Hi
I have a Panasonic 42" plasma (not HD) which does not have HDMI input (only VGA, Component and S-Video). I am looking to buy a new Freeview box but everything only has HDMI output.
There seem to be lots of converters out there but I'm struggling to understand what is the preferred format to convert to and then which make/model?
Any advice (based on experience) will be gratefully received.
thanks

As your set is so old you may as well just use a SCART lead, there's no point in buying an HD box if your set isn't HD - or if you do, buy one that also has a SCART socket.

The screen doe snot have a SCART socket (only S-video, VGA and Component).
I'm buying an HD version of Feeview because that seems to be the only way to get the other features I want (and its future proof).

So, thanks for the reply but I still need a recommendation for HDMI to (S-Video, VGA or Component)
cheers

Which Freeview box do you intend buying ? Component outputs have not been available on Freeview boxes for a long time. Do you mean Composite (A yellow rca phono socket), together with red and white audio outputs. If so a phono to scart adaptor with S-Video is easily obtained.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scart-S-Vi...item51ca44b7e2

Sorry, I didn't explain myself clearly enough.
The proposed Freeview box is only HDMI output (Panasonic DMR-HWT230).
The Panasonic screen I intend to use with this box is S-video, VGA and Component input only.
So, I need to convert from HDMI to one of those three (ideally choosing the one with the best results).
thanks for you reply

What is the model of screen? That would help us get a feel for what it's abilities are.

There are HDMI to VGA and HDMI to Component converters available. Either of which would do the job. But the sticking point may be the resolution that the screen can handle and whether or not you can force the HDMi out of the Freeview box to stick on a resolution the TV is happy with.

I've never found a HDMI to analogue convert for under £50 that I found worth the cost.

Are there no freeview boxes with analogue output that meet your requirements ?

If you can source one you need a HDCP capable HDMI to Component converter like the HDFury. These were commonly available when HD broadcasting was in it's infacy. Many had Plasma displays with only component inputs capable of HD performance. Would be simpler to choose a pvr that still has analogue outputs.

http://www.hdfury.com/hdmihdcp/

Panasonic TH-42PWD6

From the manual:
42-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio
852 (W) × 480 (H) px
Scanning format: 525 (480) / 60i · 60p, 625 (575) / 50i · 50p, 750 (720) / 60p · 50p, 1125 (1080) / 60i · 50i · 24p · 24sF ···· SMPTE274M, 1250 (1080) / 50i

thanks for your help

I thought the HDFury was a capture card for PC's ?

Stand alone HDMI to component converter.

http://www.hdfury.com/shop/videoprocessors/hd-fury-iii/

It would be cheaper just to buy a Freeview box with analogue output! If there is nothing cheaper than the HDFury, I think that is what I will do...

There are plenty of cheaper alternatives. Completely random example

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Component-YP...dp/B00D3MIOOQ/

Never used one so would not like to comment on how good bad or indifferent it is.

If bought from Amazon and it's not suitable they will refund no problem.

You may not be able to easily find an analogue freeview box on the high street, but loads on ebay with scart sockets for <£25. e.g.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HDM-Freevi...item20f3ecc46a
This has hdmi as well.


Add a £3 scart to s-video adaptor.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Switchable-S.../dp/B0018DE4ZU

We used to call it "the naughty box..." !

I have the following years model the PWD7 and I use a cheap HDMI to VGA signal converter which I found on Amazon for £20 (probably cheaper now) and it works brilantly. The way my system is setup I have all my HDMI sources feeding into an A/V amplifier then the converter is connected to the HDMI out on the amp to the screen. The converter I use has no analogue audio breakouts because my amp handles all audio if you are planning on using the screens audio then you need a converter with audio breakouts when I bought mine these were about £50 but again they are probably cheaper now.

Nothing is future proof as we don't know the future. It certainly won't do HEVC for instance.

That is NOT a Freeview box, Amazon are lying. It is a generic DVB-T box, no MHEG, no Freeview tick.

That £3 adapter does not convert to S-video either. A later scart mod put S-video on some pins, this adapter puts those connections on to the 4 pin S socket. Unless your set top box has S-video on scart it won't work.

I think the OP would be better off replacing the TV with one with HDMI inputs. Since its resolution is "only" 852x480 anyway. I'd bet any recent 40" or thereabouts LCD would at least match the plasma for quality, whilst adding Freeview HD and smart features.

SOLUTION
Thanks for all the suggestions - this is how I fixed the issue:
bought from Amazon an HDMI to Component convertor for £36 plus three BNC to Phone cables (£2.70 each) plus the Panasonic Freeview PVR previously mentioned.
Just connected it all together and it works just fine...