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Need a cheap VGA (D-sub?) to HDMI cable 
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Legend

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Or should it be HDMI to VGA?

Basically I need the cheapest cable possible that will enable me to listen to and view my netbook via my TV. I've only got a VGA port on it :(

I've looked around, but I'm absolutely baffled by the choice and specs out there :oops:

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Sat Aug 28, 2010 4:47 pm
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Waaaaah?!!??

VGA is analogue video only
HDMI is digital video & digital audio only

The two standards really aren't compatible. Unless you've got a VGA socket on your TV, you'd need a VGA=>HDMI scan converter - not cheap.

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Sat Aug 28, 2010 4:57 pm
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Legend

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rustybucket wrote:
Waaaaah?!!??

VGA is analogue video only
HDMI is digital video & digital audio only

The two standards really aren't compatible. Unless you've got a VGA socket on your TV, you'd need a VGA=>HDMI scan converter - not cheap.


That's what I thought, hence needing the cheapest possible cable/box that'll do it - the only thing the TV has is an RGB-In port :(

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Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:08 pm
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VGA to HDMI transcoders look pricey. Does your TV have RGB? You could always do VGA to RGB, that'll be a cheap conversion.

Yay, nay? No idea really, I still have a CRT. :D

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Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:34 pm
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Legend

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adidan wrote:
VGA to HDMI transcoders look pricey. Does your TV have RGB? You could always do VGA to RGB, that'll be a cheap conversion.

Yay, nay? No idea really, I still have a CRT. :D


You know about as much as I do mate :)

The only possible I've found is this:

http://www.thehut.com/electronics/cable ... lectronics

And like I say, I know p1ss all about it, but I'm assuming I'd then need to run an audio lead from the netbook to that box too? :?

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Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:45 pm
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pcernie wrote:
but I'm assuming I'd then need to run an audio lead from the netbook


I think this would be case regardless of what solution you come upon.


Sat Aug 28, 2010 6:01 pm
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You have two options it seems (without knowing what TV you have)

  1. A discrete VGA to HDMI transcoder - higher quality but expensive and leads will need to be shorter
  2. A >> VGA to 3xRCA lead* << - lower quality but a damned sight cheaper

*Link provided for illustration purposes only -for pity's sake look somewhere decent

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Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:51 pm
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That Cable also have the same thing (but more expensive)

http://www.thatcable.com/acatalog/info_VGA_(SVGA)_and_Audio_to_HDMI_Converter.html

And yes for this box you would also need a 3.5mm to 2 x RCA audio lead like this

http://www.thatcable.com/acatalog/info_AV14270.html

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Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:26 am
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Legend

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rustybucket wrote:
[*]A >> VGA to 3xRCA lead* << - lower quality but a damned sight cheaper[/list]

*Link provided for illustration purposes only -for pity's sake look somewhere decent


Would that lead cover the audio too? :?

And lol at looking for somewhere decent :D

veato wrote:
That Cable also have the same thing (but more expensive)

http://www.thatcable.com/acatalog/info_VGA_(SVGA)_and_Audio_to_HDMI_Converter.html

And yes for this box you would also need a 3.5mm to 2 x RCA audio lead like this

http://www.thatcable.com/acatalog/info_AV14270.html


Thought that, cheers. I've seen the exact same box for £36 'today only' so I'm considering it...

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Sun Aug 29, 2010 10:22 am
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pcernie wrote:
rustybucket wrote:
[*]A >> VGA to 3xRCA lead* << - lower quality but a damned sight cheaper[/list]

*Link provided for illustration purposes only -for pity's sake look somewhere decent


Would that lead cover the audio too? :?

'Fraid not.

You'd need to use a stereo lead to connect to your TV's Component channel. Usually a TV Component will use RCAs for the audio but you'd need to check.

Once you've got it working, you could always put your own sheath on to make it a bit more convenient.

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Sun Aug 29, 2010 11:27 am
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rustybucket wrote:
pcernie wrote:
rustybucket wrote:
[*]A >> VGA to 3xRCA lead* << - lower quality but a damned sight cheaper[/list]

*Link provided for illustration purposes only -for pity's sake look somewhere decent


Would that lead cover the audio too? :?

'Fraid not.

You'd need to use a stereo lead to connect to your TV's Component channel. Usually a TV Component will use RCAs for the audio but you'd need to check.

Once you've got it working, you could always put your own sheath on to make it a bit more convenient.


Ta, any idea/guess at what the quality of the picture and audio would be? It obviously doesn't matter much for going online with, but I might use it to watch my dvd-rips...

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Sun Aug 29, 2010 11:57 am
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pcernie wrote:
Ta, any idea/guess at what the quality of the picture and audio would be? It obviously doesn't matter much for going online with, but I might use it to watch my dvd-rips...

Depending on many factors it'll be somewhere between bloody awful and about as good as you'll get with analogue.

  • Use decent cables
  • Keep them as short as you can
  • Keep them away from any interference sources

However there are a couple of caveats. The first, and a fairly major one at that, is that there is a chance that the netbook might not be able to output H/V frequencies that your TV can display. However with modern screens this is less of a problem these days.

Secondly, bear in mind also that the audio will, most likely, only be in stereo (unless you've found a netbook that can encode Prologic ;) )

Failing that, it should work and at least look something close to HD quality, even if it doesn't sound brilliant. No guarantees though ;)

HTH

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Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:22 pm
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Threw the head up and ordered the box in the link above (and a Trivium t-shirt), I'll let you all know how I get on.

Many thanks for all the help everyone, I can honestly say you're more useful than Google :D

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Sun Aug 29, 2010 8:19 pm
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What telly is it?

I've not come across a telly that has HDMI but not VGA.

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Mon Aug 30, 2010 9:33 pm
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Nick wrote:
What telly is it?

I've not come across a telly that has HDMI but not VGA.

Mine has DVI & VGA but no HDMI

Frustrating much? :x

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Mon Aug 30, 2010 9:37 pm
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