New video card help

New video card help
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captokita @ 23rd Oct 11:33AM:
New video card help

I'm not sure this is a tech problem, or a point me in the direction thread, but feel free to move it if I goofed. :D

Anyway, problem:

My HIS RADEON HD2600 XT died last weekend out of nowhere. Came home from work and there was no video signal and the computer was locked. Rebooting the system resulted in no POST. Removed the card, and it would POST. (Dell Inspiron 530) with the onboard video. So being Friday, and I use my computer a lot, off to Best Buy I go for a new card. Found this one:

»www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp···02780717

BFG's info page on the card:

»www.bfgtech.com/bfgr981024gtge.aspx

Now, here is where my problem comes in.

On my HIS card, it had dual DVI ports which one could output HDMI with their adapter that came with the card. Sound output was pumped out through the ATI HD as well over the HDMI cable, and was selectable from my media players, or Windows, so I could play movies on my HDTV. This card, which states BOTH DVI ports can output HDMI (video AND audio), which it does video with the adapter from my HIS card, it does NOT output audio. Which means I have to run cables from my onboard sound out, into my receiver which results in a timing lag of sound of about 1/2 second. This gets annoying fast. I used to see this with my HIS card until I figured out the ATI HD audio out switch, but there is no such thing with this card.

I emailed their tech support and got this for a reply:

You will need an SPDIF cable to go from your video card to the sound card to get
it to carry an audio signal.

Now, the website makes no mention of this in it's description. The Best Buy ad DOES mention needing a cable for HDMI, but I (stupidly) assumed my DVI-HDMI adapter would fit the bill. What can I do? I DO like this card, it's solid, and looks sweet, but I need the audio because I watch a LOT on my HDTV.
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Smoove910 @ 23rd Oct 12:13PM:
Re: New video card help

Why not go with a hellava lot better card for same price??

»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···14102858

From what I read, it's a feature of ATI to run sound through HDMI. You are going from an ATI card (ability to run sound through HDMI), to an Nvidia card (apparently cannot run sound through HDMI without additional hardware).

Personally, I would stick with ATI. Maybe others can convince you otherwise.

Good Luck!
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captokita @ 23rd Oct 12:45PM:
Re: New video card help

said by Smoove910 :

Why not go with a hellava lot better card for same price??

Yeah, I've already bought the card, and it's more hassle in the long run to return it (it was on sale @ BB for $129) and wait for a new one from Newegg. I normally buy my stuff from NE. Though that card you linked looks pretty sweet.

If there is a simple - cheap - solution that will make this card do what I want, I'll be happy.
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Tursiops_G @ 25th Oct 04:31PM:
Re: New video card help

See if you can modify an old CD-ROM to Soundcard Audio cable...

If your Sound card's SPDIF connector has just 2 pins, then they are SPDO (SPDIF Output Signal) and Ground... Just wire it 1:1 to the SPDIF Input on the Video Card.

If your Sound card has 3 pins, the Extra pin is Vcc (+5V), and can safely be left unconnected... See your Sound card's Manual for the exact pinout definition.

HTH,

-Tursiops_G.
--
If You're Unsure, "RTFM"... If You're SURE, "RTFM" Anyway. ;)
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captokita @ 26th Oct 08:50AM:
Re: New video card help

Thanks, I'll give that a shot. I'll look at the card a little closer tonight and see what connections are on there. I may end up just returning this one and getting the one linked above.

Thanks again for the help!
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