Connect media center PC w/ DVI to HDMI?

Question

I have an hp m7690n and a Samsung HLR5087W HDTV. I connect for video w/ a DVI/HDMI adapter and the picture is just fine. But I was wondering if there was a way to get the audio in without spending $250.

Answer 1

Yes and No. The catch on this is that it is more expensive to take DVI and digital audio, and convert it into a HDMI connection, than it is to take HDMI and break it down. THe following link is to an HDMI to DVI and audio adapter for $179.00

http://www.hdtvsupply.com/hdmi-to-dvi-digital-audio-converter-adapter.html

The exact opposite of this, to take DVI and digital audio and convert to HDMI, depends in price on whether you have PCM output through an 1/8" jack, or is you have digital coax through an RCA style plug. The PCM one is $30 cheaper. $239.00 to $269.00 respectively.

Here is where I will give you an idea, your tv cannot display 1080p anyway, so unless all of your other digital inputs are used up, why not use a component or DVI that would be 3 other inputs that could be used. You could run the DVI into your dvi input, which includes a jack for digital audio on your tv, or you could use one of the component inputs, and just hook up your audio through the corresponding RCA connections. That way, since you will be using your monitors speakers anyways, it doesn't matter if you use the digital in, since you wont be using surround sound.
If you go the DVI route, which is what I reccommend, then you can buy a 2 dollar cable and convert your digital audio output to rcas or vice versa, to get them connected. and If you needed to use one of the component inputs, you could get a dvi to component converter to do that for less than $250.00.
Heck you could even use the 15 pin VGA output from the PC and get a VGA and audio to HDMI converter box for about $170 here:

http://www.hdtvsupply.com/vgatohdco2.html

These are a few options for you, but I would need ot know your whole setup to be able to give you any more help.

[e-mail] If you have any questions. And in regards to the poster beneath me, due to the fact that HDMI carries the audio itself, there is no rca in jacks for that input on the tv, so hooking it up that way won't work.

Answer 2

With a few in-expensive audio cables, you should be able to do this:
From the media center manual:
Using additional sound cables
If you plan to connect the PC audio to an amplifier
or a TV, you may need additional sound cables that
are not included with your PC. Your PC is able to
output sound in several modes. Your PC has 3.5 mm
female stereo headphone jacks for most outputs.
Many amplifiers have RCA inputs. You need one
3.5 mm male-to-RCA stereo cable for stereo sound.
You need three 3.5 mm male-to-RCA cables for
surround sound. Check the documentation that came
with your audio equipment for the best input
method.
and from the tv's manual:
Connect a set of audio
cables between the AUDIO
IN (1 or 2) jacks on the TV
and the AUDIO output jacks
on the VCR or PC.

Answer 3

Unfortunately the DVI interface from the computer is video only
Normally DVI (video) and SPDIF (Audio) are interconnected via a HDMI converter ( http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3570).
The only way without this converter is to take the audio signal directly from the computers audio output interface as a composite signal and attempt to route that into your sound system. Problem is when you select HDMI as the input interface its assumed by the input device that the audio is present in the HDMI signal.

Answer 4

Why do you need to spend $250? Your media center comes with digital audio out and your Samsung should have a digital audio in.

Answer 5

Just use the VGA