Trainz on a HD TV

B

bendorsey

Bridge-n-trestle builder
This has almost certainly been asked before but how does one connect a computer to a HD TV. I'm just curious to see what it would look like but neither my TV manual, computer display manual, or computer says anything about it.

All have lots of connectors but none say this can go to or come from a TV. I don't want to connect them up helter-skelter and mess things up.

Thanks,

Ben
 
If both support it (look for a connector labelled HDMI), a HDMI cable is the one to get. Failing that, you will need to check if both of them have either a DVI (white) or VGA (blue) port.

Shane
 
If your HD TV has a standard VGA input port (mine does) then simply run a VGA cable from the computer to the TV. However, for the best results, if both your computer and HD TV have HDMI data ports then run a HDMI cable between the two. Many/most (???) modern laptops seem to have a HDMI data port.

Shane beat me by 1 minute.
 
Hi Gents:

My TV has a connector clearly labeled HDMI.
My computer monitor has 2 connectors clearly labeled HDMI.
My Computer (Alienware Aurora Tower) doesn't have anything labeled HDMI but does have lots labeled USB (2.0).
I use (multi-pin) DVI between my computer and monitor so the HDMI ones on the monitor are not used.

Any of those sound encouraging?

Thanks,

Ben

PS - many years ago I connected Commodore 64 to a 60 inch rear projection TV (was the biggest blur I've ever seen, lol).
 
Ben,

I may be wrong, but I believe all of the Alienware Auroras have at least one of the HDMI ports on the graphics card. Some have more than one. After all, isn't that where your monitor is connected?
 
Hi Robertbc6:

Monitor connects to the computer via a multi-pin DVI connector.
Nothing on the rear of the computer labeled HDMI.

Have some running around to do tomorrow (get a fuel pump for my motorcycle) so will see if an find a DVI to HDMI adaptor cable. Sounds like that would do the trick and the computer has an unused DVI connector.

Thanks guys,

Ben
 
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Ben

Instead of looking for a label (which may be hard to spot) the HDMI port has a unique shape which might be easier to recognize. Look for one of these;

images
 
Nope. Nothing like those three on the computer. They are all not quite rectangular (slightly less wide at the bottom then the top with 45 degree transitions). Monitor has them as does the TV.

Computer has 8 rectangular (same width top and bottom) USB (2.0) ports. Bought it in April, 2010 so it might not have the latest-greatest, lol.

Like I said above - will look around for an adaptor tomorrow (any excuse to go into the computer store and look around, lol).

Thanks guys.

Ben
 
Ben --

HDMI carries both high definition video and stereo audio.

Buy a DVI to HDMI converter (or cable). This will take the HD video but not audio.

You will then also need audio connections. Your PC probably has the usual 1/8 inch stereo jack output for audio? And the TV the standard RCA red and white inputs for audio? All you need is the appropriate cable to connect the two.

My elder son uses this - it works wonderfully.

Phil
 
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The audio isn't a problem. I rarely turn it on unless I'm testing something that has a sound effect. Remember gents - I don't run Trainz like most folks. I just use it to test things before uploading to the DLS. Can't remember the last time I ran a real train on a real route, lol. Just wonder what Gmax will look like on it. My monitor is 21.5 inches wide and yes - trains are bit stretched on it. E-7's look like E-9's, lol.

Ben
 
You do not connect a HD monitor to your PC, you connect it to your video card. Most modern video card output ports (in their back) have several ports, one is a HDMI, another is the regular connector different to a VGA output (can not think what is's named) but usually the video card comes already with an adapter to convert this particular port to a VGA port. Use either the HDMI port (better) or the VGA port (need extra yellow, red, white cable for sound connection) or use a cheap USB connected speaker (around $10.00) with its inbuild sound card to hear the sound separately from your PC.

I have 4 PCs connected to my 40 inch HD TV used as a monitor. They all work OK.

BTW, one of my video cards is 2 years old already with all these ports (HDMI and the other) on its rear. You don't know how grant a large display is, until you view it, especial for a content creator like Ben.

Lennard
 
Connecting to a TV is great, If computer etc is powerful enough, one can be running more than one TrainZ application. or TrainZ with the Forum, TrainZ Surveyor/sessions w/DLM. If one is into making notes while building or running a program and having NOTEPad going with two displays operational. TrainZ on a larger screen is some much clearer and with some sessions much more enjoyable.
 
You need a video card with at least two HDMI outputs, (which may require a bigger power supply), and an HDMI cable. And yes, Trainz looks great on my 32in HD.
 
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