Computer to TV Issues
January 5, 2012 9:59 AM   Subscribe

Hooking computer to TV via HDMI-to-Component converter, and I need to establish if the converter box is the unworking part of the path.

OK, first let me inventory the components, in order of attachment:

A fairly new and high-end desktop:
Dell XPS 8300 Core i7-2600 Quad-Core 3.4GHz
with
ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express Dual DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort video card

Cmple HDMI Cable, 30 feet (Amazon link, may expire soon)

GTMax Two Input HDMI to RGB Component YPbPr / VGA 2x1 Switch Converter Support 5.1CH Surround Sound

6' Component Video Cables

Mitsubishi WS-55311
57" DLP Projection TV
(with 1080i HDTV component inputs, but no HDMI inputs)

I've set the TV to Component-1 input, set the converter to YPbPr output, and according to what I've read, the 30' cable shouldn't tax the signal too much. Presumably the 6' cables start with fresh (DTA converted) signals.

I've got no signal, zip, nada, on the TV. The HDMI monitor output of the computer is set to 1920x1080. I've tried every switch combination and TV input mode (Component-2, for instance). The fault may lie on the converter, the cable length, or...?

How can I best debug this problem? Or, what am I doing wrong?
posted by IAmBroom to Technology (4 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: Have you played with the ATI Catalyst settings yet? There's a few options that might be very relevant for you. Unfortunately, the locations may vary depending on the version of Catalyst you are running. I'm at work, which means I'm on an ancient version. Try looking for the following options:

- HDTV Support. Located under Digital Panel in my version. This is where you can force-add the various 1080i modes such as 1080i30 NTSC (likely the one you need) to the Display Manager. I really think this might be the setting you need to fix for the video card.
- Force TV Detect. This might be relevant because you are going through the HDMI->Component.
- Force Component Video detection. Again, it might not be detecting the switch.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 10:19 AM on January 5, 2012


When you tell windows to output 1920 x 1080, it outputs the same resolution as 1080p, which your TV doesn't support. 1080i is actually 1920x540 resolution, interlaced to display 1920x1080. Mister Fabulous's advice is good.

If you cannot get your card to output in 1080i with his instructions, there's a utility, Powerstrip, that will allow you to output custom video modes. Here's a configuration guide from an individual with a similar Mitsubishi HDTV. Note that it may require a substantial amount of tweaking to work correctly.

If you still experience trouble - and don't see anything - you may want to move the PC near the TV and try with a shorter HDMI cable. 30' is long enough to potentially cause problems.
posted by eschatfische at 10:27 AM on January 5, 2012


Can you run the VGA output from the switch back to a computer monitor to test? This should be much more forgiving as far as resolution. If it works here then look at the advice above, if not take a look at any restrictions your video card might place on HD content.

The content protection on HD content has forced the video card vendors to add some draconian (IMO) rules about displaying content. It's possible the video card is not getting the right handshake signals from the switch and is not actually outputting a signal.

I had a HTPC which worked fine for years through a native component connection. After a video driver update, I no longer could display through component alone - I needed to add a second computer monitor (or a VGA terminator which looks like a monitor) for the driver to allow the video to play through the unprotected component connections. I'm not sure who would pirate content from a component connection, but apparently plugging this "analog hole" was a big deal for the media owners....
posted by NoDef at 10:49 AM on January 5, 2012


Response by poster: Thanks so much, guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by IAmBroom at 6:10 PM on January 6, 2012


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