Could someone please tell me how to update a PC to make it compatible with HD, specifically Blu Ray? Instead of purchasing a Blu Ray player I want to install a Blu Ray drive in my PC and run the signals out to my HD LCD. My computer is a couple of years old and the video card is not HD, so what do I need to install to be able to shoot an HD signal through the appropriate cabling to my HD T.V.? Assuming of course that I have installed an HD Blu Ray drive in my PC. As you might have guessed I'm not the IT guy so if there are guides out there that would be great. Thanks in advance for any help. OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600 OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation System Manufacturer HP Pavilion 061 System Model PX770AA-ABA A1132N System Type X86-based PC Processor x86 Family 15 Model 47 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~2188 Mhz BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 3.47, 3/3/2006 SMBIOS Version 2.4 Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32 Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1 Locale United States Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)" User Name ROCKWELL-281134\Darryl Time Zone Central Standard Time Total Physical Memory 3,072.00 MB Available Physical Memory 2.36 GB Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB Page File Space 4.34 GB Page File C:\pagefile.sys
does your computer have sata and a pci e x16 slot and how far away is your computer from your tv? if it does then you will need these video card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127296 it has a hd video decoder built in so it is perfect for watching blu ray movies player http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133 it can play blu ray and hd dvd. you will also need anydvd to so you can watch copy protected movies.
Um... HP's web site indicates that I have 1 PCI Express slot, is that x16 whatever that is, I dont know. SATA ? As far as how far away, the computer is just across the room I figure running a cable through the walls and in the attic.
Take the side of you computer off and tell me if you have any plugins on your motherboard that look like this sata http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/11/23/pc_interfaces_101/page14.html pci e http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/11/23/pc_interfaces_101/page17.html for cable you will need to look at the back of your tv. you will need either vga, dvi or hdmi. if you dont know what those are here is an article that show pictures of all the different connectors. http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/11/23/pc_interfaces_101/index.html this cable is dvi to hdmi and is 25ft long. this is what you will want to use if your tv has hdmi http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812105013&Tpk=dvi+cable for audio you will need this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882339069 and some extra red and white cables. i was looking and i found some more blu ray players that are cheaper. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0055&Description=blu+ray&name=CD+/+DVD+Drives
I'll try to get to that later today, I have a terminally ill mother that I have to look after today. Thanks for the help and walking me through it like the total novice I am, honestly, thank you.
I still haven't had a minute to look at my computer but I did talk with HP and they recommended a Radeon X1600 video card. They said it would cost $100 plus they said it would need it's own power supply which they said they'd sell me for $50. A couple of questions come to mind, first does this recommended video card replace my current video card, and what is the supplemental power supply about? krj15489, the card you indicated seems like a better deal for sure. Is the card you recommend in addition to my existing video card or a replacement? The thing I dont understand is the concept of the PCI Expansion slot, the name inplies that the capabilities of the PC are "expanded" by adding various cards and if that is the case how does the PC work with both the original resident video card and an additional video card added to the PCI expansion slot? I hope the above makes sense. I'm trying to undersatnd this thoroughly before purchasing the required harware.
Rocks911, what is the Pavilion's model number? don't buy the parts from hp as can get them cheaper online or local computer store.
the video card i suggested will work fine unless you want to play games. the video card will replace the onboard graphics that you are using. all you have to do is open the computer, put the card in the right slot. then hook your monitor to the card. boot windows and use the provided disc to install graphics drivers.
Motherboard Specifications link http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...528&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=500778&lang=en Product Specifications link http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...362&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=500778&lang=en what is the wattage marked on your psu?
krj15489, It's been a while since I've had any free time, so here's where I'm at with this project. I don't have SATA but I do have a PCI E slot. I've included a picture of my computer if it helps. I guess what I need to do is just replace my existing video card because it seems to be failing anyways. My computer just froze, and the report indicated that the video card was responsible. There was no fix indicated from Microsoft other than the usual download the latest frimware, and that hasn't gone well in the past. My computer http://base.google.com/base/a/1077479/D7899267370542558308
you do have sata. look in the bottom right corner of the picture you posted. that red cable is sata. so you will need to get a video card with a hd decoder http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102724 i have read about ati's new cards and i believe that they have a better video decoder than nvidia. also what cpu do you have? is it a dual core? you will also need to the blu ray drive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106225 you will also need software. the dvd drive comes with some playback software but from the reviews i hear that its ot the best. just read the reviews for the drive to find out what you need. also anydvd will also be a good thing to have. it will bypass copy protection and get around non hdcp hardware so you can play movies at full resolution.
actually after looking at ddp's links it appears that according to the information provided by HP there are 4 SATA connectors. If that's so they don't appear too obviously to me, at least not as they appear in the pictures that the link provided by krj shows.
Oops, I replied before I saw your posting. As far as the processor, I dont think it's dual core. This from HP's site about my a1132n: Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2 GHz, 2000 MT/s (Mega Transfers/second), Socket 939 Whatever that means. Also to answer ddp's question about the PSu rating (I had to google what a PSU even is) anyway heres some info from the tag on the PSU: Delta Electronics model DPS 300SB A Max output 300 Watts *At +5V & +12V Total output power cannot exceed 268 Watts (Again, whatever that means) I'm starting to think that maybe I need a newer PC, but I really cant afford that. Anybody know of someone in the Dallas area that could make a housecall and get me set up? I'm beginning to wonder if I have the time or skills needed to update this thing. Anyway, just asking.
Oh yea I see the SATA now. Im old and couldn't get low enough, or good enough eyes to see the connectors, at least until I got my head way in there. Sheeeeeeeesh I'm no techie!
Trying to restart this thread. So if I install a GeForce 8400GS where would the audio come from? The 8400 has one DVI port which provides just video, obviously, so how do I get the audio signal sent to my T.V.? I suppose through my sound card, again obviously, except I also have an outdated sound card with just the 8mm port, so any sound card recommendations?
