The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    VGA -> RCA and/or S-Video Converter Box

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by bogusnj, Apr 30, 2009.

  1. bogusnj

    bogusnj Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    119
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Does anyone own a VGA to RCA or S-Video converter box? Are you happy with the make/quality. I am looking into buying a converter box and would appreciate any suggestions. Im willing to spend up to $100, will spend more if worth it/necessary.

    Edit: I want to output my laptop display onto a standard def TV, this is what I would need right?
     
    bogusnj, Apr 30, 2009
    #1
  2. CyberVisions

    CyberVisions Martian Notebook Overlord

    Reputations:
    602
    Messages:
    815
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    You can get one for less than 30 bucks at Wal-Mart. I'd give you mine but I'll probably use it again at some point. :cool:

    You can find them over in the electronics section near the cables. They usually have 4 or 5 outputs. I think mine's a Phillips brand, though I can't remember as it's boxed right now since I'm using HDMI and coax these days, along with Component Video.

    As long as you've got the right output from your system, then yeah, you shouldn't have any problem outputting to a standard CRT, though you might have resolution issues if it's a CRT TV and not made as a CRT Monitor. CRT Monitors started hitting around the mid-80's (I've got an old 17" 1987 RCA monitor that I finally retired last year - got tired of squinting playing online games so I got a 32" Aquos 1080p) so if it's older than say, '85 you might have problems. Monitors have a switch or pushbutton on them to select between TV and Monitor modes. You can even probably find an old 17" CRT monitor for next to nothing at a yard sale or auction these days too since everyone's going to flat screen.

    However, the REALLY COOL stuff is yet to come - check out HP's new Flex Displays video from HP labs. They're not kidding when they say it'll change the way we do things. Imagine paper-thin, reusable displays that will replace paper.
     
    CyberVisions, Apr 30, 2009
    #2
  3. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    372
    Messages:
    2,489
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Whatever you end up getting, post your impressions please. I wanna grab one too.
     
    JohnnyFlash, Apr 30, 2009
    #3
  4. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

    Reputations:
    486
    Messages:
    2,596
    Likes Received:
    24
    Trophy Points:
    56
    wait til OLEDs come out first (massively cheap), then dream...
     
    paper_wastage, Apr 30, 2009
    #4
  5. jboy41

    jboy41 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Check out monoprice.com they have good quality computer cables etc for amazing prices. I got a vga converter box for like 20 bucks a while back when the best I could find elsewhere was like 40
     
    jboy41, Apr 30, 2009
    #5
  6. bogusnj

    bogusnj Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    119
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    bogusnj, May 1, 2009
    #6
  7. __-_-_-__

    __-_-_-__ God

    Reputations:
    337
    Messages:
    1,864
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    56
    x2 bought one too. maybe you will need something for sound too.

    this is more cool: http://campus.fct.unl.pt/ef/amorphous_oxides_semiconductors.pdf
     
    __-_-_-__, May 1, 2009
    #7
  8. bogusnj

    bogusnj Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    119
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    yea, vga is only gonna output video any way you look at it. I have a (3.5mm M -> white/red M RCA) Y cable to take care of audio.
     
    bogusnj, May 1, 2009
    #8
  9. bogusnj

    bogusnj Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    119
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

    I just received my Converter Box in the mail today. Wow am i impressed.

    1. The converter is very small, about the size of a computer mouse.
    2. It is powered from a USB port, dont have to worry about finding an outlet.
    3. VGA out, S-Video out and RCA out
    4. Comes with all necessary cables, VGA to VGA, S-Video to S-Video, RCA to RCA, and power adapter
    5. Costs $30, Very cheap compared to others
    6. Converter has its own menu for calibrating brightness, sharpness etc.
    7. Worked right out of the box, no hassle.
    8. Quality of picture is the best it can be coming from vga

    I would highly recommend buying this box to anyone who needs to output their laptop display onto a standard def tv to watch movies/ tv shows etc. I have a hd tv I use hdmi for, but you cant beat the convenience of using this at friends houses/ school when many tvs are not hd.

    10/10, exactly what I wanted and more at an unbeatable price
     
    bogusnj, May 7, 2009
    #9
  10. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    And thats why I recommended it several times over :p

    Even have my review posted on monoprice
     
    ViciousXUSMC, May 7, 2009
    #10