New Mini/HTPC and Component Conversion

[xxMACxx]

I've had my mini for about 2 weeks now and have been playing around with Plex and getting ready to install this in my living room as my HTPC. It's been in my bedroom hooked up to my Sony LCD(I never could fix the overscan issue) until I could get the parts I thought I needed for my older Pioneer Elite 720HD. It turns out that my Pioneer only has component inputs, and I'm having a tough time finding a way to convert DVI/HDMI to components cost effectively. I've spent hours searching the Internet without a lot of success. I ran across this on Ebay and wondered if anyone had used one of these, and if so, how did it work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SP1080-HD3-...:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50#ht_1912wt_1167

It sounds like it will work, but I'm skeptical.

Any input would be appreciated.
Michael

 

[bigbossbmb]

that seems like it might work

about the overscan issue... if you go into "display calibration" in Plex, you can have it adjust for the overscan.

 

[TuckBodi]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

And you'll want this for audio:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1556&seq=1&format=2

 

[TuckBodi]

My bad, it sounds like the Mac mini (at least the old ones) aren't able to do DVI straight to Component. Sounds like you'll need to get that device you had listed.

http://www.123macmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17420

 

[Undecided]

I've had my mini for about 2 weeks now and have been playing around with Plex and getting ready to install this in my living room as my HTPC. It's been in my bedroom hooked up to my Sony LCD(I never could fix the overscan issue) until I could get the parts I thought I needed for my older Pioneer Elite 720HD. It turns out that my Pioneer only has component inputs, and I'm having a tough time finding a way to convert DVI/HDMI to components cost effectively. I've spent hours searching the Internet without a lot of success. I ran across this on Ebay and wondered if anyone had used one of these, and if so, how did it work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SP1080-HD3-...:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50#ht_1912wt_1167

It sounds like it will work, but I'm skeptical.

Any input would be appreciated.
Michael

I don't think you need that, because it seems like that converts a digital signal to analog, which is not what you are doing. Mac DVI ports are DVI-I, meaning they are both digital (DVI-D) and analog (DVI-A). Thus, all you need is the mini-DVI to VGA adapter (you aren't converting, only plug adapting). Then, you need a VGA to component cable. Or,cheaper on Ebay.

 

[xxMACxx]

I don't think you need that, because it seems like that converts a digital signal to analog, which is not what you are doing. Mac DVI ports are DVI-I, meaning they are both digital (DVI-D) and analog (DVI-A). Thus, all you need is the mini-DVI to VGA adapter (you aren't converting, only plug adapting). Then, you need a VGA to component cable. Or,cheaper on Ebay.

That is interesting... I don't believe I've seen anyone try this before... I've got a DVI to vga adapter, so I'll try to find the vga to rgb cable and give that a shot. Almost sounds too simple, but that would be nice, and cheaper than buying a new TV.

Thanks!

 

[xxMACxx]

I don't think you need that, because it seems like that converts a digital signal to analog, which is not what you are doing. Mac DVI ports are DVI-I, meaning they are both digital (DVI-D) and analog (DVI-A). Thus, all you need is the mini-DVI to VGA adapter (you aren't converting, only plug adapting). Then, you need a VGA to component cable. Or,cheaper on Ebay.

This didn't work. No video came out... bummer though, it could have been a cheap way to go.
Thanks
Michael

 

[xxMACxx]

Results

I've had my mini for about 2 weeks now and have been playing around with Plex and getting ready to install this in my living room as my HTPC. It's been in my bedroom hooked up to my Sony LCD(I never could fix the overscan issue) until I could get the parts I thought I needed for my older Pioneer Elite 720HD. It turns out that my Pioneer only has component inputs, and I'm having a tough time finding a way to convert DVI/HDMI to components cost effectively. I've spent hours searching the Internet without a lot of success. I ran across this on Ebay and wondered if anyone had used one of these, and if so, how did it work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SP1080-HD3-...:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50#ht_1912wt_1167

It sounds like it will work, but I'm skeptical.

Any input would be appreciated.
Michael

Just wanted to follow up and post the results of this. The device came in and it did work, although it could not pass and 1080 video out without the video stuttering and being out of sync with the audio. 720 content worked ok. The screen size was not perfect either, but since I couldn't get 1080 content working I decided it wasn't going waste any more time on it.... Looks like I might be in the market for a new TV.

Michael

 

[Undecided]

This didn't work. No video came out... bummer though, it could have been a cheap way to go.
Thanks
Michael

It's very odd that didn't work for you. Comments on the Apple mini-DVI to VGA adapter page confirm it works with the latest mini. And I've done this very setup myself, on a Macbook. Oh, well - I'm glad you were able come up with a solution that works.