View Full Version : off topic computer question-
All you computer savy geeks out there (Becky and Mark), I have a question. How can I (or can I period) use my tv as my computer monitor? My room is small and Id love to eliminate the monitor- its taking up valueable real estate.
Tygerr
08-03-2006, 05:47 PM
You would need some type of output on your video card to send to the tv. Such as s-video, rca, coaxial cable, dvi, whatever your tv will allow. If you don't have that, you'll need a new video card since most cards don't come with these outputs. To specify, the video card is probalbly where your monitor plugs into your computer right now. You may have on-board video though. :(
I recommend ATI personally. I believe the All in Wonders will accomodate with everything you will need, but you really only need a coax out. You also need to know what bus you have, agp or pci-e to know which card to buy.
soldier989
08-03-2006, 06:06 PM
http://www.3gplaza.com/estore/control/Computer3G/productdetails?id=52698&srccode=PW
something like that is only about $90 shipped, can record tv, record from your VCR or DVD player, and does a bunch of other random crap. It also is decent for gaming.
http://3btech.net/chnvge6212ag.html
This is about $40 shipped. It can be used for monitor or your TV, or both at the same time. This card would not be ideal for gaming, unless your playing games made before 2003.
As Tyger said, you need to find out what bus your computer supports. Either AGP, PCI, or PCI-E. You can tell by opening your case and looking for the following.
AGP = Generally brown in color, about 3 inches long, would be at the top of the expansion slots.
PCI-E = White, long, about 4 inches. Again would be at the top of the expansion slots.
PCI = White, about 3 inches long, these are normally found on every PC.
PCI-E is the best, AGP is second, PCI just sucks. Also, if your into high resolutions, and gaming with high resolutions, or even reading the words under the icons on your desktop. Understand that a TV's highest resolution (on a standard CRT) is 800x600. This is equivalent to a beastly monitor from back in 1996, and we all know that those monitors still rock to this day!
Hope I helped.
LinkMan
08-03-2006, 07:13 PM
You can't use your TV as a computer monitor because standard American NTSC TV only supports 640x480. :( That is, unless you've got an HDTV.
As they mentioned above, what you want to do instead is watch TV on the computer monitor. I don't have any hardware recommendations though.
You want a video card that matches your graphics bus (PCI-E, AGP, or PCI, also check the speed rating on the PCI-E and AGP bus) that has a tuner and will put the video up on your monitor, or a window on your monitor. If your PC is a name brand like Dell, or HP, or whatever, their website will tell you what bus type and speed you've got.
bensenvill
08-03-2006, 07:52 PM
You can't use your TV as a computer monitor because standard American NTSC TV only supports 640x480. :( That is, unless you've got an HDTV.
[in my effort to hunt down all incorrect pc advice despite where it may be posted]. thats wrong. first off NTSC isnt 640x480... its close to that but a tv doesnt hold the same ratio as a monitor, its actually closer to 620x400 if I remember vaugely the exact number.
and yes you absolutely can use your tv as a monitor but as linkman put it, your only going to be able to select it as a 640x480 device [in reality it will be slightly different stretched a bit wierd and some of the side bars get chopped off].
I wouldnt recommend buying a new video card over this, because you can buy vga to ntsc adaptors... or if your handy with soldering you should be able to build your own.
just run a quick google search, you'll find what you need [and it will most definitely be under 20 bucks]
nadthomas
08-03-2006, 09:19 PM
I built a computer to run specifically with my TV, which I outputed the video signal to my TV using an S-Video cable. I used it only for game emulators such as Sega, Nintendo, Playstation, etc. Unless you have an HDTV, text is next to unreadable, and it will give you a headache with in 5 minutes. Even with having windows damn near memorized, and not needing to read anything I scrapped the computer after 2 months, because it sucked.
As recommended by some of the other guys, get a TV Tuner card for your computer and watch TV on your computer instead. There are video cards with TV Tuners built into them such as the All-in-Wonder line of video cards, but you can also purchase just a TV Tuner. A TV tuner for your PC runs about $50-100.
Tygerr
08-03-2006, 09:29 PM
Ha ha. I never said the quality would look good. I didin't realize they made vga to ntsc adapters, that would be an easier route for sure.
