The desktop has an hdmi output only, how do I get hdmi input

[Fred405]

Is there away to connect cd/dvd player to play to the computer

[NonSequitur777]

@Fred405,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Yes, it is possible to connect a CD/DVD player to your computer to play content. Here’s how, depending on the type of player and the available connections:

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Option 1: External USB DVD Drive

If your computer lacks a built-in CD/DVD drive, the easiest solution is to purchase an external USB CD/DVD drive. These devices are plug-and-play and allow you to play CDs/DVDs directly on your computer.

Steps:

1. Plug the external DVD drive into a USB port on your computer.
2. Insert a CD/DVD into the drive.
3. Use media playback software (e.g., VLC Media Player) to play the content.

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Option 2: Using an HDMI DVD Player (Video Playback)

If you want to connect a standalone DVD player to your computer to view the video output, you will need an HDMI capture device since most computers only have HDMI output, not input.

Required Hardware:

• An HDMI capture device (e.g., Elgato, AVerMedia, or similar).
• HDMI cable.

Steps:

1. Connect the DVD player's HDMI output to the capture device's HDMI input.
2. Plug the capture device into your computer via USB.
3. Install and configure video capture software (e.g., OBS Studio or proprietary software from the capture device manufacturer).
4. Play the DVD, and the video should appear on your computer through the capture software.

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Option 3: File Transfer (Data Only)

If your goal is to access files or rip media from a CD/DVD to your computer:

• Use an external USB DVD drive.
• Insert the CD/DVD, and copy or rip the files to your computer using software like HandBrake or Windows Media Player.

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Option 4: Networked DVD Playback

Some advanced DVD players allow network sharing, letting you stream their content to your computer over a local network.

Steps:

1. Check if your DVD player supports network sharing or DLNA.
2. Connect the player to your home network.
3. Use DLNA-compatible software on your computer to access the content.

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Important Notes:

• HDMI connections require a capture device for video, as most computers don't support HDMI input natively.
• Playing commercial DVDs on your computer might require software capable of decoding the copy protection (e.g., VLC Media Player).

Let me know which method suits your setup, and I can guide you further!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777