HDMI on Graphics cards

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › HDMI on Graphics cards

AdmiralSarek

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 65442 2-Aug-2010 22:19

Hi all.

I am thinking of making a PC to get Freeview (DVB-T) and whatever I can get from of off the sky dish.
But, the HDMI port on graphics cards, does that carry the sound so that it is the only cable I need to run under the house to the TV from my office?

Thanks

[Moderator (LC): Moved to HTPC as requested]

heavenlywild

3607 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 170

Trusted

Reply # 361986 2-Aug-2010 22:22

HDMI includes video and sound and you are connecting to your TV so yes!

AdmiralSarek

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 361987 2-Aug-2010 22:26

wow quick response, thanks.

I wasn't sure as one of my Friends thought than it didn't, i.e. just because the format can carry sound doesn't mean the PC/ graphics card can put it onto the port.

heavenlywild, have you done this before?

heavenlywild

3607 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 170

Trusted

Reply # 362004 2-Aug-2010 22:46

I frequently connect my pc with an hdmi out to my tv to play movies, games and even music. Hdmi makes it so easy. Plug it in and you are sorted:)

AdmiralSarek

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 362014 2-Aug-2010 23:04

Sweet, thanks for the help.
I guees can start looking for a new PC to buy then

mcraenz

1088 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 180

Reply # 362028 2-Aug-2010 23:41

The graphics card model will determine whether you get audio over HDMI and how easy it is to do. This question could be moved to the HTPC forum.

Visit My Blog!

Mattv

241 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 362050 3-Aug-2010 04:18

As mcraenz says it may not be quite as simple as heavenlywild makes it seem.

On laptops, HDMI capable motherboards and "complete" PC's the HDMI will usually be set up to carry sound and so no problem.

However when you buy a seperate garphics card you will usually need to check if it can have audio added into the signal somehow. This will usually invlove an extra connector on the video card, from the motherboard or soundcard. You'll then have to check on the high definition audio options for surround sound etc as well if you need that.

I can't say I've looked into too much in the last 6 months or so but if you are still to buy all the components I would reccommend looking for one of the newer motherboard and processor combos that has HDMI HD video and audio capabilities built in.

Batman

Mad Scientist
19012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2469

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 362071 3-Aug-2010 07:57

the ati HD5xxx series allow easy HMDI passthru i think. correct me if wrong but th'ats what i got. and the hd5450 is super low power usage if you dont play graphics intense ga,mes...

Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Mod Emeritus

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 362075 3-Aug-2010 08:06

Can you tell us what Video card you have? Also motherboard if you know what it is.

We may then be able to tell you if it will do sound or not.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

mcraenz

1088 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 180

Reply # 362094 3-Aug-2010 08:58

Using the SPDIF connector to the video card is the old way of doing it. Best to get a video card that provides the "sound card" to windows. I think some of the newer ATI cards support bit-streaming of all the latest HD formats. DD TreuHD, DTS HD etc. Otherwise cards like the Nvidia 210 support bit-streaming of DD 5.1 (Plus?) and 7.1 LPCM.

Great article here:
http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4993&Itemid=232

Visit My Blog!

AdmiralSarek

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 362254 3-Aug-2010 12:01

mcraenz, I think you are right this should be in the HTPC forum.
I don't know how to move threads though.
Good linked article.
From there it looks like this card http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?item=VGASAP5672 will do the job as it's a ati 5xxx series, and it's silent.

Does the sound work the same when you are playing a DVD as it would when it is coming from the freeview tuner card?

mcraenz

1088 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 180

Reply # 362272 3-Aug-2010 12:21

Sound doesn't come from the Freeview tuner card :) Only data comes from the Freeview tuner card.

When watching Freeview just imagine your TV card is continuously downloading a video file and the computer just plays that file back as it is downloaded. A digital TV card knows nothing about video or audio. In some ways it's closer to a network card than to a traditional analog TV card.

What plays back and how it plays back comes down to the codecs, media software and hardware that you use.

Visit My Blog!

mattyboy2

81 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 362424 3-Aug-2010 15:17

You might want to read up about HDMI max cable lengths if you're planning on running a cable under the floor from the office... you'll probably also need to buy a remote control and a USB receiver for it and also run that under the floor.

-Matt

k1wi

467 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 100

Reply # 362549 3-Aug-2010 17:57

I have my computer sitting under our lounge, with a USB cord (for wireless keyboard and mouse) and HDMI cord running up through the floor to our 32" HDTV.

Works beautifully - I use an ATI Radeon HD4770 and it hasn't had a problem with anything I've thrown at it. Though I might be upgrading it in the near future ;)