Connecting HDTV to Monitor

[bambamrl]

I want to get a monitor that has a 15 pin and RGB input connections. 15 pin I would connect my PC, for the BNC I was wondering if I could get an extra HD receiver box and hook up high definition and watch high definition TV on my 22" monitor? abcourse I will need a cable that has BNC on one side and the other side composite Red/blue/green

[edDV]

I want to get a monitor that has a 15 pin and RGB input connections. 15 pin I would connect my PC, for the BNC I was wondering if I could get an extra HD receiver box and hook up high definition and watch high definition TV on my 22" monitor? abcourse I will need a cable that has BNC on one side and the other side composite Red/blue/green

You have me confused, do you want to buy a HDTV monitor or are you asking to convert a HDTV signal for display on an existing standard definition monitor? What is the source of your HDTV signal?

Or could it be that you want to input HDTV in RGB format to a computer monitor?

[bambamrl]

I bought a monitor that has HD-15 pin and BNC connections. Is a Viewsonic P220FB. I want to get an additional High definition box to be able to watch high definition on my computer monitor. Is this possible? I currently get High definition signal from Time Warner. So what I was thinking was to connect the additional High definition box to either input connection on my monitor. I will try the HD-15 pin cable first since I have the cable already. The cable I have has HD-15 on one side and the other side is component, the component side would be connected on the HD box. As for Audio, I can get a Stereo RCA Y-cable and hook it up in the headphones input on my speakers. I have a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS sound card with Creative 7.1 speakers.

[edDV]

OK still trying to understand. Try me.

You have Time Warner cable and a spare HDTV tuner box or are thinking about getting a second box to feed HDTV to a computer monitor with XVGA and RGB BNC inputs.

Then I think you say you have a cable from the tuner that included 15-pin XVGA and "components" (this would probably be Y, Pb, Pr analog components or it could be RGBS) coming from a DVI-I connector on the cable box but you did not say that.

OK the hurdles. You are trying to interface two pieces of equipment that were not designed to be hooked up so you are now the interface engineer.

1. XVGA

The VGA cable may work (at least with cable box set to 640x480). Test it but most cable boxes are designed to feed HDTV at 1080i (1920x1080) which is interlace and may exceed your monitor spec. and may even damage it. Or 480P (720x480) or 720P (1280x720 progressive). 480P or 720P may or may not work.

2. Analog components (Y, Pb, Pr)

Your monitor probably has RGB and Sync in. You would need a transcoder box to convert Y, Pb, Pr to RGB or RGBHV. Assuming you get such a box, there is no guarantee the connection ill work on your particular computer monitor at HDTV interlace scan rates. Consult the monitor manufacturer.

3 Another way to proceed is to go back to the assumed DVI-I connector on the cable tuner and find a different cable that adapts DVI-I to RGB, RGBHV or RGBS (whichever your monitor accepts). Here is a site with cables like this. Cable interfacing is the first step, matching scan rates available from the cable box is next. You are the engineer, good luck.

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/hdtv-cables.html

PS: Expect no help from Time Warner on any of this. There is another layer of complication that may envolve HDCP encryption on the cable box DVI-I output but this may or may not be a factor.

[bambamrl]

The cable that I was mentioning is already being used. I have it hooked up in my 46" HDTV. The cable is a Y, Pb, Pr analog component to 15 pin VGA. Usually you hook up HD with Y, Pb, Pr component cable on both sides, but I'm already using that input on my TV for Progressive scan for my DVD player. That cable I can use to test it on my monitor. As for the Viewsonic monitor (P220FB) The max resolution is 2048x1536. The inputs on the monitor are HD15-pin VGA and 5-BNC connections. Here's a link to my monitor. http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/proseries/p220fb/
I only have one HD box from time warner, but thinking of getting an additional one if I'm able to get HD in my monitor. The HD box from time warner, doesn't not have DVI output for HD. However, my Video card does have a DVI input, my video card is a PNY Geforce 6800 GT if that helps. By the way, are transcoder boxes expensive?
Thanks...

