Older TV with HTPC

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Kelem

188 posts

Master Geek

# 40889 6-Sep-2009 17:53

Hi there, i am putting together my first HTPC slowly, the space where a new TV is going to go is not finalised with the ministry of misery just yet, so i am forced to connect to our very old tube TV. it has 2 scart inputs and a game input on the front.
The video card on the PC is a Gigabyte 9400 GT with Dsub, DVI, And HDMI outputs is there anyway for me to connect to this TV for now?

Many thanks Kelem

sbiddle

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# 253603 6-Sep-2009 19:12

There is no way without buying additional hardware.

You could buy a VGA->composite converter to go into the TV or a VGA->svideo adapter but I have no idea if one of these will work with the 9 series NVidia cards.

davidcole

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# 253610 6-Sep-2009 19:48

yeah, you might want to look for an older style pcie card. I had a ATI x550 for connecting to my CRT tv before I went lcd. Worked great.

Previously known as psycik

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michaelt

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Ultimate Geek
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# 253613 6-Sep-2009 19:59

As sbiddle mentioned, a small number of video cards can output TV video signals over the VGA port, which can be accessed with the right adaptor, but it'll probably end up being more effort than it's worth. You might be better off just getting a cheap second-hand video card to use until you replace the TV. That 9-pin round mini-DIN connector many video cards have is usually capable of outputting composite, S-Video and component video.

Alternatively, if the SCART plugs on the back of your TV meet the specification and support RGB video, you could try following the instructions here: http://www.idiots.org.uk/vga_rgb_scart/

Since you'll likely need to create a custom cable anyway, it might be worth trying those instructions first.

Michael

Kelem

188 posts

Master Geek

# 253614 6-Sep-2009 20:02

Thanks sbiddle, apparently the 9400 gt has no TV option - maybe a new card would be the best option in the interim

Kelem

188 posts

Master Geek

# 253662 7-Sep-2009 08:53

I have a JVC receiver that i can use to run the video into with an s-video input then out to the TV for now but looks like i will still need to change out the video card, the receiver will also handle the sound for the present till the building work is finished.

will find a card with S-video out for the mean time - cheers

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 8

# 253677 7-Sep-2009 10:07

I have a 8600GT with DVI/HDMI/S-Video out, as well as breakout adaptors for component and composite video and a 3.5mm to 2*RCA cable for audio. It's fitted with a pretty effective aftermarket cooler (the original was noisy), the only downside of which is together with the card it takes up 3 slots. I can supply the original cooler as well, which is noisier but only takes up one slot.

I'd be quite happy to trade all that for your 9400GT (not really a fair trade for you) or ~$60. Send me a message if interested.

Kelem

188 posts

Master Geek

# 253850 7-Sep-2009 20:26

I am picking up that same card tomorrow from a friend to borrow to see if it will work.
If it works i will, i may well be interested.

michaelt

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# 254108 8-Sep-2009 16:36

I can confirm that it works, at least under Vista. The quality is pretty good for video, but almost unuseable for web browsing, etc. I've only tried composite video, my TV doesn't have S-Video or Component inputs.

Kelem

188 posts

Master Geek

# 254167 8-Sep-2009 20:52

Turns out it is a ATI Radeon HD 3450, i cant get that going with the 14" test TV
3 SLOTS!! by crikey i will need to see if that will fit.

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 8

# 254201 8-Sep-2009 22:19

Yes, I wasn't expecting the cooler to be that large when I bought it. I can replace the original cooler if you want, but it is quite noisy, and I don't think quite as effective.

Up to you if you want it.

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 8

# 254216 8-Sep-2009 23:03

The largest problem for me in getting this working was finding the right cable. I have 3 S-Video to composite cables, all of them wired differently. The one that ended up working came from an old laptop, but if you're just trying any old adaptor it might not work. A second adaptor I had (from a Hauppauge HVR-3000 TV tuner) didn't work at all and the third (no idea where it's from) doesn't route the composite signal but instead combines the two S-Video signals into a composite signal, which produced a worse result.

Kelem

188 posts

Master Geek

# 254495 9-Sep-2009 19:18

4 pin to composite is what was needed after much fluffing around,neither 7 or 9 pin will work, am able to extend desktop onto 14" TV (you got to see that) Good to dump MC on and listen to a program and have the screen free.

http://www.svideo.com/pctvcables.html

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek
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# 254504 9-Sep-2009 19:32

A 7-pin plug should work, it's just a matter of wiring. There's many non-standard ways of routing the composite signal over the 7-pin plug. I understand that some also need two other pins to be shorted to signal that there's a composite monitor attached. The 4-pin to composite solution does work, but it's not ideal.

Michael

Kelem

188 posts

Master Geek

# 254604 9-Sep-2009 22:52

I found a Hauppauge lead from my HVR3000 (7 pin) that works a treat
I will run with this card for now thanks Micheal, When screen purchase is finally done
i will swap out for the 9400 and HDMI probably

Thanks for the help and offer of the card

Cheers Craig