[mythtv-users] OT: VGA to Component converter

[Jarod C. Wilson]

On Wednesday, Sep 10, 2003, at 06:16 US/Pacific, Jason Schloer wrote:

> Definitely let us(me) know how it goes.I'm considering that or the Keey
> digital one. Supposedly avsforum says key digital is the best, but it's
> like $170, whereas an audio authority can be had between 50 and 90 on
> ebay. If your experience is good I'll probably just go with the AA
> adapter.

Thus far, my experience has been pretty BAD. I've tried every single 
modeline in Brandon's HTPC guide, as well as several custom-created one 
from videogen, and haven't even come close to getting a useable picture 
on my TV. I've even pulled out my Win XP machine with powerstrip on it, 
to see if I could get it to work, and no dice (I got closer w/one 
720x480 setting, but it still wasn't at all good). I spoke briefly with 
the good folks at Pacific Custom Cable, and they said it ought to work 
perfectly with any HDTV that takes a standard signal, so they had no 
idea what was going on, but gave me a contact at Audio Authority who 
might be able to help. I'll be giving the Audio Authority guy a call 
tomorrow (Friday) morning.

For reference, my XBox via the HiDef kit and new Motorola DCT5100 HD 
cable box both connect to the TV via component video without any 
problems at both 1080i and 480p, so I know the inputs are functional... 
:)

--Jarod


> On Tuesday, Sep 9, 2003, at 11:38 US/Pacific, Jason Schloer wrote:
>
>> So I came across a VGA to component converter last night and broke
> down
>> and bought it. I like it for a few things, but I'm somewhat confused
> as
>> to whether it's actually doing what I want. See, when I use my DVD
>> player or my cable boxes HDTV feed through component the aspect ratio
>> becomes fixed and I get nice crisp graphics. With this adapter I'm
>> currently trying 1280X960 or something like that, but it still seems
> to
>> act like it's an NTSC signal. I can still use my stretching modes, and
>> it doesn't seem very crisp. Is this normal behavior? This is the one
>> I'm
>> using here: http://www.smarthome.com/7743C.html
>> Hmm, well I answered my own question, but figure I'll post anyway in
>> case anyone else was considering this thing. Turns out it converts
>> everything to 480i, then spits it out to one of it's outputs,
>> composite,
>> component, whatever. So my loss of clarity is from going from 1280x960
>> down to something x 480i. It's what I feared, but I'm glad I know.
> Plus
>> apparently they do havea product that does what I want for the same
>> price. And the quality of the converter I bought is pretty nice. It
> was
>> cake to adjust using the remote, plus it's USB or PS2 powered, which
> is
>> nice. And it came with every cable you could possibly need (VGA,
>> component, composite, SVideo). Anyway, hope this helps someone else.
>
> That thing appears to be relative crap. The very first customer comment
> says it "didn't support *any* HDTV resolutions, which made it slightly
> worthless considering it has component out."
>
> I just got home this evening with my new Audio Authority VGA->Component
> adapter. I haven't yet had a chance to hook it up, but it claims to
> actually do HDTV rez. And it was cheaper than that one. :)
>
> I'll definitely let folks know how it goes with this adapter after I
> get it up and running.
>
> --Jarod
-- 
Jarod C. Wilson, RHCE

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