[FulciLives]

I know it will take some re-arranging but why don't you take the computer to your HDD box or vice versa and hook it up to see if it works.

If it does then you know that getting a second HDD box will work for you.

It just will be a pain-in-the-ass to unhook everything to try it then hook it all back up again.

But at least you will know 100% that it works ... or does not work.

I can't imagine what you are doing is common enough that someone who has the same equipment and has done it will comment.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[bambamrl]

I'm gonna be receiving the monitor this wednesday, it was shipped from newegg.com. What you just said is exactly what I'm planning to do. To me is not really a big pain to un-hook all the cables.

[edDV]

The cable that I was mentioning is already being used. I have it hooked up in my 46" HDTV. The cable is a Y, Pb, Pr analog component to 15 pin VGA. Usually you hook up HD with Y, Pb, Pr component cable on both sides, but I'm already using that input on my TV for Progressive scan for my DVD player. That cable I can use to test it on my monitor. As for the Viewsonic monitor (P220FB) The max resolution is 2048x1536. The inputs on the monitor are HD15-pin VGA and 5-BNC connections. Here's a link to my monitor. http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/proseries/p220fb/
I only have one HD box from time warner, but thinking of getting an additional one if I'm able to get HD in my monitor. The HD box from time warner, doesn't not have DVI output for HD. However, my Video card does have a DVI input, my video card is a PNY Geforce 6800 GT if that helps. By the way, are transcoder boxes expensive?
Thanks...

"The cable that I was mentioning is already being used. I have it hooked up in my 46" HDTV. The cable is a Y, Pb, Pr analog component to 15 pin VGA. Usually you hook up HD with Y, Pb, Pr component cable on both sides, but I'm already using that input on my TV for Progressive scan for my DVD player. That cable I can use to test it on my monitor."

Yes try that cable. The monitor may not like 1080i, try setting the cable box to 480P first then 720P.

Caution you may fry the monitor. Try it first on an old expendable computer monitor. Don't go above 720P (1280x720) on an older monitor.

"As for the Viewsonic monitor (P220FB) The max resolution is 2048x1536. The inputs on the monitor are HD15-pin VGA and 5-BNC connections. Here's a link to my monitor. http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/proseries/p220fb/

That spec sheet shows only a single VGA connector, no BNC's.

"The HD box from time warner, doesn't not have DVI output for HD. However, my Video card does have a DVI input, my video card is a PNY Geforce 6800 GT if that helps. "

That would be a DVI output.

"By the way, are transcoder boxes expensive?"

Yes, if the Y, Pb, Pr to VGA cable doesn't work, you may need something like this
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/kd-ctca2.htm

[bambamrl]

Here another link to the monitor from where I bought it. http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=24-116-233&DEPA=0
According to these specs, it does say that it has 5-BNC inputs. How do I change the settings in the HD box to change it to 480P or 720P? And, why can't I find a cable that's Y, Pb, Pr analog component on one side and on the other side 5-BNC connection?

[handyguy]

Have you thought of just getting a hdtv card for your PC?

[bambamrl]

Yes I have, but then thats at least another $200 bucks, plus I don't think I can hook up the HD box to the HD Tuner Card to get all the HD channels. I would need to use only an antenna. What I was thinking was if I'm not able to watch HD by connecting the HD box to the monitor, THEN get a HD Tuner card, but that would be in a more later time, so then I would just get a regular $60 tuner card and watch regular channel and get a additional Regular cable box to watch all regular channels. I HD does work on my monitor I will still get a regular tuner card to watch regular channels, so from the HD box would connect HD to monitor and regular channels.

[edDV]

Have you thought of just getting a hdtv card for your PC?

If you know of a PC HDTV card that decodes cable HDTV RF or a card that accepts HDTV Y, Pb, Pr or DVI/HDMI let us know.

[edDV]

Here another link to the monitor from where I bought it. http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=24-116-233&DEPA=0
According to these specs, it does say that it has 5-BNC inputs. How do I change the settings in the HD box to change it to 480P or 720P? And, why can't I find a cable that's Y, Pb, Pr analog component on one side and on the other side 5-BNC connection?

