Media PC to SDTV connections

[s_kinton]

This one has got me changing me mind constantly. I recently setup a HTPC in my lounge and the only thing Im not happy with is the output.

Heres what I've got to connect.
- ATi 9250 in HTPC with VGA and s-video ouput
- Standard 32" JVC TV with 3 scarts and composite input (no s-video)

Initially I tried an s-video cable into a scart converter, which only gave a black and white picture due to the scart not being s-video enabled. The only way around this was the join the chroma and luma on the s-video/scart adapter to get colour, which I did. but the picture is very dark and the colours poor.

Should I:
- Get an s-video to composite cable to cut out the homebrew colour fix and adapter i.e. straight into TV?
- Get a better quality s-video cable, but still use the homebrew fix
- Use my older TV, which has direct s-video input? (Dont really want to do this)
- Do something Ive not mentioned above?

I just want the best picture quality possible. I know it will be far from perfect, but I just want to watch recorded TV and my avi collection. Ideally Id like to watchall my TV through the PCs DVB-T card.

[mrt9888]

I bought this for http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=187712 for an ATI 9200 and it works but sometimes you have to change a few settings in the ATI control centre or flick the switch on the back of the scart connector.

[s_kinton]

That wouldnt work without yet another adapter. My card has s-video, not composite video out

[s_kinton]

Anyone got any suggestions? I dont wanna splsah on an expensive cable to find out its worthless

[dangel]

Does the TV support RGB scart? If it does then VGA->RGB scart is the way to go (the colour will be much better) although you'll probably need something like powerstrip to sort out the timings. VGA and RGB scart are *almost* the same thing in reality - BUT read very carefully before you start as it's quite easy to blow stuff up. Really.

Start here: http://www.idiots.org.uk/vga_rgb_scart/

Nice to see you got a decent title on this thread this time around

[s_kinton]

Originally Posted by dangel

Does the TV support RGB scart?

I would guess it does. Not 100% sure though.

I had a look at that link a few days when snooping round the internet. I havent soldered for over 10years, so I dont feel comfortable making that cable. Also, that page only talks about NTSC when running through the powerstrip setup.

Its a shame theyre not available from somewhere else. I did see one a vga to scart on eBay a while ago, so I'll have another look.

EDIT: What about these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Scart-to-VGA-l...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-new-SCAR...QQcmdZViewItem

These look to have the correct connections for what I need, but theres no way to work out whether I'll blow my TV up!!

[[GSV]Trig]

My Shuttle is currently plugged from the S-Video out to a SCART cable and for windows based stuff its damned blurry so I've just splashed out on this.

http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpr...v%3DAGP%25208x

Comes with a DVI-HDMI cable so hopefully I can now get the damned thing into the native res of my LCD TV, might also have to try CS in HD

[s_kinton]

Thats not really my issue, Im running SD. Plus Im limited to low profile cards.

Im not really bothered about blurry text etc, I just want TV to look fine through it, which should be achievable.

[s_kinton]

Problem solved!! I got annoyed and bought a 32" LCD HDTV yesterday and connected my PC up at the native resolution via vga Looking perfect now at 1366x768!!

[[GSV]Trig]

Same thing I'm aiming for but via DVi-HDMI, was told the card i bought came with the cable but it doesnt so a few more days wait for me...
Weird thing tho the card doesnt let me add 1366x768 as a custom resolution...

[s_kinton]

I didnt need to add any custom resolutions at all. As soon as I hooked it up it knew that 1366x768 was the maximum resolution so I just changed it to that. It did the same for games too.

How are you going to transfer the sound if you're doing dvi to hdmi? Im using a 3.5mm out the back of the PC to RCA red and white at the TV. It had specific audio slots for a PC on it.

[[GSV]Trig]

Mines on the TV-Out and then split into 3 wires, from there into the TV, no doubt when I rig it upto the DVI it'll work properly, I hope lol...

[dangel]

Originally Posted by s_kinton

Problem solved!! I got annoyed and bought a 32" LCD HDTV yesterday and connected my PC up at the native resolution via vga Looking perfect now at 1366x768!!

LOL - you came to the same conclusion as me: it's just less hassle with a digital display
Actually, my old SDTV had component in and that was fine (but it was rare on SDTV).

[s_kinton]

Originally Posted by dangel

LOL - you came to the same conclusion as me: it's just less hassle with a digital display
Actually, my old SDTV had component in and that was fine (but it was rare on SDTV).

Yep, no more messing about with homebrew cables and poor s-video colours. I got the TV for the bargain price of £275 from CCL clearance section. Its a Hyundai A321