VGA AMale to 3-Component Video Male Cable

Just wondering -- do you need to set the TV (or Tivo) to a particular channel, such as HDMI1, HDMI2, DVR5, or something like that?

Check your owner's manual. Sony has an online guide if you need more help.

Yes, I read my manual over carefully and there is no mention of doing output settings so I assume that the output signal is always present at those 3 RCA jacks.

At the beginning of this adventure I was going to use the HDMI output jack and buy a converter to VGA but that's a bit expensive. Then when they said all I needed was this 6 dollar cable I was very happy. Now I'm no longer happy.

I'll see what the Sony online guide can offer, thanks.

I checked out the Dell monitor I'm working on now and it only has one input, and that is Video Graphics Array (VGA). VGA requires a separate sync signal. Component Video carries the sync pulse on one of the three color coded cables in the harness. If you purchased a Component Video to VGA connector and hooked it directly from your TIVO to your monitor and it does not work, then yes you need a converter like this.

Just read your second post. Just because the cable exists doesn't mean it will work. The cable is probably meant to go from the TIVO to the converter. The people they have working in these stores are often full of bravado and think they know stuff they don't. Sorry; but it looks like you got misled.

Thanks for all the good information. I will order that converter. I will still be able to use the RCA to 15pin male cable I bought, correct? I plug the 3 color coded RCA plugs into my Tivo Component video output jacks. Then I plug the 15 pin plug into the VGA input on the converter. Then I use the old VGA cable which came with the DELL to plug into the VGA out of the converter and the other end into the DELL. Is this correct?

Thanks again.

It wont work with a simple cable connection.

Read this:

Thank You. I read the article and it is written a lot clearer than some I have read in the past. My Sony DVD player mentioned here earlier is the most modern piece of equipment I have. It has a jack labelled HDMI output. It also has S-Video outputs and inputs as well as the Component Video oututs. I decided to use the Component Video output as the source for using the DELL LCD monitor and now realize I need the converter as well. Do you think that this is the best way for me to use the monitor for watching what the DVD player is outputting?

My current TV is failing and I,m saving up for a flat screen so in the interim I figured I could use my DELL monitor.

Many Thanks

Reading the article linked by kaztronics I'd say the component video out from the Sony should result in the best quality. It is broken down into the most constituent components of all the outputs you listed. The VGA converter will break it down further into the 15 different signals required by your Dell monitor. Some of these may be filtered out but I suspect most will just be detected and redirected to the correct pin on the monitor cable. I doubt there will be a perceptible difference in picture quality.

You will need a component video cable to go from the DVD to the converter. You should already have the one that came with the DVD. A standard monitor cable will connect the converter to the monitor. You should already have one of these as well. Sadly; Component Video to VGA cable will probably not be usable.

I'm going to look into whether or not there is a cable to go from HDMI to VGA without a converter. You should google this yourself.

OK, I understand. All I need is 3 cables RCA to RCA to go from my Tivo to the converter and the cable I have is a loss.

I did quite a bit of research on HDMI to VGA and always came up with the need for a costly converter. The one you suggested is about half. Please check this for me as you are well versed on the subject and no store person will fool you like they did to me.

I am not as well versed in audio/video technology as I once was. I simply haven't kept up, but your question interested me, so I have been doing some research.

The question of going from component video to VGA was easy to answer. I had a basic understanding of each so I knew what to focus on for the information I related to you. The question of going from High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI ) to VGA I thought would be easy as well, and my first thought was to say no it can't be done without a converter. However I resisted the urge to shoot from the hip and started looking into it.

There is no question that you cannot go from VGA to HDMI. HDMI is digital and VGA is analogue. That requires a very expensive converter, as you might imagine. There is a lot of discussion about it on the internet, because people want to run a computer on their HDTV. However; reading about different video interfaces, it appears that it might be possible to convert digital to analog with passive external adapters. A cable adapter might include these passive adapters as they are not as bulky, require no power source, and therefore no heat sink or ventilation.

To make a short story long; I found an HDMI to VGA cable that for the price might be worth a try. It also has an RCA audio carrier on the VGA side, as well as three component video connectors. There are three reviews from customers who say it works. The description of the cable specifically says for HDMI devices to monitors (VGA) or TV sets (component video)

So if you have the patience, and $11.64, I'd say its worth a try. I certainly would like to know if it actually works; because if it doesn't, I'll never believe another customer review.

Good luck; and whatever you decide, let me know ow it turns out.

Thank you for all the work you have done. I'll check out the cable you suggested.