Help with video connecton

[newaudiofile]

Hi guys.

My video source is my laptop. And of course it comes with an s-video connection. I have been using connected to my CRT TV and of course no problem. Now I'm getting a projector, PT-AX200.

Here is the problem. As far as I have read, the quality for s-video is not good compared to component.

Can anyone give a good recommendation what to do? the length of my cable run from AVR after pass through is about 15m.

MDS I want your input on this one.

 

[markw]

It's less a matter of the cable passing the signal than is is a matter...

Hi guys.

My video source is my laptop. And of course it comes with an s-video connection. I have been using connected to my CRT TV and of course no problem. Now I'm getting a projector, PT-AX200.

Here is the problem. As far as I have read, the quality for s-video is not good compared to component.

Can anyone give a good recommendation what to do? the length of my cable run from AVR after pass through is about 15m.

MDS I want your input on this one.

of the source of the signal itself. If it only puts out an S-videpo signal you can't improve upon it .

I'm not really a computer guy, but from an AV prespective there's not much you can do to improve the signal as it now stands. You might be able to change the format in which the signal is passed (S-video to component) but it's never going to be "better" than it's native signal.

But, if you can find and install a video card that outputs component video you might have a fighting chance.

 

[Midcow2]

Yes you can fairly easily get component out of a PC desktop or laptop

You can get DVI output from a USB port : (about $125)

http://sewelldirect.com/USB-to-DVI-External-Video-Card-High-Resolution.asp?gclid=CIDN5Ynt_ZICFRkyFQodK0FGFw

Then you can convert DVI to component. (about $20)

http://sewelldirect.com/dvivideoadapter.asp

 

[Halon451]

Simplest solution...

That projector comes with a standard 15 pin VGA connection. Just run a standard VGA cable from your laptop to the projector and use it as a second display and be done with it. VGA will give you superior image quality even over component.

15 meters is a bit long, but should be short enough to pass VGA without any signal degradation.

50 foot VGA cable approximately $79.00

or

Pick your cable here prices from $15 and up on 50 foot prefabricated VGA HD15 to HD15 cables.

 

[newaudiofile]

That projector comes with a standard 15 pin VGA connection. Just run a standard VGA cable from your laptop to the projector and use it as a second display and be done with it. VGA will give you superior image quality even over component.

15 meters is a bit long, but should be short enough to pass VGA without any signal degradation.

50 foot VGA cable approximately $79.00

or

Pick your cable here prices from $15 and up on 50 foot prefabricated VGA HD15 to HD15 cables.

Thanks Halon
But then I can not get everything like setup (OSD) of the AVR. and also TV. Still any ideas?

 

[newaudiofile]

You can get DVI output from a USB port : (about $125)

http://sewelldirect.com/USB-to-DVI-External-Video-Card-High-Resolution.asp?gclid=CIDN5Ynt_ZICFRkyFQodK0FGFw

Then you can convert DVI to component. (about $20)

http://sewelldirect.com/dvivideoadapter.asp

That sounds like a good option but for now i think I will try to exhaust all other option before that. Thanks.

 

[MDS]

I would have said the same thing as Halon451 but now I see that your issue is that you want to go from the laptop through the AVR and then to the projector. Correct?

- If the receiver can transcode from s-video to component then there is nothing else you need to do except that as markw said it won't 'improve' the picture, it will just change the format from s-video to component. I don't know about your Yamaha but many receivers won't show the OSD over component or at least won't show 'immediate' mode operations like showing the volume.

- I don't know of any switches off-hand but http://www.gefen.com makes just about every kind of conversion switch imaginable and may have one that can take s-video or VGA and convert to component if your receiver cannot.

- As a last resort you could just make two connections to the projector: 1) VGA from laptop to projector and 2) s-video from receiver to projector for viewing the OSD for receiver setup operations.

 

[newaudiofile]

I would have said the same thing as Halon451 but now I see that your issue is that you want to go from the laptop through the AVR and then to the projector. Correct?.

Correct.

- If the receiver can transcode from s-video to component then there is nothing else you need to do except that as markw said it won't 'improve' the picture, it will just change the format from s-video to component. I don't know about your Yamaha but many receivers won't show the OSD over component or at least won't show 'immediate' mode operations like showing the volume.

I'm not sure about this yet, but I will check.

- I don't know of any switches off-hand but http://www.gefen.com makes just about every kind of conversion switch imaginable and may have one that can take s-video or VGA and convert to component if your receiver cannot.

I will check this site out and see if can find and equivalent here. Living near the northpole makes getting stuff a little difficult.

- As a last resort you could just make two connections to the projector: 1) VGA from laptop to projector and 2) s-video from receiver to projector for viewing the OSD for receiver setup operations.

I have actually thought of this but i thought if i could get other opinions for setup. And also i didnt want to have to switch between input source all the time and make things easier for the wife.
She has catch on using so many remote controls but i dont want to try to confuse her anymore.

Thanks.

 

[MDS]

She has catch on using so many remote controls but i dont want to try to confuse her anymore.

We have solutions for that ... a good universal remote like HTM remotes. You just program a macro to do it. I gave my sister an MX-350 and programmed a 'fix it' macro for when they inevitably get things out of sync.

 

[newaudiofile]

We have solutions for that ... a good universal remote like HTM remotes. You just program a macro to do it. I gave my sister an MX-350 and programmed a 'fix it' macro for when they inevitably get things out of sync.

Yeah. I know and my Yammy is programmable but i have come to that yet with all the work that I'm doing trying to get our place in shape. Besides I have to finish everything before I can think of that. Maybe will not need it.....

 

[Halon451]

So, basically it seems like the OSD is the main hurdle to get by on this hookup. Yeah, unless they come out with an AVR that passes VGA (why the hell don't they??), you're stuck with either running it straight to the projector via VGA as mentioned, and having to rely on your receiver's built in display, or running through a series of conversions, or using crappy S-video. How do you plan on hooking up the audio to your receiver? Are you just going to use the output 3.5mm jack (stereo)? Are you planning to have 5.1 sound I take it, if you're using a receiver or just stereo?

 

[Halon451]

I have actually thought of this but i thought if i could get other opinions for setup. And also i didnt want to have to switch between input source all the time and make things easier for the wife.
She has catch on using so many remote controls but i dont want to try to confuse her anymore.

How much exactly do you plan on entering the setup menu? I would say that most people on the average spend x amount of time performing the initial setup, then maybe a few tweaks here and there over time until it's on the money per their liking, and then there's no further need to bother with it.

You could easily do the dual connection option, and merely train your wife on how to use the VGA (normal) input for regular viewing. I think that's probably the easiest (and lightest on your wallet) option discussed so far.

 

[newaudiofile]

So, basically it seems like the OSD is the main hurdle to get by on this hookup. Yeah, unless they come out with an AVR that passes VGA (why the hell don't they??), you're stuck with either running it straight to the projector via VGA as mentioned, and having to rely on your receiver's built in display, or running through a series of conversions, or using crappy S-video. How do you plan on hooking up the audio to your receiver? Are you just going to use the output 3.5mm jack (stereo)? Are you planning to have 5.1 sound I take it, if you're using a receiver or just stereo?

(why the hell don't they??),

I have a 5.1 system. I have an external soundcard to my laptop. That has been no problem at all. But you never know once you start building a new HT. But i think it shouldnt be a problem.