Guidance on new pc purchase

[hygieneboy]

Ive decided to buy a new pc with the main purpose of playing my dv-avi files directly on my tv.

I have a Samsung 40" 1080p tv. I also have a Harmon Kardon AVR 254 receiver. Im out of HDMI connections on the tv, so I will have to connect the pc via the receiver.

I wont be using the pc for gaming. Pretty much just to watch videos and access the internet, and simple spreadsheet applications. thats about it.

Im interested in buying a computer that will maximize my home videos on the tv. But I dont want to overequip it with junk I dont need.

Is a high quality video card necessary for this? Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

[ranchhand]

I have that LCD display, and it is really great in my opinion. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

You didn't post your system specs, so I don't know your CPU, mainboard memory details or operating system.

Remember that your 1080p platform will be useless, as far as 1920x1080 / BlueRay resolutions are concerned unless all your avi files are created in that format, AND your computer will output that resolution. You may luck-out and your mainboard will have integrated video that will produce 1080p resolution, but an upscale video card is always a wise investment. Make sure you are running at least 4-gigs of 800 RAM minimum. Okay, Okay, I know that XP will only use up to 3 gigs (if you are using XP, you didn't say), but one day you may want to switch to Vista or Windows7. One day you may decide to try video gaming and the card will pay off in aces. BTW-you can purchase HDMI cables cheap on Amazon.

[Soopafresh]

1)What kind of connection to the receiver are you planning on using - I'm guessing HDMI

Edit: The back of your receiver seems to have everything under the sun. Nice receiver for the $


2) Are you envisioning an HTPC looking unit, ala


3) ranchhand brings up a good point about the video. Ideally, the video card should be fanless (silent) and have connectors like these:


If you have the dough, Dell has a 1 day sale on their I7 tower unit for $900. Swap out the video for a silent Nvidia card with HDMI for another $70 and you'll have a machine which will be able to play anything. It'll play 1080P without a hiccup. That's one of the fastest machines on the market.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/odg/odg_hip1?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&dg...09&lid=1015124

[jagabo]

You don't need 4 GB of RAM or a powerful computer just to play DV AVI. The cheapest, wimpiest computer you can find will do that adequately.

But a mid level PC makes for a good high def media center. A good starting point would be a dual core CPU, 2 to 4 GB DRAM and a graphics card with h-264 decoding (NVIDIA 8000 series,ATI 2000 series, or better). If you want to play games you'll need one of the better cards, of course.

Note that graphics cards generally do not handle audio. The newer graphics cards with HDMI outputs have SPDIF inputs to get audio from your audio card (to be sent to the HDMI port), or drivers that let digital audio be routed to the HDMI port.

If you can route audio independently you can use any card with DVI output and a DVI -> HDMI cable. Then you run digital audio from the computer to the amp/TV via optical or coax SPDIF.

[bmwracer]

The local Staples (Los Angeles) had a Compaq desktop PC (no monitor) with these specs for $300:

AMD dual core x2 processor
3GB RAM
250GB HDD
LightScribe DVD MultiDrive burner
Windows Vista Home Pro

No mention about the video card, though... You might check the Staples web site.

[hygieneboy]

Im thinking about buying the new Dell Studio Hybrid....here are the specs for the entry level machine:

Processor
Intel® Pentium™ Dual Core T3200 (2.0GHz/667Mhz FSB/1MB cache)

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic Service Pack 1

Memory
2GB2 Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz (2 DIMM)

Video Card
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

Sound Card
Integrated Stereo Audio with 5.1ch digital output (S/P DIF)


Keeping in mind that the primary function of this machine will be for me to plug in my external hard drive containing my dv-avi files and view them on my tv, shouldnt this be all i need?

[Soopafresh]

That'll do it, processor and RAM wise. The shared RAM configuration with the video card on the motherboard means you have a little less than 2GB of RAM, but it's still enough to play DV AVIs. How are you going to connect the video to your receiver?

[hygieneboy]

hdmi......this mini desktop has both hdmi and dvi connections on it.

[jagabo]

Im thinking about buying the new Dell Studio Hybrid....

Cute and should work for DV. It may not work for HD h.264 video in the future though.

[INFRATOM]

Two things to check out .... Some video cards don't support sound over HDMI or they are 5.1 and you have to plug a cord into your sound card. Better video cards support 7.1 over HDMI. Also make sure your video card can drive a big display. You need a video card that is able to handle 2 monitors, it is not just playing video you may want to read text or do something on the computer. If it cannot handle 2 monitors then you have to change cables (behind media center!) and change resolution all the time.

[jagabo]

You need a video card that is able to handle 2 monitors, it is not just playing video you may want to read text or do something on the computer. If it cannot handle 2 monitors then you have to change cables (behind media center!) and change resolution all the time.

He will probably be using HDMI and running at 1080p60 (RGB) on a TV with no oversan so he won't need two monitors. He'll get perfect pixel-for-pixel mapping on the TV, just like a big computer monitor.

Hygieneboy, what model Samsung HDTV do you have? Does it have "Just Scan" on your HDMI sources?

[hygieneboy]

Its the Samsung LN4095.

[jagabo]

Its the Samsung LN4095.

That model does support Just Scan so you should be fine at 1080p60 with HDMI.