The web has turned into such a vast video megaplex that some brave souls are – gasp – giving up their cable TV and satellite boxes. With sites like YouTube, Hulu, NBC.com and Netflix offering up everything from homespun videos to broadcast sitcoms and full-length movies, the cheapo web video option is getting more enticing all the time. Yes you can watch on your laptop, but let’s see how to get the video to your new HDTV:
Wired
If you have a computer located near your TV, or want to plop your laptop next to it, there are several different ways to connect the two devices and stream video.
Most computers have a VGA, DVI or S-video output. If your TV and computer have a matching cable connection, such as a VGA-to-VGA, your job just got easier. If not, you can track down cables to connect just about any combination of outputs and inputs. Also, be sure to download the latest drivers for your computer’s video card to get the best possible connection and resolution.
If you have an S-Video output on your computer, check to see if it’s a 7-pin or 4-pin. If it matches up to your TV’s S-video input, you should be in business.
HD options
If you have an HDTV, you have several options, including VGA, DVI and HDMI, and all of these offer higher quality than S-video. DVI is a common digital signal that outputs a higher quality picture than VGA. You can pick up a DVI-to-HDMI cable on the cheap these days (about $10), so this is one of the easiest and best ways to go. Looking ahead, more computers will come with HDMI outputs, which should simplify matters even more.
Audio
You’ll still have to connect your computer’s audio signal to your TV or to your AV system if you want the streamed audio signal to come out of your TV or your AV system. None of the computer’s video outputs (VGA, S-video, or DVI) output the audio signal, unless you have a DVI-to-HDMI converter cable, and a graphics card that supports outputting audio through unused DVI pins, such as the ati radeon 2600 or many later cards. If this is the case, simply connect the adapter included with your card, and an HDMI cable. Your computer will have either a single, stereo miniplug (female) audio output or two RCA 1/4” phono plug (female) outputs for right and left stereo channels. Your TV will have stereo audio inputs, usually next to the PC input. If your TV or AV system does not have a miniplug input, you’ll need a mini-to-RCA Y-adapter cable ($5+/-), which come in lengths up to 12 feet. If you connect with RCA 1/4” stereo phono plugs ($5 +/-), they come in lengths ranging from two feet up to over 50 feet.
Wireless
Of course, nobody likes wires. So here’s some of the easiest ways to get up and streaming sans wires:
Media Players
Many hard-drive manufacturers are also building media players, so type in “media player” on Amazon and other shopping sites, and a variety of players from companies like Iomega, D-Link, and Western Digital will pop up. Some of the key features you want to check out with media players are the outputs, interface and navigation, as well as video codec support (codecs are used to play different types of media files). The Apple TV, for instance, uses either HDMI or component video to connect to your HDTV, but its codec support is limited. So if you have a large collection of video files from different sources, then find a media player that supports lots of different codecs: DivX (AVI), Xvid, WMV, QuickTime, and what have you. With the interface, some media players use a bare-bones approach that may bring you back to the glory days of MS-DOS, while others like the Apple TV have a much more user-friendly design.
Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
If you already have one of these gaming platforms, you’ve also have a video-streaming device, which can be used for wireless or wired (better bandwidth) streaming. In both cases, you need to seek out some detailed instructions on the web, and then brace yourself for some networking fun. To make the setup easier, you can employ a media-server software program like TVersity, which is free for noncommercial use.
SlingCatcher
Sling Media has built a number of solid video-streaming products over the years, starting with its SlingBox, which lets you watch and control your home TV/DVR from a laptop or mobile phone while you’re away from home. The company’s new SlingCatcher is a Windows-only device that lets you play whatever’s on your PC’s monitor on your TV in another room. It also allows you to watch and control your TV or DVR on another TV in your house or in any web-connected location.
For more info: http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Stream_Videos_From_the_PC_to_a_TV
Ubud news: When I have a computer problem, the very first place I call is Mega Systems in Ubud. Well, by popular demand, they have finally opened a second shop. Their services include not only Windows but also Mac and Linux! It’s on the west side of Ubud. Phone: 361 977337 or 08123659773 for a house call or tech support. Their original location in Peliatan: 0361 975781.
Have a question or problem? Write me at BaliPCAdvisor@Gmail.com. I’ll try and answer as soon as I can.
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