Few Queries about HTPC

[LifezGooD]

Hi there,

I got some queries about HTPC.

1. What kind of graphic card would I require to connect my LCD which works
on HD technology.

2. As per my research I found out that I just require a DVD decoder for high
quality DVD output and I don't have to spend much on fancy DVD drivers. Is
that right?

3. What about surround sound ? I mean do I need to use a A/V amplifiers. I
guess we can remove the Video amplifier as we are using the decoder (i
guess). Then what about the audio amplifier. Do i need it or should i invest
in a good sound card.

4. Now if I want go ahead and buy a speaker from say marantz or Jamo then
how and where am i supposed to connect the speakers. I mean to the
comp or to the TV(I know stupid question but still :ashamed: ). And If to comp then
how ?

Thanks and Regards.
Deepak Krishnan

 

[cranky]

1. A card with the right kind of connectors. Your TV may accept HDMI or component video, it may accept both. You need to buy a card that supports the full resolution (most modern ones do), a DVI-to-HDMI converter dongle. You may wish to buy a card that is HDCP-compliant if you want to play HD or Blu-Ray without downscaling. Note that the output is anyway downscaled if you're using the component output.

2. If you have HD DVD software, you will need a HD player. These are available standalone as well as PC 5.25" drives. The PC versions are a little expensive as of now. If your source material is samples from the 'net, then you will not need a drive to play them back, the HDMI output will support it automatically. If you do not have HD material it is a waste to get a HD drive.

3. You will need a decoder. Some good receivers have HDMI support built in, and will decode the audio signal for you on their own. You may alternatively invest in a sound card and cheaper receiver. If your video card does not have the requisite audio encoder (most don't) then this is the way to go.

4. The speakers will connect to the reciever.

 

[zhopudey]

Incase you didn't understand that;

1) Your TV connects to the graphics card thru VGA/ DVI/ HDMI/ or Component. ( or s-video or composite, but we'll just ignore those). Depends on what connections are available at either end. Just about any current video card will do. The latest ones are better for decoding HD material.

2) To play a VCD/ DVD / Audio CD/ etc, you need a DVD drive. Plus a software player (like Windows Media Player), and the necessary codecs. Other video files you might have on your PC will need some codecs to play as well. Easiest solution is to download "combined comunity codec pack".

3) The speakers connect to the sound card. Now, the audio from the dvd needs to be decoded. If this is done in your PC, then you use analog connections on your sound card. If you want to decode it externally, you take a digital out. (this is either co-axial or optical)

4) All speakers need an amplifier. The PC multimedia speakers have amps built-in. For speakers like Jamo, you need a separate AV Reciever. (marantz makes only electronics, btw). Now, this reciever can also act as a decoder, letting you use the digital out from PC which I mentioned earlier.

Thats all I can think of for now.

 

[DanDroiD]

Doesn't HDMI also carry 5.1 digital sound signal too. Not sure about HDMI Video out cards though, but if they do, wouldn't this eliminate the need for additional audio cables, while giving good sound. (maybe there is a sound connector on the video card or something)

 

[cranky]

They do, on consumer equipment. On computer equipment you need the card to be equipped with a connector and the soundcard or onboard sound to have the HDMI header, and connect the two.

Some ATI cards have the audio encoder onboard. I am not sure how that works, never investigated it. Not much of a video person.