Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: bmwgs on January 20, 2010, 01:21:58 AM

Title: Plasma Screen and Sound Card
Post by: bmwgs on January 20, 2010, 01:21:58 AM
I bit the bullet a couple of weeks ago and bought a 42" plasma screen TV to us as a computer monitor. 

I was originally going to go with the multi screen setup, but after posting a question on this board, and finding out how the ones using large screen TV's as monitors liked it, I decided to give it a shot.  I figure worse case scenario would be that it wouldn't work and I would just move the TV to the bedroom to replace the old one, and then go with the multi screen setup.

Using the TV as a monitor is beyond my expectations.  It is absolutely great.  It's like a new game.  I don't think it will make me a better pilot, but dying is a lot neater.

My question is this.  I want to use the TV speakers for sound.  I only have on-board sound, so I guess I need to get a sound card.  My question is, what do I look for in a sound card that can be hooked up to the TV?  Does anyone have any recommendations for a sound card?

Thanks,

Fred

Below is my system and display information.   

System Information
------------------

   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.090803-2339)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: OEM
       System Model: OEM
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU         920  @ 2.67GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
             Memory: 3062MB RAM
          Page File: 716MB used, 5611MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode

Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce GTX 260
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_05E2&SUBSYS_12573842&REV_A1
   Display Memory: 2154 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 879 MB
    Shared Memory: 1275 MB
     Current Mode: 1804 x 1014 (32 bit) (59Hz)
          Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
      Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
   Driver Version: 8.17.0011.9562 (English)
      DDI Version: 10
   BGRA Supported: Yes
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 11/20/2009 20:34:54, 9333352 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:

Title: Re: Plasma Screen and Sound Card
Post by: Delirium on January 20, 2010, 01:38:31 AM
You shouldn't need a sound card.

I did something like this when we bought our bigscreen TV for the living room, much to my wife's chagrin. I just went to Radio Shack and got the cables and connected it to the Bose.

It won't be much different except you'll have to deal with a two speaker system, make sure you designate your sound system that way in Windows.
Title: Re: Plasma Screen and Sound Card
Post by: Delirium on January 20, 2010, 01:42:48 AM
Here is a pic of what you'll need.

(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/167/270ll1.jpg)
Title: Re: Plasma Screen and Sound Card
Post by: Kermit de frog on January 20, 2010, 01:52:26 AM
Look at the back of your TV;
Note which input number you use for your video and check out it's corresponding audio input connectors.
Then get an audio cable at radio shack with the matching connectors for your computer and TV.
The computer end needs a Male 3.5mm stereo plug.
Your TV may need the same plug, or male RCA plugs (red/white)

I'd set the audio on the computer to 3/4 volume level and then adjust the volume on the TV after that.
Have fun!
Title: Re: Plasma Screen and Sound Card
Post by: Tigger29 on January 20, 2010, 03:48:30 PM
Here you go:

(http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/6652.jpg)

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=665&seq=1&format=1#largeimage (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=665&seq=1&format=1#largeimage)
Title: Re: Plasma Screen and Sound Card
Post by: Ruler2 on January 20, 2010, 03:52:06 PM
These guys are right about the adapter, BUT that still isn't a guranteed work. It depends on the sound card your motherboard has in it, MY pc has an aftermarket mobo and the sound card works fine with that, but my siblings' hp with no add-in sound card would NOT run it. I doubt you will have any problems though, because that PC won't even let me use a mic.
Title: Re: Plasma Screen and Sound Card
Post by: bmwgs on January 20, 2010, 08:08:17 PM
Got the cable today.  Sound works great.  Didn't need to get a sound card.

Thanks for the info.

Fred