Converting VGA to Coax

[cbsmith]

Does anyone make an adapter that will convert the VGA output of my video card to coax so that it will plug into a TV? The reason I am asking is that I have a computer that I want to put next to the tv and watch divx movies from it. It has an integrated video card and no AGP slot, so finding a PCI VO card is hard. If there is an adapter can yuo tell me what they are called and where I could find them.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[chizow]

Hmm, any adapters involving VGA (D-sub) other than DVI---->VGA are super-pricey and not worth it IMO. You're asking for something like a VGA to RF switch, which I don't even know if it exists or not. You're actually better off going with a PCI card with TV-out. Not only will you get overall better 3D acceleration and probably 2D, but you'll be able to keep a monitor hooked up and use the extra TV-out to hook up to your TV. Also, most newer TVs have at least a composite video input, I would use Coax/RF as a last resort. TV-out cards are usually S-video, but usually supply the necessary adapters (S-video to composite RCA) to hook up to recent TVs. Almost all of the GF4 MX and Radeon 7xxx and above PCI cards support TV-out, and can be had for cheap (starting around $50-60). Much better option IMO.

Chiz

 

[Peter]

Converting the signal isn't that easy. It involves a resampling box because the TV format (15.7 kHz line scan, interlaced, 525 or 625 lines for 30/25 images per second) is WAY off anything VGA and above.

Get a VGA card that has a TV-out connector. That'll produce the correct signal right there. E.g. PowerColor Radeon 7500PCI or 9000PCI, or if you find one, even a 7000PCI will do. (The integrated VGA will very possibly remain active and usable btw.)

 

[cbsmith]

Thanks for the help. I didn't think there would be one, but thought I would ask anyway. I guess I will be getting a cheap PCI card with VO.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Kazuo]

Yeah, and if you need coax, you'll still need to get an RF modulator after that. I saw a video game switch that has an RF modulator in it for $20 at Wal-Mart the other day though, so that's not too terribly expensive. And you can use it for DVD players on TVs with only RF inputs.

 

[cbsmith]

The TV has S-Video, composite and component inputs. I just thought coax would be the easiest to use and the cheapest.

Chris

 

[Kazuo]

No way. It'd be somewhat cheap to convert VGA to S-Video (or at least, cheaper than other solutions) and can possibly be done with some hardware mod if the chipset supported TV out (because the sync of VGA is twice that of normal TV). Otherwise you'd have to use something to bring the sync down from 31.25kHz to 15.625kHz.
Besides, RF is ugly, ugly stuff.