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Help my grandfather hook his computer to his tv so he can watch HBOGO!

post #1 of 11
5/24/12 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 
My grandfather is not able to do anything with the slightest complexity on the computer so I need help figuring out how to hook his computer up to both his monitor and his tv at the same time while displaying sound and video to both.

I purchased a Radeon HD 5450 with the hope that I could run the HDMI with sound to the TV and the DVI to the monitor using his computer speakers. I didn't realize that it was not possible to run the onboard audio at the same time as the audio through the HDMI cable. In order to get sound to the tv you have to change the sound card in Windows XP to the Radeon which eliminates the computer speakers. He will not be able to switch sound back and forth that way so I thought maybe an HDMI splitter would work. I bought this one from Monoprice. http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

It did not work. The picture did not display in the correct resolution in either the monitor or the tv and it didn't transfer the sound to either.

Some basic information.

Windows XP
Radeon 5450
Panasonic S1 1080p
Asus monitor which is 1920x1200

If I could get the picture and sound split with the correct resolutions then I could just use the radeon and the computer monitor's speakers and abandon the powered speakers he has hooked up. (he would be glad to be rid of the extra cables and doesn't understand in this age of wireless why there have to be so many cables hooking up the computer)

Any ideas would be appreciated and any more information you might need I'll provide. Remember that the solution has to be something that doesn't involve him having to do anything more technical than throwing a switch. Thanks!
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post #2 of 11
5/25/12 at 4:12pm
Thread Starter 
Wow I guess this problem is harder to solve than I thought. I felt there would be an obvious answer posted within 5 minutes to this question. Come on Home theater nerds! Help out my grandfather. I suppose I could just get him a Roku.
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post #3 of 11
5/25/12 at 5:10pm
I'll reply just to prove someone is reading. The best I can suppose at this time is that multiple connections don't necessarily mean multiple output. However as I was upgrading a monitor on my work computer, I discovered I had a connection I was unaware of. The computer has a ati radeon 2400 xt dms-59 card which allows for dual monitors, either vga or dvi. However it doesn't take the dvi directly. I have to order a dms-59 to dvi cable adapter. It's an older card but it support resolutions well above your tv and monitor. Maybe look into that as a solution.

I've done the dual output thing myself using a higher spec Monoprice powered hdmi splitter with a projector and tv. However most of my components are feeding into a receiver, which you may not want to do.

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post #4 of 11
5/26/12 at 1:12am
What is the use case for playing audio through both the TV and computer speakers simultaneously?

Assuming that isn't required, my suggestion is to use a simple script to toggle between sound devices.
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post #5 of 11
5/26/12 at 7:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chezteladog View Post

so I need help figuring out how to hook his computer up to both his monitor and his tv at the same time while displaying sound and video to both.

Its a Windows limitation, not a hardware limitation.
The easiest thing to do is to split the analog outs going to the computer speakers into two and send one pair to the TV. Look for a HDMI input on the TV which is tied to analog RCA/Line IN jacks. All TVs have them.
The audio signal will come from the PC and split into two outside the PC. Since it is an analog signal. no problems about handshakes and compatibility.
Good Luck!
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post #6 of 11
5/26/12 at 12:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hirent View Post

Its a Windows limitation, not a hardware limitation.
The easiest thing to do is to split the analog outs going to the computer speakers into two and send one pair to the TV. Look for a HDMI input on the TV which is tied to analog RCA/Line IN jacks. All TVs have them.
The audio signal will come from the PC and split into two outside the PC. Since it is an analog signal. no problems about handshakes and compatibility.
Good Luck!

It did occur to me to split the audio signal but I don't believe the Panasonic S1 has an HDMI input that allows the use of RCA sound. It does have RCA in's but I believe they are tied to the component input section. I admit I didn't examine the inputs with more than a quick look and an assumption so I'll confirm that this is the case. Thanks..


@rayw69 - If there was an easy way to toggle the audio that would be fine. It's just that my grandfather is just not able to really learn new things or handle anything in the slightest bit technical and having to go into different areas to switch the sound would not be feasible for him. If I recall correctly switching through the device manager required the computer to be restarted as well. I don't know how to write a script to make that easy for him.
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post #7 of 11
5/26/12 at 12:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chezteladog View Post

Come on Home theater nerds!

We're geeks, not nerds.
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post #8 of 11
5/26/12 at 2:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hirent View Post

Its a Windows limitation, not a hardware limitation.
The easiest thing to do is to split the analog outs going to the computer speakers into two and send one pair to the TV. Look for a HDMI input on the TV which is tied to analog RCA/Line IN jacks. All TVs have them.
The audio signal will come from the PC and split into two outside the PC. Since it is an analog signal. no problems about handshakes and compatibility.
Good Luck!

Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

We're geeks, not nerds.

I apologize. I never was much good at differentiating between the two. My faux pas has induced me to research the subject and you are correct sir. You are geeks. I'll wager your ranks include a smattering of dorks and nerds however.
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post #9 of 11
5/26/12 at 6:38pm
how about totally different solution. Ipad or ipod touch and Apple TV. U can connect apple tv to his tv and then have him launch hbogo on ipad/ipod and it will be transmitted to his tv via airplay. Works good with 0 technical knowledge needed
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post #10 of 11
5/26/12 at 8:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chezteladog View Post

@rayw69 - If there was an easy way to toggle the audio that would be fine. It's just that my grandfather is just not able to really learn new things or handle anything in the slightest bit technical and having to go into different areas to switch the sound would not be feasible for him. If I recall correctly switching through the device manager required the computer to be restarted as well. I don't know how to write a script to make that easy for him.

No reboot should be required. I think this thread might help you:

http://www.autohotkey.com/community/...pic.php?t=2436
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post #11 of 11
5/27/12 at 12:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rayw69 View Post

No reboot should be required. I think this thread might help you:

http://www.autohotkey.com/community/...pic.php?t=2436

This would be great if I can figure out how to work it. I'll try to set it up when I go over today.
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