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connect DVD player to PC monitor |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 157
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connect DVD player to PC monitor
Hi all,
I think I understand that I can connect a DVD player with HDMI output to a PC monitor with HDMI input. But that the monitor will need to be supplied with speakers, or a headphone socket. Please correct me if I am wrong. Is there any way to connect an older DVD player to an older monitor? I'm specifically thinking of DVD player with AV outputs and monitor with DVI input. |
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#2 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,901
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Quote:
Hi all,
I think I understand that I can connect a DVD player with HDMI output to a PC monitor with HDMI input. But that the monitor will need to be supplied with speakers, or a headphone socket. Please correct me if I am wrong. Is there any way to connect an older DVD player to an older monitor? I'm specifically thinking of DVD player with AV outputs and monitor with DVI input. On your second question, the answer is yes you can do it, see this link http://www.brighthub.com/electronics...les/40326.aspx Whether it's worth doing it is a different question. |
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#3 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 6,450
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Quote:
I think I understand that I can connect a DVD player with HDMI output to a PC monitor with HDMI input. But that the monitor will need to be supplied with speakers, or a headphone socket. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The first thing to check is the specifications list that tells you what refresh rates and resolutions the monitor will accept. The video refresh rate for UK DVD is 50Hz and the signal resolution is anything from 576i (i = interlaced) for a basic player up to 1080p (p = progressive) where the DVD player has built-in up-scaling. These aren't natural resolutions and refresh rates for computers. The standard output for a PC is a refresh rate of 60Hz. If the monitor can't accept anything lower than 60Hz then you won't get a picture. The next thing to look for if you're using DVD (as opposed to Blu-ray) is whether the monitor has an anamorphic mode. DVDs are encoded to disc in a 4:3 format where the 16:9 image has been vertically stretched to make the most of the disc's frame resolution. Depending on the TV being used one of three settings for picture format would be then chosen. Computer monitors don't generally have the ability to change the shape of the incoming signal to format it correctly. So your picture might be displayed but either compressed or stretched depending on the player settings. Finally, there's HDCP (High Definition Content Protection) to consider. If the player is playing a commercial disc such as a movie or TV show off DVD then there's a good chance that the player will communicate with the TV via the HDMI cable to verify if it can allow the signal to be displayed. The monitor will report back whether it has HDCP or not. If not then the player will output at a basic Standard Definition resolution (720x576i 50Hz) and that might not be a refresh and/or resolution that the monitor can accept. Some elements of this get easier if the player is a Blu-ray player, even if you're using it to play basic DVDs. The output aspect ratio (shape) of the signal from a Blu-ray player is always 16:9, so as long as the monitor has a 16:9 screen then you shouldn't need to worry about anamorphic modes. As long as the monitor supports 1920x1080p @ 50Hz and 59.94Hz and has HDCP then you should be okay. Audio is handled separately if the monitor has no speakers or no HDMI audio support. Quote:
Is there any way to connect an older DVD player to an older monitor? I'm specifically thinking of DVD player with AV outputs and monitor with DVI input.
AV (yellow phono - composite video) really isn't a great source signal. S-video or Component would be much better, but even they need some additional video processing before they can become usable with a PC monitor. Once again, it's very unlikely that an old DVI equipped PC monitor is going to be happy with a 50Hz or 59.94Hz refresh rate signal @ 720x576i. Changing the resolution to suit the monitor's native display, converting the signal from analogue to digital, altering the refresh rate to 60Hz and handling any aspect ratio alterations too requires the services of a scaler, and a decent one at that. The sort of box you need would cost several hundred Pounds new or £100-£200 used. That's probably not going to be economical I would guess. |
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#4 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 443
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Quote:
I'm specifically thinking of DVD player with AV outputs and monitor with DVI input.
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#5 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK
Posts: 10,377
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A cheap second hand TV is going to be an easier solution.
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#6 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 157
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Thank you all very much for your super constructive replies. I had been thinking along the lines you all put, but I am much clearer in my mind about it all now.
I won't go down this route, and I feel satisfied that I have made a considered decision, thanks to you. It all adds to the knowledge bank. Thanks again. Pete |
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#7 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Reading
Posts: 27,902
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Quote:
AV output is an analog signal whereas DVI or HDMI are digital so direct connection is not possible and a converter is required. However, check exactly what type of DVI connector is on your monitor. If it is DVI-D it is digital only but if DVI-I there are 4 extra pins for analog input. You should be able to tell just by looking at the socket (Google for pictures). For DVI-I you just need to buy the correct cable with AV leads or fix up something yourself.
Even the RGB output on a SCART socket can be problematic. You do see SCART to VGA leads on sale but they can be prone to not working very well as the signals are not 100% compatible. |
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#8 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,783
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Quote:
Even the RGB output on a SCART socket can be problematic. You do see SCART to VGA leads on sale but they can be prone to not working very well as the signals are not 100% compatible.
From what I can gather, they are specific special leads for a particular device that uses a VGA type socket for normal RGB TV input - although I've no idea what device that might be?. Rather like Sky used a VGA type socket on their VideoCrypt decoders, many years ago. On a more cynical note, it could well just be a scam ripping people off ![]() Bit similar to the SCART to HDMI leads that people keep coming in the shop for, who all claim you can buy them online
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