Wireless HDMI?

[MourningStar]

My computer does not have hdmi output. It is my understanding that the hdmi interface permits the transfer of 1080p video and 5.1 (or better) audio. I am looking for a PC to TV wireless transfer of this data. I seek h/w that can accomplish this task, if such devices exist. (My television does have hdmi inputs and I have a digital optical audio output cable from the tv into the surround system)

- thank you

[johns0]

Do a google search for wireless pc to tv hdmi,i found a few sources right away.

[MourningStar]

thank you!

[usually_quiet]

Read reviews carefully before buying. I looked at some of the wireless PC to TV hdmi adapters one time for another thread. Before you buy one, be aware that a fair number of reviewers expressed disappointment with them. For one thing the PC and the TV had to be fairly close to one another with no barriers in between.

For best results HDMI probably should go through your home theater receiver and from there to the TV. S/PDIF out on a TV can supply 5.1 channel audio only when the TV's tuner is the source. Otherwise you are limited to stereo.

[MourningStar]

Read reviews carefully before buying. I looked at some of the wireless PC to TV hdmi adapters one time for another thread. Before you buy one, be aware that a fair number of reviewers expressed disappointment with them. For one thing the PC and the TV had to be fairly close to one another with no barriers in between.

No problem. There will no more than 2 meters distance of free, unobstructed atmosphere.

For best results HDMI probably should go through your home theater receiver and from there to the TV. S/PDIF out on a TV can supply 5.1 channel audio only when the TV's tuner is the source. Otherwise you are limited to stereo.

My home theater receiver is quite old (but very robust and reliable) and does not have hdmi in/outputs. I suppose this means I will need this device to have a 5.1 (or better) audio out as well? And therefore will limit the selection of these devices to a small number or perhaps even zero?

[johns0]

Just use your digital audio to your receiver,it doesn't need to be 5.1 cause your not changing the audio output with the hdmi adapter.You can use any hdmi adapter you want.

[jagabo]

From what I've read those USB to wireless HDMI adapters (what you find when you search for "wireless pc to tv hdmi") don't work well for high definition video. You will likely get jerky playback. They're meant for Desktop application use.

[usually_quiet]

By chance, is your PC a desktop but not one of those tiny mini-itx or atom/e-350 boxes? If so, have you considered getting a basic video card for it with HDMI out? It would be less expensive and more reliable than a wireless adapter.

[Edit]If your PC already has a DVI-I or DVI-D port, you could just use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect the PC to the TV and a S/PDIF cable to connect the PC to your receiver.

[johns0]

If your pc video card has a dvi connector then you can get a dvi-hdmi adapter if hdmi output is needed.The adapters i read about had vga connectors for the hdmi to tv.

[MourningStar]

My pc is a desktop w/o a video card (the graphics is embedded into the m-b. I considered a video card. However, my research as led me to believe that adding a card would also require upgrading the psu. And I am still left with the 5.1 audio issue. u-q is correct in pointing out that only the tuner's audio is sent thru the digital optical audio out. I was hoping that the 5.1 sent via the hdmi (wireless or not) would pass thru this output, but alas.

[johns0]

Why would you need the 5.1 audio sent through the hdmi?It won't be going to your receiver then,just use your present audio output that you are using since if you want 5.1 then you need a newer receiver and might as well get one with hdmi inputs and an hdmi output.

Then you can send the 5.1 to hdmi,the tv audio isn't worth using as an audio source.

[jagabo]

my research as led me to believe that adding a card would also require upgrading the psu.

Probably not if you get a low end graphics card. And it will still be more powerful than your integrated graphics. Look for "silent" or "fanless" graphics cards. For example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121422

Be sure to get a card with a 64 bit memory interface.

[usually_quiet]

A low-power card like this would probably not require a PSU upgrade: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130586

If you could post the PC's motherboard's model number and the PSU's model number (or the PC model number if it was entirely pre-built) maybe someone could do the research to find out if adding a video card is possible without changing any other hardware,

[jagabo]

lol

[Cornucopia]

Think about it folks: the HDMI 1.4b spec (currently top one in use) uses up to 10Gbps, the best consumer WiFi or WiMax setups can only do ~1/30 of that. To get better, you'd have to use a commercial setup (read: $$$). Even if you aren't maxing the bandwidth out, you're WAY about the capability of those other form. And that doesn't count the necessary adapters on both ends. Much cheaper to re-outfit your PSU & GFX card and cable it.

Scott

[johns0]

You only need around 40mbps top for 1080p output so unless your bandwidth stream is very poor anything that can do 5 MBPS will do fine.

[MourningStar]

Think about it folks: the HDMI 1.4b spec (currently top one in use) uses up to 10Gbps, the best consumer WiFi or WiMax setups can only do ~1/30 of that. To get better, you'd have to use a commercial setup (read: $$$). Even if you aren't maxing the bandwidth out, you're WAY about the capability of those other form. And that doesn't count the necessary adapters on both ends. Much cheaper to re-outfit your PSU & GFX card and cable it.

