Re: Need advice with pc to TV hookup
- From: Paul <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:41:06 -0400
ECLiPSE 2002 wrote:
Thanks again responders for your input. I am embarrased - I said my
"pc was a Compaq My Compaq desktop model SNS6500NX that has an
integrated graphics with 64 mb shared video memory. It has one
external VGA output." In fact it is the SN6500NX - a typo that went
undetected on my part.
If I understand the comments, a non powered video splitter such as
the one sold by MonoPrice.com would not work, i.e., ( VGA(HD15) M to
VGA(HD15) F X 2 (1 PC to 2 Monitors) for High Resolution
VGA splitter cable is for splitting VGA signal to 2 VGA monitors, and
provides an inexpensive alternative to displaying an image on 2
monitors at the same time. Works well with both SVGA and VGA.
Connector : HD15 Male to (2) HD15 Female
Length : 8 inches
This splitter supports High Resolution.
This splitter tested at 1920X1440 resolution at 75Hz refresh rate and
worked perfectly. )
Realizing that an upgraded video card would be the optimum approach,
however, if I chose to use a switch as Richard suggested, what type of
switch would one need to send images - primarily photos from my pc's
VGA output to my Visio HDTV's pc RGB input.
With a switch would I still encounter reflections on the cable causing
a "ghost" of the main image added to the picture as Paul indicated for
the cable splitter?
Mary
These are examples of solutions.
1) Distribution amp (no reflections, channels independent)
+-----amp-----> monitor #1
|
Computer ------------+
|
+-----amp-----> monitor #2
2) Passive splitter (presumably resistive type). All
legs of splitting device maintain 75 ohm impedance.
(No reflections as long as a load is connected.)
Note that there are some "dumb" versions of splitters,
that don't use the resistive technique, yielding much
worse results (i.e. ignore the need to maintain 75 ohm
impedance, and there will be ghosting). Since there is
no amplifier with the resistive splitter, the energy to
do it has to come from somewhere, so the amplitude drops
in half. The impedance is upset, if one monitor is unplugged
from the splitter, so it ghosts if one connector is not
connected to a monitor.
(1/2 normal signal amplitude)
+-----resistor network-----> monitor #1
|
Computer ------------+
| (1/2 normal signal amplitude)
+-----resistor network-----> monitor #2
From the customer reviews here, I present two pieces of evidence.
For the most part, this solution is working for people. But there
are exceptions. And the exceptions are why you might go for a
distribution amp instead.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10104&cs_id=1010404&p_id=2679&seq=1&format=4#feedback
"The splitter does as expected - splits the VGA signal for the desktop clone
use of two monitors. I probably should have guessed this, but the act of
splitting the signal has the side effect of halving it as well. The
resulting signal is not as "bright" (the image looks darker whites look
more grey). I still have to play with the brightness settings on the monitor
to see if I can compensate for this. In spite of this, the splitter is high
quality and doesn't distort the picture in any other way."
"The splitter does indeed work, but not without a very substantial loss of
quality unfortunately. I used it to connect my PC to both my monitor and my
HDTV at the same time. While both are plugged in, the monitor becomes very
dark and has visible waves running up and down the screen. As a result, I
have to unplug the HDTV connection when using the monitor, which sort of
defeats the purpose of having a splitter in the first place."
"Good quality construction but didn't work for me. I wanted to connect my
PC to my monitor and to my HDTV at the same time. Unfortunately when I
hooked both up, only the HDTV showed the signal. As soon as I unhooked
the HDTV, the PC monitor turned back on with the signal. So I bought a
$50 ATI Radeon video card with dual VGA/DVI outputs."
Interpretation: The PC LCD monitor does not have the ability to compensate for
a signal of lower amplitude.
3) Video card with dual output (three connectors, any two can operate at the same time).
------ monitor #1
Computer ---- video_card
------ monitor #2
Benefits: Each display can run at its optimal resolution. Each display
gets a clean signal at full amplitude.
4) A switch
X ------- monitor #1
Computer -------X
X ------- monitor #2
This works, as when the switch connects the computer to a monitor,
there is a single load in the path. The switch, as long as it is
internally maintaining a 75 ohm transmission impedance, should not
upset things. An example of a suitable switch, would be a small
75 ohm RF relay. Five relays could be used to split the RGBHV signals.
In a "real" RF environment, a switch would present a dummy load to
the unused device. But in this case, no signal is coming back
from the monitor which is not currently connected, so there is
no particular reason to worry about that.
The question is, who makes something that looks exactly like that,
and is intended for that application.
In terms of order of preference.
1) Video card - independent display resolution, independent signals
2) Switch - meets all requirements, you could change resolution settings
each time switch is activated. I'm too lazy to look
for one of these. The function is the opposite of a KVM,
and there is no knowing for sure, what kind of solution
is inside any KVM box. So I don't know if "running a KVM
backwards", is quite the same thing. A KVM could be
using silicon, rather than relays.
3) Distribution amp - meets all requirements, both monitors end up running
at the same resolution.
4) Passive splitter - Both monitors run at the same resolution. Works, as long
as the monitor can function with a half amplitude signal.
If the monitor or projector has AGC and can somehow bump
up the signal properly, this might work. For best results,
both monitors should remain connected to the two connectors
on the splitter. If operation with only one monitor is desired,
remove the splitter from the circuit.
If you're on an extremely low budget, then just moving the connector from one
monitor to the other, is also a solution :-) The passive splitter does promise
some operation, but then it depends on how all the gear behaves, as to whether
it was actually worth the $2.20 . If you're lucky, and the picture doesn't
end up too grey, then you're a winner. Personally, with my computer monitor
and TV, I'd want to run the monitor at 1280x1024, and the TV at 640x480 or
800x600, so I'd be looking for resolution independence. But each to their
own.
One other note, on the subject of video cards. The video cards have various
operating modes, and they might not meet your every expectation. These are
examples of the modes. Clone, for example, may force both monitors to run
at the same resolution. Dualview, may operate them independently, but then
you'd have to use your mouse, to move the video playback window over to the
"TV side" of the desktop. But at least everything is under the control
of your mouse clicks, so you'll eventually get a picture, even if
it involves some cursing and swearing.
http://www.weethet.nl/english/video_pc2tv_ati.php
http://www.weethet.nl/english/video_pc2tv_nvidia.php
HTH,
Paul
.
On Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:50:06 -0400, ECLiPSE 2002 <fdm2000@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I have a 5 year old pc running Win XP, with just one VGA input that is
used for the pc monitor. I would like to connect to my HDTV which has
the following inputs: HDMI, Component and an RGB input with an audio
input adjacent to it.
For one not too versed in either pc or TV tech, I have a few
questions:
1. can I use a VGA Y cable (male to two female) to provide an
additional output(s) to thus eliminate removing the VGA monitor cable
each time I want to send videos or pictures to the TV.
2. I wonder which type connection would be the least complicated and
least costly to connect, ie, pc VGA to RBG; pc VGA to component, or
VGA to HDMI.
3. would adapters for any of these connections be necessary?
Thanks for advice and connection critiques.
Mary
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