I would like to use an old Dell 4600 WindowsXP computer to provide Internet HDMI video for my Samsung PN60E550 TV. The TV does not have an RGB input. The most straightforward approach would be to use one of the analog RGB to HDMI converts, such as the Monoprice 4629 for $35 or the Sewell SW-30008 for about $70. Alternatively, the computer has onboard analog RGB output and a spare AGP slot, but no PCI-E slots. Sound is important, and all the converters have inputs for RGB video plus audio. I'm not sure whether the AGP cards can include sound either directly or via an auxiliary audio input. A 2009 post to this forum mentioned the Radeon HD4650, but there was some question on how sound was handled. NewEgg has an HIS Radeon HD 4350 for $60, which would be about the same as the RGB-HDMI converters. The HIS WEB site says the card has "NATIVE HDMI output with digital 7.1 sound channels." If that works reliably, then that would be my choice.
I would appreciate any recommendations on which overall approach would be better, and whether the Radeon card would be a good choice.
I would appreciate any recommendations on which overall approach would be better, and whether the Radeon card would be a good choice.









