Convert DVI to component...is it possible???

[Jersey Joe]

I built my Sage PC with an Asus A8N-VM. It has a DVI output but I don't have a TV with that connection type. Is there a way to make this work without adding a video card with TV out? If not, any recommendations? I have the system optimized to run cool and quiet so I really don't want to ad anymore components if I don't have to.

TIA

[reggie14]

Well, a quick google search yields this: http://sewelldirect.com/dvivideoadapter.asp

I must say that I'm a little skeptical about quality.

Nonetheless, your best bet quality-wise (if you don't have HD cards) is getting a wired MVP for $100.

[scoful]

DVI also has analog RGB in it. You can convert to VGA (Dense DB-15) and a component RGB cable from there from what I've read. At that point it is a question of Video Card and Monitor compatibility. If you can output 720p from the video card and the monitor supports 720p it should work.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by scoful

DVI also has analog RGB in it.

That is not technically true 100% of the time. DVI comes in 3 flavors:

DVI-I - Analog and Digital
DVI-A - Analog Only
DVI-D - Digital Only

There are actually 2 more with DVI-IL and DVD-DL which are also dual link capable. I am mentioning this only so that it does not give anyone a false sense of security and misinformation.

Jersey Joe - Are you sure your mobo doesn't have RGB (component) connectors already? I couldn't find an Asus A8N-VM with DVI that didn't also have VGA and RGB on their website. I could find one with only VGA, but any that had DVI also had RGB. Also, any of the boards mentioned on their website are DVI-D so using converting cables will not work (unless yours is one that isn't mentioned on their website) and would actually require a digital to analog converting box.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by scoful

DVI also has analog RGB in it. You can convert to VGA (Dense DB-15) and a component RGB cable from there from what I've read. At that point it is a question of Video Card and Monitor compatibility. If you can output 720p from the video card and the monitor supports 720p it should work.

Unless your TV accepts component RGB, you need more than a cable to convert from VGA (HD15) to Component. You need a transcoder. Consumer component video (YPbPr) is a different colorspace from RGB.
http://www.digitalconnection.com/FAQ/HDTV_4.asp

eg: http://www.digitalconnection.com/Pro...Video/9a60.asp

You're better off just getting a video card with component support natively.

[KJake]

I tried two different DVI->Component adapters and neither of them were able to display a picture that didn't look like garbage. I bought a DVI->HDMI cable and it worked instantly. I can support 720p and 1080i from the desktop.

[mayamaniac]

Checking out a review on that Asus board, it says:

NVIDIA 6150 GPU
Dual VGA Output: DVI-D and RGB
Maximum Resolution 1920x1440
Note: DVI-D only supports digital output and cannot be converted to output RGB signal to a CRT display

So I think your best bet is as Stanger89 said, buy a video card with component output. If your TV has HDMI support, then buy the DVI-HDMI converter as KJake said.

[Jersey Joe]

My mainboard has a connector for TV Out which was an option at the time. I could not find one anywhere as the board is rather old now. However, I think I may have found it direct from Asus for $10. They also have an optional SPDIF board for $10 also. I am going to order both and see how it works. If the PQ is subpar I'll have to bite the bullet for a new video card...OR maybe a new TV with HDMI

Nah I couldn't...I'm a cheap SOB and until my 35" Mitsubishi CRT dies I wouldn't be able to sleep if I bought a replacement.

Thanks all for your help.