Help please with set up

[wileybunch]

Can someone please help me get my PC hooked up to my Plasma TV for BeyondTV?

PC specs:
HP Pavilion Slimline S3700F

• 2.6GHz AMD Athlon X2 5000 Dual-Core Processor
• 3GB DDR2 SDRAM
• NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with 128MB dedicated graphics memory
• 320GB 7200RPM SATA hard drive
• LightScribe 16x SuperMulti DVD Burner
• Ethernet 10/100BT integrated network interface
• Integrated 5.1 channel sound
• 15-in-1 memory card reader
• Comes with keyboard and optical mouse
• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
• Inputs/Outputs: 6 x USB, 1 x FireWire, 2 x PS/2
• Dimensions: 13.39""(L) x 4.21""(W) x 10.87""(H/D)
• 1 year limited warranty

TV Specs:

Philips 42" Plasma "Flat TV"
Unsure of model #


Happauge Model 1229 WINTV-HVR-2250 MC Board


What cable do I need and what monitor setting do I set on the PC for the TV?

The only info I see in the TV user guide is under the HDMI connectors section.

In here, it says:

1. Connect your HDMI device with one of the HDMI connectors
2. Select the connected digital device in the Setup, Source menu, pg. 16

The HDMI IN connectors allow the following TV and monitor display modes:

HD
Standard Definition TV (SDTC) 640/720 x 480i
Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV) 640/720 x 480p
High Definition TV (HDTV) 1920x1080i, 1280x720p

PC
VGA 640x480 60 Hz
SVGA 800x600 60 Hz
XGA 1280x768 60 Hz


We connected the PC to the side input on the TV via AV cables and set the PC resolution to 640x480 and 60 Hz per above VGA setting. We didn't use the display connection because my husband could not seem to find an adapter that would work with an HDMI cable.

It doesn't work -- we get no display on the TV.

Beyond TV is set up and working fine on the PC so we can remote into it or hook up a monitor to it, but need to get the TV part figured out.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[tmar89]

Typically you connect a PC to a TV via the analog VGA, DVI or HDMI. We really need to know the model of the Philips 42" Plasma to know what inputs the TV has. Some models don't have the analog VGA input and the higher end models do. Your options would be:

1- Check the TV for a DVI input. Then you can get the HDMI to DVI cable.
2- Get a new video card that supports HDMI if the TV doesn't have a DVI input.
3- Get a new TV

[Rich A]

That Geforce 6150 is going to be marginal at best. I normally recommend at least a 6600 or better. Plus I think that 6150 probably doesn't have a lot in the way of video outputs other than a normal vga monitor output.

As was mentioned by the previous poster, we really need to know the model of the viewing device so we can see what your TV input options are. If it has a vga computer type input (a high density 15 pin D-connector) then that might be your only option for the video card you have. Then find out what the native resolution is of the viewing device and set your PC for that or as close to it as possible. With that 6150 it's going to be limited.

You would be further hampered if that 6150 is an integrated video chipset on the main board. I would either replace it with something a little more powerfull with both digital and analog outputs. I hear that some people have had trouble disabling the on-board video in some cases. You'd have to do that in order to add a new plug in video card.

[koan00]

As the others mentioned, we can't tell for sure without the TV inputs. The other factors are you're video output is VGA only, and you have a single PCI-E slot occupied by your capture card, and a single free PCI slot. From what you have said thus far, I can suggest a solution that will work and give you optimal picture quality. Unfortunately it would mean buying more than just a proper cable.

1) Low Profile video card with HDMI output: Newegg.com - HIS H435H512HDP Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
2) Since you have only one PCIE slot, you'd need to replace your Hauppauge card with a USB/PCI model OR use something like the HDHomeRun.
That is about a 200$ investment total.

[wileybunch]

OK, the user manual didn't have the model #, but I was able to tilt the TV (it's wall mounted) and take a pic of the back w/my camera phone.

The model number is Philips 42PF7220A/37.


These are specs I was able to find:

• 42-inch high-definition plasma WXGA display
• Integrated HDTV and CableCARD for unrivalled picture quality
• TV offers 1024 x 768 resolution
• 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
• Pixel Plus for better details, depth and clarity
• Progressive Scan for razor-sharp and flicker free images
• 1500 cd/m2 brightness
• 10000:1 contrast ratio
• 160-degree viewing angle
• Anti-reflection coated screen
• PLL digital tuning
• Plug & Play for easier installation
• USB 1.1 connector for easy, instant multimedia playing
• JPEG still images
• 3D comb filter
• Smart Sound
• Dynamic Bass
• Graphic equalizer
• NTSC/ATSC TV system
• Built-in 30-watt speaker system (15W x 2)
• Virtual Dolby Digital
• Two YPbPr inputs
• Three S-Video inputs
• Two HDMI inputs for full digital High Definition connection
• Three L/R audio inputs
• Component Video input
• AV stereo output
• Parental control
• Seven widescreen modes
• HDMI-component PIP

We plan to move this TV up to the kids' loft so that would be a bummer to get this all set up just to put another TV in its place that may have its own issues or less. This one is 42" and it's replacement will be ~50". Are there certain things to look for when buying a new TV so there's less hassle? Or are my issues moreso with the PC?

[Bigbird999]

The problem is that your PC only has VGA out (what you hook to your monitor) and your TV does not have a VGA input (most do, some don't) So you have to add a video card to your PC that has DVI/HDMI, or component (3 wires, red, blue, green) outputs. As koan pointed out if you get a pcie card there will be no place for your tvtuner.

