Computer gurus help! Connecting PC to HDTV

[KillaCams]

I'm trying to connect my PC to my 32 inch Samsung TV. The TV and video card only has a VGA input/output so HDMI or DVI isn't an option, what im trying to do is have 2 screens hooked up simultaneously, my regular monitor and have the ability to display the PC onto the TV for watching movies and eventually have a wireless Mouse and keyboard so i can use the PC from my bed displaying on the TV. Currently i unplug the monitor and plug in the tv to the video card when i want to display on the tv. Can i get away with some cheap splitter or do i have to buy an expensive switcher? For the most part both screens won't be on at the same time.

Would this cheap splitter work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882339129

Or do i need something like this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817270011

I also have to buy another VGA cable for whatever option i go with is this sufficient?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882196003

Hopefully i can get away with the cheap splitter :)

Thanks for your help
-Azad

[k_wakasugi]

Okay, first off, if you're going to be using an HDTV for watching movies, then you're definitely going to want to use something other than VGA. The cheap splitter will work if all you want to do is have the same thing projected on both screens all the time.

A VGA cable will not give you HD.

I'd say just pick up a new video card with an actual DVI port (in addition to VGA, or even dual-DVI), that way you can enjoy your HDTV in all it's HD glory.

edit: Okay wait, I just read that the HDTV only has a VGA input???

[KillaCams]

I will later on, im planning on building a new PC early next year, i've connected it to the PC as is via VGA and tha quality isn't as bad as i thought it would be, not HD but it works. I won't be watching that many movies anyway im mostly going to be using it to surf the internet when i get my wireless keyboard and mouse.

The TV doesn't have DVI would i have to use a DVI to VGA adapter? Would i lose quality by doing that?

I will probably buy the splitter to use for now.
Thanks for the response.

[StereoInstaller1]

You would be much better served with a "dual view" output from a better grade video card.

You don't need much of a card: My Nvidia 8300 256mb PCIe card was about $32 shipped to my door (I did buy 2 at that price). Chintzy POS of a card, but more than adequate for HDTV tuner/DVR work and DVD playback (blu-ray, too).

I use a Hauppague HD Tuner/DVR which was $50 with remote at Circuit City. Buggy and kind of lame, but when it works it does great.

What this combo is great for is like watching game shows and being able to use the web to answer shit while others are yelling at the screen.

[scabzzzz]

You're doing it right.

There is a function key on your laptop that will split the two. Its different per operating system, but XP and Vista both have options to display only on the external, or both, or just the onboard screen.
On a Dell, for example:
Fn + F8.

It would be the same concept if you had a projector via a VGA to DVI or VGA to VGA or VGA to SVideo
Try that.

[k_wakasugi]

The TV doesn't have DVI would i have to use a DVI to VGA adapter? Would i lose quality by doing that?
Thanks for the response.

It'd be the same as VGA quality.

What I don't understand is how the HDTV doesn't have some kind of HD input.

...?

[StereoInstaller1]

It'd be the same as VGA quality.

What I don't understand is how the HDTV doesn't have some kind of HD input.

...?

Probably an older set (like 2005 era) that only offers component input..but then DVI to component adapter would be best, likely better than VGA.

[scabzzzz]

Is the OP even projecting 1080 on his TV?
I mean I'd like to know more about his TV's capabilities before talking about vga and dvi differences, and if he will be seeing high definition.
Because if he's runing a 720 tv, hes fine on vga. Actually hes fine quality wise on VGA either way.

[James Crivellone]

A VGA cable will not give you HD.

I have my media center machine connected to my 46inch Sony XBR via VGA, with a full native resolution of 1920x1080......

DVI vs DSUB VGA does not make a difference when you are talking current HD resolutions, in fact for most PC's VGA is far superior as the resolution is sent 1:1 to the television, vs HDMI/DVI where the driver needs to work some magic to ensure a crisp picture.

[k_wakasugi]

I have my media center machine connected to my 46inch Sony XBR via VGA, with a full native resolution of 1920x1080......

DVI vs DSUB VGA does not make a difference when you are talking current HD resolutions, in fact for most PC's VGA is far superior as the resolution is sent 1:1 to the television, vs HDMI/DVI where the driver needs to work some magic to ensure a crisp picture.

Wow is that so? My apologies to the OP. I was misinformed and spread that misinformation. Are HDTV's and computer monitors different in that respect? The picture on my 22" LCD was much better via DVI than VGA.

[KillaCams]

The TV has HDMI inputs, im not doing anything serious enough with the PC to justify running something so expensive. I think i'll look into the dual out video card Stereoinstaller1 was talking about but most likely i'll just run the splitter, it's cost effective for what im trying to accomplish right now. Later on when i upgrade my PC i'll run DVI or possibly even HDMI

By the way its a 32 inch samsung 720p, also it's going to be run off a desktop not a laptop.

Edit: I've connected the PC to TV via VGA and was satisfied with the quality, i was looking for a way to run both the TV and monitor at the same time or have the ability to switch between the 2without switching the dam wires everytime.

[scabzzzz]

Oh. Desktop.
You didnt specify i just assumed it was a laptop.

And yeah, splitter cable is fine.

[StereoInstaller1]

Splitter cable is fine, agreed, but the ability to show 2 different things is very convenient.

[Kman]

you can buy DVI to HDMI cables. i have one works wicked good, use it on my racing simulator. clear movies also if i choose to watch one on that computer. if you don't have a DVI port i would recommend a new video card as you can pick on up with a div port for pretty cheep.