Is there a cheap way to connect PC to an HDTV?

[DrJoe]

I have an RCA D56W20 with two component video and one DVI-D input. It can accept 1080i, 480p, and 480i over DVI/component.

I got a freebie "scrap" desktop from work, without a monitor. It has only the internal video card -- it is a Dell L700cx ("L_ _ _cx" in the Dell vernacular). It only has a VGA video output.

I'd like to eventually get an HD tuning card for it and set it up as an A/V server for my entertainment system, but in the meantime, it's just a spare PC. I'm on a tight budget -- going through separation/divorce -- so I would like a cheap way to hook the PC up to the TV. Say $50 or less. I'm too picky for my own good -- I would prefer NOT to use s-video (which seems the cheapest way). Otherwise I'll just pick up a used monitor from Good Will.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Joe

[Ratman]

For $50, E-Bay may be the place to look. What you need is a transcoder (the same as what would be used for a DTC-100 to convert VGA to component).

Here's one example:
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/PC-TV_video_adapter.html

Overstock.com has one:
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD_ID=1543993&cid=25608&fp=F

[DrJoe]

Hi Rats...

There is a transcoder at ECost under $50. I'd like your best guess on it:

KWorld PCTV

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=557804&CatId=1430

has the full specs.

It has an RGB/secam output, that it says can output component YUV. Is this a format that will work with RCA sets?

Thanks,

Joe

[Ratman]

Nah... you need YPrPb output. Also... the RBG output looks like a DIN type connector, so you'd have to get a converter cable of some sort.

IMO... you'd be safer with the one from Overstock. (~$60)

Here's info on YUV:
http://www.answers.com/topic/yuv

[DrJoe]

Yes, I realize it would need a breakout cable...

I have a problem with YUV vs YPbPr -- I can't figure out if they are the same or different. The very link you posted says

The Term Is Generic

In practice, YUV refers to the color difference encoding system whether composite or component, and "YUV," "Y, B-Y, R-Y" and "YPbPr" are used interchangeably for analog signals. Sometimes, "YCbCr," which is digital, is used interchangeably as well, which does not help to clarify the subject.

So much for video "standards". LOL

The strange thing about the Overstock one is that the picture is of a KD-VTCA2; they say the model number of the part they are selling is a KD-VTC1 -- Key Digital has specs for the KD-VTCA3, no longer sells a KD-VTCA2, seems to have sold a KD-VTCA1 at some point in the past but no other reference to it.


Joe

[JohnnyG]

YUV and YPrPb are the same kind of 'technology', but they use different colour spaces and different math for converting to/from RGB.

If you're going to buy a VGA->component video unit, make sure it scales/converts to a common HDTV resolution, rather than just transcoding. Otherwise, you'll be fiddling with other settings trying to get your VGA card to output a 'legal' HDTV output.

There are also a few VGA->DVI converters/scalers on the market now, but they are around the $300 mark.