I have a Toshiba HDTV widescreen TV. It has 2 HDTV inputs which I current have one connected to a Toshiba DVD other I am saving for future HDTV tuner. Would like to use my TV to surf the web and I want to know: What is the best video card to use. At what resolution? How much computer power do I really need? Currently have an ISDN line and a 266 MHZ Dell computer. Also have a Denon 5700 and I wonder if I can go through the Denon versus the TV directly as I disabled the speakers on the TV and use my home theater. Planning on purchasing a Pronto TSU 2000 and would like to control the switching to computer from it as well. Any suggestions.

Hi Dennisj,

I have a TW65X81 HD set connected via an Audio Authority trancoder to a home theater pc.

I use the set for progressive DVD playback, doing some pc work, and surfing the web.

Quick summary of basic configuration mating a pc with your hd set:

* 550MHz cpu
* 128MB RAM
* GEForce or Matrox G400/450 video card
* 10GB drive
* DVD drive
* Sound card with an spdif out

With your HTPC, you can pretty much use the set as a PC monitor. You can play DVDs (very nice image at resolutions much better than regular or even off the shelf progressive players), play videos games like Sega, Nintendo, or PS2, surfing the web, etc....

Thanks,
Errol

Keohi HDTV
[Link: keohi.com]
Your Friendly HDTV Tips Site

Thanks Errol

I have the identical Toshiba Model plus a progressive scan Toshiba DVD therefore will probably not go with a DVD for the computer.

Was the 550MHz cpu the smallest configuration you recommend? Waht should I anticipate spending for the configuration you are using?

Thanks for responding

Dennis

Audio Authority sells the piece he is speaking of...or www.smarthome.com also sells it. It runs approx $125.00. and it is called a "VGA to Component converter" Very helpful for many applications.
Bradd

Bradd,

Have you (or anyone) acually used this to convert a PC to TV? There is a note at the bottem of the page that says "Note: This converter is not intended to connect a PC to a television." This is what I want to do, but before I spend the money I want to know it will work, and that it will not damage my TV.. I would buil a thinline PC for use with it if I knew it would work.

Thanks for the input

Don

The reason they say "this will damage your tv" is because they are assuming that you will leave a frozen image on your tv, possibly resulting in a burned image. I think a screen saver would solve that problem.
JOE

Which video card has outputs that will take advantage of 1080p on the HDTV? I can see how easily it would be to hook up via composit out or S-video out which is common on video cards; but that would limit the resolution that is displayed on the HDTV.

Hi ya folks,

In order to properly drive your set with your htpc, you need to ensure that the refresh rate is 60Hz. TV sets are not multisynchs like display monitors so you have to be sensitive to this.

There is a utility program you must have. It is Powerstrip. Pls go to avscience.com and visit the home theater pc forum. They have the foremost experts in the field. There are a couple of thread there also that detail exactly what you need to get your pc configured to safely and successfully drive your hd set.

Thanks,
Errol

Keohi HDTV
[Link: keohi.com]
Your Friendly HDTV Tips Site

Be careful, not just any 60hz refresh setting will work. There is a concern of applying a video signal that the Toshiba doesn't sync up to. I've heard mixed reports on the damage this can cause, but wouldn't risk it. You'll need to setup the computer graphics card to mimic HDTV timings prior to connecting it to your Toshiba. You may also want to disconnect the Toshiba during the PC boot process. I second the suggestion for the HTPC forum that Errol mentioned. Enjoy!

Doug

Thanks Doug. 60Hz is one of many one has to keep in mind in using a pc to drive an hd set.

The site mentioned for detailed info is a MUST for anyone thinking about doing this.

Thanks,
Errol

Does any one know where on the Smarthome site I might find the Audio Authority trancoder mentioned above?

Hi Ken,

A few months ago, the Audio Authority was the only transcoder option. Now you have three: AA, RCA VHDC300, and the Key Digital VTC1.

All retail for $129.

AA has the largest population base and least number of incompatibility issues.

Sources for each below

[Link: keohi.com]

Thanks,
Errol

Keohi HDTV
[Link: keohi.com]
Your Friendly HDTV Tips Site