Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: pete.h on 26 September 2008, 21:20:36
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I've been following various threads such as "Free moniter" and some of you guys seem to know a wee bit about computers !
As I'm pretty useless in this direction (or maybe any direction), I was wondering if anyone could help.
I've got an HP Pavillion computer and I've got a TV input rigged up to it , but I want to be able to switch the output between the moniter on the desk and a TV mounted on the bedroom wall . I tried using a 1 into 2 vga lead but it just made the picture quality rubbish.
So now I'm stuck , anyone any ideas.
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How are you connecting to TV? VGA? Are resolution of TV and monitor same? If so, just use a switch box. If resolution is different, you may be up a smelly creek, and in need of an oar....
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Yes I'm using vga , how do I check the resolution , I've got the instructions for the telly , so it should be in there , but the moniter is a fairly old Dell and I've no info on it .
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Yes I'm using vga , how do I check the resolution , I've got the instructions for the telly , so it should be in there , but the moniter is a fairly old Dell and I've no info on it .
Are both LCDs?
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No the moniter is a tube type , do I need an lcd moniter so it's compatible with the telly then ?
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No the moniter is a tube type , do I need an lcd moniter so it's compatible with the telly then ?
Right, find out res of TV. Its possible, as you have an old crt, you may be able to match the res
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Sorry , mislaid the b**** TV book , then couldn't find me b**** glasses to read it .
It says Optimum display mode 1024x768 at 75Hz is that it ?
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Sorry , mislaid the b**** TV book , then couldn't find me b**** glasses to read it .
It says Optimum display mode 1024x768 at 75Hz is that it ?
On the TV?
Is the monitor 17"?
If so, setting res to 1024x768 @ 75Hz, and see if it works satisfactory on both. If good, get a cheap VGA switchbox for car booty....
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Sorry , mislaid the b**** TV book , then couldn't find me b**** glasses to read it .
It says Optimum display mode 1024x768 at 75Hz is that it ?
On the TV?
Is the monitor 17"?
If so, setting res to 1024x768 @ 75Hz, and see if it works satisfactory on both. If good, get a cheap VGA switchbox for car booty....
1024 x 768 on a tube based TV? Be surprised if it can reach that given PAL is 720×576.
I would just get a monitor which can support picture in picture. I got a 20" LG widescreen LCD monitor which supports a resolution of 1680 x 1050, it has a built in TV tuner, with Scart, RCA, VGA, DVI inputs, and supports picture in picture.
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Sorry , mislaid the b**** TV book , then couldn't find me b**** glasses to read it .
It says Optimum display mode 1024x768 at 75Hz is that it ?
On the TV?
Is the monitor 17"?
If so, setting res to 1024x768 @ 75Hz, and see if it works satisfactory on both. If good, get a cheap VGA switchbox for car booty....
1024 x 768 on a tube based TV? Be surprised if it can reach that given PAL is 720×576.
I would just get a monitor which can support picture in picture. I got a 20" LG widescreen LCD monitor which supports a resolution of 1680 x 1050, it has a built in TV tuner, with Scart, RCA, VGA, DVI inputs, and supports picture in picture.
Who said anything about TV being a CRT? The fact it has VGA, I guess its LCD ;)
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Yes 1024x768 on TV , and moniter is 17"
I'll try setting the res and see what happens . I'll let you know .
Thanks very much for your help , much appreciated.
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Sorry , mislaid the b**** TV book , then couldn't find me b**** glasses to read it .
It says Optimum display mode 1024x768 at 75Hz is that it ?
On the TV?
Is the monitor 17"?
If so, setting res to 1024x768 @ 75Hz, and see if it works satisfactory on both. If good, get a cheap VGA switchbox for car booty....
1024 x 768 on a tube based TV? Be surprised if it can reach that given PAL is 720×576.
I would just get a monitor which can support picture in picture. I got a 20" LG widescreen LCD monitor which supports a resolution of 1680 x 1050, it has a built in TV tuner, with Scart, RCA, VGA, DVI inputs, and supports picture in picture.
Who said anything about TV being a CRT? The fact it has VGA, I guess its LCD ;)
Who said VGA means it have to be LCD?
(http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/300/37141i0.jpg)
I used to use a VGA to scart/RCA adaptor with my old setup, going from PC to TV, to show downloaded content.
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Sorry , mislaid the b**** TV book , then couldn't find me b**** glasses to read it .
It says Optimum display mode 1024x768 at 75Hz is that it ?
On the TV?
Is the monitor 17"?
If so, setting res to 1024x768 @ 75Hz, and see if it works satisfactory on both. If good, get a cheap VGA switchbox for car booty....
