[mythtv-users] Computer to TV connection advice needed
Luis Navarro
lnavar at grandecom.net
Sat Sep 9 13:10:13 UTC 2006
> So, here is question one: Should I get a computer to TV converter box
> and use my current video card and X config, or get a video card with
> s-video/composite output and deal with re-writing and tuning my X
> config?
I would definately go the route of using a video card with
s-video/composite -- less boxes, cables, etc; and a bit more flexible down
the road. As far as setting it up, you may not even need to come up with a
modeline. For my nVidia card, I was able to just simply specify the proper
TV-out format by using the config option:
Option "TVStandard" "HD1080i"
as I am using HD, and did not even need to specify a modeline -- the driver
autodetected modes worked fine. There is also an option for "NTSC-M", which
is what you would use for standard def. in the US.
>How hard is it these days to set up the X config
> for s-video output?
Pretty easy for nVidia:
Option "TVOutFormat" "SVIDEO"or
Option "TVOutFormat" "COMPOSITE"You can see the driver readme at this link
for more info:
http://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86_64/1.0-8178/README/appendix-h.html
>That brings up question three: (much lower
> priority) If I focused on a video card, what outputs work best for
> future use with a HDTV (USA) TV; s-video or DVI?
You'll definately want DVI, or at least component out, for High Def. My
understanding is that S-Video can't output the higher resolutions needed for
HD.
Hope this helps.
Luis
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lonnie Borntreger" <myth at borntreger.com>
To: "MythTVList" <mythtv-users at mythtv.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 6:02 AM
Subject: [mythtv-users] Computer to TV connection advice needed
>I have a working MythTV network.... two backends with a total of 4
> tuners and 3 frontends (running on desktop systems in the bedrooms and
> office). I also have one more configured frontend ready. So far, that
> has only seen service on special occasions (kids party or something like
> that) when I can borrow a projection system (with vga input) from a
> friend. However, I would like to place it into permanent service in the
> family room for a much more comfortable viewing experience.
>
> That is where the problem comes up. I don't have the money to buy a
> projector (and the family room really isn't big enough for it), and a
> "modern" TV with vga/dvi inputs is right out also, for now..... and my
> TV, while not too old, and quite nice, only has composite and s-video
> inputs.
>
> So, here is question one: Should I get a computer to TV converter box
> and use my current video card and X config, or get a video card with
> s-video/composite output and deal with re-writing and tuning my X
> config? I can get a converter box off Ebay for $76 (including
> shipping), but I see I can get a decent nVidia video card with s-video
> out from Ebay for around $25.
>
> While I've been using Linux for (what seems like) forever (since kernel
> 0.99pl13 with fvwm1), I've gotten way past the age where I enjoy
> spending time tweaking modelines and such (age defeats l33t-ness). That
> leads to question two: How hard is it these days to set up the X config
> for s-video output?
>
> I know that the converter box would not be "future proof", as it will
> never be able to do HDTV. That brings up question three: (much lower
> priority) If I focused on a video card, what outputs work best for
> future use with a HDTV (USA) TV; s-video or DVI?
>
> Thanks for your input.
> Lonnie Borntreger
> Thou shalt not send me any thing which says unto thee, "send this to all
> thou knowest." Neither shalt thou send me any spam, lest I smite thee.
>
>
>
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