The 2400 doesn't make a very good candidate to do what you want. It can only accept PCI video cards and even limited on that because of the small power supply. The 2400 was originally sold as an inexpensive "entry level" PC.
If it has a standard VGA connector then you can connect the Video out from the PC to the TV for Video but you will have to run a separate audio line from the "line out" on the PC to the TV for audio. Not a real good way to work. You could also buy a PCI video card with a DVI (digital) video out and also buy a DVI to HDMI converter plug and use HDMI to connect to the TV for video only. Check www.newegg.com for a PCI video card with a digital (DVI) output.
Thank you for the timely response! Are there any specifics, other than DVI output, that I should look for with the new video card? For instance, I have been told that I break my tv if the resolutions dont match up. Again, thank you for your help!
The 2400 is a marginal platform for HD decoding, but you may be able to do it with the right video card. You will want one that offloads as much of decoding to the video card as possible.
The best choice I could find is a 9400GT available on Newegg.
Whether this works on XP or not I don't know, but I think you can return the card if it doesn't work.
You will also need an audio connection, but I think the onboard will suffice.
Edit: this card has HDMI-out and does not need a separate audio cable. It is, however, significantly more expensive, although there is a $25 rebate for those willing to take the time.
Thank rdunnill! It looks like it works with XP, however, indicates that there needs to be an available PCI slot. Does this model have an available slot? Also, I read that it gets pretty hot, and they reccomend a fan, is this possible or should I really even worry about it? Thanks again-Ryan.
That is definately more expensive than the first choice you reccomended. Plus it indicates that a Power Supply Requirement: 300 Watt or greater power supply (350 Watt for ATI CrossFireX technology in dual mode) is recommended. This is what the specs say for the Dell 2400:
Power
DC power supply:
Power
DC power supply:
Wattage
200 W or 250 W
Heat dissipation
682 or 853 BTU (fully-loaded computer without monitor)
Voltage (see your Owner's Manual for important voltage setting information)
100 to 120 V at 60 Hz; 200 to 240 V at 50 Hz
Backup battery
3-V CR2032 coin cell
Wattage
200 W or 250 W
Heat dissipation
682 or 853 BTU (fully-loaded computer without monitor)
Voltage (see your Owner's Manual for important voltage setting information)
100 to 120 V at 60 Hz; 200 to 240 V at 50 Hz
Backup battery
3-V CR2032 coin cell
Will it still work even with low wattage? And does the other one have full HD decode offloading? I am willing to pay for the more expensive one I guess, but I figured I would be able to find a cheap DVI to HDMI cord. Thank you very much for helping me on this. I VERY much appreciate it. Ryan
That is definately more expensive than the first choice you reccomended. Plus it indicates that a Power Supply Requirement: 300 Watt or greater power supply (350 Watt for ATI CrossFireX technology in dual mode) is recommended. This is what the specs say for the Dell 2400:
Will it still work even with low wattage? And does the other one have full HD decode offloading? I am willing to pay for the more expensive one I guess, but I figured I would be able to find a cheap DVI to HDMI cord. Thank you very much for helping me on this. I VERY much appreciate it. Ryan
The 4350 is a very energy efficient graphics chipset, which is why it gets away with a noiseless fanless cooler. I have used the much more powerful 4670 with a 275-watt power supply, so rest assured that the 4350 will work with yours.
The 4350 has a plus over its nVidia-based competition in that it has onboard HD audio that will be passed through the HDMI dongle to your TV or receiver. Thus, only one cable is necessary.
I wish I had one to try out. Alas, all my video cards are PCI-e. I use a 4550-based card in my home theater PC with an LG HD-DVD/Blu-ray combo drive and Arcsoft Total Media Theater Platinum version 3.
Regarding the 9400GT, it is cheaper and has fairly comprehensive HD decoding, but it does not have onboard eight-channel high-definition audio like the 4350 card does. Thus, you'd have to run additional cabling to your HDTV if you wanted sound and that would eat up some of the savings over the more expensive card, and the results would likely be inferior.
Sounds good to me! I forgot to mention that I have purchased at 3.5 mm stereo input with red/white RCA to listen to my MP3's from computer to stereo. Does that change anything? Thanks-Ryan.
The HDTV is connected to the stereo and I was able to find a good deal on a DVI to HDMI 6' cable. I havent purchased anything yet but do you feel the Sparkle ($67), the DVI to HDMI cable ($2-$5), and the 3.5 mm stereo to RCA (already have) cable set up will suffice? Or do I get the 4350 ($90), a HDMI cable ($10-$15), and still be able to use the 3.5 mm to RCA cable? Thank you!
The 9400GT doesn't fully offload HD decoding, while the 4350 does and since you have a marginal platform for HD playback, it *should* be a better choice.
I guess one last question before I order the 4350. Will the fact that the system isn't up to par make these purchases a waste? Or will I be pleased with the outcome, in terms of quality of picture, etc? Also is there anything else I would need to order? Thank you very much rdunnill, you have been very helpful and I truly appreciate it!!
As stated earlier, the 2400 is a marginal platform for HD decoding. However, the 4350 just might be a cost effective solution over buying a new or used modern PC if HD playback is all you need. A new PC box (no monitor or other peripherals) would likely be at least $200 plus $100 for a Windows license.
The ATI 4XXX series has stellar video quality. There is a budget PCI solution, the 8400 GS, but with significantly weaker video processing and no onboard audio.
You can return either card for a refund if it doesn't work, provided you haven't applied for any associated rebates. If you need help for the installation and any troubleshooting, we're here.
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 07:00
The 2400 doesn't make a very good candidate to do what you want. It can only accept PCI video cards and even limited on that because of the small power supply. The 2400 was originally sold as an inexpensive "entry level" PC.