1024 x 768 on a tube based TV? Be surprised if it can reach that given PAL is 720×576.
I would just get a monitor which can support picture in picture. I got a 20" LG widescreen LCD monitor which supports a resolution of 1680 x 1050, it has a built in TV tuner, with Scart, RCA, VGA, DVI inputs, and supports picture in picture.
Who said anything about TV being a CRT? The fact it has VGA, I guess its LCD ;)
Who said VGA means it have to be LCD?
(http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/300/37141i0.jpg)
I used to use a VGA to scart/RCA adaptor with my old setup, going from PC to TV, to show downloaded content.
I have made a few of those adapters, my MCE used to be connected to crappy old Sony CRT.
Now given that the OP has already suggested computers aren't his forte, don't you think its reasonable to assume he would have struggled to get such adapters working, along with software like Powerstrip, and hence mentioned it? ;)
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Also, those cheaper vga to scart adapters only work with ATI Radeon, if anyone was thinking of getting one? Also, Powerstrip is a right git to get it running well.
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I found those adapters a doddle... just plug it in to the graphics card, other end into the TV, display properties finds the monitor and bingo!
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decent monitor is the way to go, ones that support picture in picture & multiple inputs with a decent resolution!
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Yes it's the telly that is lcd with vga socket , and the moniter that is crt but with vga socket to back of computer .
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what graphics card is in your PC?
If you don't know look under hardware in My Computer
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I found those adapters a doddle... just plug it in to the graphics card, other end into the TV, display properties finds the monitor and bingo!
Most CRT tellies won't report back res, and can't deal with the 'strange' res and refresh of computers ;) - hence normally having to use awkward resolution and refesh software.
Has to be Radeon, as Nvidia GeForce don't put out the sync in the way required by TVs...
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what graphics card is in your PC?
If you don't know look under hardware in My Computer
irrelevent. We have ascertained the TV and the monitor can do the 1024x768 @ 75Hz. No more info needed.
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decent monitor is the way to go, ones that support picture in picture & multiple inputs with a decent resolution!
OP has a TV, doesn't need to replace it.
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I found those adapters a doddle... just plug it in to the graphics card, other end into the TV, display properties finds the monitor and bingo!
Most CRT tellies won't report back res, and can't deal with the 'strange' res and refresh of computers ;) - hence normally having to use awkward resolution and refesh software.
Has to be Radeon, as Nvidia GeForce don't put out the sync in the way required by TVs...
Humm, i had a old Geforce MX 4400 in my old PC... i used a S-Video output from that, to a old 15" tube tv.
Windows picked it up in display settings with out any additional software, only the graphics card driver.
I asked about the graphics card, cause it my have their own drivers rather than 3rd party stuff.
I have Matrox drivers at work, to get the 3rd monitor working i had to install their own software so that i could have independent control over the duel head PCI card.
I found ATI Software usually will pick up extra monitors or TV's plugged in, least that was the experience i had
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I found those adapters a doddle... just plug it in to the graphics card, other end into the TV, display properties finds the monitor and bingo!
Most CRT tellies won't report back res, and can't deal with the 'strange' res and refresh of computers ;) - hence normally having to use awkward resolution and refesh software.
Has to be Radeon, as Nvidia GeForce don't put out the sync in the way required by TVs...
Humm, i had a old Geforce MX 4400 in my old PC... i used a S-Video output from that, to a old 15" tube tv.
Windows picked it up in display settings with out any additional software, only the graphics card driver.
I asked about the graphics card, cause it my have their own drivers rather than 3rd party stuff.
I have Matrox drivers at work, to get the 3rd monitor working i had to install their own software so that i could have independent control over the duel head PCI card.
I found ATI Software usually will pick up extra monitors or TV's plugged in, least that was the experience i had
TV-out or s-video is always 640x480, hence entirely useless really.
OP isn't looking for multi monitors simultaneously - a simple vga switch would be easier
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I'm going to try the cheapest solution first , which seems to be getting a vga switch box. Money's a bit tight at the mo what with credit crunch and all , don't fancy me chances of selling the idea of a new moniter to the wife !
You were beginning to lose me a bit with the technical stuff aswell (as mentioned it's not my forte) so I'll try the simple stuff first. Thanks very much for your help again , I'll no doubt be back with some more questions !!
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check the capability of the VGA switch before you get it, seen some that only support 640x480 :o
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I'm going to try the cheapest solution first , which seems to be getting a vga switch box. Money's a bit tight at the mo what with credit crunch and all , don't fancy me chances of selling the idea of a new moniter to the wife !
