using a pc lcd screen to watch tv/dvd/sky etc

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › using a pc lcd screen to watch tv/dvd/sky etc

stompa

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#82770 5-May-2011 13:03

hi just wanted some help hooking up a computer lcd monitor up in my work shop to watch the sport on.

i have a lcd monitor from a old computer and it does not have rca plugs in the back just the normal vga plug and i want to put it in my workshop to watch some of the sport etc.

can i buy a cable that will plug into my vga plug on the lcd monitor and have the yellow/red/white rca plugs on the end so i can plug the rca cable from the back of my sky box or is it easyer to buy a new tv for the workshop.

also if i can get a cable with the picture still be clear. or blurry because of the conversion.

any help on doing this will be greatful as have the lcd monitor sitting here and will save buying a new tv as it will get dusty/dirty from being in my workshop.

many thanks

timmmay

19625 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#465761 5-May-2011 14:17

A quick google search suggests converters are available, I found an expired listing on trademe but i'm at work so didn't investigate any further.

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stompa

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#465768 5-May-2011 14:29

Hi yes I did google and I found something saying that I would get a blurry picture etc. So was asking / hoping someone had done it and could give me suggestions on it. Many thanks

ajobbins

5050 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#465773 5-May-2011 14:43

You would need to use DVI or HDMI in (Essentially the same thing) to watch BluRay because of the copy protection (HDCP). You could potentially support HD resolutions with a component to VGA converter, but the signal is still analogue.

Twitter: ajobbins

kiwigeek1

637 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#465780 5-May-2011 14:59

we got a sky scart or similar connector that outputs red/white/yellow rca. and plugs into a modular box to added it to the normal tv signals from antenna and goes throughout the house so what ever the sky decoder in louge is viewing (my sky same when got it) goes throughout the house antenna system so any room can watch

it should be possible to entend the rca also throughout the house and plug in a monitor

however depends what the monitor can handle.. mostly refresh rates

so YES you can get normal RCA out of my sky HD

theres another way to do it using the PC itself.. get a avermedia freeview tuner (usb dongel) about $120 with RCA inputs and also terrestial tuner and fm (3 in 1) and us the external inputs to get the sky output from rca and using the software to play in a window

I got mine from ascent.co.nz

stompa

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#465791 5-May-2011 15:20

Maybe I confused people with my opening thread. I have the RCA cable from my sky in the workshop ready to plug in but my LCD monitor only has VGA connection. There are cables out there to convert from VGA to RCA but I read a couple of times that the picture will be blurry. So had anyone done it this way and had a clear picture or do I need a add on or just cheaper/easier to buy a tv with RCA inputs on the back???
Many thanks

kiwigeek1

637 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#465847 5-May-2011 17:01

nope.. i havent tried it but its crystal clear on laptop using the dongel even feeding the mixed RF signal via analogue as mentioned above. so I know you can watch sky fine but beign RF its not as good a pure HD source. however the freeview decoder directly is HD quality on a laptop lcd screen.

I guess you might have to experiment and see.
really i would what hdmi setup myself

perhaps these links can help?
http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=37476

rca to vga
http://www.gumboot.co.nz/product/rca-to-vga-cable-3-rca-plugs-to-hd15-plug-2-metres/

makes you wonder if worth it though.. i see 19" PC monitor in the junk mail today selling for $180

so I suspect there will be even cheaper lcd hd tv ready screens out there for under that or same pricing

such as
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/LCD/Under-20/auction-365567461.htm

kiwigeek1

637 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#465858 5-May-2011 17:35

i think maybe your lcd screen is too old.. sounds like wide screen lcd monitors with hdmi or dvi connectors are hd ready and can be connected to top box (sky) using hdmi to hdmi cable or a hdmi to dvi convertor cable

as quioted from another website

Can I Connect my Computer Monitor to my TV Cable Box?

"Hi, I have a Dell SP2309W 23-inch Full HD comptuer monitor with HDMI input. Can I connect my high definition set top cable box HDMI output to my computer monitor directly to use the monitor as an HDTV?"

The differences between an HDTV and a computer monitor of the same size have become minimal. If you have a computer monitor with a screen resolution of 1920x1080 and HDMI input, you effectively have an HD-ready television screen. Conversely, if you have an HDTV with an easy way to connect to your computer, your HDTV can make a great computer monitor. In your case, all you should need is an HDMI cable to connect your cable box to your computer monitor, however, there are a few cases where I have seen computer monitors fail as an HDTV screen.

stompa

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#465862 5-May-2011 17:43

thanks for all the help... i think it will be safer & easier to just buy a tv to use... thanks

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#465864 5-May-2011 17:47

Easier and more economic in the long run to just buy a new TV for the workshop.
The new 26" types are pretty cheap and mostly now full HD.