Dell 3400MP - how to display freeview

cpu121 · 20-06-2007, 10:06

We have a Dell 3400MP projector which we want to set up to broadcast Wimbledon. On the back it has:[LIST]Computer Input: One M1-DA connector for analog/digital/HDTV[/LIST][LIST]Video Input: One Composite Video RCA; one S-Video and one M1-DA for component HDTV[/LIST][LIST]Audio Input: One 3.5 mm phone jack for line audio input[/LIST]One plan we have is to use a USB freeview tuner that we have on a computer but IMO it has a very poor picture quality nor is it very user-friendly. My preferred idea would be to use a normal freeview set top box and a SCART to S Video cable into the back of the projector. Can I just confirm this is the simplest way and would work properly?

Thanks

broadz · 20-06-2007, 10:18

The scart to s-video cable technique would only work if you could configure the STB to output an s-video signal through one of its scart sockets. Most can't. Or maybe you can configure your projector to accept a component signal through its s-video input, though again I wouldn't be too hopeful. Otherwise you'll get a very sharp picture, but in black and white.

You'd be better trying to find an STB with an s-video out (similar to the Sky+ and Sky HD boxes), and then connect the STB to your projector using an s-video to s-video (and audio to audio) cables.

A third option is to feed an STB via scart into a VCR or DVDR that has composite or s-video out, then feed that signal into your projector.

chrisjr · 20-06-2007, 10:24

The other option would be a SCART to Composite video which would almost certainly work. Composite is a bog standard part of the SCART spec whereas S-Video is a bit of a bodged on after thought. Hence why not all boxes support it (most of the cheaper Vestel clones don't for example).

cpu121 · 20-06-2007, 10:38

So I need something like this instead and just use the yellow part?

chrisjr · 20-06-2007, 12:24

That will do the job. As you say just use the yellow phono plug.

Just out of interest what were you planning to do about the sound? I asume you were not planning to use the projector's audio in?

In which case it might be better to use a SCART adapter plug such as this and run a cable up to the projector for the video and a separate pair of cables to an amplifier for the sound. This adapter gives you the option of using either Composite or S-Video so if your freeview box does do S-Video you could use that for slightly improved picture quality.

20-06-2007, 10:06	#1
cpu121 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,295	Dell 3400MP - how to display freeview We have a Dell 3400MP projector which we want to set up to broadcast Wimbledon. On the back it has:[LIST]Computer Input: One M1-DA connector for analog/digital/HDTV[/LIST][LIST]Video Input: One Composite Video RCA; one S-Video and one M1-DA for component HDTV[/LIST][LIST]Audio Input: One 3.5 mm phone jack for line audio input[/LIST]One plan we have is to use a USB freeview tuner that we have on a computer but IMO it has a very poor picture quality nor is it very user-friendly. My preferred idea would be to use a normal freeview set top box and a SCART to S Video cable into the back of the projector. Can I just confirm this is the simplest way and would work properly? Thanks

20-06-2007, 10:18	#2
broadz Banned User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,313	The scart to s-video cable technique would only work if you could configure the STB to output an s-video signal through one of its scart sockets. Most can't. Or maybe you can configure your projector to accept a component signal through its s-video input, though again I wouldn't be too hopeful. Otherwise you'll get a very sharp picture, but in black and white. You'd be better trying to find an STB with an s-video out (similar to the Sky+ and Sky HD boxes), and then connect the STB to your projector using an s-video to s-video (and audio to audio) cables. A third option is to feed an STB via scart into a VCR or DVDR that has composite or s-video out, then feed that signal into your projector.

20-06-2007, 10:24	#3
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	The other option would be a SCART to Composite video which would almost certainly work. Composite is a bog standard part of the SCART spec whereas S-Video is a bit of a bodged on after thought. Hence why not all boxes support it (most of the cheaper Vestel clones don't for example).

20-06-2007, 10:38	#4
cpu121 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,295	So I need something like this instead and just use the yellow part?

20-06-2007, 12:24	#5
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	That will do the job. As you say just use the yellow phono plug. Just out of interest what were you planning to do about the sound? I asume you were not planning to use the projector's audio in? In which case it might be better to use a SCART adapter plug such as this and run a cable up to the projector for the video and a separate pair of cables to an amplifier for the sound. This adapter gives you the option of using either Composite or S-Video so if your freeview box does do S-Video you could use that for slightly improved picture quality.

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Dell 3400MP - how to display freeview