PC to TV question

Chessic Sense · #1 08-12-2009, 05:31 PM

I would like to get my PC's image on both the monitor and on my HDTV. I just got a VGA splitter and a 50 ft cable. When I plug both the monitor and the TV to the splitter, I get a dim picture on the TV and nothing on the monitor. I know the monitor is receiving a signal because it doesn't display a test graphic or "no signal" message. If I plug either in separately, I get a perfect picture on either. So how do I get the image on the PC at the same time as the TV?

Since the splitting is being done after the signal leaves the PC, I can't imagine it's a computer setting that needs changed. Is the TV overpowering the monitor somehow? How do I fix that?

beowulff · #2 08-12-2009, 05:33 PM

VGA is analog - by splitting the signal, you are reducing the amplitude to both devices.
You need a powered VGA splitter.

Chessic Sense · #3 08-12-2009, 05:36 PM

Update: The TV is irrelevant, I think. When I plug the cable into just the splitter (and nothing on the other end), the monitor still goes out.

Chessic Sense · #4 08-12-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beowulff

You need a powered VGA splitter.

That's too much money. I'd rather just keep switching the cables as necessary. Any ideas on how to boost the signal before it leaves the machine?

HorseloverFat · #5 08-12-2009, 05:38 PM

The problem with 50' VGA cables is that the resistance is pretty strong so you get a weak signal. On top of that you are splitting it in half.

I would try lowering the resolution to see if that helps. The PC might be more sensitive to line noise. Start at 800x600 and work your way up.

If that doesnt work then you should buy a powered VGA splitter instead of a non-powered one. That might take care of the line issue.

wierdaaron · #6 08-12-2009, 05:39 PM

Your video card is only putting so much "oomph" into sending the analog signal through the VGA cable. Unless the VGA splitter is powered and has integrated circuitry, all it's doing is trying to divide that flow into two streams, which means each will have half as much "oomph".

Your monitor might not like such a weak signal, and might decide to just display nothing. The TV is dim because they're set up to display anything you throw at them, regardless of strength or quality.

What you need is either a better video card, one with multiple video outputs, or a second video card (one going to TV, the other to monitor).

In my experience, having two video cards can be rather messy, so getting a better card is the better bet. I don't know what kind of inputs your TV has, but what you're looking for is either one with 2 DVI outputs, or one with 1 DVI and 1 HDMI/S-Video/Composite (something TV friendly) output.

Then, within the video card's software you'll be able to tell it whether to stretch the display across both screens or mirror them (sounds like you want to mirror).

(Even if you don't have a DVI monitor or somehow are stuck with VGA, the video card will come with at least one DVI-to-VGA adapter so you can plug in your monitor via the DVI output of the vid card)

HorseloverFat · #7 08-12-2009, 05:40 PM

>Any ideas on how to boost the signal before it leaves the machine?

For less than 30 bucks? No. Ive seen some bargain basement no-name splitters for around 20 or so, but youre going to be in that ballpark.

Chessic Sense · #8 08-12-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorseloverFat

>Any ideas on how to boost the signal before it leaves the machine?

For less than 30 bucks? No.

I was hoping for something like "Go to Settings, then Advanced, then uncheck the 'Make my card suck' box". FWIW, I have a GeForce 7300 LE

wierdaaron · #9 08-12-2009, 06:53 PM

I cant find a 7300 LE that doesn't have multiple outputs. Most have s-video as well. Yours doesn't?

Chessic Sense · #10 08-13-2009, 12:41 PM

It's only got one VGA output. The others are S-video and component (I think- I'm not around it right now)

KneadToKnow · #11 08-13-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chessic Sense

It's only got one VGA output. The others are S-video and component (I think- I'm not around it right now)

Okay, so you do have multiple outputs. Does your TV not have an s-video input?

Crown Prince of Irony · #12 08-13-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KneadToKnow

Okay, so you do have multiple outputs. Does your TV not have an s-video input?

In my experience, S-video out quality on low-end cards is quite often dodgy, especially with LCD panels - fuzzy text, misaligned display, etc.

Does your pc also have onboard graphics? If so, it might be possible to have both video adapters active at the same time (usually enabled in BIOS). FYI, this is usually only viable if the onboard graphics are also nVidia, so the same driver can handle adapter duties.

Of course, YMMV depending on the chipset and driver version. I've done it successfully on a couple pc's, and had it not work on a couple older pc's.

Good luck!

Bad Astronaut · #13 08-13-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chessic Sense

It's only got one VGA output. The others are S-video and component (I think- I'm not around it right now)

Why not just use the component then? Or DVI/HDMI would be even better if that turns out to be an option.

Even if you get the dimness issue sorted with your splitter idea, your monitor and TV probably have different aspect ratios and native resolutions so driving them with the same signal will result in one looking squished. Using a different output for each display is the normal way of doing things.

KneadToKnow · #14 08-13-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crown Prince of Irony

In my experience, S-video out quality on low-end cards is quite often dodgy, especially with LCD panels - fuzzy text, misaligned display, etc.

I concur, and I speak from regular personal experience. I run my broken-screen laptop via its s-video out.

But poor video is often better than no video.

Bad Astronaut · #15 08-13-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KneadToKnow

I concur, and I speak from regular personal experience. I run my broken-screen laptop via its s-video out.

But poor video is often better than no video.

S-video only carries a 480i signal at best, it won't look good on an HD display regardless of the quality of the output card. S-video is only a small step up from composite (the single yellow plug).