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HTPC via DVI and VGA

post #1 of 7
12/15/11 at 9:04am
Thread Starter 
I want to connect an old desktop PC to my LCD/HDTV. The PC has a fair amount of RAM, etc., though I'm not certain on video connections.

Here's what I have...
HDTV- DVI-D Dual Link input
PC- VGA output

Questions...
1. Will I get the benefit of DVI-D Dual Link outputting from VGA with appropriate cable? Or, will I only get Single Link performance, regardless?
2. Does the converter (VGA-to-DVI) need to be the same as the cable and input? Meaning...I found a VGA/DVI converter in my A/V box but it has female DVI-I slots, though any DVI cable will fit into it. Will it properly convert VGA to DVI with the above configuration, or will I need to get a DVI-D Dual Link converter?
3. Does it matter where in the line a converter is placed? Such as...connect it to the VGA output, then the DVI cable, or connect it to the DVI input, then VGA cable? Does it matter?
4. Would I benefit, instead, by just getting a video card that has DVI-D Dual Link output, and appropriate cable?

-Scott
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post #2 of 7
12/15/11 at 9:34am
You will probably get more reponses if yo post this in HTPC forum, not HDTV.

From what I understand, VGA is analog, while HDMI/DVI are digital. Some allow the conversion from DVI to HDMI, but I don't think you can easily convert VGA to HDMI without some hardware.
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post #3 of 7
12/15/11 at 10:36am
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the reply...I just noticed the forum you are mentioning.

ADMIN > please move this thread to the Home Theater Computers forum.
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post #4 of 7
12/16/11 at 5:05am
I don't think that VGA will output DVI digital, only analog.

What type of internal slots does your rig have? Does it have a Pci-e x16 slot? If it does and you don't intend to play games, pick-up an inexpensive video card that has DVI or HDMI outputs. You can get a Radeon HD6450 for pretty cheap. And they don't require a lot of power.

For more money, you can find Pci slot cards that will output DVI and HDMI if you don't have a Pci-e x16 slot.
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post #5 of 7
12/16/11 at 6:33am
Thread Starter 
This MB only has an AGP slot and standard PCI. The interesting thing is I cannot find an AGP HDMI or DVI vcard for cheap.

I think then what I might do is just get a new, inexpensive MB w/ PCIe, and a vcard as you suggested.

What type/speed CPU is actually required for such a setup? Granted, the faster the better, but is even a Dual Core necessary?
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post #6 of 7
12/16/11 at 8:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cableghost View Post

This MB only has an AGP slot and standard PCI. The interesting thing is I cannot find an AGP HDMI or DVI vcard for cheap.

I think then what I might do is just get a new, inexpensive MB w/ PCIe, and a vcard as you suggested.

What type/speed CPU is actually required for such a setup? Granted, the faster the better, but is even a Dual Core necessary?


If you're going to buy a new inexpensive mobo, you might as well get a lower-priced dual core cpu. You'll be glad to have one when streaming hd video.
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post #7 of 7
12/16/11 at 9:56am
A $40 motherboard + $50 dual core Athlon CPU + $10 stick of DDR3 RAM and you have your self a much faster computer for a $100.

Heck, Microcenter has quad core Athlon CPU's for $50!
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