Setting up a 4k TV by using a desktop computer as the media device

cowsgonemadd3 · Oct 27, 2016

I currently use a computer hooked up to my tv as a media device in my home theater. I am wanting to upgrade both tv and computer. A new 4k tv is on the list. I have been reading and found out some tv's use a junky panel and I need a "real RBG" panel. It seems the tv's at least 500 and above are pretty good from Samsung.

My question is this, what do I need from a desktop to make this work? I want full 4k resolution at 60hz. I know "display port" can do this but I can not find a TV that uses the display port. I read tv's beyond the end of 2014 all use the HDMI 2.0 standard.

When I am shopping for a desktop computer, none of them list HDMI 2.0 anywhere. I read that most modern Intel Core I5 CPU's built in graphics can handle 4k at 60hz easy. I will not be using this for any gaming. I only want to watch TV and movies on it.

Should I look for HDMI 2.0 on the computer I am buying or just get one with a display port and use an display port to HDMI 2.0 adapter to acheive my 4k at 60hz?

greens · Oct 27, 2016

cowsgonemadd3 :

Unfortunately i think the only way you're going to get native 4k connectivity is with a Graphics Card.

The GTX 950 is the lowest end card available that has HDMI 2.0, and is capable of pumping out 4k without any problem. Because of this, a Pentium G3258 with a GTX 950 would be a perfect build for a media PC. If you want to be a bit more robust you could go with an i3 6100, but even that is over kill. The i5 is way, way more than you need.

cowsgonemadd3 · Oct 27, 2016

Well, I plan to continue to use the computer also as a video encoding computer. I have a core i3 now and I use it to encode and produce full HD videos for youtube. When I filmed a wedding the encoding times were quite slow because it is a laptop core i3 and not the desktop version. I want to get a fast CPU to speed up my encoding times.

According to intel, the 5 or 6th generation for sure, can output 4k at 60hz VIA a display port. http

/ark.intel.com/products/88188/Intel-Core-i5-6600-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_90-GHz

So I am taking it that they are not building HDMI 2.0 into anything but high end graphics cards? It is not the end of the world, the graphics cards would help me process video faster I read. It does add quite the cost to my little pc build.

greens · Oct 27, 2016

https

/www.amazon.com/Club3D-Displayport-1-2-HDMI-CAC-1070/dp/B017BQ8I54

Plus an HDMI 2.0 cable.

That would let you avoid having to use a GPU I would wager. If performance isn't good enough, you can always add a graphics card later to accelerate your encoding and help with playback.

cowsgonemadd3 · Oct 27, 2016

Is there a difference in a regular cable and HDMI 2.0?

greens · Oct 27, 2016

Yeah, there are a bunch of different revisions of HDMI. You need 2.0 to make sure the cable has the bandwidth support.

There is no observable difference, but internally there are more twists or something that improve its max speed.

Kind of like CAT 5 vs CAT 6. They look identical but have different maximum bandwidths due to the internal wires.

If the cable doesn't clearly advertise being HDMI 2.0 on the packaging or description - it most likely isn't. HDMI 2.0 cables are proud of it and always mention the 2.0 thing.

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Setting up a 4k TV by using a desktop computer as the media device

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