Hi all,
I have a newbie question (did a search and couldn't find anything relevant):
I have a widescreen 19" LCD monitor with 1440x900 resolution. There is no TV tuner of any kind. It has DVI and VGA out. I have a Digital HD Cable box with HDMI in.
I was wondering if it is possible to connect the monitor --> DVI out --> HDMI adapter --> Cable Box (HDMI in). I have tried this method, but my screen is blank. No signal comes on.
Is it generally possible to watch cable/HD cable through a computer monitor, or am I missing a step in my connection here?
Thanks in advance!
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Originally Posted by rogerconnery
2. A cable box has HDMI out but not in.
The two do not connect directly. HDMI out from a cable box is 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i @59.94 hz. normally.
A computer monitor only understands VESA progressive resolutions and frame rates.
"Generally possible" no. But it makes a great science fair project.
The normal way to do it is to put a computer in the middle with a display card feeding the computer monitor via DVI-D. Getting the cable box HDMI into the computer is the rub. -
Thanks for the help!
Just a technical question: why is a computer necessary to act as an intermediary between HD cable box and monitor? If the Box has an HDMI out, and would connect to the PC, wouldn't it also work for the monitor (albeit DVI in)? The only problem I could foresee would be to "translate" the HDMI into DVI, which an adapter would be all that it takes, no? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks again! -
Originally Posted by rogerconnery
You cannot connect the HDMI out to a computer input. There are no DVI or HDMI inputs on a computer. If you make a device that that bridges the gap, you are potentially violating US federal law.
Cable and DBS boxes usually output:
720x480i (interlace)
720x480p (progressive)
1280x720p (progressive)
1920x1080i (interlace)
Digital TV sets include deinterlacers and scalers to convert these inputs to the native display technology.
Computer monitors accept only DVI-D VESA resolutions and provide scaling technology only. A computer monitor will not accept an interlace input. It would be possible to build a computer monitor that directly accepts 720x480p, or 1280x720p but most don't.
Computer monitors assume that TV like controls are in an upstream computer display card. They provide no aspect ratio, overscan or TV gamma processing that would be standard in any HDTV.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP
http://www.eff.org/IP/broadcastflag/ -
Wow, thanks so much for the insight.
The only reason I was so confused here is because I have a 42" Sony Plasma (capable of 720p and 1080i) with an HDMI in. We connect that to our HD Cable box's DVI-out (via HDMI->DVI adapter). That works with no problems at all. However, when I try the monitor set up (mentioned above) I get a blank screen. I thought all DVI was created equal. I guess not, huh?
Thanks again! -
Originally Posted by rogerconnery
Any DVI-D/HDMI input has something called the port ROM. This defines exactly what the port will accept and rejects everything else. -
(HD Cable box --> HDMI out --> DVI adapter --> DVI wire -- DVI in to Monitor)
So if my monitor's DVI "port rom" rejects an HD Cable box's signal, then I would get no images and hence the blank screen? -
Originally Posted by rogerconnery
Computers do this in software drivers. Those can be updated. Hardware devices do it from ROM (read only memory). Replacing ROM often gets into soldering.
* The power politics of this requires all manufacturers to do it together but it can't look like they ever talked or they could be put in jail for anti-trust. It's sorta like airline ticket prices. If they (chinese-taiwan-walmart-bestbuy-vizio-costco, ...) all do it one night, the MPAA would seek out the weakest little guy and sue him in order to set a precident. The others would offer legal support or retreat. We need legal guys to wade in now. -
Will the gadget from Startech VID2DVIDTV Composite/S-Video/Component(YCbCr) to DVI-D/HDTV Converter can be used between LCD monitor with DVI-D input and HD cable box?
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sorry guys.....having read the queries about using a LCD computer monitor for the HD cable box, will the gadget from Startech VID2DVIDTV Composite/S-Video/Component(YCbCr) to DVI-D/HDTV Converter can be utilized/ used to have the LCD Computer Monitor work as an HD monitor? Will a computer monitor understands the cable box HD output as a VESA progressive resolutions/ frame rates usiing this gadget? Thanks....
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I don't know about that $430 box. The Startech VID2DVIDTV looks to be a 1280x1024 box with scaling for 1280x720p and a scaled "pseudo-interlaced" 1080i.
For less money you can get an LCD computer monitor with HDCP such as the new Samasung 226BW
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/spec.do?group=computersperipherals&type=moni...XAA&fullspec=F
It will directly accept my cable box 1280x720p or 720x480p DVI outputs and internally scale to native 1650x1050 in 16x10 (mild vertical stretch and overscan). It seems to work fine with 16X9 and 4x3 material (side pillars) fron the cable box. Picture quality is good but it lacks the video processing features of the current Samsung LCD-TV line that gets the enhanced blacks and separate adjustments per input. As it stands its difficult to get a monitor adjustment that works perfectly for both cable DVI and computer but is accceptable as a TV display. -
After you connect the dvi from your cable box to the lcd monitor what do you connect for the audio? Regular composite cables?