You're right though. You'll be better off getting a tv tuner card and watching tv on your computer rather then vice versa. You can then basically make your computer a tivo box. Simple plug and play, and cheaper then a video card. Then you can always just upgrade your monitor to something sweet. Again, I still recommend ATI, cuz I'm just a ***** like that. ;)
bensenvill
08-03-2006, 10:15 PM
Ha ha. I never said the quality would look good. I didin't realize they made vga to ntsc adapters, that would be an easier route for sure.
You're right though. You'll be better off getting a tv tuner card and watching tv on your computer rather then vice versa. You can then basically make your computer a tivo box. Simple plug and play, and cheaper then a video card. Then you can always just upgrade your monitor to something sweet. Again, I still recommend ATI, cuz I'm just a ***** like that. ;)
have you ever used ATI's tuner card? I'd like to think that their drivers/software have come a long way in the past 2 years but I know thats not true. Let me just say I will never buy another ATI product because of their TV Wonder.
anyways, I'm not here to rant about specific companies [but dont say you werent warned]. If you are looking for a deal on them, check out Bensbargains.net, they have been posting some pretty good deals on the TV Wonder every few days lately.
I would also highly recommend you look into some of Happenugen's [and yes the spelling is way off] cards. They have always been known for including VASTLY superior video decoders and their prices are very fair.
bensenvill
08-03-2006, 10:22 PM
I built a computer to run specifically with my TV, which I outputed the video signal to my TV using an S-Video cable. I used it only for game emulators such as Sega, Nintendo, Playstation, etc. Unless you have an HDTV, text is next to unreadable, and it will give you a headache with in 5 minutes. Even with having windows damn near memorized, and not needing to read anything I scrapped the computer after 2 months, because it sucked.
once again, I am going to disagree. YES, windows is not designed to be run on a tv. NO, that doesnt mean that it cant be done well with a normal [non-hdtv] tv.
do some googling, you will find alot of great information on how to convert your computer to a tv display on the software end. start by enabling large font, disabling true-type fonts, you need to do some reg hacks on the refresh rates [thats what makes it painfull to look at]. Its been a few years since I've ran a tv based system so I am a bit rusty on the details.
Tygerr
08-03-2006, 11:19 PM
I run ATI video cards, and they work wonders. I'm tired of people knocking ATI for Nvidia. I bought my father a HDTV Tv Tuner and have heard no problems from him, but no, I have no personal experience with the actual tv tuner cards. Sucks you had problems with them though.
That other brand you mentioned is also a good brand. Hauppauge (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Hauppauge-WinTV-Go-Plus-TV-Tuner-1033-/sem/rpsm/oid/99359/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)
soldier989
08-03-2006, 11:45 PM
I had a Geforce 2 back in 2000, I used to play computer games using both the monitor, and my 27" TV from 1990. It took A/V cables, and the max resolution detected by the video card was 800x600. I dont know if it was my TV, a fluke, or something standard to that car, but it did go to 800x600.
Yes, it did work on the TV. Yes I was able to change the resolution. Yes it very much sucks to read with as I and others have said.
As people have said, best you could do is get a tuner card and use your monitor as a TV. Also, if you happen to have a DVR, simply get a USB to USB cable, hook it up to the DVR, record whatever shows you want and copy it to your PC (not supposed to know about that). But it can be done.
Good luck man!
AnthonyP
08-04-2006, 11:48 AM
Look it has nothing to do with the video card or drivers, it has to do with the TV. Unless you have a TV that supports HD resolutions and had a VGA or DVI input don't even bother. It's going to look like complete, total ass no matter what.
Holy Crap Guys!
First off- Thanks for the waaaaaaaaaay more info than I need/understand. Really though, it helped. Ive got a badass Sony Vega 32" that I LOVE (other than it prolly weights in at about 200lbs). My computer and monitor are circa 2000 and I did upgrade my (PCI slot, btw) video to an Nvidia Gforce something or other a couple years ago...I think I bought a 400X, 64bit card?? I forget. Anyway, I dont play any games on it newer than prolly 03 or so.
I guess the PC and TV stay separated. Its not that bad I guess cuz Im typing here and watching AVP (for the millionth time) at the same time.
Thanks again- wish my questions on other forums got answered this quickly and completely!
Tygerr
08-06-2006, 01:25 PM
Ive got a badass Sony Vega 32" that I LOVE (other than it prolly weights in at about 200lbs). !
It is a badass tv. 158.5 lbs to be exact. Heavy *****es indeed, not fun loading those into cars.
The 36" comes in at 227.5lbs. Breaks your back.
Good call...damn I must be a weakling. Oh well, picture is great. Pretty pricey too.