If it has a standard VGA connector then you can connect the Video out from the PC to the TV for Video but you will have to run a separate audio line from the "line out" on the PC to the TV for audio. Not a real good way to work. You could also buy a PCI video card with a DVI (digital) video out and also buy a DVI to HDMI converter plug and use HDMI to connect to the TV for video only. Check www.newegg.com for a PCI video card with a digital (DVI) output.
swennybear23
16 Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 09:00
Thank you for the timely response! Are there any specifics, other than DVI output, that I should look for with the new video card? For instance, I have been told that I break my tv if the resolutions dont match up. Again, thank you for your help!
Ryan
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 10:00
The 2400 is a marginal platform for HD decoding, but you may be able to do it with the right video card. You will want one that offloads as much of decoding to the video card as possible.
The best choice I could find is a 9400GT available on Newegg.
Whether this works on XP or not I don't know, but I think you can return the card if it doesn't work.
You will also need an audio connection, but I think the onboard will suffice.
Edit: this card has HDMI-out and does not need a separate audio cable. It is, however, significantly more expensive, although there is a $25 rebate for those willing to take the time.
swennybear23
16 Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 11:00
Thank rdunnill! It looks like it works with XP, however, indicates that there needs to be an available PCI slot. Does this model have an available slot? Also, I read that it gets pretty hot, and they reccomend a fan, is this possible or should I really even worry about it? Thanks again-Ryan.
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 12:00
The 4350 has the benefit of VERY low power consumption, plus full HD decode offloading. The 2400's stock cooling should be adequate.
The 2400 has three PCI slots and at least one should be available.
swennybear23
16 Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 16:00
That is definately more expensive than the first choice you reccomended. Plus it indicates that a Power Supply Requirement: 300 Watt or greater power supply (350 Watt for ATI CrossFireX technology in dual mode) is recommended. This is what the specs say for the Dell 2400:
Power
DC power supply:
Power
DC power supply:
Wattage
200 W or 250 W
Heat dissipation
682 or 853 BTU (fully-loaded computer without monitor)
Voltage (see your Owner's Manual for
important voltage setting information)
100 to 120 V at 60 Hz; 200 to 240 V at 50 Hz
Backup battery
3-V CR2032 coin cell
Wattage
200 W or 250 W
Heat dissipation
682 or 853 BTU (fully-loaded computer without monitor)
Voltage (see your Owner's Manual for
important voltage setting information)
100 to 120 V at 60 Hz; 200 to 240 V at 50 Hz
Backup battery
3-V CR2032 coin cell
Will it still work even with low wattage? And does the other one have full HD decode offloading? I am willing to pay for the more expensive one I guess, but I figured I would be able to find a cheap DVI to HDMI cord. Thank you very much for helping me on this. I VERY much appreciate it. Ryan
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 17:00
The 4350 is a very energy efficient graphics chipset, which is why it gets away with a noiseless fanless cooler. I have used the much more powerful 4670 with a 275-watt power supply, so rest assured that the 4350 will work with yours.
The 4350 has a plus over its nVidia-based competition in that it has onboard HD audio that will be passed through the HDMI dongle to your TV or receiver. Thus, only one cable is necessary.
I wish I had one to try out. Alas, all my video cards are PCI-e. I use a 4550-based card in my home theater PC with an LG HD-DVD/Blu-ray combo drive and Arcsoft Total Media Theater Platinum version 3.
Regarding the 9400GT, it is cheaper and has fairly comprehensive HD decoding, but it does not have onboard eight-channel high-definition audio like the 4350 card does. Thus, you'd have to run additional cabling to your HDTV if you wanted sound and that would eat up some of the savings over the more expensive card, and the results would likely be inferior.
swennybear23
16 Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 18:00
Sounds good to me! I forgot to mention that I have purchased at 3.5 mm stereo input with red/white RCA to listen to my MP3's from computer to stereo. Does that change anything? Thanks-Ryan.
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
August 28th, 2009 18:00
If the HDTV is connected to the stereo receiver, then you should be able to use that connection. If not, I think you'd be better off with the 4350.
swennybear23
16 Posts
0
August 29th, 2009 08:00
The HDTV is connected to the stereo and I was able to find a good deal on a DVI to HDMI 6' cable. I havent purchased anything yet but do you feel the Sparkle ($67), the DVI to HDMI cable ($2-$5), and the 3.5 mm stereo to RCA (already have) cable set up will suffice? Or do I get the 4350 ($90), a HDMI cable ($10-$15), and still be able to use the 3.5 mm to RCA cable? Thank you!
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
August 29th, 2009 11:00
The 9400GT doesn't fully offload HD decoding, while the 4350 does and since you have a marginal platform for HD playback, it *should* be a better choice.
swennybear23
16 Posts
0
August 30th, 2009 10:00
I guess one last question before I order the 4350. Will the fact that the system isn't up to par make these purchases a waste? Or will I be pleased with the outcome, in terms of quality of picture, etc? Also is there anything else I would need to order? Thank you very much rdunnill, you have been very helpful and I truly appreciate it!!
rdunnill
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
August 30th, 2009 12:00
As stated earlier, the 2400 is a marginal platform for HD decoding. However, the 4350 just might be a cost effective solution over buying a new or used modern PC if HD playback is all you need. A new PC box (no monitor or other peripherals) would likely be at least $200 plus $100 for a Windows license.
The ATI 4XXX series has stellar video quality. There is a budget PCI solution, the 8400 GS, but with significantly weaker video processing and no onboard audio.
You can return either card for a refund if it doesn't work, provided you haven't applied for any associated rebates. If you need help for the installation and any troubleshooting, we're here.