Using HDTV as monitor for streaming TV

ethaneverst · 10-24-2009, 11:45 AM

Hey all,
I recently purchased a used Dell Optiplex gx240 (pentium 4 1.5 ghz from a friend for next to nothing in hopes of using it to stream mostly sports content on my Samsung 46" 1080p tv. I originally had it plugged in through the VGA cables but the computer wouldn't smoothly stream internet content. Not even You tube. So I went and purchased a Sapphire Radeon x1650 pro 512 mb AGP. and hooked it up using dvi-hdmi. It still isn't capable of streaming internet video. Is this my computer or the card or what? I can still exchange the card within 7 days. and would be willing to spend a little more on another card as long as it works. any suggestions?

Loves2Watch · 10-24-2009, 01:48 PM

You will need at least a dual core processor and 3 to 4 Gb of RAM to do what you want.

ethaneverst · 10-24-2009, 09:47 PM

Really? I don't mean HD streams. Is it because of the 1920x1080 res of the TV?

ethaneverst · 10-24-2009, 09:51 PM

Also, The computer plays avi files just fine on the TV. Why is the streaming a problem?

Loves2Watch · 10-25-2009, 01:16 AM

What kind of internet connection do you have (speed).

ethaneverst · 10-25-2009, 02:59 AM

Using a USB wireless ethernet stick. I was a little suspect of it when I bought it. Although the progress bar (red bar) on youtube seems to be well ahead of the playback. My service is Bell DSL (up to 12 Mbps) DL speed.

Loves2Watch · 10-25-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethaneverst

Using a USB wireless ethernet stick. I was a little suspect of it when I bought it. Although the progress bar (red bar) on youtube seems to be well ahead of the playback. My service is Bell DSL (up to 12 Mbps) DL speed.

Go to speedtest.net then come back and tell us what your download speed is...

ethaneverst · 10-25-2009, 10:32 PM

4.18mbps

Loves2Watch · 10-25-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethaneverst

4.18mbps

That should be fast enough to fill the cache so as I stated before, your computer needs more horsepower and a good video card to play smoothly.

ethaneverst · 10-26-2009, 07:33 AM

ok cool. Thanks

ethaneverst · 10-26-2009, 12:17 PM

Any ideas on parts that I should buy. I'd probably just put together a computer from scratch.

oblioman · 10-27-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethaneverst

Any ideas on parts that I should buy. I'd probably just put together a computer from scratch.

Whats your budget? And do you plan on doing anything else with the computer? Gaming? editing?

lsilvest · 10-28-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethaneverst

Also, The computer plays avi files just fine on the TV. Why is the streaming a problem?

Your problem has to be related to your internet connection. I stream video (mainly Hulu) with no problem on a 5 yr old laptop with AMD 1.6 CPU and onboard video. I just switched from Qwest DSL to Comcast and in my area the fastest I can get is 2.5mps with either, but have no trouble streaming even over g wireless at 54mbs.

Nothing against upgrading, but if you don't need to spend money to accomplish what you want, I'd check out the internet connection first. If that's the source, then upgrading isn't going to solve your problem.

10-24-2009, 11:45 AM	#1
ethaneverst My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Using HDTV as monitor for streaming TV Hey all, I recently purchased a used Dell Optiplex gx240 (pentium 4 1.5 ghz from a friend for next to nothing in hopes of using it to stream mostly sports content on my Samsung 46" 1080p tv. I originally had it plugged in through the VGA cables but the computer wouldn't smoothly stream internet content. Not even You tube. So I went and purchased a Sapphire Radeon x1650 pro 512 mb AGP. and hooked it up using dvi-hdmi. It still isn't capable of streaming internet video. Is this my computer or the card or what? I can still exchange the card within 7 days. and would be willing to spend a little more on another card as long as it works. any suggestions?

10-24-2009, 01:48 PM	#2
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,940	You will need at least a dual core processor and 3 to 4 Gb of RAM to do what you want. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's.

10-25-2009, 01:16 AM	#5
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,940	What kind of internet connection do you have (speed). __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's.

10-24-2009, 09:47 PM	#3
ethaneverst My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Really? I don't mean HD streams. Is it because of the 1920x1080 res of the TV?

10-24-2009, 09:51 PM	#4
ethaneverst My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Also, The computer plays avi files just fine on the TV. Why is the streaming a problem?

10-25-2009, 02:59 AM	#6
ethaneverst My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Using a USB wireless ethernet stick. I was a little suspect of it when I bought it. Although the progress bar (red bar) on youtube seems to be well ahead of the playback. My service is Bell DSL (up to 12 Mbps) DL speed.

10-25-2009, 10:32 PM	#8
ethaneverst My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	4.18mbps

10-26-2009, 07:33 AM	#10
ethaneverst My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	ok cool. Thanks

10-26-2009, 12:17 PM	#11
ethaneverst My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Any ideas on parts that I should buy. I'd probably just put together a computer from scratch.