[griffuk]

Hi,

I recently posted a question asking about a philips monitor that had an HDMI port on it...it is starting to look a little vague as to whether the model I'm getting has that though (slight misunderstanding between us)...

So, my question is:
with no HDMI port and currently only a scart port on the freeview box can I watch freeview on the monitor with no computer involved?

The monitor has just about every other type of input except HDMI so has s-video, vga etc.

Do I need one of these convertor boxes I've seen around or just a freeview box with an s-video out...and then would I need seperate speakers?

Sorry for all the questions and thank you to anyone who can help (especially with personal experience of doing it!)...I hoped it would be easy to get rid of my huge old CRT TV and make some space on my desk!

Griff

[Majestyc]

Get yourself a SCART-to-S-video adapter. Shouldn't set you back more than a fiver as long as you don't go to Comet/Currys.

[griffuk]

Thanks! And it will work that simply? just get a connector cable type thing and the picture would be good enough quality to watch etc?

Cheers, G

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by griffuk

Thanks! And it will work that simply? just get a connector cable type thing and the picture would be good enough quality to watch etc?

Assuming your monitor accepts S-Video, and your Freeview box actually provides it on the SCART socket, then the picture will be pretty good. However, if there is no S-Video on the SCART socket then quality via an adaptor will be pretty poor.

[RobAnt]

Help me out here, I'm having a little difficulty.

Many Freeview boxes supply RGB via SCART, and I've no doubt that your Philips TV accepts RGB via SCART.

Why can't you simply connect a fully wired SCART-SCART lead?.

If you have something else that has only one SCART socket and therefore cannot act as a daisy chain relay for your Freeview box, then I would understand and would suggest a simple double adapter type box with multiple inputs and a single output. This would guarantee good quality.

Otherwise, what am I missing here? Are you saying your TV doesn't have SCART, but does have S-Video? If so, which model monitor/TV is this?

I've been looking for a low priced Freeview box that supports both S-Video and digital audio out myself for a while, and haven't identified one yet. This is so I can use it with my Cambridge Azur receiver, with supports S-Video or (yeuch spit) composite video only.

[LCDMAN]

I think the crux of this is that the OP is getting/has a Philips MONITOR which has some video inputs (probably not a SCART) rather than a TV.

I doubt his Freeview box has s-video so the best he can hope for is a composite o/p from his Freeview box to the monitor or if he has a HDMI o/p then HDMI to DVI in on his monitor (assuming he has DVI)

Otherwise he could get an RGB to VGA convertor to go from 15KHz RGB from his Freeview box SCART to the VGA i/p of his monitor but this would need to be capable of doin a line rate conversion to 31.5KHz or more, so could not be just a cable and, in my experience would only be moderately succesful image-wise!

OP, why not buy a TV - which would have SCART and HDMI?

[griffuk]

Thanks for all the replies people and yes LCDMAN you're spot on...

I'm getting a Philips LCD monitor given to me for free to use as an external monitor for my laptop primarily but I would also like to use it to replace the television in that room. I know it would be easier to buy a TV which works in both roles better but unfortunately can't stretch to that right now so temporarily looking for the best possible way of getting an LCD monitor to act as a television.

As such I'm happy to buy a converter or anything else that would help or be required but can't buy any new hardware just yet...

Freeview box is: Sony VTX-D800u which says the scart output is: * Output Format (PAL) - RGB, CVBS, Y/C.
* Stereo audio.
* Fast/Slow Blanking.
* Smartlink support.

Hopefully that may make some sense to you (none to me I'm afraid) but looking like the scart to s-video converter cable such as http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=015 might be best?

Or wouldn't this work given the new information?
Thanks again all!

[chrisjr]

The Sony can indeed do S-Video on the "TV" SCART. Except that they call it Y/C. CVBS is Composite which would appear on the yellow phono of that cable you've linked to.

I assume you have some type of noise making equipment to plug the audio phonos (red and white plugs) into? And of course the Sony box has a mini jack on the back as an alternative audio out.

Maplin do a SCART to VGA adapter lead that might work if S-Video doesn't (I advise you look away now if you don't want to know the price )

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=37141

You may be able to find a similar cable cheaper though. Obviously if you use a SCART to VGA lead you'll need to use the mini jack out of the Sony for the sound.

[LCDMAN]

Given that the Sony box does give out S-video (also called Y/C or even YC) then the best you can hope for (without too many conversions going on which will only make the image worse) is to use a SCART to s-video adaptor like you found on Ebay to connect to the monitor, with sound either to the monitor if it has sound inputs or a separate sound system/speakers.

{S-Video doesn't carry sound but the adaptor seems to break this out from the SCART as red & white (L & R) phono connectors, or use the 3.5mm mini jack if it is there.}

Be sure to set the output of the Sony box to Y/C as Y/C shares pins inside the SCART connector with composite and it won't work otherwise. It won't be brilliant, but watchable, certainly better than a PC signal on a TV!!