Need advice for connecting PC to TV

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GeoffisPure

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Topic # 198381 6-Jul-2016 21:50

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Hi all,

I have a new gaming PC which I'm really enjoying. I have 2 HDMI monitors, plugged into my GTX 1070 (1 monitor uses a DVI->HDMI adapter because the graphics card only has 1 HDMI output).

A few meters from my PC I have a television and occasionally I'd like to be able to sit on the couch and play steam games on the big TV. Currently the only way I know how is to unplug one of the computer monitors and plug my tv into the only HDMI port.

Is there a better way? Is there a way that I can keep all 3 plugged in and be able to switch output from the 2 monitors to the TV when required?

Appreciate any advice.

JimmyH

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Reply # 1587334 6-Jul-2016 21:53

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An HDMI splitter could do the job. Split the output going to the monitor connected via HDMI, and whatever is on that monitor would be mirrored on the TV.

richms

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Reply # 1587337 6-Jul-2016 21:55

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Displayport to HDMI adapter? I got one from PB for $34ish that claims to be able to do 4k 60Hz

Richard rich.ms

GeoffisPure

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Reply # 1587342 6-Jul-2016 22:08

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JimmyH:

An HDMI splitter could do the job. Split the output going to the monitor connected via HDMI, and whatever is on that monitor would be mirrored on the TV.

Thanks have just had a look into these. There seem to be a lot of options on trademe, some that are simply an adapter and some that need power plugged in. Are you able to link to one you recommend? A flatmate did have one that didn't use power and it didn't work....

GeoffisPure

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Reply # 1587344 6-Jul-2016 22:10

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richms:

Displayport to HDMI adapter? I got one from PB for $34ish that claims to be able to do 4k 60Hz

This sounds good too. Is it easy in windows to manage 3 screens? As I'd want the two monitors to be extended displays, and then not on at all when outputting to the TV. Is that possible?

richms

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Reply # 1587356 6-Jul-2016 22:21

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GeoffisPure:

This sounds good too. Is it easy in windows to manage 3 screens? As I'd want the two monitors to be extended displays, and then not on at all when outputting to the TV. Is that possible?

Yup, just right click the desktop and display settings and choose either extend or clone for the third screen depending on what you want to do, or to disable the main screens.

If you are lucky then powering off the monitors will make them un-detect so it will just shove everything to the TV without you doing anything else.

Richard rich.ms

GeoffisPure

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Reply # 1587366 6-Jul-2016 22:34

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Thanks very much Rich, sounds like the way to go.

Is there a difference between

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=ADPDNX1009&name=DYNAMIX-DisplayPort-to-HDMI-Adapter.-Passive-Conve

and

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=CABDIG7007

richms

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Reply # 1587370 6-Jul-2016 22:38

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This is the one I got.

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=ADPJ5C3158

Passive has always given me grief with limting what combinations I can have working, needing to use a specific displayport socket etc. When active ones were really expensive it made sense to risk it with a passive but now they are all so cheap no point.

I chose this one because it says 4k support. My PC is too far to get 4k to my TV off the stock HDMI 2.0 port on the card so I thought I would give one of these a shot to see if it was better, and it appears to be so far with my testing, no sparkles or dropouts yet on a 25 foot HDMI cable.

Richard rich.ms

Lias

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Reply # 1587373 6-Jul-2016 22:40

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Another solution:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/353380/

Information wants to be free. The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it.

PANiCnz

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Reply # 1587422 7-Jul-2016 07:11

Or just connect the DVI screen to the DVI port and use the second HDMI port for the TV?

GeoffisPure

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Reply # 1588071 8-Jul-2016 11:42

Lias:

Another solution:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/353380/

Ah thanks but wanting it for non-steam purposes as well.

GeoffisPure

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Reply # 1588073 8-Jul-2016 11:43

PANiCnz: Or just connect the DVI screen to the DVI port and use the second HDMI port for the TV?

Thanks but.... No DVI screen... and no second HDMI port...

GeoffisPure

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Reply # 1588075 8-Jul-2016 11:44

richms:

This is the one I got.

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=ADPJ5C3158

Passive has always given me grief with limting what combinations I can have working, needing to use a specific displayport socket etc. When active ones were really expensive it made sense to risk it with a passive but now they are all so cheap no point.

I chose this one because it says 4k support. My PC is too far to get 4k to my TV off the stock HDMI 2.0 port on the card so I thought I would give one of these a shot to see if it was better, and it appears to be so far with my testing, no sparkles or dropouts yet on a 25 foot HDMI cable.

Thanks for your help Rich. The one you got isn't in stock at the moment, so I'm just going to try out a cheapie. One thing I was wondering is if I use an adapter will it still carry audio as well? Or that only with HDMI?

richms

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Reply # 1588110 8-Jul-2016 12:33

Yeah they will, and that can be a pain sometimes with having to play around with the default audio device to get the sound going to the right place.

I find that I have to put the audio thru the TV, as it has a delay with all the processing if I have the speakers straight to the PC, then the lip sync is out terribly - but some people dont seem to notice so you might be OK with it looking like a badly dubbed movie.

Richard rich.ms