TV-out or vga to component converter?

[jp34579]

I have been trying to choose the appropriate connection for a while now.
The TV-out function on my ATI X800 has been working alright, but something always seems to go wrong with it. That, and it can be a pain to reconfigure things sometimes.
I also just bought a cheap vga to component converter.It seems ok, but it appears to be a little fuzzier than the ati tv-out. I figure the lack of quality is due to the low price I paid for it.

Is there such a thing as a good vga to component converter? If so, what are some good recommendations?

Also, are there any better methods to hooking my tv up to my computer that I may have overlooked?
Even though the quality isn't supposed to be excellent, I would like to squeeze the most I can out of it.

Also, if it helps, the tv is a JVC I'Art 32" (cant seem to find the model number at the moment).

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me!

[tetsu96]

I haven't tried any scan converters that use component out.  I know that ATI has a dongle that you can use and that outputs in component w/o the scan converter but I had a good experience with the TView line (used s-video to connect).  The sync would appear to be ever so slightly off, but they were able to convert almost any resolution you threw at it and sized it to fit fullscreen on a TV.  Good thing for emus like MAME.  Still, above 640x480 life got a bit difficult to read as it would for any regular TV.

[btp2k2]

I have been struggling with TV out for the better part of a month.....It isn't worth it. I am using a JVC 27" with S-Video and while the picture isn't terrible, finding the right settings are a REAL pain in the ass.....

I wouldn't recommend TV Out based on my struggles with it

[jp34579]

That is why I am gearing towards a converter. I fooled around with the ATI tv-out function on and off for about a month before I could get component to even display in color. Now the screen has a one inch black gap at the top of it and as far as I can tell, there is no option to adjust the screen position for the TV. If I get a converter, then I can save the settings and I will probably never have to mess with them again. I am just worried that the quality is not equal to the tv-out when using a converter. That, and the converters cost a decent amount of money. I am assuming most of the good ones can only be bought online so I don't want to purchase one unless I am assured I wont get inferior quality.

[btp2k2]

I had the same thing.....As I recently discovered, it is fixable.

You just need to find the "Service Menu Code" for your TV....Harder than it sounds. For my TV, it is a simple matter of pressing two buttons when the sleep timer reads 0. It may be different for yours. From there, you can adjust the vertical and horizontal sizes as other settings just like you can a computer monitor.

[FrizzleFried]

I used to have a HTPC that I built for my big screen HDTV...(I have since gutted the computer and now use it for my vertical cabinet....I just didn't use the HTPC much).

I used an "Audio Authority VGA to Component Tranceiver" available from www.digitalconnection.com.   On my analog 65" HDTV it worked decently enough.  On my 62" DLP HDTV the picture was friggin' CRYSTAL CLEAR.   I still have attached to the back panel of my HDTV.   I was considering using it to build a Showcase-type cabinet one day with the 36" Sony I have sitting in the living room doing nothing (we watch all our TV in the "family room").   It was about $100 some years back,   so I am sure it HAS to be much cheaper now.  I'd recommend it whole heartedly.

Here is a picture showing how it is hooked up...

[shorthair]

I've been thinking very much on this topic, lately....I just looked up that device - had to search through the site, as it didn't go straight to it - and it's $189.  Um, hmm.

[ahofle]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just go with the ATI DVI to component adapter?

[jp34579]

yeah.. I went with the vga to component converter that was mentioned above. I was able to get a refurbished model for $89.00. I figure it isn't a horrible price since I paid more for the crappy radio shack model that I just so happened to return today. Thank you all for the information you have provided me with. If any of you has any more advice, I would enjoy hearing it.

[FrizzleFried]

I've been thinking very much on this topic, lately....I just looked up that device - had to search through the site, as it didn't go straight to it - and it's $189.  Um, hmm.

Damn!  I spent THAT much dough on it back in the day?  I guess I REALLY wanted an HTPC.

Wanna buy mine?