computer via plasma screen

[admin_exported]

I need some advice, I have a computer which I would like to use as a media center. Can I connect the computer which has an HDMI port direct to my Pioneer SCLX 81 Amp and from the amp via HDMI to my Pioneer 5090 plasma.

 

[nads]

Yes but not all PC HDMI output multi channel sound via HDMI.

So check first.

 

[professorhat]

Have a look at page 62 of your 5090 manual - it lists the PC resolutions supported by your PC - the max is 1280 x 1024 at 60 Hz so make sure the PC is set to this resolution before connecting it up.

 

[Anonymous]

Will I also need a second HDMI cable connected to the video card.

 

[professorhat]

Not sure I understand, assuming your PC will output sound over the HDMI port, you need an HDMI going from the PC into the amp and then another HDMI cable from the amp to the TV. If the PC won't output sound over the HDMI, you'll need to run the HDMI cable either direct from the PC to the TV and then another audio cable into the amp, or you could run both the HDMI (for picture) and optical / analogue connections (for sound) into the amp if you wanted to cut down on the number of connections going into the TV. Which audio cable will depend what outputs the PC has, hopefully you'll have an optical output on it.

If you're not sure, if you list the make and model of the PC we can try and find out for you.

 

[Anonymous]

I also want to be able to view the internet on my TV hence the question how do I get a video connection as well as sound, or does the 1 HDMI cable connecting from my PC to my Amp provide both sound and picture.

 

[professorhat]

Yup, HDMI cable provides both picture and sound. In fact, the main question isn't whether your PC will output picture via its HDMI socket, it's whether it will actually output sound. Hence the caveats concerning potentially requiring an extra lead for sound.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Professor,

Does the HDMI need to go straight to the TV, or could it too go into the amplifier along with the optical cable? I'm looking at getting the Mac Mini (which doesn't send audio via DVI/HDMI) and playing music et al through my Pioneer SC-LX71 amp. It'd be nice to just have the one HMDI lead going to the TV, and sending all the audio (via optical cable) and video (using the DVI/HDMI output) via my amp.

Or would this cause lip-sync issues?

 

[professorhat]

Nope, good point, I'll change the above post - you're right, you could still have the HDMI and optical lead going into the amp to allow for just one HDMI going from amp to TV.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok Guys........ let me clear the confusion. I am using a PC as the hub for all my Media. Its connected to my Marantz AV 8003. (+MM 8003 + Pioneer KRP 600M + B&W 683, HTM 61, 685 & PVI Sub). I have most of my music in FLAC, MP3 & Wave and I use Winamp to play all my music. I have several HD 720p and 1080p movies (mostly in MKV format). I get stereo output when the movie or music track has a stereo
soundtrack and I get DTS or Dolby Digital bitstream output when the
soundtrack has DTS or DD.

In your case chipshopshippers you need to send HDMI/DVI cable & an optical cable from Mac Mini to the AV receiver. You need to do this because Mac Mini actaually only has a mini DVI output. You will have to get a mini dvi to standard dvi converter jack which is available from apple. Actally you would be better off connecting a DVI to HDMI cable from Mac MINI to AV receiver. In case u want to use a HDMI cable you will have to connect it via another dvi to hdmi converter (too many converters). Once you have connected the DVI/HDMI cable along with the optical cable, go to input setup On your AV receiver and activate the audio thru the optical input in conjunction with the HDMI input for video. Let your Mac Mini automatically detect the optimum resolution for the AV receiver.....AND YOU ARE A GO!!!

Other PC users can send audio and video together thru a single HDMI cable from PC to AV receiver (if your PC has a compatible HDMI output) In most cases if your PC has HDMI, it will invariably output video and sound, else it would simply have a DVI output instead of HDMI.

Now coming to whether your PC will output multichannel sound or stereo thru HDMI or SPDIF output (optical or coaxial digital output). This will entirely depend upon the setup of your machine. In my case I get stereo output when the movie or music track has a stereo
soundtrack and I get DTS or Dolby Digital bitstream output when the
soundtrack has DTS or DD.This has been achieved by using a codec pack called CCCP, which comes with a DirectShow / FFdShow audio and Video codec. You can download the latest version from.............http://www.cccp-project.net/

After installing CCCP, go to settings and keep everything default just making one change.... uncheck AC3 & DTS under the FFDShow Audio Decoders section & tick on AC3 S/PDIF and DTS S/PDIF under the S/PDIF section. Thats it !!!

By enabling AC3 S/PDIF and DTS S/PDIF, FFDShow Audio Controller sends out a Bitstream signal whenever it detects one. Otherwise all other output is in Stereo. CCCP also enable playback of all possible video formats thru Windows Media Player.

I hope this will sort out all your queries.

Cheers!!

 

[Anonymous]

I was wanting to connect laptop to tv using itunes so i can use cover flow and pick and choose when have friends around, My worry is screen burn, Would this not be an issue with a album cover on screen for an hour?