analog component video (y/pb/pr) to BNC (r/g/b/h/v)?

[Blue_MiSfit]

Hey everyone,

I recently got an AWESOME Sony 21" Trinitron :)

Even better, the retail is $699, and I got it for $50, only a minor scrape on the tube!!

Anyway, with the gloating out of the way, I thought I would ask a question. This monitor has both the standard VGA HD15 connector, and a set of BNC inputs (I assume they are R, G, B, Hsync, and Vsync. Is there any way to convert the analog component video output of (for example) a HD satellite box or cable box directly to this monitor? It easily handles 720p or 1080i/p.

It seems like it would be rather difficult given that component video (from what I understand) is in a colorspace that uses chroma and luma versus RGB.

I have seen component -> HD15 VGA converter boxes, but they are rather pricey +/- $350.

All I really want to do is watch HD from a cable or satellite box on my monitor. It would be great if there was an analog HD capture card, or something that can capture DVI or HDMI :), but I havent seen such a device (aside from perhaps the $3k+ Kona series that are for professional uncompressed HD editing on the Quad G5's using Final Cut Pro) - which isnt that surprising given the massive datarates associated with uncompressed HD.

Any ideas / thoughts on the situation are welcome. Also, sorry for the long-winded post.

~Misfit

[sigmaris]

you could always build your own:
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_101537/article.html
It's just a matter of subtracting the pb and pr signals from Y to get blue and red signals, and then separating the sync signal.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Is your new Sony display a dedicated computer monitor?

[Blue_MiSfit]

@sigmaris: that looks cool, I will check it out.
THANK YOU :)

@SMD
Yes it is, but as I stated, it has both VGA and BNC inputs. It's my primary (only) display device for my computer.

[edit]
I just had a really really obvious epiphany. Could I just use a stupid DVI->VGA adaptor on the sat box to plug my monitor directly in?

-Misfit

[SeeMoreDigital]

I just had a really really obvious epiphany. Could I just use a stupid DVI->VGA adaptor on the sat box to plug my monitor directly in?If the DVI socket conforms to DVI-A and passes analogue video then yes ;)


You could buy a DVI-A to VGA adaptor or a pre-wired DVI-A to VGA HD15 lead, like this one: -

http://cache.smarthome.com/images/97342.jpg


Cheers

[Blue_MiSfit]

I see.

My thinking was that since I currently use a DVI->VGA adaptor (one of the tiny little ones) to connect my dual DVI video card to my monitor.

I assume now from the information you provided that the video card DVI ports are DVI-A compliant, and therefore pass analog video directly to the monitor - the adaptor just changes the wiring. I always wondered how DVI->VGA adaptors could perform such complicated digital to analog conversions :) Apparently, they dont!

I highly doubt the box is DVI-A. I think the satellite companies (dish etc) have a policy where if the installer comes to your house and you dont sign the paperwork (say I try this connection and it doesnt work so obviously I dont want the service), then you arent obligated to a contract.

I might just try it.

[mrwhitethc]

Or you could go VGA to BNC, it's what I'm currently using on my Trinitron W900 24" widescreen. I did over pay for it, got the monitor and realized that the VGA cable I had for my computer wasn't going to push 1080i without massive ghosting and banding, so I headed to compusa and bought a $60 vga to bnc monster cable. But when you are desperate you make due especially after the computer gods give you a break and show you the last cable in the store @ 9:55 on a Friday.