Best form of tv-out

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detectiveinspekta

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 6951 7-Mar-2006 14:35

I'm wanting to start a HTPC project, maybe linux as the OS if its not too difficult getting the drivers to work. Whats the best form of tv-out?
In my experiences I have used a ATI radeo 9800pro with s-video out, used a s-video cable to my tv. Results looked pretty bad. I even tryed it using S-video to RCA, results were the same. (Maybe I am doing something wrong here) . Another thing is that its just the color thats off, when I switch to black and white its very clear, just not with color.

I have a Hauppauge PVR-350, supposed to have tv-out, but I believe you can only use it for tv, not for the OS as such, so running media centre out through it is not possible (so I assume).

My parents have taken the tv now and I'm considering buying a VGA > RCA converter at DSE. Is it worth it and what is the quality like?

detectiveinspekta

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 30087 7-Mar-2006 14:46

Now I think you can get tv-out displaying a windowmanager through linux. Downside to this, its using linux and you can't use mythvideo.

In my experience the PVR-350 was a mess to setup. I only managed to get it working, the remote didn't work either. As I havn't got broadband installing gentoo on another computer is out of the question, and it seems most of the linux-pvr350 install instructions are aimed at gentoo users.

Mutly

251 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 30260 9-Mar-2006 09:29

The best form of TV out for your HTPC is completely dependant on your TV inputs. Generally the connectors your should use (best to worst and TV dependent) are:

HDMI (DRM ridden rubbish)
DVI
RGB (Component)
S-Video
Composite

Generally you are stuck with the last two with the majority of TVs that are out there. I am running s-video into my telly at the mo and it is *ok* quality wise (have done a lot of tweaking using powerstrip). It is theoretically possible to make an VGA to SCART RGB connector for my ATI card that will work on my telly. To scared to try just at the moment. Will most likely put up with s-video until I get a new shiney HDTV of some decription.

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detectiveinspekta

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 30380 9-Mar-2006 17:53

X-box quality is enough for me, and I just don't get that from my video card to tv. I think I'll just wait for a second hand VGA>RCA box to come up. Or I could convert a xbox? Hate the look of the xbox though and it doesn't give tv.