[brainchild]

For discussion of line doublers, video scalers and converters.

[brainchild]

Moved: Originally posted by Tommy_Tenor:

I don't understand how you connect the lcd monitor to your entertainment system. It has a VGA port which could be connected to a PC, but I would want to connect a surround system with DVD/Tape combo. In your documentation you talk about a TV box from Kworld. I looked at these but don't really understand. What options would I have to connect into the VGA port of the typical lcd monitor?

[brainchild]

Tommy, The Kworld TVBox and others take the composite signal (or S-video) from your DVD player etc and convert them up to the resolution of your LCD monitor. Your monitor may have a resolution of 1024x768 pixels while standard TV resolution is 320x240 (equiv). The output from most home video gear is composite (RCA). The resolution is low and must be up-scanned to the higher resolution of your projector, this is where the 'TV Box' comes in. The TV Box will accept composite signals from your DVD player etc and scale them up to your projector resolution, while providing the VGA output that you need. Since DVD's are encoded at 720x540 pix resolution, the composite output of your DVD player is actually much lower than the DVD is encoded, so for best results you should consider using a computer to play the DVDs since the computer can output a much higher resolution. If not you can consider getting a DVD player that has native VGA output such as: http://www.220-elect...ionalsilver.htm

Having to convert up is not a limitation of you projector but just the opposite; your projector is a high resolution device and most consumer DVD gear is made for the lowly television.

If your DVD player has component output you can convert to VGA...I'll try to post some more on this soon.

Here are some TV Boxes to check out:

http://www.outpost.com/product/3674305
http://www.avtoolbox.com/avt-3331t.htm
http://www.avtoolbox.com/tv-4000.htm
http://bizrate.lycos...d--6259684.html

[brainchild]

found this today, looks just like the kWorld TvBox

http://www.htcnetsto...tvlcdtvbox.html

has the s-video inputs so it should be a good solution for those of you with s-video output dvd players.

[oog]

How about one of THESE...

Basically the same as those listed above, but at a cool 'buy it now' price under $50

[brainchild]

It's cheaper, but it has a low refresh rate and scan rate.

50Hz mode resolution:720X576, 60Hz mode resolution:720X480

The faster the refresh the less flicker...60 hz you can def see, 75 hz you can't.

The target upscale rez is 1024x768
The target refresh is 75hz

Kworld makes a suitable scan converter for about $60.

http://www.audioexch...orexlcdtvb.html

Goes on sale from time to time and also on ebay...

I haven't reviewed this item..

[oog]

looking at the specs for the Kworld converter it also only supports 60Hz at the 1024x768 resolution. though I do see that it does look like a much better unit.

Oops, sorry, the one I was looking at was PC-TV, not TV-PC.. hrmmm..

[brainchild]

Says 75hz at XGA:

"The Normal External TV BOX output mode can be changed from 640*480, 800*600 to 1024*768 (75Hz)"

From the link:

http://www.audioexch...orexlcdtvb.html

[oog]

Yeah, I saw that after I had posted.. realized I was looking at the wrong box.

Anyway, an interesting aside.. My PC monitor is running at 60Hz, and I've never noticed a flicker.. then again the resolution is also 1280x1024

[brainchild]

At 60hz, it's especially noticeable if you chew lifesavers...seriously. In certain viewing circumstances you can see it, not a big deal really but it can be noticed.

[oog]

Well.... who chews lifesavers anyway?!

[pez209]

That last XGA box looks good....wish it worked with PAL.

I am from the UK and the best I could find was this:

http://www.scancom.l...presenter_1.htm

It works out to around $240.

We must be able to get a good tuner/doubler cheaper here? Can anyone help?

I was told by the makers of XGA Theatre box that the link I have listed is their PAL version.

[pez209]

Upon futher reading, the model I just listed does not seem to even have a tv tuner???
How can they justify the cost???

[brainchild]

Pez, this one supports PAL

http://www.outpost.com/product/3674305

I stickied your UK thread.

[pez209]

Great link brainchild!
And they have a UK delivery option!

Just need to find out if it does XGA at 75Hz.

Their description states:"from 60-75Hz".

I will email them and post their reply here.

[stat_molex]

I found this and was wonderin if it'd do the trick.....

http://the-console-c...sal_vga_box.htm

thanks

[brainchild]

That doesn't look half bad. I wish they were a little more elaborate with the specs. If you get it let us know.

[pez209]

Here is a link to a few video scalers in the UK:
http://www.scancom.l..._converters.htm

I have heard some good stuff about the TV-4000 XGA Theater from users in the US. Which of these will produce the best TV tuning?

[oog]

Quoted from: http://www.game-bb.c...Box_324022.html

Date: 05 Dec 2003 08:45:36
From: Rock Schroeter
Subject: Pelican Universal VGA Box

Just picked this up at Best Buy for $49.99. The sound is great but the
picture is terrible, like watching an old tv without an antennae. Are there
certain settings I have to mess with on the monitor?



====

Try something like this it has better specs: http://system-modz.c...products_id=187
"This product is recommended for users of LCD monitors, as it supports higher output resolutions."
Specs:
Video-In (RCA) and S-Video in Automatic formats: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200 Double scan conversion, from 15.75KHz to 48.63KHz. Adaptive non-linear noise reduction 3D motion adaptive de-interlacing Non-linear programmable 16:9 expansion Supports PAL and NTSC

[oog]

Pez: personally I'm using a PC running snapstream's "Beyond TV3" and a hauppauge PVR-250 (with Hardware Mpeg-2 compression)

The quality of the TV I get from it is phenomenal, not even on a very high quality setting. MUCH better than just plugging the cable straight into the TV even!

[pez209]

oog,
Thanks for the help! But again, the price in the UK is ridiculous for those two items: The hauppauge PVR-250 alone costs the equivalent of $180, over here.

Maybe in the future, I shall consider it though.

The link brainchild provided for me is the one I'm looking to purchase, unless something better pops up soon:

http://www.outpost.com/product/3674305

I emailed them for shipping costs and they said it would only be $26!

So, that will be $116 in total for an external line doubler/ tv tuner, including shipping to the UK.

Sounds like a good deal to me, unless someone knows better?

[oog]

What if someone in the US bought it and sent it to you? Would things be cheaper then?

[pez209]

If it is a PAL model, and cheaper than $116 in total, then that would be great! That is actually why I am going to have to get a ballast from the US. (Hopefully you will get a multiple lot )

[oog]

That's what I'm hoping too!

Ok, tell me exactly what you are looking for in a converter, and I'll see what I can find..

Do you need one with a tv tuner? It would probably be a lot cheaper to use a VCR or something as a tuner.. can probably find an old (working) vcr laying around somewhere right?

[pez209]

Lol...I have no VCR!

I need a tuner because I have no tv in my room.

As long as it is a PAL unit that does scaling at 75Hz XGA, I'm happy.