Sky Box to DVI?

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allstarnz

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Topic # 13937 6-Jun-2007 12:27

Is there a cable that will go from a Sky box, directly to the DVI on an LCD screen? I don't care if it's from the s-video, SCART, RCA, or whatever.

I know there's convertor boxes you can buy, but i'd prefer not to do this.

sbiddle

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Reply # 73617 6-Jun-2007 12:33

The Sky boxes don't have a digital output so the answer is no.

Regs

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Reply # 73628 6-Jun-2007 12:58

allstarnz: Is there a cable that will go from a Sky box, directly to the DVI on an LCD screen? I don't care if it's from the s-video, SCART, RCA, or whatever.

I know there's convertor boxes you can buy, but i'd prefer not to do this.

s-video, scart and rca (composite) are all ANALOG signals. DVI is a DIGITAL signal (well DVI-D is which is likely to be what you have on your screen). Therefore you need a convertor box of some sort to convert the signal from analog to digital...

When SKY goes to HD and brings out a box with an HDMI output you will be able to get an HDMI to DVI cable which should let you connect directly into the back of your screen (assuming your screen is HDCP compliant etc etc)

The "convertor" box you would need can either be a simple black box from jaycar/dick smith, a home theater amp which has component/s-video input and dvi/hdmi output (upscaling/upconverting), a full on signal conversion unit like the dvdo scalers, or even a Media PC with a component/s-video input and DVI output

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allstarnz

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Reply # 73632 6-Jun-2007 13:54

thanks guys.

What a cable to go Sky box to VGA then?

sbiddle

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Reply # 73634 6-Jun-2007 14:10

allstarnz: thanks guys.

What a cable to go Sky box to VGA then?

No. You would need a converter to do that as well.

hadders

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Reply # 73636 6-Jun-2007 14:15

Check out http://search.ebay.com.au/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=VGA+Box&category0=

I bought a generic analog (Composite & S-Video) to D-Sub (15pin analog) convertor box recently. Less than impressed with it. Because it's analog, the quality of the components dictates your overall signal quality. I've been using it on my VX2235, 22" Viewsonic.

Just a heads up to let you know that if you want to a top quality signal, you may end up spending more $$$ than you realise.
This is the realm where gold connectors and higher quality cables DO matter.

My point is, I couldn't find a convertor box that did the DVI conversion inside, they all seemed to have D-Sub outputs. You can get VGA-DVI adapters, but the signal transmission is still mostly analog, meaning variable quality.

allstarnz

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Reply # 73646 6-Jun-2007 15:33

hadders: Check out http://search.ebay.com.au/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=VGA+Box&category0=

I bought a generic analog (Composite & S-Video) to D-Sub (15pin analog) convertor box recently. Less than impressed with it. Because it's analog, the quality of the components dictates your overall signal quality. I've been using it on my VX2235, 22" Viewsonic.

Funny that, it's exactly the monitor i was thinking of using. It's either buy something like the viewsonic, or a dell with RCA etc built in.

In terms of for watching is the quality that bad?

What's your thoughts on the monitor?

hadders

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Reply # 73648 6-Jun-2007 15:41

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/hadders/1776

That's my original post about it. Since then I've discovered that high res 'dot' patterns can actually flicker a little bit on it, which is odd. I guess I could overdrive it to 75Hz, but 60 is the usual default and going to 75 lowers the brightness.

The VGA box has introduced some noise, it's not annoying, but it is noticeable. Occassionaly, when playing my Gamecube through the monitor it cuts out for a second, it doesn't do this on my 19" AOC, so I've put that down to the monitor and not the convertor box.

Overall, if I was to go back in time, I'd probably buy something else, between the cut-out and the occassional bit of flicker I'd say that I'm not convinced of its performance.

I use native DVI from the 7600GS.

kevthesparky

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Reply # 73701 6-Jun-2007 21:21

Hi you would be looking for an upscaler going from composite to dvi. You could look for a converter or some home theatre receivers have upconverters.

sbiddle

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Reply # 73703 6-Jun-2007 21:25

kevthesparky: Hi you would be looking for an upscaler going from composite to dvi. You could look for a converter or some home theatre receivers have upconverters.

I'd hate to see a composite image upscaled to a digital format. Composite signals look terrible plugged into any flat screen TV.

There are quite a few receivers now that do upscaling from component to HDMI but that doesn't solve the problem of trying to use a Sky box on a LCD monitor that only has VGA or DVI. You could probably use a HDMI->DVI converter with a receiver that has video output but it's a rather expensive colution! :-)

allstarnz

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Reply # 73785 7-Jun-2007 11:08

thanks for your help guys. I will carry on looking into this. Perhaps a monitor with the analogue inputs is the way to go then.

hadders

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Reply # 73818 7-Jun-2007 13:27

The Viewsonic does have a DSub interface as well as DVI, allowing to seperate inputs. However, I assume you mean to look for RGB discrete. Start with Ascent, I've always been pleased with their pricing and service. http://www.ascent.co.nz/Category.aspx?majorcatID=36