Monitor as TV, cable audio through computer?

E

entropism

2[H]4U
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
3,640
Maybe someone can help me out here, before I spend money needlessly:

Currently, I'm in the market for a new TV/Monitor for my computer room, and I'd like to combine the two and use my monitor as a TV. Ideally, I'd be able to route the TV signal from my FIOS cable box into my computer, but that would mean picking up a TV Tuner card, correct?

Anyways, my idea was this:

Pick up a HannsG 28" monitorfrom Costco for $320.
Use the DVI from my video card to the monitor for regular computer duties
Use the HDMI out from the cable box to the monitor

Now, I have a set of Klipsch Pro Media 2.1s to handle the audio duties for my TV and computer, but I'm unsure of how to set this up.

I can:

A: use the optical SPDIF from my cable box to my motherboard's onboard sound, but will this play correctly out of my computer speakers?

B: use an RCA to 3.5mm cable to the Klipsch satellite and manually have to swap cables when watching TV (not ideal)

C: use an RCA to 3.5mm, then a 3.5mm splitter to input both signals into the Klipsch

D: some other option I haven't though of yet, which would probably be ideal and make me look like an idiot for not thinking of it before.

So... Who wants to help me out and make me feel stupid? =)

Please? :D
 
If I was you, and I'm sure others will agree, I would drop those Klipsch "speakers" ASAP. Because of how "computer" speakers are setup (with a single 1/8" input) they severly limit how you can hook them up. You're best bet would be to look into a nice (yet cheap) reciever and a pair of quality bookshelf speakers.

At least thats why I would do, I had those exact Klipsch speakers, and after moving to a pair of active monitors it was clear how crappy they where.


That being said. If you really want to keep those Klipsch's, just hit up monoprice (or a radioshack type place) and get a splitter the will allow you to plug in both the cable box and you're computer into the Klipsch's single 1/8" plug.

I will look right now for the specific adapter you would need and post back.
 
I have an older receiver laying around, but it's been in storage for years and I have no idea if it even still works. No remote, that's for sure. Also, no HDMI, I got it right before HDMI got standardized.

I also have some JBL (tiny) speakers laying around as well, the NSP1IIs, along with a Dayton 10" powered sub from partsexpress.com. The problem was I was holding on to those to hook my downstairs TV up.

I'm not looking for the "best" quality, as I have to listen fairly low anyways. Between hardwood floors, a roommate, and neighbors, I'm not looking for a true "theater" experience. Just enough volume to play a movie relatively low, and watch a hockey game while I work.

I was debating hooking up the HannsG as well as my older Dell 2001FP so I could watch TV and use the computer at the same time. Think that might work?
 
If thats the case, the Klipsch's shoule be alright. Now I looked around on monoprice, and there doesn't seem to be a single adapter that will do what you want, but 3 of them plus some cable should do it.

Its would be to complicated for me to explain how to hook these up here, but it makes sense in my head, i'm sure you will figure it out.

This, this, and one of these which I can't seem to find on monoprice. Its a 3.5mm to 3.5mm coupler.

You may also need some standard stereo RCA cables, aswell as a 3.5mm audio cable depending on how far away everything it.

I know that sounds confusing, but with those 3 things, both the cable box and the PC can hook up to the Klipsch's without issue. Good luck.
 
I figured a set of RCA to 3.5mm cables and a splitter (2 female to 1 male) should be able to get the job done, and do it on the cheap. Something to think about though, and thank you for your help!

By the way, the first two links you listed are the same. Intentional or no?
 
Oops, no that wasn't intentional. I seem to have lost the link I meant to put there... I'm sure you can figure out what adapters you need anyway.
 
Careful! It says "DVI and Component via cable." It probably has the same setup as my LG246-something. The monitor probably has an HDMI port, and they include a DVI to HDMI cable. In other words, it probably only has one digital input.

As for the sound, can't you just use analog stereo into the computer? I have to assume the FIOS box has an analog stereo output, presumably 2 RCA plugs, and the computer has a 3.5mm analog stereo line in. Unless of course it's a laptop... they do strange things with laptops. My old TV tuner card worked this way; it had an analog stereo out & came with a short cable to connect it to the line in on the sound card.
 
Zandor, I have line in and optical SPDIF input on my motherboard, just wasn't sure if it would directly output to the speakers, or if it was just for recording/processing.
 
zandor said:
As for the sound, can't you just use analog stereo into the computer? I have to assume the FIOS box has an analog stereo output, presumably 2 RCA plugs, and the computer has a 3.5mm analog stereo line in. Unless of course it's a laptop... they do strange things with laptops. My old TV tuner card worked this way; it had an analog stereo out & came with a short cable to connect it to the line in on the sound card.
Click to expand...

Running the sound out of the cable box, into the computer, then back out to the speakers is a little useless when he can just run them both to the speakers.

entropism said:
Zandor, I have line in and optical SPDIF input on my motherboard, just wasn't sure if it would directly output to the speakers, or if it was just for recording/processing.
Click to expand...

Its going to take you messing with settings and such whenever you just want to watch some TV, not to mentioned added complexity. Having the cable box connected directly will be the easiest way. Nothing at all to touch when you want to watch TV.
 
Pretty sure that monitor only has 1 HDMI and 1 VGA port. It does DVI with an included adapter cable. It doesn't have 2 digital inputs.

That being said I have the I INC version of that very monitor. I use it regularly with a digital cable box. It works just fine but again it only has 1 digital input so an HDMI switch box will be needed.
 
bigddybn said:
Pretty sure that monitor only has 1 HDMI and 1 VGA port. It does DVI with an included adapter cable. It doesn't have 2 digital inputs.

That being said I have the I INC version of that very monitor. I use it regularly with a digital cable box. It works just fine but again it only has 1 digital input so an HDMI switch box will be needed.
Click to expand...

If that is true its very unfortunate. You can either pick up a different display, or get a nice cheap HDMI switcher.

EDIT, I just checked Newegg, that display only has 1 digital input (HDMI). I would reccomend getting the HDMI switch I linked to above and a DVI to HDMI adapter so you can hook up you're PC. You're video card usually comes with one if its a newer card, or they can be picked up from Monoprice along with that switch for less then $2.
 
Yeah, thinking about changing the monitor I get, possibly the KDS 26" or the Asus 26", simply because of the better inputs. I'm a fan of buying monitors locally though, plus if I order from Newegg I still get charged tax.

Basically if I go with the HannsG, I get banged out for tax and the $50 membership fee from costco, bringing it very close to $400.

If I go through Newegg for the Asus, after rebate and tax, it'll be around $370. So it's cheaper, AND a better screen.
 
You could go with this monitor. Might be a little more expensive, but you don't have to worry about buying an HDTV tuner card for your computer or anything. I have the 22" version and I love it. Plenty of inputs. Dual HDMI. Built in HD Tuner. Proper scaling for 16:9 sources.
 
CLock3 said:
but you don't have to worry about buying an HDTV tuner card for your computer or anything. I have the 22" version and I love it. Plenty of inputs. Dual HDMI. Built in HD Tuner. Proper scaling for 16:9 sources.
Click to expand...

Why would he need an HDTV tuner for his computer? He has a FiOS HD box already, which is required for FiOS TV.

OP, the monitor you originally where looking at is great, and with cheap HDMI switches on Monoprice, you can have as many digital inputs as you like.
 
CLock3 said:
He mentioned getting a TV Tuner earlier.
Click to expand...

He was thinking he could route TV Tuner card would allow him to route the video/audio into his computer, which is overly complicated, riddled with problems and ultimately useless. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top