Connecting PC to Sony rear projection TV

[seminolemuscle]

This is a long ongoing struggle. I've tried DVI to DVI (my model tv has had problems with the DVI plug), and DVI to VGA to Component which I'm trying now. Sony reps told me this connection won't work because the computer needs to be capable of "upconverting" from VGA to component, which is complete BS because i'm gettin a picture, albeit a terrible one.

The VERY strange problem as of now is the fact that the computer is relaying the picture to the monitor in this very specific case:

The tv only responds when the resolution is set to 1024x600 which I can't set any other monitor I have to except my asus eee pc, the display must be duplicated, not extended, and it flickers and shuts off a lot. It's also repeated 6 times on the TV and only a portion shows. I've attached a picture.



http://tinypic.com/r/34oeemd/6

The TV is a Sony KP- 65WV600

Any thoughts?

[jagabo]

What the Sony rep told you was right. You didn't specify what you meant by "DVI to VGA to Component". If you are using a $5 cable or adapter you bought via ebay it won't work. VGA cannot be converted to component video with a cable. It requires an active circuit. That's why your TV isn't syncing and probably has odd colors.

If you can get component video output from the computer it should be set to 1920x1080i30 or 1280x720p60. Component output on most graphics card is provided via a 7 or 8 pin DIN connector that looks like a s-video connector (but with more pins).

[seminolemuscle]

I have a 7 pin s-video connector would that work? I have it set up now, using only a 4 pin cord, but I can only get 1024x728. If that's the component connection, is there a converter from svideo to component hd? And thanks for your help

[jagabo]

I have a 7 pin s-video connector would that work? I have it set up now, using only a 4 pin cord, but I can only get 1024x728. If that's the component connection, is there a converter from svideo to component hd? And thanks for your help

That output doubles as an s-video and component output. The four pins that line up with a s-video cable is for s-video output. You need an adapter to get component output. That usually comes with the card. It should look something like the last image in this post:

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/291249-ATI-Radeon-Pro-2400-to-TV?p=1769107&viewfull=1#post1769107

A warning: the outputs from that DIN connector are not standardized. Different graphics cards use different pins for the component signals. If you have to buy one be sure it's designed for your graphics card.

[seminolemuscle]

ohh I see. And that does 1080i? And are those three connectors female? If so I would have to buy a separate component cable right?

[jagabo]

And that does 1080i?

It should do either 1080i or 720p. Check your graphics card's manual to verify.

And are those three connectors female? If so I would have to buy a separate component cable right?

Yes, the pigtail is usually just enough to get the signals out of the computer and into a standard cable cofiguration. You have to supply a male/male component cable to get the rest of the way to the HDTV.

[seminolemuscle]

ok cool thanks. Now just to make sure, I found this site

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_8800_gt_us.html

but I don't know where the manual is. How can I find out the max resolution? I have the s-video set up with a 4 pin connector at 1024x728, the 7 pin shouldn't be any different. I'm not sure if the converter cable upconverts. I'm just being cautious because I wasted 9 bucks on that vga to component cable. I guess it's worth it in the endless pursuit of knowledge.

[jagabo]

S-video is handled differently than component video. You may set the graphics card to 1024x768 but that is downscaled to ~640x480 before it's sent to the s-video output -- that's all s-video can handle. With component video you can set the graphics card to 1280x720 or 1920x1080 and have that resolution go to the cable. All modern graphics cards can handle those resolutions.

[seminolemuscle]

ok cool thanks i'm heading to ebay now

[seminolemuscle]

I found this

http://cgi.ebay.com/12FT-S-VIDEO-7-PIN-TO-3-RCA-RGB-COMPONENT-ADAPTER-CABLE_W0QQitemZ3...#ht_1507wt_754

but I also came across this information

"Even if you use a component cable to carry a HD signal because one end is s-video the resolution with still only be 728 x 576 @ 25Hz. The connectors determine the resolution so the "weak link" is the connector with lesser resolution"

If this is true that means the max resolution would still be that of the s-video?

[jagabo]

That's not true. You can run full 720p or 1080i resolution over component.