If there is room in your case you might be able to fit in a PCI video card like this Buy the Diamond Radeon HD 2400 256MB PCI at TigerDirect.ca
It will have the necessary outputs and will allow you to sent a signal to your TV via component or DVI>HDMI cable. The key is whether you can shoehorn a pci video card into your case.

BB

[Jakesty]

Although I know the quality is better, on my 26" Bravia LCD the DVI-HDMI connection didn't line up properly for the screen output. I was always missing several pixels on the left side where the icons for BTV were. Not that big of a deal, but I put the S-video back in and even with the patch cord for audio, I'm happy with the general output of S-Video. I now have an AOC 32" and never tried the DVI connection so that problem may be gone. On my 51" Rear projection DLP it has S-video too since it doesn't have any other choices except that and RCA connections. Quality is still very nice. The HDHR capture and display on this 51" are really better than I would expect. Atleast to the level you see when your TV is connected directly, but now with digital.
So don't discount S-video, it can work if that's an option on your system. Your biggest problem will be on your PC with the underpowered video card. I'd say take Koan's recommendation to purchase the HH ATI card with HDMI and you'll be happy.

[wileybunch]

If we keep the tuner card in the PCI Express slot, is this a good video card for the PCI slot? I have to put the link in a separate post since I don't have enough posts to be able to post links........

[wileybunch]

Newegg.com - HIS H435H512PP Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

HIS H435H512PP Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Low Profile Ready Video Card

[jrandeck]

That video card should do the trick. It's probably the best you're going to find with a PCI interface. Too bad there's such a premium on PCI video cards these days.

You also mentioned maybe getting a new TV. My advice is to do your homework and find one that's known to work well with an HTPC. For instance, my 50" plasma has a VGA input that's limited to 1024x768 resolution even though the TV can display 1080p video, so it wouldn't be a good match to a PC with only VGA output.

I'm a big fan of 1:1 pixel mapping myself, meaning that the TV doesn't need to scale the picture but can show the picture exactly as the computer generates it. I didn't do that research before I bought mine, but I was able to find a combination of settings on the PC and TV that achieves that result at 1920x1080 resolution, so I'm happy. I'm not sure if an Nvidia card would achieve the same result or not (some ATI cards might not have the same options also). I'd recommend checking out the HTPC forum at AVSForums.com. I'm sure you can get plenty of info about specific TV models there.

[jrandeck]

Originally Posted by Jakesty

Although I know the quality is better, on my 26" Bravia LCD the DVI-HDMI connection didn't line up properly for the screen output. I was always missing several pixels on the left side where the icons for BTV were.

Just curious, but did you try adjusting the display area (on the bottom of the options menu)? That should let you compensate for the overscan on the TV. Of course, it doesn't help much with the Windows UI unless your video card driver has adjustments for that.

[Jakesty]

Yeah, I tried that too, I just couldn't bring over the left side. The Bravia in Electronic terms was showing it's age I would think. It's now about 4 years old.
I'll get a chance to check this out on the AOC since Comca$t is dropping all of their channels above 30 going from analog to digital, so I have some last minute changes to make in my network.

[wileybunch]

OK, this is where we stand.

We installed the video card koan00 suggested:
Low Profile video card with HDMI output: Newegg.com - HIS H435H512HDP Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

It is not working yet because we were out of town then had a very sick child so haven't had time to finish setting it up.

But, now DH wants to buy this TV:

The ultimate mancave television. - MySears Community

So is this TV good to go with our set up also?

[jrandeck]

Originally Posted by wileybunch

OK, this is where we stand.

But, now DH wants to buy this TV:

The ultimate mancave television. - MySears Community

So is this TV good to go with our set up also?

Let me start by saying I have an older (and lower end) Panasonic plasma TV and I love it.

Plan on using HDMI to connect it to the computer. It has a VGA connection but the resolution is limited to 1366x768 when using that for some reason. You probably need to mess with the settings on the on both the TV and video drivers to get the best picture (get rid of over/under scan). It's not the most HTPC friendly TV from that standpoint since it doesn't have a "pixel by pixel" mode, you need to match the settings to achieve that. I was successful with mine, so I'd expect the same for that model, but you never know.

I found a couple of references on AVSForum you might want to check out:

First, someone was having issues with a dark picture with PowerDVD (I haven't dug through the thread to see if there's a solution):

Guide to Building a HD HTPC - Page 306 - AVS Forum

Here's a thread more specifically about this family of TVs:

Panasonic TC-P42G10, TC-P46G10, TC-P50G10, and TC-P54G10 Owner's Discussion Thread - AVS Forum

I'm sure you can find all sorts of information there, or with some searching.

[koan00]

Originally Posted by wileybunch

But, now DH wants to buy this TV:

The ultimate mancave television. - MySears Community

So is this TV good to go with our set up also?

It should work fine. Just connect it to the video card to the TV using a HDMI cable (any cheap cable should do - I like monoprice.com personally).

When its connected, just verify the resolution is set to 1920x1080 and the refresh rate is set to 60Hz (Windows should set these values automatically).

Now if the picture has any black bars, or if the the desktop runs off the screen, you will need to adjust the driver properties for "overscan". We can help you more if you find you have this or any other problems. Just post back to this thread.