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Originally Posted by bigbadleroy
There are still disadvantages to forcing a computer monitor to pretend to be a TV. First the 16:10 issue for 1680x1050 native display. People stand a bit tall and thin at 16:10. If you adjust the monitor for letterbox 16:9, then your computer runs as letterbox. Second, a computer LCD can't force the dynamic contrast backlight tricks found in LCD-TV sets so black levels and contrast are marginal when connected directly to an HD cable box.
Some computer LCD monitors have audio input and tiny stereo speakers but they are weak for TV. You need a separate amplified speaker setup. Simple stereo is easy. 5.1 needs a S/PDIF (coax or optical) connection. -
I don't know about that $430 box. The Startech VID2DVIDTV looks to be a 1280x1024 box with scaling for 1280x720p and a scaled "pseudo-interlaced" 1080i.
For less money you can get an LCD computer monitor with HDCP such as the new Samasung 226BW
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/spec.do?group=computersperipherals&type=moni...XAA&fullspec=F
It will directly accept my cable box 1280x720p or 720x480p DVI outputs and internally scale to native 1650x1050 in 16x10 (mild vertical stretch and overscan). It seems to work fine with 16X9 and 4x3 material (side pillars) fron the cable box. Picture quality is good but it lacks the video processing features of the current Samsung LCD-TV line that gets the enhanced blacks and separate adjustments per input. As it stands its difficult to get a monitor adjustment that works perfectly for both cable DVI and computer but is accceptable as a TV display.
Did you have to make any changes to your resolution on your set top box? If, so what worked? I tried this earlier today and got an error that my resolution was incorrect. My native resolution is also 1650 x 1050 on my HDCP Sammy 206BW.
[/quote] -
Originally Posted by edDV
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Originally Posted by keyosuke
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCPRecommends: Kiva.org - Loans that change lives.
http://www.kiva.org/about -
The answer to your OR is that my monitor supports HDCP, and the point I was making is that it is some cheap ACER garbage edition I got on super low discount that exudes an ora of "I will break immediately after the 1 month warrantee", and yet it still supports HDCP. Hence, the real point is that monitors these days tend to support it, or my motorola box which is probably the exact same one you have (I'd love to compare hardware if it makes you feel better) doesn't send data over the HDMI cable with HDCP. I've read the documentation on my particular model and the model it's derived from and it's definately capable of HDCP, and that means my cheap monitor is handling the HDCP just fine, thank you. And that means my point that people should at least give it a try on their monitors since it's not a rare and costly feature these days, is a valid point. I hope I've cleared up what I was trying to say with my first post and I hope you see the point now.
Why did I make this point? Because I was lead to believe that the odds of my monitor supporting HDCP were very bad odds. The masses of posts on the internet about this topic lead me to waste my time believing that and I wanted to make sure anyone reading this post sees that it isn't necessarily rare to have HDCP support and that people in general might want to try an HDMI to DVI adapter since it just might be a great solution.
Thanks -
HDCP support on computer monitors is a recent trend. Samsung seems to be on the leading edge but others, even budget models include HDCP chipset support* while even the most expensive older models lack HDCP (e.g. Apple, Dell reference monitors).
You need to review the specs if you are buying a new or used computer monitor. This can be problematic because HDCP support is often missing in the printed technical specs.
I'm looking at current Apple Cinema Displays ($599-$1799) as an example. These monitors are nice for HD video production but will they connect to a cable box or BluRay player? The specs don't tell. I make it a point to ask Apple store sales people (who then consult the "genius") whether Apple displays support HDCP? The answer has always been they don't know. I'll grant I haven't been in an Apple store since I bought my mom a mini Mac last Dec.
http://www.apple.com/displays/specs.html
No mention of HDCP support.
So let us try Dell. Ahh good. The Dell Crystal series does have HDCP!
Note that any device that has an HDMI port must have HDCP enabled. It is part of the HDMI spec. DVI-D ports may or may not have HDCP.
* Chipset support isn't enough for HDCP. The monitor manufacturer needs to licence and register the implemtation with Intel's Digital Content Protection, LLC subsidiary and pay a fee. HDCP is an active encryption scheme that requires a verified key unique to the device. HD resolutions are inhibited at the source until HDCP authentication is verified. There is even a process for key revocation if it is suspected a device has been compromised. Key revocation lists can be distributed in software updates and even on retail DVD/BluRay discs.Recommends: Kiva.org - Loans that change lives.
