Need a graphics card with an HDMI socket, any ideas?

[Evil Twin]

I'm in the middle of building a new system to go in my living room, so i can hook it up to my TV. Eventually I'll be sticking a Blu ray, and HD DVD drive in the case.

I'd prefer a DX10 card,

My TV has 3 HDMI's on the back and a VGA d-sub, But no DVI

So I'd like a graphics card that outputs both the graphics and audio via an HDMI cable (I presume that the graphics card will plug into the SPDIF pins on my motherboard [Asus M2A-VM HDMI])

The output resolution must be 1080p

Oh, and the card must be HDCP enabled so i can run blu-rays at full definition.

[PeterStoba]

I assume an 8800 would be able to with the help of a cable

[Micky007]

8800 dont have a HDMI slot, well mine doesnt anyway.

If i was you id get this Sapphire ATi Radeon HD 2900 GT 256MB PCI-E (http://www.aria.co.uk/forums/../Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/ATI+2900+Series/Sapphire+ATi+Radeon+HD+2900+GT+256MB+PCI-E+?productId=29254)

[nft99]

The Sapphire HD3850 :D

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/ATI+Radeon+3000+Series/Sapphire+ATi+Radeon+HD+3850+256MB+PCI-E+?productId=29418

[Micky007]

nah the
Sapphire ATi Radeon HD 2900 GT 256MB PCI-E is better

[mac124]

3000 series use alot less power.

[Micky007]

that maybe true but i still prefer the 2900

[Lynx]

The 3850 is dirt cheap if it was a bit cheaper i wouldve got it.

[Evil Twin]

I know I'm a noob, but looking at the specs from the link for the 3850, it states 2x DVi and an S-video out? the picture of the card also looks like that

Was really looking for something with HDMI on the back panel

[Lynx]

It comes with a adaptor that transates the dvi to hdmi and uses the onboard sound to make the hdmi picture. Dont worry, the 2600pro is far cheaper and does it also if you just need the hdmi.

[Aaron]

I have tried HDMI, DVI and a standard vga dsub connection on my tv, at a full 1920x1080 (1080p) and I really cant tell the difference between them, so I just use my standard vga cable when playing stuff from my laptop/HTPC. The only pro (that I can see) of using HDMI is that you can send audio as well - although I'm very willing to be educated! ;) Does it have to be HDMI, or can you save a bit of money, and instead of buying a new graphics card, buy some minijack to phono cables and use the audio input on your TV too? (I'm assuming it has one?!)

:)

[Evil Twin]

you're quite right aaron,

but my TV sends the audio to my Yamaha surround amp, via an optical cable, so I'm always getting 5.1 regardless of weather I'm watching sky, a DVD or playing on my wii,

Thats the only reason I want to use HDMI, so it all fits in, with the home theater suite i have already.

[Aaron]

ah I see...

So an audio in is vital on the card too?

[Evil Twin]

For my use, definitely, I'll be able to have 5.1 surround through a dedicated home theater amp, no real advantage, its just me being a flash bugger!

But if you were just outputting to an LCD monitor, or projector, then VGA d-sub, or a DVi will do just as well.

I'm also looking for a laptop at the mo, and HDMI is becoming a lot more widely available on even mid range laptops, i can see it'll only be a matter of time before a few budget models sport an HDMI out. It makes sense for designers because the socket is so much more smaller than DVi or D-sub.

Its just for my needs, there aren't a whole load of HDMI equiped cards out there....

[Lynx]

You should get one of the HD 2000 range, they all have a 5.1 sound card onboard and do their hdmi through the dvi with sound.

[tystar]

Ok From i understand then you want 5.1 from your pc but wanna send the audio to the tv?

Wouldnt this be best sending the audio from the pc to the amp and then the video to the tv. doesnt require hdmi but if you wanna connect the pc via hdmi for video only anyway then get a dvi to hdmi cable.

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Peripherals/Cabling/HDMI/2m+DVI+to+HDMI+cable?productId=21382

like the one above, this way you dont need a graphics card with a hdmi output.

[Aaron]

I think the thing is that with his setup, his TV sends EVERYTHING to the amp - so everything passes through the TV, to a single input on the amp.

[Lynx]

Exactly, thats why he wants the hdmi, so the HD 2000 series are the best.