You were beginning to lose me a bit with the technical stuff aswell (as mentioned it's not my forte) so I'll try the simple stuff first. Thanks very much for your help again , I'll no doubt be back with some more questions !!
As said earlier, before splashing out on switch box (usually around a fiver from car bootys or 'computer fairs' at local school etc), see how well it works just moving the cable between the 2 as and when.
Once you know its good, then by the switch box...
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Why not just buy a new graphics card?
They start from just £12 at Novatech. Then you can plug a monitor and TV in the back and use the free software you get with the card to switch between the two devices.
This would allow you to set the resolution from your computer. You will need a DVI to VGA adapter as most cards come with 1 VGA and 1 DVI.
Have a look at this:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-FX2128
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Why not just buy a new graphics card?
They start from just £12 at Novatech. Then you can plug a monitor and TV in the back and use the free software you get with the card to switch between the two devices.
This would allow you to set the resolution from your computer. You will need a DVI to VGA adapter as most cards come with 1 VGA and 1 DVI.
Have a look at this:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-FX2128
Trouble is, if you don't always want both screens active, sometimes, the clone fails if it can't seen other screen thats Off, requiring reboot to fix.
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Why not just buy a new graphics card?
They start from just £12 at Novatech. Then you can plug a monitor and TV in the back and use the free software you get with the card to switch between the two devices.
This would allow you to set the resolution from your computer. You will need a DVI to VGA adapter as most cards come with 1 VGA and 1 DVI.
Have a look at this:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-FX2128
Trouble is, if you don't always want both screens active, sometimes, the clone fails if it can't seen other screen thats Off, requiring reboot to fix.
I've never had that problem and use a hot key for switching. The Nvidia Geforce 8400GT is good.
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Thanks for the info, I'm gonna try the vga switch first. I come over all funny when these things get technical and the idea of an actual physical switch appeals to my aged brain.
If it doesn't work I'll be back for some computer lessons !!
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I really think the graphics card would be your best option. They are cheap and only take 5 minutes to fit. It will be worth it in the long run!
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I really think the graphics card would be your best option. They are cheap and only take 5 minutes to fit. It will be worth it in the long run!
Its an extra complexity I wouldn't recommend initially. Possibly later.
I have an 8500GT in the MCE, connected to TV via HDMI and via VGA (as a backup, as HDMI only works once video driver loads). Since I have a loan set with a lower res (1360x720) than mine (1920x1080), I needed to make some adjustments. Now I'm not entirely stupid with computers, but getting the hdmi and vga cloned, and at the new res was not as easy as it could or should be, as it kept complaining that the other display was not there.
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I really think the graphics card would be your best option. They are cheap and only take 5 minutes to fit. It will be worth it in the long run!
Its an extra complexity I wouldn't recommend initially. Possibly later.
I have an 8500GT in the MCE, connected to TV via HDMI and via VGA (as a backup, as HDMI only works once video driver loads). Since I have a loan set with a lower res (1360x720) than mine (1920x1080), I needed to make some adjustments. Now I'm not entirely stupid with computers, but getting the hdmi and vga cloned, and at the new res was not as easy as it could or should be, as it kept complaining that the other display was not there.
Yes maybe you're right.
I did computer science at university and ran my own IT department so
I guess I wasn't looking for a simple solution.
Pete sounds like he would prefer a simple solution to his problem! ;D
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I really think the graphics card would be your best option. They are cheap and only take 5 minutes to fit. It will be worth it in the long run!
Its an extra complexity I wouldn't recommend initially. Possibly later.
I have an 8500GT in the MCE, connected to TV via HDMI and via VGA (as a backup, as HDMI only works once video driver loads). Since I have a loan set with a lower res (1360x720) than mine (1920x1080), I needed to make some adjustments. Now I'm not entirely stupid with computers, but getting the hdmi and vga cloned, and at the new res was not as easy as it could or should be, as it kept complaining that the other display was not there.
Does MCE stand for Media Centre Edition.
If so, What are the benrits of using this O/S Also is there any other hardware required.
What are the differences from this to XP Pro?
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I really think the graphics card would be your best option. They are cheap and only take 5 minutes to fit. It will be worth it in the long run!
Its an extra complexity I wouldn't recommend initially. Possibly later.
I have an 8500GT in the MCE, connected to TV via HDMI and via VGA (as a backup, as HDMI only works once video driver loads). Since I have a loan set with a lower res (1360x720) than mine (1920x1080), I needed to make some adjustments. Now I'm not entirely stupid with computers, but getting the hdmi and vga cloned, and at the new res was not as easy as it could or should be, as it kept complaining that the other display was not there.
