PC to HDTV

SonyTV
Is it possible to connect a PC to an HDTV? HD is great on a computer monitor, but wouldn’t it be better on a large HDTV? This was my thinking after getting a new HDTV. To answer the question, yes it’s possible depending on if your equipment share a common interface. If you have a 30″ Apple cinema display, then don’t waist your time, or send it to me. I would be more than happy to send you my home address. :)

Step 1: Check your HDTV for DVI, HDMI, VGA, or Component connections.
Step 2: Check you PC for a DVI, VGA, or Component connections.

Note: These are the most common interfaces. If you only have an S-Video or Composite connection, then don’t waist your time. S-Video and Composite do not carry an HD signal. You computer monitor will look infinitely better, so it’s not worth the trouble for a larger display. The best connection is digital, so you preferably want to go with HDMI or DVI over VGA and Component.

Step 3: Buy a cable to connect the PC to HDTV, either a DVI to DVI or HDMI to DVI, whatever your case may be. I found my cable on eBay for ten dollars. DO NOT spend $100.00+ dollars at Best Buy or an electronics store for one of these cables. You will not be able to tell a difference between a cheap $10.00 dollar cable and a $100.00 dollar cable.

Step 4: Determine what resolution your HDTV needs to be set at. Most HDTV’s do not share the same native resolution as a computer monitor. To see which resolutions your HDTV supports check out the manual. Most companies have their manuals online.

If the resolution needed is not provided from your video card, try upgrading your drivers. Most video card companies have updated their software and drivers to support HDTV’s. I have an ATI 9700 AIW card. I had to upgrade the Catalyst software and video drivers, and then found the resolution I needed and support for 1080i. If the resolution isn’t available from the display controls of your PC then you will need to add it. Powerstrip is free software to allow you to do this, and it works extremely well. Try option one first and Powerstrip second.

Most HDTVs only accept a few resolutions and some only have component input. Since most PCs don’t have component output, it can be a bit more difficult. Your best bet is to either buy a video card that supports component output or to buy a VGA to component converter. Since the convert costs as much as a good video card, it makes more sense to go with the new Video card.

Note: It is important to keep in mind it is possible to screw up your TV by sending the wrong resolution. So make sure you understand what you are doing before you start to experiment too much. I am not responsible for ruining your beautiful HDTV. Experiment at your own risk.

2 Stumps

2 Stumps

I’m disappointed with this shot. I had it pictured in my mind pretty much as it is, but the grain is to high and it’s just not totally what I wanted. It was pretty dark, early and cold. That’s pretty much how shooting this whole day went. I had the whole day off and hoped to get alot of good shots. I got home frustrated and disappointed. I guess that’s how it goes.

I am 1 year old!

I am 1 year old!

Wow, today is officially my 1 year birthday. I wasn’t sure when I started this a year ago that I’d keep it up. I actually managed to post 1 picture every day (some might have been better off not posted!). I actually have more than 365 pictures posted, because early on I posted extra shots for some challenges.
Thanks to all of the people who commented through out the year. Some of you have stuck around consistently for awhile and it’s much appreciated. I have to say that I’ve been very slack lately in getting around and commenting on other people’s shots. I could list the reasons why I haven’t, but they are the same reasons that all of you have experienced I’m sure. Add laziness to the list and you’ve got it covered! I’m making it a goal to get around and comment more.
All of your shots have helped me at times when I didn’t feel like going on and shooting more. Seeing the wonderful talent out there certainly is a help. Thanks again and let’s see what we can come up with in the next year!

Cool Firefox Theme – iPox

iPox
I change my wallpaper at least once every 3 days. I have about 4 computers that I use through the course of a day and finding enough interesting wallpapers can be difficult. I usually find a wallpaper site that I’ll use for awhile and then find another. For quite some time I’ve been using www.interfacelift.com. That’s not actually what I was going to talk about though. What I was going to write about is how I like to change my Firefox theme, not as often as my wallpaper though. I found a theme I really like and it’s called iPox. I bet you can’t tell what it’s based off of. :) Thomas from TwisterMC.com made it and it is good. Check out his website it’s very sharp.

Serial bar code scanning in Windows

BarcodeScanner

We have several of these barcode scanners that are serial port based. The current software we are using them with has been written to accept data coming from the serial port. You can get a version of these scanners that connects inline with your keyboard. Using a keyboard type means the software doesn’t need anything special to scan into Windows applications.
We are converting over to new software that is not written to recognize serial based scanners. Someone mentioned a software solution and it’s turned out to work very well. It’s called BC-Wedge. It’s a small application that sits in the background and sends scans from the bar code scanner to any Windows application. There might be some other solutions out there, but this one is reasonably priced and easy to install.

One week down

Like I said before I had a bad headache for pretty much two days. There was at least one day of high tension and irritation. But, I’ve made it a week with no pop. I’ve had lemonade, water and gatorade. Today is the first day that I haven’t thought about breaking down and drinking something. We’ll see how it goes! :)

No pop for 90 days

NoPop
No pop, soda, Coke or whatever you call all of those carbonated, usually caffinated beverages, for 90 days. I did it once for 30 days and it wasn’t like getting off cocaine or anything, but it certainly wasn’t easy. Here are some statements I found on the web concerning drinking pop. Remember, these are just random places off the web. I make no claims to the validity of any of these statements.

  • Soda has no nutritional value. It provides unnecessary calories, sugar and caffeine.
  • Soda drinking increases the odds of obesity more than other foods. Why? Because the energy consumed as liquid often isn’t compensated for by eating less food.
  • These popular beverages account for more than a quarter of all drinks consumed in the United States.
  • The acids in soda pop are also notorious for etching tooth enamel in ways that can lead to cavities.
  • There are 35 to 38 milligrams of caffine per 12-ounce can, that is roughly 28 percent of the amount found in an 8-ounce cup of coffee.
  • Animal studies demonstrate that phosphorus, a common ingredient in soda, can deplete bones of calcium.
  • So, I thought I’d try and go 90 days with no pop and see if I can tell the difference. Like I said, I went 30 days once about a year ago and in the end noticed a slight difference in energy. I decided to go 90 days this time to see if there’s more of a difference after the 30 days. I had a heck of a headache yesturday and the day before. The last time I drank any pop was 3 days ago, Friday the 27th at lunch. So far that’s the noticed difference and it’s quite irritating.

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