Hooking up HTPC to TV

[paulcall]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently doing research to build an HTPC that I will be hooking up to a slightly older TV and I found that I may run into an issue when trying to do so.

My plan was to get an adapter wire that converts the D-Sub to S-Video, composite, or component. After doing some research apparently this possibly cannot be done with just a wire, you need a separate converter box or a motherboard that supports a VGA D-Sub to TV out.

My goal was to have just a simple setup....
-use the video capability of the Intel CPU
-no video card
-low heat / noise
-use small power supply (pico psu)
-no external parts (converter box)
-no converters plugged into USB ports

Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do, in order to accomplish hooking up the HTPC to the television I currently have?

Here is a list of CPU's and MB's I was thinking of....
CPU
Intel i3-2100
Intel i3-2100T

MB (Mini ITX) (couldn't find if these have VGA D-Sub to TV out capabilities)
ASUS P8H61-I (REV 3.0)
Intel BOXDH61DLB3
ASRock H67M-ITX (probably not because reviews are not so good)
GIGABYTE GA-H67N-USB3-B3 (reviews are not so good)

Ports available on the Mini ITX motherboards....
VGA D-Sub Analog
DVI
HDMI

Ports available on my TV....
Composite
Component
S-Video

Thank You for your help

 

[Raduque]

Basically, your only options:
Get a small, low-profile video card with S-Video out.

Or, get a new TV that can handle a digital input (or a VGA input).

Edit: I have never seen any motherboard with a S-Video, Component or Composite output. I'm sure they exist, I've just never seen one.

 

[BTA]

I don't think you are going to be happy using an HTPC on a TV with only S-video capability (or composite). There are cables for DVI and VGA to component connections but your monitor/TV has to specifically support them.

If you're dead set on using the old TV I'd suggest trying to find a media player box that has component output. Save yourself the money on a full blown HTPC to only be disappointed by the output quality.

 

[Quasmo]

roku

 

[paulcall]

Hey Guys,

Thank you for your responses.

To give a little more info, I was using an old Xbox as a htpc, and the quality out of that is perfect for what I am looking for.
I agree though, if I was looking to get super HD quality, I would invest in a HD TV, which I will probably do in the future.

I like the option of building an htpc rather than going with a pre-made media box because it provides a lot more options for customization and upgrades. Such as skins, custom images, games, different video formats supported, etc.

Before posting my question I did look up fanless video cards and I seemed to only find 512mb-1gb cards that required min. of 400w power supplies which would be overkill for what I am looking for. I am planing on just going with 120w pico psu.

After the recommendation from Raduque I decided to search again on other sites and I was able to find a cheap low profile 128mb video card that has a s-video out. It is unfortunate because I was hoping to just use the video capabilities from the Intel CPU, but at this time I am leaning towards getting this ATI video card, because at the moment it appears to be the best option for my needs.

I am still open for other opinions if anyone has any other comments or ideas to share.

Thanks again

 

[kalrith]

Don't put too much stock into the psu "requirements" of computer components. It's better to use a psu calculator such as the following: http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

I run a fanless 4550 off of a pico psu 120W, and it runs just fine. I have an AMD BE-2300 that's overclocked to 2.5 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, a 2TB WD20EARS hdd, and the 4550. I think it hits 90W at full load. If you want an optical drive as well, then that might push you over the 120W limit. I think pico makes a 150W psu.

 

[Modelworks]

If you are set on going svideo only then search ebay for avermedia averkey, they sell for about $25 . They connect to the VGA and convert it to svideo. It is about as good an svideo output as you can get. The controls on the box allow you to move the image, or zoom in/out as well to make the picture fit the screen. They also allow you to leave a monitor connected to the box and it does pass thru so you can use both at the same time. They were big when people did presentations using projectors and such.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you are set on going svideo only then search ebay for avermedia averkey, they sell for about $25 .

This.

 

[paulcall]

Hey Guys,

Thank you again for all the responses.

As mentioned I am looking for something internal, as opposed to having external equipment to connect.

I actually tried that psu calculator website a while back to see how much it would calculate and it comes out high. I retried it again due to your post and it kicks back a high number which I don't understand.
The simple setup I plug in comes out saying 185W minimum and 235W recommended which does not seem right.

As you said your system comes out using 90w and you are overclocking.

So as of now the low end video card is my answer.

 

[piasabird]

Well if you like Intel Motherboards they have a newer motherboard that can use an external power supply.

Intel DH61AG
http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/motherboards/db-DH61AG/DH61AG-overview.htm

This motherboard is more like a Laptop. Can use half and full Cards like notebook wireless cards.

 

[Emulex]

hd-fury will take hdmi/dvi and convert it to component with varying degrees of quality (dependent on model).

 

[paulcall]

HD-Fury, never heard of this one.

I just looked it up and read about it briefly, there seems to be a couple of different products to choose from. I will look into this further and let you know if I find what I am looking for.

Thank You guys for your responses

 

[paulcall]

Thanks again for your posts.

Looked into the HD-Fury a little bit.
Seems some of the models are pretty expensive.
I am having a tough time understanding some of the products that they offer. I wish they would show more pictures.
It says the units require power but I was unable to find a picture of what the power cord looks like.

Anyways, those are the type of products I am looking for, things that I have never heard of before.

I am also going to do some more research on if any of the motherboards I am looking at maybe have some adapters made by the companies that product the motherboards for s-video.

I will let everyone know if I find anything new out.
In the mean time I am still open for recommendations.

Thank You

 

[sm625]

It would be silly to actually spend money on an i3 2100 system just to hook it to s-video. You'd be a LOT better off buying any old second hand pc with any chip from the last 4 years, and taking those savings and putting them into the biggest LCD you can get that accepts VGA input.

See this for example:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PYEO1I/ref=nosim/?tag=fatwalletcom&linkCode=as1

less than $150 for a nearly 24" display. Couple that with any core2duo or athlon II pc and you'll have a much better experience than with an i3-2100 system with s-video.

 

[paulcall]

Thank you for your post

No I understand what you are saying but my reason for going with the Intel i3-2100T is due to its low power consumption and heat production.
Also as I mentioned, my plan for the future will be to get an lcd tv, but right now I just do not desire to get one. With this in mind my goal is to design a system that can work with my current setup now and also provide a system that will cover my future needs.