Toshiba DLP HDTV + PC

Alright, my dad just bought a 56" Toshiba DLP HDTV (native 720p). We get local HD broadcast fine. But, I really wanted to bring my PC downstairs to maybe play some Oblivion, Flight Simulator, or Battlefield on it wink

The TV has 2 HDMI inputs, but no VGA. I read the manual and it says explicitly "Do not connect a PC to the HDMI input of this TV"..blah..blah. I searched Google and the concensus is that Toshiba doesn't want PC noobs to screw up the DLP engine by sending incompatible resolutions/etc. I'm a little leery about this, since I don't want to damage my dad's brand new TV.

However, I was thinking about getting a VGA->composite cord and hooking it up that way. Do I still need to setup the graphics card to a certain resolution for optimal viewing clarity? If so, what would that be? Also, would the quality still be acceptable, if not as good as HDMI?

Just for some detailed info., here are some links
[ucc6fc42c08]Toshiba DLP HDTV[/ucc6fc42c08][=http//www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisions/product.asp?model=56hm66][ucc6fc42c08]Toshiba DLP HDTV[/ucc6fc42c08]
[ucc6fc42c08]XFX GeForce 7900GT[/ucc6fc42c08][=http//www.xfxforce.com/web/product/listConfigurationDetails.jspa?productConfigurationId=186017][ucc6fc42c08]XFX GeForce 7900GT[/ucc6fc42c08]

TIA for anyone who helps! (++K for helpful posters) Thanks!

Its going to look like crap.

How about going component? Your card must've come with an adapter to let you connect your card to an HDTV with component. Your HDTV should have component inputs.

You can also get a DVI to HDMI adapter, those are cheap, but I guess you're a bit reluctant to do that.

Component quality will not be as good as HDMI, but would be acceptable for gaming. I have an Nvidia 6200 card in my MythTV box that does component out, but I don't use component since my SXRD has both VGA and HDMI connectors.

Best bet would be HDMI, despite what Toshiba says. DVI-D and HDMI are the same video signal, so there's no electronics involved in the conversion, just a different connector configuration. HDMI just adds additional wires to carry optional audio and HDCP, which the PC doesn't need. A DVI converter/cable is all you need, however you should search the web (try AVSForum) for the proper videocard modelines/timings to use for the DLP, then use something like PowerStrip to set the timings and tune the optimal resolution. Going over the HDMI port, stick to the native resolutions, in this case 720p (don't bother trying 1080i from the PC, it's difficult to get working and doesn't look any better for PC output due to the interlacing).

[quotea9557cb664="hehehhehe"]How about going component? Your card must've come with an adapter to let you connect your card to an HDTV with component. Your HDTV should have component inputs.

You can also get a DVI to HDMI adapter, those are cheap, but I guess you're a bit reluctant to do that.[/quotea9557cb664]
I'm sorry, component is what I mean, not composite. You're right Wolfeman, composite would look like shit. I think I [ia9557cb664]did[/ia9557cb664] get a dvi->component cable with my video card. However, I'm still wondering if I go the component route, will I still have to use Powerstrip to set correct resolutions, etc? Is it pretty much the same procedure for using HDMI? Thank you hehehhehe and Dmorris (of course wink) for your help!

Edit Also, since I would need to buy a DVI->HDMI cable, what would you suggest as the best online place to buy something like that?

I would think you can adjust the component output from the nvidia control panel.

You can buy cables at monoprice. The smaller gauges are on the bottom, they are much cheaper.

http//www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&style=[]http//www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&style=

Yeah, Monoprice is the way to go, but I'd recommend the premium HDMI cables. I have several, and they are extremely well built -- better than anything that ripoff company Monster makes, at a fraction of the price.

If you're going to do analog component output, it's controlled by your Nvidia control panel like hehehehe said. Powerstrip might still be useful to adjust things like overscan. Resolutions via component will likely be limited to standard TV resolutions, because this is an NTSC TV output. The TV will also limit your HDMI resolution possibilities to NTSC/ATSC standards, but might offer a little more flexibility (plus better image quality).

there was a shitload of info on this for talklcd, but yea the quality varies between those models.

HDMI BLOWS!!! Monoprice is the best place to get cabling. I just bought a ton of cables for my new TV/Stereo setup and networking cables. Probably cost around $300 and if I got it retail it would've been over $1000 easily...

[quote38275b0157="Wolfeman"][b38275b0157]HDMI BLOWS!!![/b38275b0157][/quote38275b0157]
http//www.mondotees.com/ProductImages/Whatchoo.jpg[" alt=""/img38275b0157]

[quotec566402a71="dmorris68"][quotec566402a71="Wolfeman"][bc566402a71]HDMI BLOWS!!![/bc566402a71][/quotec566402a71]
http//www.mondotees.com/ProductImages/Whatchoo.jpg[" alt=""/imgc566402a71][/quotec566402a71]
The plugs never stay in and I don't like that it is involved in the whole DRM thing...

[quote3493e08b47="Wolfeman"]The plugs never stay in and I don't like that it is involved in the whole DRM thing...[/quote3493e08b47]
True, the plug can be a bit of a hassle, especially with the heavy duty cables from Monoprice with the 1-inch ferrite cores, but I love the all digital signal. The DRM thing doesn't bother me, it has yet to interfere with anything I do. Of course I would prefer DVI, but the industry is going away from DVI for the very reason that it can't be protected.

Warts aside, I'll always use HDMI over component given the opportunity.