Ahh yes the newegg picture shows RGB inputs.

These inputs would be the same as the pins on the VGA (DB15) connector.

The basic issue is the cable box outputs Y, Pb, Pr, the monitor is RGB so the transcode needs to be made either in a cable adapter or electronic transcode box.

Your cable box menus should contain output standard selections (e.g. 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i and if you are very lucky RGB).

[bambamrl]

I just checked my HD box but I couldn't find an option to change 1080i to 480p or to 720p. The HD box that I have is from Scientific Atlanta and model number Explorer 3200HD.

[bambamrl]

Actually the HD box is the 3100HD.

[edDV]

It looks like that box is locked to 1080i, but look here

http://www.twckc.com/services/hdtv/setup.asp#b4

Scientific Atlanta makes a companion converter box for RGB. You might be able to talk your cable company into providing one for free.

[bambamrl]

, received monitor today BUT they sent me the wrong model. Must return and wait another 2 weeks.

[bambamrl]

Well I finally received my monitor. I got the Viewsonic P225F instead. I tried connecting from my HD box Y-Pr-Pb to the HD-15 VGA connection in the monitor but it did not work. The monitor did not recognize the signal. I will try the BNC connection next, but first I will need to get BNC to RCA adapter connectors. The BNC onnection has H-V-R-G-B. What are the H-V used for. I will be connecting RGB only.

[edDV]

Look at my previous post. Did you ask your cable company to provide the Y,Pb,Pr to RGB converter box? That is what you need, best to get the cable company to pay for it.

[likwid8]

Hmmm, if your monitor is an LCD monitor, then why dont you disassemble your LCD monitor and turn it into a big projection screen?

www.lumenlab.com.... u can hook up ur HD receiver and any composite hardware to display your video, you can make it as big as 36" diagnol.


check it out, for uinder $600 u got yourself a BIG SCREEN TV, forget hooking up to monitor, u get awesome quality and u get to see something that'll cost you $7,000 to buy if u wanted to buy a retail projector. Just my 2 cents.

[likwid8]

Heres what I mean

[bambamrl]

no, I currently have an CRT monitor.

[bambamrl]

EdTV, for that converter from Scientific Explorer, Do I use the same kind of cable as the RGB cable to connect the H and V to my monitor?

[junkmalle]

Hmmm, if your monitor is an LCD monitor, then why dont you disassemble your LCD monitor and turn it into a big projection screen?

www.lumenlab.com

Don't waste $20. Tom's Hardware did a great story on that recently:

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20041113/index.html

and a followup:

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20041201/index.html

[edDV]

EdTV, for that converter from Scientific Explorer, Do I use the same kind of cable as the RGB cable to connect the H and V to my monitor?

It looks like you would need 5 coax cables with RCA connectors at one end and BNC on the Monitor end. Ask the cable company for the cable too.

[bambamrl]

edDV, do you know the model number for that converter box? I ordered female RCA to male BNC connectors from ebay, I should be getting them by tuesday the latest.

[bambamrl]

ED http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/FAQ/TWCFaqs.ashx?faqID=1334&MarketID=68&CatID=603

[edDV]

ED http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/FAQ/TWCFaqs.ashx?faqID=1334&MarketID=68&CatID=603

They say "such as the component to RGB adapter," so it looks good.

I didn't see a model number but they should be able to figure it out from that URL.

[bambamrl]

ED, that site I sent you is from Time warner but it's the one from upstate NY not NYC where I live, so I called them up today and told me they don't have the component to RGB converter. I received the RCA to BNC adapters, I tried them, only RGB not H/V. The monitors light went from yellow to green, it was reading a signal but there was no image. I think it should work with that converter. Do you know how much one could cost? Who sells them?

[edDV]

The one I linked above is a high quality one.

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/kd-ctca2.htm

Search the web for others. I'll look a bit more tonight.

Plus keep insisting that your cable company provide one if you are going to rent a second HD box. Show them the links. Ask for a manager.

Tell them that Dish will provide you with 2 HD boxes and you might switch providers.