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Question

Best Way To Connect Desktop PC to an HDTV

Dec 25, 2012 1:53AM PST

I want to hook up my father's desktop PC to his HDTV so that he can watch things on the internet on his TV. The desktop is new and full featured. It's a Dell XPS 8500, core i7, 12GB ram, it is wireless, has bluetooth, etc....all the goodies. His HDTV is a little older, though, and it does not have an ethernet port and is NOT internet ready. It does have several HDMI ports and a USB port, though. It's an LG 37LG60 model.

I know there are many media streamers out there that could be used, however I know that many companies block their internet content this way. I want him to be able to access one or more internet browsers and be able to watch what's on the internet on his TV. So sort of like a 2nd monitor. For example, he's into cycling, but there's not much on TV...there's a lot more cycling to watch on the internet, so he really needs to be able to access it through a browser that won't be blocked. Basically I want him to be able to do everything internet-wise he can do on his computer - on his TV. His desktop is in a room that's next to the room where his TV is, so they are in different rooms, though not very far apart. There is no direct line of sight, though.

I've read about some wireless PC to TV kits, and some others that are wired, but I'm a little confused what to get. Does anyone have any good ways to do this that aren't TOO expensive?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
You didn't ask for wireless HDMI.
Dec 25, 2012 2:14AM PST

But those do run in the 200 buck area. I use a 31 foot HDMI cable (odd number because it's a 25 foot, coupler and another 6 footer.) That cable was about 26 bucks. Amazon.com if you ask.

Folk tend to push the distances on the wireless HDMI so that's why they rarely get good reviews.
Bob

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Answer
Since they're in adjacent rooms,
Dec 25, 2012 2:30AM PST

why not just drill a small hole in the wall and run an HDMI cable from the PC to the TV? Of course he could move the PC into the room with the TV too. Not the most sophisticated solutions, but solutions nonetheless.

Good luck.

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Sound from tv
Dec 25, 2012 10:29AM PST

Would using just an HDMI Cable provide sound coming from the tv? Or would he also need to hook up an audio cable from the pc to the desktop?

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(NT) Here, my HDMI carries audio too.
Dec 25, 2012 11:47PM PST
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As Bob says, HDMI carries both
Dec 26, 2012 3:13AM PST

Unlike the old RGB (aka VGA) cables, HDMI cables carry both sound and picture, and they carry the highest quality.

Good luck.