405 from digital - for dummies

[Helder Crespo]

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

Sorry, I deleted that post as unhelpful. See the eBay link in #4.

Also see this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HDMI-to-3-RCA-CVBS-Full-HD-Video-...site-Converter-Adapter/203223040077

This is what I use. Does the job well. HDMI from my laptop in, composite out and straight into the Aurora or Hedghog.
- Helder

[Panrock]

It does seem that a laptop with a built-in screen has a crucial advantage over a PC - an unused HDMI port! Unfortunately my old H-P netbook doesn't though...

[Panrock]

Originally Posted by McMurdo

Here's my solution for 'show me youtube on a 405 line telly'.

First - no computer needed. Source of stuff off the internet (any streaming video including youtube/vimeo/dailymotion/BBC iplayer/all-4/5OD etc) is a £30 'roku' box from Argos.

Thanks for this. The use of a separate dedicated unit is emerging as a clear alternative path to follow.

Another idea might be to convert the VGA output to 576i, if possible. Though since this wouldn't be a 'digital' source, it would probably be off-topic for this thread.

Steve

[paulsherwin]

Something like this will convert VGA to composite: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premium-Computer-VGA-to-AV-TV-Com...can-Converter-1080P-uk/354838316694

Beware of the very cheap passive converter cables - these require firmware support in the PC, which you probably don't have.

Kevin's non-computer solution is a good one. Roku or Firestick devices work well, and his converter box is a bit smarter than the other units linked in this thread and solves any aspect ratio problems.

[thermionic]

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

Something like this will convert VGA to composite: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premium-Computer-VGA-to-AV-TV-Com...can-Converter-1080P-uk/354838316694

Beware of the very cheap passive converter cables - these require firmware support in the PC, which you probably don't have.

Kevin's non-computer solution is a good one. Roku or Firestick devices work well, and his converter box is a bit smarter than the other units linked in this thread and solves any aspect ratio problems.

Indeed….. you could just go with post 12 & 23 and save a lot of waffle, Steve!

[Panrock]

Well I feel my query has been very ably answered in this thread and I've learned a lot. Thanks to all for your contributions.

Steve

[Panrock]

And I now have a working 'kit' based on the Roku solution. Thanks again.

[Panrock]

It does seem I'll need a Hedghog to chop off the sides and obtain 4:3 on 405-lines. The Roku box doesn't seem to provide any way to adjust the aspect ratio.

Whereas I can 'wangle' it in the above way for 405-lines, there doesn't seem any way I can do this for a 4:3 625-line picture for an older colour set.

[paulsherwin]

Kevin's HDMI-composite converter box referenced in #40 appears to do cropping and zooming.

[Panrock]

Yes, that indeed seems to be the solution! For this task, I am currently using one of the little £3.98 converters, which is amazing value but lacks the 'zoom' feature. Would Kevin kindly be able to let me know the ordering details of his unit?

[Tester.]

Originally Posted by McMurdo

...(hdmi) is converted via the adapter in the pics below. It has HDMI passthrough for a monitor TV and also outputs on SCART in RGB and Composite. It too needs a supply via a 5V wall wart, again any sort will do. Mine came from amazon. (the converter)...

Re/BIB, may I ask... ¿are we positive it outputs RGB via SCART? That would be kind of a first in this class of (Chinese) converters...

[Tester.]

For future reference: I tracked down that ▲ specific converter, bought one myself and I can atest that it doesn't output RGB via SCART — it's composite video only.
(At least on its current iteration.)