Does MCE stand for Media Centre Edition.
If so, What are the benrits of using this O/S Also is there any other hardware required.
What are the differences from this to XP Pro?
1. Yes
2. It has a built in tv/ media interface letting you watch and record tv if you have a compatible tuner installed. It will also play dvd, rocorded videos and music and can be controlled easily by a tv type remote.
3. It's actually XP Pro with the above added.
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I really think the graphics card would be your best option. They are cheap and only take 5 minutes to fit. It will be worth it in the long run!
Its an extra complexity I wouldn't recommend initially. Possibly later.
I have an 8500GT in the MCE, connected to TV via HDMI and via VGA (as a backup, as HDMI only works once video driver loads). Since I have a loan set with a lower res (1360x720) than mine (1920x1080), I needed to make some adjustments. Now I'm not entirely stupid with computers, but getting the hdmi and vga cloned, and at the new res was not as easy as it could or should be, as it kept complaining that the other display was not there.
Does MCE stand for Media Centre Edition.
If so, What are the benrits of using this O/S Also is there any other hardware required.
What are the differences from this to XP Pro?
1. Yes
2. It has a built in tv/ media interface letting you watch and record tv if you have a compatible tuner installed. It will also play dvd, rocorded videos and music and can be controlled easily by a tv type remote.
3. It's actually XP Pro with the above added.
Not entirely true...
It was designed to have XP Home type features (from end user Point of View) with Media Center bits bolted on, but is actually built on the XP Pro code (for technical reasons around Extenders).
So its XP Pro, with Media Center parts added, but all support for Active Directory, inc Group Policy, disabled (half heartedly, and can easily be re-enabled, but expect issues if you do)
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I really think the graphics card would be your best option. They are cheap and only take 5 minutes to fit. It will be worth it in the long run!
Its an extra complexity I wouldn't recommend initially. Possibly later.
I have an 8500GT in the MCE, connected to TV via HDMI and via VGA (as a backup, as HDMI only works once video driver loads). Since I have a loan set with a lower res (1360x720) than mine (1920x1080), I needed to make some adjustments. Now I'm not entirely stupid with computers, but getting the hdmi and vga cloned, and at the new res was not as easy as it could or should be, as it kept complaining that the other display was not there.
Does MCE stand for Media Centre Edition.
If so, What are the benrits of using this O/S Also is there any other hardware required.
What are the differences from this to XP Pro?
1. Yes
2. It has a built in tv/ media interface letting you watch and record tv if you have a compatible tuner installed. It will also play dvd, rocorded videos and music and can be controlled easily by a tv type remote.
3. It's actually XP Pro with the above added.
Thankyou.
So all I need then is a tuner card, can anyone recomend one please.
Will it be able to recieve sky channels? :y
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I really think the graphics card would be your best option. They are cheap and only take 5 minutes to fit. It will be worth it in the long run!
Its an extra complexity I wouldn't recommend initially. Possibly later.
I have an 8500GT in the MCE, connected to TV via HDMI and via VGA (as a backup, as HDMI only works once video driver loads). Since I have a loan set with a lower res (1360x720) than mine (1920x1080), I needed to make some adjustments. Now I'm not entirely stupid with computers, but getting the hdmi and vga cloned, and at the new res was not as easy as it could or should be, as it kept complaining that the other display was not there.
Does MCE stand for Media Centre Edition.
If so, What are the benrits of using this O/S Also is there any other hardware required.
What are the differences from this to XP Pro?
1. Yes
2. It has a built in tv/ media interface letting you watch and record tv if you have a compatible tuner installed. It will also play dvd, rocorded videos and music and can be controlled easily by a tv type remote.
3. It's actually XP Pro with the above added.
Thankyou.
So all I need then is a tuner card, can anyone recomend one please.
Will it be able to recieve sky channels? :y
An infra red remote kit if you want to use that feature, tuner/s I use a dual freeview card so can watch one channel and record another but I think TB has more on his. Never tried putting sky through it but I think you can. Problem will be it's an either or scenario you can set the guide to work with sky or freeview not both at once, unless TB knows different that is.
To save a lot of fuss ensure tuner cards are labelled MCE compatible so the drivers will allow madia centre to control the tuner.
My tuner card is a pinnacle pci dual digital tuner, reliable enough but the drivers have been a bit flaky in the past.
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Any tuner needs to have a BDA driver. But it will say compitble with MCE.
You can have Satelite tuners, but, AFAIK, only receive unencrypted channels.
MCE can either do analogue, freeview, or satelite - not a mixture.