pc to tv converter

rb wrote:
> Do the small "pc to TV converters" on Ebay let me put a pc monitor screen up
> on my 20-24" TV screen?
>
> If so, how do you configure it for channel, etc.?
>

There are several options for converters.

The one that consists of a cable, is only for special situations.
The old TV sets have interlaced displays, with 60 fields per second
and 30 frames per second. The video card on a PC, would need an
interlaced output mode, to drive a simple cable scheme, to make
video conversion possible. If you cannot see an obvious choice
in the display control panel for this, I wouldn't count on the simple
cable to work.

A second type, is in the form of a small box with connectors on
it, and it usually includes an external source of power.
Such a device might be referred to technically as a "scan
converter". It converts progressive output from the PC, into
interlaced video for the TV. The output connectors may include
composite (75 ohms) or S-video (DIN connector with four active
pins, Y, C, GND, GND).

The controls on this one, allow adjusting the size and offset of the
picture, as it is sent to the baseband input on the TV set.

http://aver.com/ppd/lgview_averkeyimicro.jpg

When using composite or S-video with a TV set, you don't select
a channel. That is because both composite and S-video, are
"baseband" signals. They aren't modulated like a broadcast TV
signal is. You would need a modulator box, to convert from
baseband, to channel 3 for an antenna.

On my TV and remove control, as I scroll through the channels,
and reach 4,3,2, the next choice down is "Video". That choice goes
to the 75 ohm RCA connector on the front of the set. I can
plug in a video signal from a PC there, or I can plug in a
CCTV camera. The "video" selection on my remote control,
selects that connector as an input.

If I had a scan converter, it would have to plug to that RCA
connector, because composite is all my TV has for connectors.

Modern LCD TVs have a wider selection of input connector
types, and some even accept a VGA connection.

Also, modern PC video cards have a DIN connector on the faceplate,
for TV output. An S-video to composite dongle, can be used to
get composite output from such a video card.

If you have a laptop, then a scan converter is the most likely
route to driving a TV set. For a desktop computer, a different
video card might be the solution.

Paul