DVI out..... to Component in

[FalsEye05]

Hello everyone. This is my first post so I thought I'd make it easy...

I am trying to use my TV in a dual-monitor setup connected to my MacBook Pro via DVI out, but my TV only has a Component-in connection. I've seen DVI to Component cables out there, but I heard that they only work with PCs and not with Macs. But I think I found a way to get it all connected (correct me if I'm wrong)...

I already have the TV:
http://reviews.cnet.com/direct-view-tvs-crt/sony-kv-27fs120/4507-6481_7-30881045.html?tag=sub

Looking at this HTIB:
http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-in-a/sony-htd-dw990-home/4507-6740_7-32470631.html?tag=sub

and this cable:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007MWE1E/ref=pd_cp_e_0/105-1369539-6663631?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_r=0V8FF3RBVJXTF20YPXBQ&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=250314601&pf_rd_i=B0002NXCO6

Now, if I use the DVI to HDMI cable to connect the DVI-out from the Mac to to an HDMI-in connection on the receiver... then connect the Component-out from the receiver to the Component-in on the TV... I should be able to get a picture on the TV, right?

If I do get a picture, what will the quality be like? The TV's manual says that the Component connection is capable of only 480i. Is that resolution high enough for text to be readable on the TV screen? Or will some quality be lost because of the multiple connections?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I doubt that the receiver will convert a digital HDMI video signal into an analog component video output, but I haven't downloaded the owner's manual. So, take that with a grain of salt.

Do you know why the DVI-to-Component cables aren't supposed to work with Macs? Is the DVI out on your MacBook a DVI-I or DVI-D?

 

[j_garcia]

There is no receiver that I know of that will convert HDMI/DVI (DVI-D) to component.

 

[Adam]

If the Mac has a DVI-I jack (which I suspect that it does because it comes with a DVI-to-VGA adapter for free), you could always give something like this a try. Not too expensive, and then you could see if it works on a Mac.

After a quick Google search, this came up. They have a cable that splits DVI-I into a one DVI connector and one set of component video jacks. Might be handy.

 

[FalsEye05]

Adam's right, the Macbook Pro has a DVI-I jack. After some more research, I figured out why the cables alone won't work on Macs.

If anyone else is interested, read the following thread:
http://forums.mactalk.com.au/showthread.php?t=33186 ("gpillans" reply about 6 posts down).

In short, the post mentions an additional RGHV to YPbPr converter box like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HDTV-Component-Video-to-VGA-RGBHV-Converter-720p-1080i_W0QQitemZ260137457354QQihZ016QQcategoryZ41842QQcmdZViewItem
is needed in order for the TV to dispay the correct picture. It had a dip switch to choose the output as VGA or Component.

Also with this converter box, I would be using the free Apple DVI to VGA adapter along with a regular VGA cable instead of a DVI to Component cable (thanks for the links though Adam).

So I guess it would look something like this:

Mac -> (DVI to VGA adapter + VGA cable) -> Converter Box -> (Component cable) -> HTIB-> (Component cable) -> TV.

Has anyone had any experience with these boxes?

 

[VideoNinja]

It is common that the DVI to component video adapters with the dip switches only work with specific video cards. For example, ATI has a line of video cards that utilize the DVI and/or HD15 connector to output a combination of video formats including component video. The dip switches are used to match the specific video card.

The DVI-I output from your Mac has both a DVI-D and a DVI-A signal. The DVI-A signal is more commonly known as VGA (depending upon the resolution actually). VGA signals aka RGBHV signals are component video but not compatible with YPbPr component that your television uses. For this reason I highly recommend taht you stear far from HD15 to 3-RCA cables as you will not get a usable image from this cable configuration.

Thas being said, check the specifications on your video card and see if it has the capability to output YPbPr video on the HD15. Some higher end video cards and many video projectors have this capability. If your video card is incapable of producing YPbPr video, you will need an electronic scan convertor. I have a lot of success with the Impact Acoustics 40381, V-Play Video Convertor. Here is the link:

http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat_id=1213&sku=40381

 

[FalsEye05]

Thanks for the info and the link VNinja. But seeing that the converter box costs a little more than I'm willing to spend, I've chosen to just live with the 19" LCD that I already have. But I'll keep that box in mind, if I change my mind down the road.

Thank you and everyone else for their input.