VGA to HDMI or TV analogue in?

Mr Pringle

12-10-2008

I want to make use of an old laptop which only has a VGA output as a media centre machine... the audio side isn't a problem, but I've got a problem getting video into my TV.

The TV only has analogue in, SCART or HDMI.

I can't for the life of me find a way of converting VGA into SCART or HDMI, or even DVI which could then be converted on into HDMI.

Anyone got any solutions?

Chris Frost

12-10-2008

The problem isn't the plugs, it's the signals. This in turn affect the types of plugs.

We'll set aside using the SCART for the moment because the results will be pretty poor.

HDMI is a pure digital only signal.

DVI can be digital (DVI-D), analogue (DVI-A) or compatible with both (DVI-I) - but it depends on the socket on the display.

VGA is pure analogue.

The problem is you have an analogue source -VGA - and you want to connect it to a digital input on the display - HDMI. You need some sort of converter box in the middle capable of digitising the signal and giving either a DVI-D or HDMI output. Without that no combination of plugs or adapters is going to give you a working solution.

Do a google on VGA to DVI (or HDMI) transcoders.

stvn758

14-10-2008

http://www.sourcingmap.com/vga-compo...l?currency=GBP

You will need a converter like this.

RobAnt

14-10-2008

A better option would be to change your graphics card.

Modern ATI-Radeon and nVidia graphics cards can be found that fit both AGP and PCI-E slots from about £30. The absolutely silent Radeon 2400Pro would probably suit your needs perfectly. It should come with a DVI to HDMI converter plug too.

Both Radeon and nVidia cards support HDMI over DVI but the main difference between the two is that Radeon have digital audio built into the cards. nVidia cards require a feed from the soundcard to the video card in order to fully implement HDMI over DVI.

On second thoughts - forget this option, it only works with desktop computers, not laptops.

Alfred E. Newma

27-10-2008

Originally Posted by RobAnt:
“A better option would be to change your graphics card.

Modern ATI-Radeon and nVidia graphics cards can be found that fit both AGP and PCI-E slots from about £30. The absolutely silent Radeon 2400Pro would probably suit your needs perfectly. It should come with a DVI to HDMI converter plug too.

Both Radeon and nVidia cards support HDMI over DVI but the main difference between the two is that Radeon have digital audio built into the cards. nVidia cards require a feed from the soundcard to the video card in order to fully implement HDMI over DVI.

On second thoughts - forget this option, it only works with desktop computers, not laptops.”

Greetings
Trying to change graphics cards on a laptop is generally impractical. Some docking stations did have expansion slots and there are pci cards that have dvi outputs. Why even bother to mention it.

Alfred