Cable Confusion

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Cable Confusion

Vorbis

176 posts

Master Geek

#18598 15-Jan-2008 23:19

I'm yet another person jumping on the htpc bandwagon, and want to connect the pc directly to my Samsung 32" lcd tv. I have an 8800gt vid card that has DVI-I and s-video outputs and "Provides world-class TV-out functionality via Composite, S-Video, Component, DVI, or HDMI connections. Supports resolutions up to 1080p depending on connection type and TV capability."
My TV only has one HDMI connector, and a 'd- sub' vga connection (pc-in). I've read here that most times connecting to the vga socket works well, I just need to know what sort of cable I have to buy? I think the card may come with a dvi to vga adapter.

Cheers...

rscole86

4958 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#105101 15-Jan-2008 23:28

Your card should have come with a DVI-VGA adapter.

In which case all you need is a VGA to VGA cable. That will transfer the video signal for you, then you just need to worry about audio.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

Vorbis

176 posts

Master Geek

#105103 15-Jan-2008 23:45

Thanks, the parts are coming in a day or 2 so that I can spend the weekend pulling my hair out getting this thing up and running. I was'nt sure whether I needed a DVI cable to use with the adapter or just a vga.
Cheers.

richms

27982 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#105106 16-Jan-2008 00:07

Just make sure to get a _good_ vga cable - the freebe's with most desktop monitors are crap - cut open a freebe with a philips 17" when I was putting a monitor in my arcade cabinet and the wires arent even coax so its no wonder they looked so bad on the monitors.

Richard rich.ms

Vorbis

176 posts

Master Geek

#105247 16-Jan-2008 17:54

Where might I buy a 'good' vga cable?

richms

27982 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#105258 16-Jan-2008 18:29

Trademe, dse, jaycar, etc... It should be about as thick as your small finger. the ones that philips supply are about 6mm diameter and most of that is the outer jacket - work fine at 320x240 and 640x480 tho ;)

Richard rich.ms

jbmoocs

91 posts

Master Geek

#105334 17-Jan-2008 09:50

You could opt for a DVI to HDMI cable - it will only send Video but that is ok as you'll probably be running sound through to an amp? If you do get the DVI to HDMI (trademe) let me know what you think about the two comparisons eg DVI to VGA into your LCD tv or DVI to HDMI. it would be interesting to know if there are any improvements, though I doubt it as HDMI cables are poorly constructed i think.