HTPC to CRT TV connection.

[Sven Nijs]

I'm intending to build soon based on the Gigabyte GA-78GM-S2H 780G motherboard or similar.
The intention is to feed our existing child-proof CRT until funds allow for purchase of a suitable 40"+ LCD display.

The MB outputs are HDMI/DVI/VGA
The TV inputs are Composite or SCART.

My thinking was to get a cheapish discrete graphics card such as the ASUS ATI 3450 which has an S-Video connector and will enable hybrid graphics if required.

Then connect this to the TV via an s-video to SCART cable such as this one from Jaycar:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...Max=&SUBCATID=

Does this seem feasible or am I missing something simple?

apologies if this is in the wrong section or has been answered elsewhere and I missed it in my search.

[vlad]

Good idea, someone here was looking for similar connector.
You are not missing anything - it should work, and then you will have a good GPU to connect you panel.
I would suggest something with at least DDR3 if you are planning BluRay in the future.

[gotkids]

I was faced with this same scenario when setting up my HTPC with the 780g mobo. I am actually running my Sony CRT via component off the additional HD2600XT I put in. My sony is a HD CRT and does component over scart. If your TV supports component use it. Most of the ATI cards come with a component adapter and you can get a component to scart cable or adapter from any good av retailer. I play blu-ray on mine all the time and its playback is very smooth so the 3450 would be more than enough to playback blu-ray. Check the TV to see if it will do component, that will give a much better picture.

One thing to note is the desktop will be horrible and very hard to read. If you need to do any major work at the desktop be prepared to plug in a PC screen. Once you go the LCD this will fix the problem.

[downforce]

Originally Posted by gotkids

One thing to note is the desktop will be horrible and very hard to read. If you need to do any major work at the desktop be prepared to plug in a PC screen.

Remote Desktop (Vista) or VNC (XP) is good for this

[kikz]

You shouldn't have a problem.

I've got a 7900GS outputting to a Sony KV-DA32 CRT (1080i/720p) model. It's running at 1136 x 668 (does support 1280x720 but that resolution is too big for the screen and cuts off the taskbar and about 1cm off left,right and top. 1136 x 668 was the highest resolution without it cropping.

I'm sitting about 2m back from the tv now, typing this and I'm not having a problem reading it.

Just make sure your outputting via component and you have the latest video drivers etc. I spent the first 12 months connected with s-video at 800 x 600 and that was hard to read!