Ideas for Connecting a Computer to a TV

JackALope52x · 05 Feb 2013

Hello Everyone,

I was planning on connecting my computer to my TV so I could "veg" out on the couch while watching movies, so I was wondering if anyone had any tips on the best way to do this. My GPU is a Radeon HD 6870 1GB which only has one HDMI port and my computer monitor only has one HDMI port as well. I was planning on getting a 2 into 1 HDMI splitter and installing into the graphics card and then hooking the TV and the monitor into that.

I guess my question is, if I did this would my computer always think there is a second monitor plugged in? I would want this to be a pretty seamless setup, in the sense that I wouldn't have to be messing with cables or changing a bunch of audio / video settings every time I want to use my TV. It would be nice to use my single monitor normally and then when I want, just press a button and have everything switch over to my TV.

Sorry if this is a broad question but I was just looking for peoples input. Please let me know if anymore information about my setup is need. Thanks in advance for any advice.

-JackALope

AddRAM · 05 Feb 2013

Your card doesn`t have a DVI out ?

I use a DVI to HDMI Monster Cable to connect to my Sony Bravia.

Post a link for your exact card or just tell us who`s make it is.

JackALope52x · 06 Feb 2013

Thanks for the reply AddRAM! Yeah my card has a DVI out port, it's a PowerColor AX6870.

I know that DVI supports HD put does it support sound? I would want to use the speakers on the TV when I use it.

Link to GPU:
Newegg.com - Open Box: PowerColor AX6870 1GBD5-2DH Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

AddRAM · 06 Feb 2013

No it doesn`t and you can google that on your own, too much info on that. But to get sound from the pc, simply plug your headphones in or what I do is simply use a mini plug to dual rca jacks into my Sony HT Receiver but you can do the same thing into your tv or just use your pc speakers.

You can also try using the hdmi cable from the card to the tv to see if you get sound. But your card has to be setup right. But give it a try if it will reach. If your pc monitor has no speakers just go DVI from the pc to the monitor.

JackALope52x · 06 Feb 2013

Honestly I think it would just be easier to have the sound come from the TV. I didn't even think about that though, hook up the monitor via DVI and just use the HDMI port for the TV.

Now is it possible to have two default playback devices enabled at the same time in windows? I would like to set up so that my sound is outputting both through the HDMI cable (TV) and my sound card (computer speakers), so when I go to use the TV all I have to do is turn it on and then turn off my computer speakers.

AddRAM · 06 Feb 2013

You`d have to experiment, like I said I just hook up to the Sony Receiver when I want to watch a movie from my pc. Takes 1 second. Problem with that is, it`s never true 5.1, all the sound comes out the same from all the speakers. But who cares right ? I just use my PS3 or my Sony BR player to watch BlueRays and hear DTS HD Master Audio or Dolby True HD.

I suppose you would get proper 5.1 sound just using the hdmi from the card to the receiver, never had to try.

I have a VisionTek HD 2600 I don`t use anymore and it always showed it had a HD audio out but I never attempted to use it. You would have to have the proper DVI to HDMI cable to get sound and audio, or a proper DVI to HDMI dongle. I think it`s experiment time again.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...FQyk4Aod90oAGg

I totally forgot my XFX 750i has an opitical and a coaxial digital output right on the board, but I`ve never needed it.

stormy13 · 06 Feb 2013

JackALope52x said:

Now is it possible to have two default playback devices enabled at the same time in windows? I would like to set up so that my sound is outputting both through the HDMI cable (TV) and my sound card (computer speakers), so when I go to use the TV all I have to do is turn it on and then turn off my computer speakers.

Yes you can and it is as easy as opening Windows playback properties and setting the one you want to use at the time as the default playback device.

AddRAM · 06 Feb 2013

You`d still have to switch from the mini plug sound from the motherboard to the video card sound coming through the hdmi cable to the hdtv, correct ?

Or will windows do that itself ?

stormy13 · 06 Feb 2013

You hook up the monitor with a DVI to HDMI adapter or cable on one of the DVI ports, and the TV to the HDMI port. Leave the speakers plugged in and have them set as the default playback device,

Ideas for Connecting a Computer to a TV-3xaudio.png

and switch it to the HDMI when you want to use/watch the TV with sound from it. Unfortunately it doesn't happen automatically, so you have to change it manually (use the speaker icon in the systray).

AddRAM · 06 Feb 2013

Exactly as I tought, not automatic. That`s why I just plug into the front headphone jack then go to the Sony Receiver then I don`t have to change anything.