http://www.kiva.org/about -
You are absolutely correct that your Acer monitor with DVI input and HDCP support should be able to connect to your Cable Box's DVI output. It should be a no brainer and not something with which the consumer should have to fiddle around. That capability is implied in the specifications that Acer offers for certain models of its LCD monitors. The issue with the splash screen that reads, "Input not supported" is a common problem. It has to do with poorly designed firmware that attempts to detect the proper input signal and does so incorrectly. The best way around this issue is to NOT use the DVI connection at all. Do the following: Your cable box should have component video output connections (Labeled Pr, Pb and Y). Your monitor will have a VGA connection. Simply buy a HD15 to Component Video cable. DO NOT BUY A SIGNAL CONVERTER BOX - you will pay through the nose for no reason. One source for the cable (around $35) can be found at:http://www.av-cables.net/VGA-component-video/vga-to-component-cable-29640.html. It will work just fine. I also found one at an unlikely site http://www.4rails.com
Unfortunately Acer is notorious for its quirky connectivity issues and their support is all but non-existent with regard to these problems. I would strongly discourage anyone from purchasing any of their products for that reason. There is a good reason why their products are among the lowest prices on the market. You get what you pay for and in Acer's case, perhaps not even that!
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Originally Posted by alextoby
Component out is YPbPr @ 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
VGA is RGBHV @ VESA resolutions.
Why would that work?Recommends: Kiva.org - Loans that change lives.
http://www.kiva.org/about -
Originally Posted by edDV
But for all those people who are looking to hookup an old video game/dvd player/analog pass through converter box (having 3rca outputs) to a High Definition TV that only accepts dvi/hdmi inputs, this can be used
http://cgi.ebay.com/Analog-Composite-RCA,S-Video-to-Digital-HDMI-Converter_W0QQitemZ37...QQcmdZViewItem
and if you want to do the same on your computer monitor/lcd with dvi input, there's a converter for that too! -
Originally Posted by edDVPlaymkr278
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So I may be kicking a dead horse with this thread, but a lot of the links have expired, I own a samsung syncmaster 226bw (as another user posted above) HDCP ready, etc etc. I'm living in a campus-owned apartment where we have incoming cable, no set top box though, what kinda of hardware should i be looking to buy to use my 226bw as a television?
edit: all bypassing my laptop of course, or else i wouldn't be so troubled -
Originally Posted by NickJp
If you want local broadcast digital channels only (plus analog cable) get one of these.
http://www.avermedia-usa.com/AVerTV/product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=470
Other option for HD is a separate computer with an HD tuner card (clearQAM) to HD capable display card (DVI-D out).Recommends: Kiva.org - Loans that change lives.
http://www.kiva.org/about -
Hello all,
I'm going through the same type of thing right now. My setup currently is:
a Verizon fios HD cable box, a cheap Staples brand LCD monitor, and an HDMI to DVI cable going between them (with an RCA to stereo cable for audio through the monitor).
Everything is connected, and when I turn the monitor and cable box on, I can hear the audio as I flip through the channels, but there's no image on the monitor. I tried playing around with the four options I have for resolutions on the cable box, but none of them did the trick. Any other options you could recommend? Maybe trying a new HDMI/DVI cable? An adapter? Not sure what other options I have, other than purchasing a new TV or monitor... -
Originally Posted by JKam2000Recommends: Kiva.org - Loans that change lives.
http://www.kiva.org/about -
This is a very good forum and can someone help me to see what cable/connector I need:
I just bought a Viewsonic VA2223wm, this monitor says it has 1920x1080 resolutions with HDCP and SRGB color management. Thsi monitor come with VGA and DVI-D input.
I bought this monitor think I can use Kworld HDTV tvtuner which says it has 1080i output from the component port.
Can I buy a components male to DVI-D converter and use components cable to connect these monitor and tuner to watch 1080i HD TV?
Thank you very much for anyone could help me.
Starwatcher -
Originally Posted by starwatcher
Analog component won't work with a computer monitor. Neither will 1080i anything. Computer monitors require progressive analog VGA or progressive DVI-D inputs (e.g. 480x480p, 1280x720p, 1920x1080p).
Exchange your computer monitor for an LCD-TV that has analog component in such as this one.
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/tv-video/televisions/lcd-tv/LN22B460B2DXZA/index.id...ype=prd_detail
Or this one
http://www.vizio.com/flat-panel-hdtvs/va22lfhdtv10t.htmlRecommends: Kiva.org - Loans that change lives.
http://www.kiva.org/about -
edDV
Thank you very much for your reply.
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Atsc-HDtv-Tuner-Receiver/dp/tech-data/B001IWOB36/ref=de_a_smtd
The above link is my kworld model: Model: KW-SA290-Q LE
I have tried it using VGA cable with my old 17" LCD with 1024 x 768 and it works. But this view sonic use VGA will see some green image and the resolution definitely is not 1920x1080 (the monitor shows the message).
Do you think any connector could let me use the component to hook on DVD-D in on the monitor and display the 1080i? -
You were already told that you can't use component connections on a computer monitor. No simple cable adaptor will change that.
There is also a KWORLD external tuner with DVI-out that is intended to be used with a computer monitor. Reviews for these don't give them the highest rating. The remote seems to be the product's weakest element.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815260027
I downloaded the manual for it, and it supports 1280x720 and 1920x1080 using DVI. However, it appears it does not support SD resolutions using that connection.
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