Connecting PC to Home Theater

[96ukssob]

I have a decent PC at my office that is merely just sitting there. We built it for our one partner, but he uses his Macbook instead. I've been considering getting a HTPC, but don't feel like spending the $$ at this point, yet curious if this would suffice for "basic" use.

I would need this to connect into my receiver via HDMI (video + audio) or HDMI and some audio source, like optical. I wouldn't plan to store any media on here, just use it for things like Hulu, Netflix, etc.

I don't want to sacrifice to much quality, but without spending $200 on a video/audio card, any recommendations to output a 1080i signal?

[AaronM]

I've been using a dedicated HTPC for about 6 years...Until 2 weeks ago when I pulled it out and just plugged my old MacBook Pro into my receiver instead.

I was running Windows XP which didn't support audio over HDMI when I built it. I just used a DVI to HDMI converter for the video and added an audio card with optical output then configured it all though the receiver.

No idea what the new Windows OS supports but I can tell you that my old Macbook Pro out performs the HTPC by leaps and bounds.

[brassmonkey]

geek squad?

[Fat Panda]

ya call geek squad

[96ukssob]

Originally Posted by AaronM

I've been using a dedicated HTPC for about 6 years...Until 2 weeks ago when I pulled it out and just plugged my old MacBook Pro into my receiver instead.

I was running Windows XP which didn't support audio over HDMI when I built it. I just used a DVI to HDMI converter for the video and added an audio card with optical output then configured it all though the receiver.

No idea what the new Windows OS supports but I can tell you that my old Macbook Pro out performs the HTPC by leaps and bounds.

The PC I have would be running on Windows 7.

I do have an old Macbook pro, but only problem is my AV system is in my basement and I'll be to lazy to walk down and turn it on

I could probably run some wires through the living room walls to connect that way.

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

geek squad?

Originally Posted by Fat Panda

ya call geek squad

This was one of the first places I went, they tried to sell me an adapter from DVI to HDMI, then a series of connectors that go 3.5mm audio out to composite, then buy an adapter that connects video in HDMI along with composite in, then HDMI out... all in all, over $300

The other guy told me to just check on NewEgg, they would have it there

[MaDalton]

you could also try one of those streaming usb sticks - http://www.wifiezcast.com/index_en.html

waiting for mine to be delivered

[Antonio]

Does the computer have a video card with SPDIF output? Then, all you have to do is buy one tiny SPDIF cable and one HDMI cable, total cost probably less than $20.

[femdomdestiny]

Originally Posted by Antonio

Does the computer have a video card with SPDIF output? Then, all you have to do is buy one tiny SPDIF cable and one HDMI cable, total cost probably less than $20.

precisely. I am using this.

[96ukssob]

Originally Posted by MaDalton

you could also try one of those streaming usb sticks - http://www.wifiezcast.com/index_en.html

waiting for mine to be delivered

I have Apple TV which I use for my laptop, but that looks pretty cool.

Originally Posted by Antonio

Does the computer have a video card with SPDIF output? Then, all you have to do is buy one tiny SPDIF cable and one HDMI cable, total cost probably less than $20.

Not sure, but definitely will check

[KRosh]

you already have apple TV why not use that?

[96ukssob]

Originally Posted by KRosh

you already have apple TV why not use that?

Dont want to put that much abuse on my laptop

[MrBottomTooth]

Just buy any video card with HDMI out. I have one older PC with an ati 5450. Should be able to get one of those or similar for less than $50. Supports all the HD audio formats like DTS master audio and Dolby true hd as well and you only need to run one HDMI cable to your receiver. There's no reason to buy a second audio cable if your receiver has HDMI.

[iSpyCams]

Just get a Roku, it is small, cheap and can handle all that stuff. If you want to steam media from your PC you can do it through Plex.

[srockhard]

Originally Posted by MrBottomTooth

Just buy any video card with HDMI out. I have one older PC with an ati 5450. Should be able to get one of those or similar for less than $50. Supports all the HD audio formats like DTS master audio and Dolby true hd as well and you only need to run one HDMI cable to your receiver. There's no reason to buy a second audio cable if your receiver has HDMI.

Agreed.

Check this Newegg link for card under $30 ...then you will need to buy an hdmi cable.

Then buy this... http://www.ebay.com/itm/740065-New-B...em2c6eb 5777d

[bigluv]

HTPC's have been a major hobby for me for probably 15 years or more.

If your only purpose is hulu, netflix, etc, you are probably better off buying one of the little streaming boxes that include those services. Some names are Roku, Apple TV, boxee, WD Live TV, etcetera etcetera. I admit to knowing very little about the streaming boxes since I have always built my HTPC's, and now use raspberry PI's as satellite extenders to other TV's in the house.

The reason I recommend one of the packaged solutions is that just getting a remote connected and working if the PC is not sitting next to the TV is going to be a bit of a pain in the ass, then there's the question of navigating between apps/websites/etc.

Now, this all assumes you don't want to take building one of these up as a second job for a while. I read your message as saying you want simple and "just works". If that's not the case, feel free to mess around bringing the PC to the TV and try it out to get a feel for what you want.

Also, you can youtube XBMC to see some people's setups on HTPC's but not so much on the netflix/hulu side.

Good luck

[96ukssob]

Originally Posted by srockhard

Agreed.

Check this Newegg link for card under $30 ...then you will need to buy an hdmi cable.

Then buy this... http://www.ebay.com/itm/740065-New-B...em2c6eb 5777d

Sweet, thanks!

I have a keyboard similar that I bought when I made an attempt at the HTPC thing over a year ago, but I like how that is much smaller

[96ukssob]

Originally Posted by bigluv

HTPC's have been a major hobby for me for probably 15 years or more.

If your only purpose is hulu, netflix, etc, you are probably better off buying one of the little streaming boxes that include those services. Some names are Roku, Apple TV, boxee, WD Live TV, etcetera etcetera. I admit to knowing very little about the streaming boxes since I have always built my HTPC's, and now use raspberry PI's as satellite extenders to other TV's in the house.

The reason I recommend one of the packaged solutions is that just getting a remote connected and working if the PC is not sitting next to the TV is going to be a bit of a pain in the ass, then there's the question of navigating between apps/websites/etc.

Now, this all assumes you don't want to take building one of these up as a second job for a while. I read your message as saying you want simple and "just works". If that's not the case, feel free to mess around bringing the PC to the TV and try it out to get a feel for what you want.

Also, you can youtube XBMC to see some people's setups on HTPC's but not so much on the netflix/hulu side.

Good luck

The only problem I've found with the other boxes like Roku is you can't stream Hulu "desktop" only content. For instance, I was to watch the League that is on FXX. To do so, it's available on Hulu but not through Hulu on my TiVo or iPad.

I've looked into these monsters before and was about to drop about $1500 into a beast then realized, I don't watch that much TV haha. I was trying to make an all-in-one system to store all my blurays on to watch anywhere in the house and get a cable card device to record 6 shows at once.

Now, I can get the TiVo Roamio for $100 off and transfer my lifetime membership for $99. Requires one cable card which is $5/mo. and I already have a big external drive that will work with it.

At the end of the day, there's no reason why I need to pay $110/mo. just for TV channels that I rarely watch anyway, I should be spending time at the gym or working ;)