What to do with a headless Vista PC? Now that the LCD’s been relocated, the desktop computer needs a new home. In two weeks, I’m visiting my great uncle who’s possibly in need of an updated system. There’s always ebay. Or maybe I need to keep this HP around for random experiments like running Mythbuntu, etc. For starters, I temporarily banished my Xbox 360 and TiVo HD into the closet to give a few Windows-based DVR software packages a whirl on the 42″ plasma. However, to overcome the insufficient integrated graphics, I swung by Micro Center and picked up a Visiontek Radeon 3450 fanless video card with HDMI output ($50AR). Though I got a decent amount of exercise configuring the new card and Vista Media Center, I wasn’t pleased blowing over an hour getting HDMI audio to work. A good reminder why I originally moved away from dedicated HTPCs. At the moment, I’m using OTA ATSC. But if I fully commit to a HTPC in the living room, I’ll probably utilize clear QAM for a cleaner look and more channels.
By the way, I love the cubby/nook over the fireplace in the new place. I have much less storage than our old stand and limited expansion options (think audio), but it looks pretty sharp. I’m bummed I didn’t get the 50″ plasma – would have fit well in there. Without a PC sharing space, anyway. ;)
Wow, the picture looks great. It fills the screen really well and doesn’t look stretched or distorted. All the PC to TV set ups I have seen have the letter box black top and bottom, or distort the picture to fill the screen. Nice work Dave!
Fortunately, the video card output options included one that matches my plasma resolution perfectly and I did have to adjust the overscan. But really, the credit probably goes to Microsoft in this case and having a true HD broadcast. When SD commercials come on they are often pillarboxed and/or letterboxed (as you would imagine). I haven’t done any calibration, but the initial picture quality looks great to me. I just need to get a remote in here. Before moving the Xbox, I tried extending from office to living room – and it was too slow and the connection too inconsistent. Granted, the PC wasn’t hard wired at the time and I had a LAN backup in progress. FYI This system also has BeyondTV installed, though I haven’t launched it while attached to the plasma yet.
Let me know if we can give you any help on the HDMI audio front.
Thanks, Charlie. I actually have sound today. My typical M.O. is to NOT install the drivers provided on CD. So, instead of putting on the ATI Catalyst 8.2 package I downloaded the current 8.4 direct from ATI. I finally got HDMI audio working using 8.2 (off disc) plus audio-specific RealTek drivers.
Though, I am looking for plugin suggestions! I got XM, Showtime (pay?), and TVTonic in there. TVTonic seems a bit buggy and I’m wondering if there’s a better tool for handling video podcasts.
I am drooling over that Slingcatcher dave, I love the black box look versus the red Pro, so much harder to “hide” in your set up.
Think that’s cool, wait until you see the Slingbox PRO-HD. It’s a thing of beauty. Here’s an early look.
The new HD box looks great, just the price is scaring me off $450 if I recall. But, it will be streaming HD content if I am correct. If you need any beta testers Dave……I am always game. (I already signed up on the offical site for Beta Testers)