Component Digital to Analog conversion?

[Scaramanga]

Just purchased a new region-free DVD player and didn't notice that it has digital component outs, whereas my TV only has analog component input. Anyone know of a way around this, or is there some sort of converter box (preferrably relatively inexpensive) that could be used as a solution?


EDIT: component/composite fixed for moronicity. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Skywise]

Are you sure you're not confusing the audio and video outputs from the player? It should have a normal composite output.

[Scaramanga]

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Skywise said:
Are you sure you're not confusing the audio and video outputs from the player? It should have a normal composite output.

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Fairly sure. I'll admit I'm an A/V noob for the most part, but I've got CrCbY composite jacks in the back of the DVD player and PrPbY jacks on the TV. And when I originally tried hooking up the DVD to the TV via the composites, the TV got no signal (at the time I didn't know there was a difference.)

[Ty]

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Scaramanga said:
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Skywise said:
Are you sure you're not confusing the audio and video outputs from the player? It should have a normal composite output.

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Fairly sure. I'll admit I'm an A/V noob for the most part, but I've got CrCbY composite jacks in the back of the DVD player and PrPbY jacks on the TV. And when I originally tried hooking up the DVD to the TV via the composites, the TV got no signal (at the time I didn't know there was a difference.)

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Are you confusing your terminology maybe? You say composite but you're describing component video. Composite and component video both are always analog. There is a coaxial digital output for audio that will look like a composite video jack, but it's color is black instead of yelllow.

YCbCr and YPbPr both refer to the same Component video connection, one just references 480p progressive input ability I believe. It's possible the output of the component jacks needs to be turned on in the player, and sometimes even in the tv. My tv shares it's component input with a composite input, and you must choose which one to take the signal from in the menu.

Also, it's surprisingly easy to mismatch the green and blue cables while connecting component. This would result in no signal.

[Scaramanga]

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Xcalibur said:
Are you confusing your terminology maybe? You say composite but you're describing component video.

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Yup, that's exactly what I'm doing, it's component. Hey, I said I was an a/v noob. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

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Xcalibur said:
YCbCr and YPbPr both refer to the same Component video connection, one just references 480p progressive input ability I believe.

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Man see, I read Wiki entries like THIS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YCbCr) and THIS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YPbPr), and just end up more confused.


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Xcalibur said:It's possible the output of the component jacks needs to be turned on in the player, and sometimes even in the tv. My tv shares it's component input with a composite input, and you must choose which one to take the signal from in the menu.

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Well I'm fairly certain the TV doesn't need to be activated (nothing in the manual, and S-Vid and composite a/v is working fine.) And it actually has two seperate inputs for component video and I've tried it in both. But that suggestion about "activating" the output on the DVD player may actually be good advice (someone else recommended that but I thought they were on crack.)

[Skywise]

Check if there's a button on the remote or the DVD player to switch the player between progressive and interlaced mode. It's possible that it's currently in progressive, and the TV can't handle it.

You can also try using just the composite output (yellow jack on DVD player and TV) so you can change that particular setting in the DVD player menu if you can't do it using a one button push.

[Ty]

The question I should have asked right away: is your tv HD capable?

[Scaramanga]

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Xcalibur said:
The question I should have asked right away: is your tv HD capable?

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Yes, indeed. It's the Westinghouse 32" LCD HDTV that BestBuy's been having on and off sale for the past month or so.

[Ty]

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Scaramanga said:
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Xcalibur said:
The question I should have asked right away: is your tv HD capable?

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Yes, indeed. It's the Westinghouse 32" LCD HDTV that BestBuy's been having on and off sale for the past month or so.

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Then it's definitely not a case of progressive/interlaced incompatibility. Some people have trouble getting a picture because their player is outputting a progressive signal to a tv that can only display interlaced. Often they have to switch to a composite (yellow cable only) connection to get a picture so they can go into the player menu and change it's output. This is what Skywise is talking about.

I see you edited the orignal post but it's still not quite right. /images/graemlins/happy.gif The dvd player can't have digital component outs because component video is only an analog video connection. If you're using the component out on the player and everything is connected correctly you should be getting a picture. I don't want to say anything that would make you feel stupid here, but are you setting the tv to the correct video input? /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

Oh, and just so you know, when you say your tv only has component in that isn't the case. Even without knowing exactly which model I can tell you your Westinghouse set has a digital video input, either DVI or HDMI depending upon which one you bought. If you bought the new 32w6 it's an HDMI input, and if you (were unlucky enough to) have a 32w3 then it actually has both DVI and HDMI.

[Scaramanga]

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Xcalibur said:
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Scaramanga said:
[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
The question I should have asked right away: is your tv HD capable?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, indeed. It's the Westinghouse 32" LCD HDTV that BestBuy's been having on and off sale for the past month or so.

[/ QUOTE ]
Then it's definitely not a case of progressive/interlaced incompatibility. Some people have trouble getting a picture because their player is outputting a progressive signal to a tv that can only display interlaced. Often they have to switch to a composite (yellow cable only) connection to get a picture so they can go into the player menu and change it's output. This is what Skywise is talking about.

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Well I dunno, this could still be the case, as I've only been able to get the DVD player to function on the S-video (what it's hooked to right now) and composite (yellow) video inputs. So maybe I still do have to go into my player menu and set something. I dunno, I've been busy so far this week and haven't been able to play with it.

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Xcalibur said:
I don't want to say anything that would make you feel stupid here, but are you setting the tv to the correct video input? /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

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Nope, I already know I know nothing about this stuff, hence why I asked you guys here. And yeah, the remote for the TV is pretty straightforward; it has a seperate button for each type of input (well you hit the component button twince, since there are 2 component inputs.)

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Xcalibur said:
Oh, and just so you know, when you say your tv only has component in that isn't the case. Even without knowing exactly which model I can tell you your Westinghouse set has a digital video input, either DVI or HDMI depending upon which one you bought. If you bought the new 32w6 it's an HDMI input, and if you (were unlucky enough to) have a 32w3 then it actually has both DVI and HDMI.

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Ahhh, I didnt' mean the TV ONLY had component. And yeah I have the w6, so just HDMI.

[Ty]

Good, good. Just making sure. w6 = okay. w3 = /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

I suspect the cable, or perhaps the blue and green are swapped in position on the player versus the tv and and you misconnected them? I've done this before myself. Connecting a player with component video should just be a plug and watch deal.

You could get yourself an Oppo (see other thread in this forum) and make use of that HDMI input. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Scaramanga]

OK, fixed. It DID need to be activated in the DVD player itself. Thanks guys for all your help.