I want to connect my pc to a HDTV - need some help!

[j00n]

I am having a bit of trouble hooking up my TV to my pc. The graphics card i own does not have a HDMI output but the video controller on my motherboard does.
I have hooked it up to this but nothing is working (presumably because its not enabled). How do i switch between the two controllers?
I have looked in the device manager but can only find the graphics card and not the one on the motherboard. I thought about diabling the graphics card but was unsure whether this would cause me to loose picture on my monitor to.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Jon

[redwudz]

The reason you don't see the on-board video in Device Manager is that when you install a add-on card it is usually disabled automatically in BIOS. You could go into BIOS and change the setting to your on-board card. You could also remove the add-on card and it should switch back to the motherboard video out automatically. You may be able to run both, but not likely.

The next problem is the capabilities of your on-board video. In particular, high definition video such as Blu-ray. But if you don't need those capabilities, no problem. I usually use a HDMI setting of 1920 X 1080, but it depends on your display and your on-board video. Your motherboard manual should tell you the capabilities it has.

And welcome to our forums.

[j00n]

Ok i have looked in the bios and i cant seem to see an option for enabling onboard graphics. I am starting to suspect that the drivers for the onboard graphics are not installed (could this explain there not being an option for it). How do i find what my motherboard model is?

Sorry if this seems like newbie questions, but i am

[redwudz]

Try downloading CPU-Z. It will usually tell you your motherboard brand and model, along with other useful info: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
For more comprehensive information, try SIW: http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html Both have freeware versions.

It wouldn't matter if the on-board drivers were installed as far as BIOS is concerned. It would still show the on-board. You should have a selection in BIOS for PCI or PCI-E or AGP video, depending on your motherboard. On-board is usually just PCI. Either way, just change it there from what is presently selected.

EDIT: Once you find out your MB brand and model (And series, some times.) You can go to the MB manufacturer and download the manual for it in PDF format. If you look in the BIOS settings there, it will show you how to change the video card selection. If you need a PDF reader, I recommend the freeware Foxit over the bloatware Adobe PDF reader. http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/ Skip the 'toolbar' version unless you really want that.

[j00n]

OK. Big problem, i found the setting in the bios. Changed the priorities to OBFX or something similar PCI was the last of 4 boot options. Now i have no output at all, nothing on my tv or pc monitor how can i change it back when i cant see anything!

HELP
(I am on my girlfriends PC btw)

EDIT: Panic over i managed to connect it through vga and got a display on my monitor and so was able to reverse my actions. Think i am gonna give up on trying to do this and possibly just buy a DVI to HDMI converter, that should do the job i think.

Thanks for you help, if you comeup with any other suggestions about how to connect i would be most grateful.

Jon

[jagabo]

Think i am gonna give up on trying to do this and possibly just buy a DVI to HDMI converter, that should do the job i think.

A $10 DVI->HDMI cable will usually work. That's what I use at 1920x1080p60.

[johns0]

Might be easier just to buy a video card with dual dvi.They are under $100 for a decent one.If the card already has a dvi with agp out then hook up a dvi to hdmi cable to the dvi and you can switch the outputs thru the software settings.

[edDV]

"possibly just buy a DVI to HDMI converter, that should do the job i think."

What the heck is that? HDMI is already DVI-D for video. Audio will need to be separate.

If you mean a DVI-D to HDMI adapter, that will work.


Or you can do a DVI-D to HDMI cable


Or you can connect VGA to the PC (VGA) port on the TV.

[redwudz]

Tell us what motherboard you have and someone may have a suggestion. Also the brand and model of your add-on video card would help. One thing I noticed in what you said, is your PC monitor a DVI or a VGA type? Most on-board video can only output a combination of HDMI and VGA at the same time. DVI and HDMI at the same time doesn't usually work. VGA is analog, while DVI and HDMI is digital.

But if your add-on video card is compatible, you may be able to use a inexpensive DVI to HDMI adapter. I needed HDMI for PC Blu-ray to a projector and that's what I use. My video card came with the adapter. (ATI 3870) My motherboard has on-board HDMI, but not enough performance for Blu-ray display. My PC monitor is a VGA model that uses a DVI-I to VGA adapter hooked to the card, also included. You need DVI-I for using VGA from a DVI connector.

More info on DVI and the different connectors: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface