[Cube] Cube to Television?

[Sean Terrill]

Quoth Scott Strungis (scott at strungis.net) at 22/06/2005 16:18:

>> Since they're both analog signals, for a short distance all you should
>> need is a cable adapter:
>> 
>> http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=vga+to+s-video&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rls=en
>> &tab=wf&scoring=p
>> 
>> http://froogle.google.com/froogle?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rls=en&tab=wf&scoring=p
>> &q=vga+to+rca&btnG=Search+Froogle&sa=N&start=10
> 
> From the looks of things, these are simple cables with the right ends on
> them.  TVs use lines of resolution, and monitors use pixels.  How are they
> converted?  If a cable will work, then why are there converter boxes also
> available for purchase?
> 
> I mean, if a cable will do the trick without another device in the loop,
> then I am all for it.  I am a little confused here though.

The VGA standard is 640x480, 60 Hz (NTSC is 29.97 Hz). Whether it's a TV or
a computer display is irrelevant - functionally the only difference between
CRT computer monitors and TVs is the pixel pitch, which is why you don't see
34" 640x480 monitors.

However, the picture on a straight cable won't look all that good. For one,
TVs almost never show the whole image - 450 or so lines out of 525 is pretty
common, and your aspect ratio will probably get stretched a little
horizontally. Your TV also interlaces the image to get to 60 Hz, so there
will be a pretty noticeable flicker. There's a lot you can do with drivers
to solve both problems, but for the best picture you need a hardware
solution.

Basically, for the price of the cables, I'd give it a shot and then pick up
a converter box if you aren't satisfied with the picture quality.

Sean Terrill
a10t2 at mac.com
http://www.spiffypage.com