TV projector connected to computer?

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This is what I am planning or want to do, but dont know if its possible or what is required.

I wanted to connect my computer(dont know exactly what kind yet) to my projection screen and TV projector equipment. It is a 100" screen, but I have not yet finalized which projector Im going to get yet. Would it be possible to connect my computer to the projector, so I can easily use the projector & screen as my monitor, when Im not watching TV? Please let me know what kind of I/O ports would be required or whatever else is or what to consider?

Im think of building one of the media center case computers, and obviously being able to directly record/store the movies/programs I want, instead of constantly changing DVD's. If not possible to directly connect the TV to recording within the computer, then I would still want a computer that I can transfer the recorded programs and store many more more hours on the computer, than I could with only a DVD recorder.

Please let me know what is required to use the projector/screen system in liu of a monitor and also if TV programs can be directly recorded on to the computer?
Thanks
 
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VGA inputs?

I haven't bought the projector yet. I only have the screen. But I assume I should I only buy a projector now that has a VGA input?

Also I forgot to mention, I want to also connect my satellite receiver, to the whole system: the computer, projector and sat receiver all together.

I think that I will be using what they call "Component" cables from the receiver to the projector, once I get this whole thing going, but just to make myself sure,. . . Is the VGA input the port with 15 pins, where the cable to the LCD monitor from the back of the computer case is connected? not the similar looking 9 pin IOIOIO port?

So now hopefully, I'll find a good, inexpensive projector with a VGA input, but will I still be able to have my sat receiver connected to the projector and be able to swap from TV or internet easily? and also very importantly, will I be able to record TV programs directly on to my computer HDD?
 
My projector has VGA and DVI inputs. I run a computer off of S-Video into it (I dont recommend this). But I suggest you use either VGA or DVI. If you run your computer off VGA and the Cable box off DVI then you can just use the projector to switch between video signals but will have to have your computer and cable box able to switch the sound (most likely by both plugging into your sound system).

Does that make sense?

Most video cards now days have DVI outputs.
 
Yes, get one that has either VGA or DVI inputs

Your satellite receiver should have RCA, SVHS, or Component output and most any projector will have some or all of these inputs.

Yes, VGA has 15 pins(3 rows) Serial has 9 pins. Normally a projector has a serial or USB connection to go to your computer to control the mouse or something simple that like.

You can switch between the inputs on your projector just like a TV. And no, you can't capture videos to your computer though the projector. If you wish to do this, you'll need a capture card of some sort. Then you'll have to connect your receiver to your PC and output though the projector.
 
To Grey410:

I havent even decided which computer case to get yet, let alone my projector. But what do you think is better I get first, the projector or the computer (video/sound cards)? It seems like you are telling me that even if I get the proper projector and computer system, I will still need a sound system? Do you mean a stereo receiver, otherwise I think most projectors have atleast 10W speakers built in? For the next step I'll just make sure that the projector has the VGA or preferrably both VGA and DVI.

To The Other One: I dont understand what you say: "no, you can't capture videos to your computer though the projector." You say no, unless I have some sort of "capture card of some sort". Is that the technical name for it? when I go googling for this card? to install in my computer? A "capture card"? Any specific kind?
 
Good explanation

Now I get it. So first the TV program/movie goes through my computer and then sequentially displays it through my projector. But first the satellite cable goes to my satellite receiver and if I use the "component" cable will I be able to just connect that "component" cable to that "capture card" you linked me?

I read in the "specs" description that it has an "S-video" connection for connecting the satellite receiver, but Grey410 recommended against that. I couldn't see any mention of a "component" cable, but I think you will tell me? Perhaps I could just use that connector that looks like a "coaxial" connection, if there isn't a big difference between "component" and "coaxial" cables?

Unfortunately, since I think its going to take me at least a few more weeks before I get all these parts together, I might have to ask for some more recommendations on all these different video cards or is it a TV tuner? I'll try to study what some of the differences are, meanwhile. Thanks for all your help.
 
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Basically... You connect a monitor output to your projector, so whatever you'd normally see on the screen will be on the projector. Because of this, you'd probably want special software to ease the process of recording stuff. Something like SageTV works quite well. Though, I guess you couldn't use the tuner in such a capture card if you have an external one :-/

I don't know of any capture card with component input. There probably is, but not that I know of right off. I beleive S-Video would be fine...
 
if your projector has an output on it then you can run that output to some other device to capture stuff. wont to do good for computer capturing unless its video. ever try hooking up your computer to a tv with composite/s-video cable? i only use my tv with a comp hook up for watching scene releases of shows (non hd ones with resolutions like 512x384, 608x336, 624x352, 640x352)

for the computer like others said just make sure it has vga or dvi input.
make sure the projector has at least a native resolution of 1024x768. don't get something that says "800x600 native, 1024x768 max" because then it will take that 1024x768 picture and shrink it to 800x600 and it will look bad"

for tv you said satellite... if its standard def directv then you just need a s-video. SDTV directv only gives what looks like SVCD if that (but still better quality then cable)
i've hooked up my directv (100% signal strength, only directv box on in the house) to a projector, watched it, then switched to my cpu. played a regular 1 pass 2mbit 480x480 SVCD (that i re-encoded from "Scrubs.S05E17.HR.PDTV.AC3.2.0.XviD-UMD.avi") and it looked a little better then that directv signal
but if its high def then you want a project with component video inputs. (if you have directvhd then you still getting screwed on the high def resolution. for 1080i directv gives you a 1280x1080 picture which gets anamorphicly stretched 50% to 1920x1080. dish network and OTA and probably digital cable give the full 1920x1080 resolution)

105" (16:9 WS cropped measurement) projectors displays are very nice with 720p x264 & 720p XviD
i always download those and use mine to watch shows like prison break, lost, heroes in commercial free high def
 
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