rca to computer monitor? at DVinfo.net

Scott Nelson · December 29th, 2009, 09:13 AM

Just scored a monitor from a computer (LCD) and I wanted to use it on location as a video monitor. anyone know of an adaptor that I can use to get a simple RCA (or component would work too) to connect to the monitor?

Thanks! I could not find anything at my local computer store and the staff there are less than helpful...

Steve House · December 29th, 2009, 09:21 AM

A simple cable adapter won't cut it. AFAIK you're going to need an active converter box to do the job. A google on composite or s-video to vga will turn up a bunch.

Andy Tejral · December 29th, 2009, 09:28 AM

You need something LIKE this Audio Authority Audio Authority 1362 Composite/SVideo to YPbPr/VGA Converter VGA Adapters at Markertek.com I know nothing about this company or device--it seems to do what you want.

Whether this is advisable is a different story. If you just want to see a picture, this kind of adapter will work. If you want to do critical judgement of your image, that is a much broader question that requires much more information.

Bill Davis · December 29th, 2009, 04:17 PM

Scott,

To make this simpler...

TV and Computer Monitors are VERY different things.

TV's (at least in the US) display only a very few kinds of video signals. That signal must be from a VERY short list of resolutions and refresh rates and the scanning format must also conform to a short list of standards.

The MOST common is still SD broadcast video. Which has a basic visual display raster of around 640x480 pixels and MUST have it's lines displayed as an interlaced raster with all the odd lines written, followed by all the even lines at specific timing intervals. If the signal is NOT that - it's NOT broadcast SD video period - and no SD broadcast TV will display it. Similar standards exist for the variations of HD video.

Computer monitors are different beasts. They are designed to be driven by computer monitor cards and the vast majority are designed to display PROGRESSIVE scans rather than interlaced scans, and are quite happy to sync to a whole bunch of resolutions.

In order to display TV on a computer - OR computer signals on a TV, you need an active scan line converter with the proper timing signals.

Even with this you will often LOSE resolution and sharpness going EITHER way - since you're essentially trying to fit one signal type into the raster array of another signal type.

So what you're attempting is possible - but probably won't make you particularly happy even if you can get the conversion stuff right. And in the end you'll actually spend MORE money for WORST results than if you just bought an inexpensive TV to display the TV signals and stick to using computer monitors to display computer signals.

Hope that helps.

Scott Nelson · December 29th, 2009, 06:29 PM

I see what you are getting at Bill

For the price of that box I would rather shell out the extra cash to just buy a TV... I was just thinking it would be good for just looking at the shot composition...

Well, Thanks for the help then! I will just look for a TV later..

December 29th, 2009, 09:13 AM	#1
Scott Nelson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bloomington, MN Posts: 167	rca to computer monitor? Just scored a monitor from a computer (LCD) and I wanted to use it on location as a video monitor. anyone know of an adaptor that I can use to get a simple RCA (or component would work too) to connect to the monitor? Thanks! I could not find anything at my local computer store and the staff there are less than helpful... __________________ Canon XH-A1, Rode NTG-2 DIGITAL NOIR PRODUCTIONS

December 29th, 2009, 09:21 AM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	A simple cable adapter won't cut it. AFAIK you're going to need an active converter box to do the job. A google on composite or s-video to vga will turn up a bunch. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

December 29th, 2009, 09:28 AM	#3
Andy Tejral Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 523	You need something LIKE this Audio Authority Audio Authority 1362 Composite/SVideo to YPbPr/VGA Converter VGA Adapters at Markertek.com I know nothing about this company or device--it seems to do what you want. Whether this is advisable is a different story. If you just want to see a picture, this kind of adapter will work. If you want to do critical judgement of your image, that is a much broader question that requires much more information. __________________ Andy Tejral Railroad Videographer

December 29th, 2009, 06:29 PM	#5
Scott Nelson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bloomington, MN Posts: 167	I see what you are getting at Bill For the price of that box I would rather shell out the extra cash to just buy a TV... I was just thinking it would be good for just looking at the shot composition... Well, Thanks for the help then! I will just look for a TV later.. __________________ Canon XH-A1, Rode NTG-2 DIGITAL NOIR PRODUCTIONS

December 29th, 2009, 04:17 PM	#4
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Scott, To make this simpler... TV and Computer Monitors are VERY different things. TV's (at least in the US) display only a very few kinds of video signals. That signal must be from a VERY short list of resolutions and refresh rates and the scanning format must also conform to a short list of standards. The MOST common is still SD broadcast video. Which has a basic visual display raster of around 640x480 pixels and MUST have it's lines displayed as an interlaced raster with all the odd lines written, followed by all the even lines at specific timing intervals. If the signal is NOT that - it's NOT broadcast SD video period - and no SD broadcast TV will display it. Similar standards exist for the variations of HD video. Computer monitors are different beasts. They are designed to be driven by computer monitor cards and the vast majority are designed to display PROGRESSIVE scans rather than interlaced scans, and are quite happy to sync to a whole bunch of resolutions. In order to display TV on a computer - OR computer signals on a TV, you need an active scan line converter with the proper timing signals. Even with this you will often LOSE resolution and sharpness going EITHER way - since you're essentially trying to fit one signal type into the raster array of another signal type. So what you're attempting is possible - but probably won't make you particularly happy even if you can get the conversion stuff right. And in the end you'll actually spend MORE money for WORST results than if you just bought an inexpensive TV to display the TV signals and stick to using computer monitors to display computer signals. Hope that helps.