Scott

Thnx Scott - by 'cabling it' I assume the hdmi signal from pc to the tv is meant. Many of these hi-res/1080p files I plan on watching have 5.1 or better audio. How will I get these signals to my surround system?

[johns0]

I already told you how to get the audio to your surround system,just use your pc optical out to your surround system,you said it was already connected your pc,that's all you need,

[usually_quiet]

Many of these hi-res/1080p files I plan on watching have 5.1 or better audio. How will I get these signals to my surround system?

Your PC does not have an S/PDIF out port but does have 5.1 audio capability? If the system was not a pre-built machine, there is a chance your motherboard has an S/PDIF out header. If it does, you can buy an appropriate SPDIF out bracket plate adapter to add the required connection. http://www.amazon.com/SPDIF-RCA-Plate-Cable-Bracket/dp/B0035J9Z7W Otherwise you would need to add a sound card with S/PDIF out.

[MourningStar]

I already told you how to get the audio to your surround system,just use your pc optical out to your surround system,you said it was already connected your pc,that's all you need,

look again ...

... and I have a digital optical audio output cable from the tv into the surround system)

[MourningStar]

Many of these hi-res/1080p files I plan on watching have 5.1 or better audio. How will I get these signals to my surround system?

Your PC does not have an S/PDIF out port but does have 5.1 audio capability? ...

No, I said the video files contain the hi-res data (1080p/5.1). The pc has no hdmi, no 5.1 audio out either. My original assumption was that this data would travel out of the pc via wireless usb.

[johns0]

Doesn't change the fact that you already have your audio connected,it would be better to go straight to the receiver from your pc.

[usually_quiet]

Many of these hi-res/1080p files I plan on watching have 5.1 or better audio. How will I get these signals to my surround system?

Your PC does not have an S/PDIF out port but does have 5.1 audio capability? ...

No, I said the video files contain the hi-res data (1080p/5.1). The pc has no hdmi, no 5.1 audio out either. My original assumption was that this data would travel out of the pc via wireless usb.

If your motherboard's onboard audio card lacks 5.1 audio capability, then you need a to get a discrete sound card to add it. No 5.1 audio capability = no 5.1 audio output from any connection.

[Edit]It is somewhat unusual for a motherboard made in the last few years to lack 5.1 audio capability, even if it does not have 5.1 analog connections, HDMI or S/PDIF. If you could provide some model numbers perhaps someone can research this matter for you.

[MourningStar]

I apologize for my confusion. My first assumption is that 1080p video/5.1 audio embedded in a movie file can be sent wirelessly via usb to the tv using the devices listed as per post #2. Is this assumption incorrect?

[usually_quiet]

I apologize for my confusion. My first assumption is that 1080p video/5.1 audio embedded in a movie file can be sent wirelessly via usb to the tv using the devices listed as per post #2. Is this assumption incorrect or do I have my facts all messed up?

I doubt the wireless PC to HDMI TV adapters can do what you expect them to do. Based on user reviews, they seem inadequate for HD video playback, and work best for displaying static screens. (Some people complained about choppy video playback while others said they were pleased with their unit for displaying photos or connecting a second display for general office work.) They appear to be USB video cards of sorts that connect to a PC via a wireless transmitter.

[MourningStar]

something like this ?

http://www.diamondmm.com/wpctv1080p-diamond-multimedia-wireless-usb-pc-to-tv.html

[usually_quiet]

something like this ?

http://www.diamondmm.com/wpctv1080p-diamond-multimedia-wireless-usb-pc-to-tv.html

I can't find any user reviews for that exact version yet, but its predecessors did not get good reviews. There is another device from a company called "Warpia" that makes similar claims, and it gets lackluster reviews too. http://www.amazon.com/Warpia-StreamHD-Wireless-Full-1080P/dp/B004GTN0T4

As Cornucopia already said, there isn't enough bandwidth to send the data uncompressed, especially using a USB connection from the PC to its transmitter. While I don't know what form of compression they use, all these devices probably transmit compressed A/V streams wirelessly which the receiving unit decompresses and sends out over HDMI. However, I still don't think your chances of being pleased with the performance of any of these things is very high, but hey it is your money...

[MourningStar]

^
thank you usually_quiet. Reviews notwithstanding, all I need for now is to know that these devices (or their manufacturers) claim to perform the functionality as per the OP.

[jagabo]

As Cornucopia already said, there isn't enough bandwidth to send the data uncompressed, especially using a USB connection from the PC to its transmitter.

They are essentially graphics cards with a USB+wireless interface rather than PCIe, AGP, etc. They will use DXVA to send the already compressed video from a file (or stream) to the device for decompression. That will only work for DXVA compatible streams, of course.

[OllieTSB]

Earlier, there was a discussion of using an DVI-to-HDMI cable, and I accomplish this with several PCs out to flat-screens. Your motherboard's built-in video connector isn't as large white-faced connector like:


That's a DVI connector. If it's the small blue-faced VGA, then that won't support HDMI. But DVI-to-HDMI cable and a good many PCs have 5.1 capabilities built into their sound system.