How can I get TV-out from this graphics card to an old TV

[volcs0]

I have one PC running XBMC that I want to out to an old CRT TV that only has composite video in.

This is the graphics card I have.

http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=sikN0jmrkCWmk1oD

As you can see, the output options are VGA, DVI-I and HDMI.

SInce DVI-I is apparently capable of both analog and digital, I took my DVI-to-S-video/composite cable I have (Apple) and tried it, but I just got a lot of flickering and shaking lines on my TV. I played with the settings (resolution and refresh rate) for a long time, to no avail.

I'm wondering if a VGA-to-composite adapter would work.

Or is there something I can do with the HDMI?

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Black]

No personal experience, but maybe this:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040113&p_id=2509&seq=1&format=2

Or this:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011407&p_id=4724&seq=1&format=2

?

[silvarios]

The VGA to composite converter in Black's second link should work.

I think the problem is DVI-I not supporting composite out (just VGA). I would be wary of the VGA to composite cable. For VGA, your video card would have to support the TV out feature.


Nathan

[Gareth]

DVI-I generally supports analog in the form of VGA out. If the manufacturer doesn't support the pin-out Apple used for its adapters, then the Apple video adapter isn't going to work.

I also think you'll need a VGA->Composite converter, but cheap ones probably look like sh** and good ones are expensive. Might be easier to get a new graphics card that supports true video out.

You can also convert DVI and HDMI to composite video, but these adapters are much more expensive (sometimes a few hundred).

[Filliam H. Muffman]

ATI cards used to be more likely to output composite on VGA. There is a different version of the 4350 that has a S-video, so there is a good chance the Monoprice adapter will work.

[silvarios]

Gareth posted his thoughts before I edited my post for better clarity. He has the right stuff.

I would try the Monoprice converter. For watching SD quality video I would think the converter should work good enough. I have the opposite converter (composite to VGA) and it works fine for connecting an 3G iPod nano to an old 15" NEC LCD.


Nathan

[volcs0]

Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
ATI cards used to be more likely to output composite on VGA. There is a different version of the 4350 that has a S-video, so there is a good chance the Monoprice adapter will work.

Right. I ordered the one with S-Video - at least that's the one Amazon had pictured. But the sent me the HDMI one instead. At this point, I was hoping to get the card working anyway, and then I would have an HDMI option, should I get an HD TV.

I found one post of someone using a cable with that card and it working, but the vast majority of users' ratings of those cables are negative. I guess I should try the converter box.

[silvarios]

I hope it works out for you volcs0. Again, I have MonoPrice's converter that does the opposite -- two in fact (my converter's were a bit more expensive than the one you are eyeing) -- and it works fine for my basic needs. I would check the reviews on MonoPrice for your adapter.


Nathan

[Wailer]

If I recall, XBMC can output at 480p.

The best-value solution might be to pick up a 20" LCD w/HDMI and/or DVI for $150 or so. Another $50 or so and you can get a TV with tuner, speakers, remote, etc. This way if you decide to upgrade to Plex or whatever the equivalent is on the PC, you've got 720p/1080i covered.

At least you aren't buying some funky adapter that may or may not work.

The one drawback is that if you watch a lot of normal SD TV via analog cable, most HDTVs make SD look worse than on a CRT.

[volcs0]

Well, I have another possible solution. The kids' gaming PC has a 2 year-old Radeon 850XT. It has S-Video out, and I have an S-video-to-composite adapter cable. Maybe I'll switch the video cards - the new EAH4350 should be good enough for their gaming (I'm not sure how to compare the cards), and the 850XT should be good enough for 480p. I think. I'll try it tonight.

And yes, the best solution would be to change this old 20" CRT to a 20" LCD-TV (it is in a bedroom). I'll shop around.

Thanks for the ideas.