Making a HTPC outta a "plain jane" PC !

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delhiboy1000

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my rig is in my sig. this is my Playpal !:hap2:
Now my current entertainment setup is:

Pioneer DV-393-S (non-region free :@ :@ ) Divx+DVD.
Marantz SR4001(usual AV Input/Outputs..)connected to my CRT :jumpy:
with Mission FS+Surround spkrs.

Now my prob is that my PC is in another room(50Feet).
the ASUS A8N-E Mobo has SPDIF & Optical Out.SbLive! only analog-out.
My 7800GT has Dual-DVI & a S-video out. (VIVO)

running a Digital connxn HDMI/DVI/Toslink over such a long distance is not a grt idea ; so i'll hav to stick it out with the S-video out on the Gfx card &CoAxial on mobo.

i am thinking of using the following:

50-feet S-Video cable direct to TV.
Only for $5.84 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 50FT S-VIDEO CABLE DVD DSS SVHS CABLE SVIDEO M/M (Gold Plated) | S-Video Cable M/M

50-feet Coaxial Cable to AVR.
Only for $8.64 each when QTY 50+ purchased - High-quality Digital Coaxial Audio RCA CL2 Rated Cable - RG6/U 75ohm S/PDIF Subwoofer - 50ft | High Quality Digital Audio 24K Gold-Plated Cable w/ Fancy Connector

factoid:The GFX card comes with a S-video to Component converter cable; also my AVR can also do S-Video to Component Upconrvsn.

Now, which is the best way to ensure that i get the least degradation in Video & Sound quality over this distance?

Thx in advance !!

P.S: why this jugaadu HTPC u ask??

1) cant play region 2,5 DVds directly inmy DVD player.
Right now: i rip them, burn them on a Rewriteable DVD & then watch it.

2) all that MKV,FLV,OGG,AC-3 audio aint gonna play on DVD-player.

3) all the usual HTPC benefits.. :hap2:
 
My only comment would be that given the distance, digital may be as good a bet as analog for video, and for audio both coax and optical are poor choices, the best bet would be analog.

I would suggest something like a Dlink media station (DSM320/520) and a wireless connection as the best solution for something like this.

D-Link DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player

Of course if you don't want to front the cash, then S-video will work just fine (VGA or component would be better over such a long distance, but HDMI would also work just fine). For audio I would be uncomfortable with a cheap coax cable and would prefer a balanced analog connection if possible. But that again means money.

Note that your point no. 1 is totally illegal and not complying with the rules of this board. Stripping a DVD of its region code to watch it, even if you own the DVD, is not permitted. You're only allowed to back up non copy-protected DVDs for archiving, or copy DVDs as is.
 
thanks guys !

can you plz tell me if a s-video to component adapter cable will give out "true" component signals or is it just an "adapter" ?
 
^ Thx ! got the answer from XFX's Live chat. not a bot; but a flesh-and-blood human there !

i never knew that its actually a HDTV-out (was under the impression; that its Svideo)

will now be gettin a 50ft Component cable.

is using 50ft Coaxial cable for audio such a bad idea ??
 
There is a pretty good chance that it won't work, actually. The cable has to be excellent quality, and even then Coax is prone to tons of electrical interference. Optical is immune to interference but such a long line has very high impedance and essentially unusable. Wireless is best if you want to stay with digital.

Balanced analog audio is the best, it is made for runs this long and even longer (used on stage and professional installed audio, 100ft+ runs are commonplace).

However, it can't hurt to try. At worst you'll have lost the cost of a cable.
 
sangram said:
However, it can't hurt to try. At worst you'll have lost the cost of a cable.
Click to expand...

Exactly my sentiments ! remember i'm just trying to make a HTPC only for playing files that r "unplayable" by my DVD-Player.
and i can always get long Analog audio cables locally if Coax does'nt sound good..

sangram said:
Balanced analog audio is the best, it is made for runs this long and even longer (used on stage and professional installed audio, 100ft+ runs are commonplace).
Click to expand...

^^ as in XLR ?? but my AVR does'nt supprt it..
 
delhiboy1000 said:
i never knew that its actually a HDTV-out (was under the impression; that its Svideo)
Click to expand...

if its 7 pin type then its a COMPONENT + COMPOSITE + SVIDEO

if it has more pins then probably it a vivo edition......
 
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