Help with VGA computer to Composite TV

[Hoov]

Hi all!

I've been working hard on building my new cab, and I've been confronted with a problem; I am using an old CRT TV as the display (I've even taken it out of the case, mounted it with a wooden frame, and fit it perfectly into the cabinet I've built. I'm planning on covering the edges with black construction paper, and then laying some plexiglass over it). In any case, I plan on using a desktop PC as the MAME component, and am just not sure how to bring the two together.

As has been the theme throughout my entire project, I am looking for the cheapest way possible to connect the two (i.e. some cable, new videocard, etc.).

My budget for completing this step is about $2-300; I've found extraordinarily expensive cables that are capable of this conversion (apparently it has something to do with switching RGB to YUV or something...), though I feel that there ought to be some sort of computer videocard capable of accomplishing the same task.

Again, $2-300 is my budget, even if it includes the purchase of a new computer (as I don't yet have a dedicated desktop to allocate to the cause).

Thanks in advance for your help!

[gonzo90017]

What kind of connections does the TV have?

[Ummon]

A better TV with higher quality inputs is inexpensive. Sometimes people give them away.

[vidmouse]

I echo the others' sentiments... if you can at least get s-video you
will be doing better, as most video cards can output s-video.

If not, there's always this:

composite video out card

assuming you can find the driver for it   

Good luck!

[bvicarious]

Yeah, get a cheap video card with composite output and hook it up. Done and done.

[fjl]

I have a Radeon X1300 Pro and it has some weird output on it. Perhaps its S-video but I use some small adapter that changes it to composite. Works pretty good. By the way, I'm wondering something.

How do some of you make the computer start up correctly if you're only using a TV monitor? Won't it not start up or start up incorrectly if there is no PC monitor connected?

[Hoopz]

How do some of you make the computer start up correctly if you're only using a TV monitor? Won't it not start up or start up incorrectly if there is no PC monitor connected?

You don't need a monitor or any type of output attached to boot a pc.  Some won't start without a keyboard/mouse, but all I ever had will boot without a monitor.  I have a 27" tv attached and it boots without any problems.

[Turnarcades]

Agreed. The bare minimum most pc's require is a keyboard (usually PS/2) to go into full boot as it's all that's needed to operate bios and windows functions. Not even a mouse needs to be plugged in as it's not essential to navigate most os's.

Easiest video solution is to get a video-out graphics card, either composite or s-video and get an s-video or comp lead. If you have a scart connection on the TV as most european TV's do, just get an s-video/composite->scart block for pennies off ebay.

[Hoov]

I have a Radeon X1300 Pro and it has some weird output on it. Perhaps its S-video but I use some small adapter that changes it to composite. Works pretty good.

Any idea the make/model/price of said adapter? This seems to be the best approach in my situation, seeing as how I have the case built to hold the current TV specifically.

[Ummon]

I echo the others' sentiments... if you can at least get s-video you
will be doing better, as most video cards can output s-video.

If not, there's always this:

composite video out card

assuming you can find the driver for it  

That card is so underpowered. May not be a super difference for mame - but aren't FEs are graphics memory-dependent? You could get by with Mamewah or AdvanceMenu.

How do some of you make the computer start up correctly if you're only using a TV monitor? Won't it not start up or start up incorrectly if there is no PC monitor connected?

The only issue is if you have a dual display card and don't have both displays connected on start-up; it'll default to either one of the outputs.