Video out to Component or VGA?

C

CameronMcC

Well-known member
Hey guys, heres one to think about. I'm shooting a program next week that has two video screens with projectors that are only hooked via component cables. Looking for best solutions to relay video out from the DVX (which is composite).

Not sure if there is a way to transfer a signal from one to the other. I tested using a vcr/dvd combo in between but to no avail.

There is also a VGA that they use to put powerpoint up on the screens. I am assuming i can connect the dvx through that system to get it up on the screen. I'll be taping, as ultimately that is what i was hired for, but they want to put it up on screen as well.

I never use my dvx in this manner, and just want to make sure i am getting all the pieces right.

Thoughts? Suggestions?
 
Pyro A/V Link

i personally have one and it works...also i think that company that barry posted is no longer operating??? well it says all products discontinued.
 
The best thing in this situation, IMHO as an A/V guy, would be to use a switcher/scaler that can take the VGA, component, and composite inputs, scale them all up to the projectors' native resolution, and only run one set of cables. :) (I'm too lazy to run two sets :D, and switching between sources on the projectors is a god-awful way of doing things, particularly with multiple projectors. ) There's going to have to be some kind of switcher involved to add your camera feed, regardless of whether you get it to component or VGA, so to me it makes the most sense to just have one.

If a switcher/scaler isn't an option, then you need some sort of scaler or transcoder. Novelt's link is designed to get composite into a computer via Firewire, which isn't really what you're after, because they're not going to want to exit the PowerPoint on their computer. Barry's would probably work if it were still available, although (and not to doubt the indomitable Mr. Green here :) ) I personally would worry about coming out of the DVX via Firewire if there was going to be any camera movement at all, even just panning on a tripod; I just don't trust that connector.

Something like the Kramer VP-419xl will take composite video and scale to 480p, 720p, or a variety of PC resolutions, so all your bases would be covered, but it's not a cheap piece of gear (seems to be MAP'd at about $476). A straight composite-to-15pin scaler like the VP-413 runs about $276, so it's a cheaper solution without the flexibility of component output.
 
um captain? seems you kinda hinted a tad of negativity towards my posts :grin:

if you look at the product i posted and the one barry posted they are nearly the same thing and both operate the same way. as for this statement "Novelt's link is designed to get composite into a computer via Firewire, which isn't really what you're after"

you must've overlooked what cameron said "Looking for best solutions to relay video out from the DVX (which is composite)."

which to me means he is using the composite out. so going back to my post i recommend the A/V link because you can do something that may be beneficial to what you are trying to achieve. you can use the S-Video out on the DVX and get an even better video signal.

ah dang i just had a bad thought it might not output on the component. i'll run a test real quick and come back and tell you what i find.
 
well man enough to admit when i'm wrong and well i was wrong.

it doesn't convert the inputs to component out. it only converts the DV to component out. i wish i would've remembered that. i just hadn't used it in so long.

i do agree with cameron tough using the little dv connection is questionable. if you can use the s-video port use that. again it's a better signal than the composite. imagine if panasonic would've put component connections on the dvx?

**EDIT**

okay i saw you said you tested a vcr/dvd combo, but you should be able to use the s-video from the DVX and connect it to a DVD recorder then use the DVD recorder's component outs. that works. that's part of my set-up. you can probably find a good cheap DVD recorder at wal-mart or anywhere. but i'm not too sure about magnavox. there are certain features missing on their models so they might not work as described, but panasonic or at least the ones i have will.
 
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Wasn't trying to be negative, just didn't think the product would work for him. :)

The DVD recorder is an interesting idea, hadn't thought of that. Good inexpensive way to get 480i component.

But there's still the bigger question of switching to be addressed. I'm assuming there's already a source using the component cables (or else why run them in the first place?), so they would still need a component switcher to put both that source and the camera on the screens. Even assuming that the venue (or A/V company, or whoever's providing this gear) has a component switcher (which I would doubt), then we run into issues of resolution. If the component source is HD, then the projectors might have a momentary loss of sync (and signal) when switching from the HD source to the SD camera feed. Yet another reason to go with a switcher/scaler and keep the feed to the projectors at the same resolution all the time.
 
Thanks to you all for the suggestions. Sadly the event holders don't want to put any more into the budget so they won't be using the screens. It would have been such a simple fix if they would have ran RCA composite cables alongside their equipment, which is basically a cable box and dvd player hooked via component.

again thanks to all
 
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