi connection,can pick one up very cheap.hdmi cable to connect hdmitv to graphic card on pc.download free zoom player of net.this handles all hd films and blu ray,bluray are usually matroska files.the quality is outstanding.ps make sure you download ati hd audio driver and change audio output in control panel to ati audio rear output.
     
  14. warlock00

    warlock00 Guest

    removed by loco
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 26, 2008
  15. maxikaz

    maxikaz Member

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    you have to buy graphics card with hdmi output, and sound cable. Choose better quality hdmi cable, not the cheapest
     

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