[mythtv-users] Computer to TV connection advice needed

[Luis Navarro]

> 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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