help plz - how can i watch movies on harddrive on my television?

[sherifffruitfly]

Hi all,

I know it sounds like a stupidsimple question, but I haven't found anything on the net that exactly answers it......

I got a bunch of movies (divx and the like) on my harddrive, that i'd like to have play on my tv (27" sony wega). I've got a tv card (older hauppage, with svideo out), and a geforce2 video card.

Do i just need an svideo cable connecting tv card to tv, and then i'm all good to play my harddrive movies? is there some other hardware/software i need?

thanks for any direction,

cdj

[Cliffie]

It's actually simpler than you think. You need a video card that can do video out. Your tv tuner card is only to bring video into your computer. Without seeing your geforce card, I can't say if it can do video out (usually rca or s video), but you should be able to tell by looking at it. If it can't, just look around for a video card that can do it. I've seen radeon 8500's in the $50-$75 range that are capable of video out. If you have a high definition tv, then it's a whole different story, and someone else will need to help you with that.

[Eric3a]

Been busy downloading huh?

TV out from your video card through S-Video to the TV is the way to go. I don't know if you card can cope: It's kind of old.
The TV card has nothing to do with it.
Then from your video driver (right click on your desktop / properties / advanced / display) choose TV as your display. I don't have nVidia card so I can't give you the exact details. You most likely will want to have the TV as primary device and computer monitor as secondary.

Software player: BTV does work, but it's not its primary function, which is to record and playback TV recordings.

You'll have to make sure necessary codecs are installed. Go to www.inmatrix.com and browse the articles to understand more.
Hope that gets you started.

Then when you're ready: Upgrade and try BTV. Much easier way to get/play films.
Eric

[flavius]

I use the hauppage MediaMVP. DivX support is kind of experimental, requires also fairly recent hardware.

[sherifffruitfly]

ok - i need a vidcard with a tv/svideo out.... kewl......


thanks for all the help guys - you all rock!

one last question: a lotta the movies i got on harddrive are near-dvd quality. will they look as good on the tv?

thanks again all!

[Eric3a]

Quality depends mainly on your video card/CPU combination and what codec / filter you use.
Short answer is that I find that a standard TV will smoothe out some of the imperfections of digital files (say minor piwelisation or discernable color gradients) because it's not as accurate.
So often I prefer the output to the TV as I do the output on the monitor. Seems I like "soft" picture though, and tastes may vary.
Eric

[JDog2112]

Don't forget the audio too. If your computer speakers are seperated from your TV, it might be a little wierd watching the tv and having the audio come out from somewhere else.