Bob Elmore
Level 1 (30 points)

Q: Comcast Set top box (HDMI out) to Cinema display (DVi)

I bought a female Dvi to HDMI converter, with the idea of watching cable programming from my set-top box (DVR) on my cinema display (purchased in 2006). When I connect the cable I see nothing on the display, just a black screen. It works fine with my MacBook Pro.

Is there something about this that won't work?

Is the cinema display looking for something it isn't getting from the output of the set-top box?

MacBook Pro - 23" cinema display, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Feb 13, 2011 8:14 PM

by BSteely,Solvedanswer
BSteely BSteely
Level 5 (7,635 points)
A:
No, I am just trying to use the cinema display as you use a television.

Which has HDCP. X423424X is right. A Comcast box won't send anything digital out the HDMI port unencrypted. It needs to see an HDCP enable device, like a television, hanging off the port before it will send any video out. Your generation of ACD does not support HDCP.

It would be nice if Apple displays were more flexible devices so they could be repurposed as TVs when they no longer are needed as computer displays. But they are not good at this at all. And not just for the above reason. But we don't need to get into that.

Posted on Feb 14, 2011 9:00 PM

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Bob Elmore

Q: Comcast Set top box (HDMI out) to Cinema display (DVi)

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  • Helpful answers

  • by X423424X,

    X423424X X423424X Feb 13, 2011 9:31 PM in response to Bob Elmore
    Level 6 (14,237 points)
    Feb 13, 2011 9:31 PM in response to Bob Elmore
    Not sure this is the correct answer on not but the first thing that came to my mind was [hdcp (copy protection)|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdcp].

  • by Bob Elmore,

    Bob Elmore Bob Elmore Feb 14, 2011 10:18 AM in response to X423424X
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Feb 14, 2011 10:18 AM in response to X423424X
    No, I am just trying to use the cinema display as you use a television.

    Since the tuner is in the set-top box it is just sending a video signal to the television. The audio is being sent to a sound system. I want to see if I can get that video signal to display on my cinema display.

  • by BSteely,Solvedanswer

    BSteely BSteely Feb 14, 2011 9:00 PM in response to Bob Elmore
    Level 5 (7,635 points)
    Feb 14, 2011 9:00 PM in response to Bob Elmore
    No, I am just trying to use the cinema display as you use a television.

    Which has HDCP. X423424X is right. A Comcast box won't send anything digital out the HDMI port unencrypted. It needs to see an HDCP enable device, like a television, hanging off the port before it will send any video out. Your generation of ACD does not support HDCP.

    It would be nice if Apple displays were more flexible devices so they could be repurposed as TVs when they no longer are needed as computer displays. But they are not good at this at all. And not just for the above reason. But we don't need to get into that.

  • by Bob Elmore,

    Bob Elmore Bob Elmore Feb 17, 2011 1:28 PM in response to BSteely
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Feb 17, 2011 1:28 PM in response to BSteely
    Thanks for the helpful response.

  • by Jtclifford,

    Jtclifford Jtclifford Feb 20, 2011 4:21 PM in response to Bob Elmore
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 20, 2011 4:21 PM in response to Bob Elmore
    So is it a no go to use the the 27" led monitor as a tv as well? From what I am reading sounds like it just won't work, even with an HDMI to USB converter.

  • by Malcolm Rayfield,

    Malcolm Rayfield Malcolm Rayfield Feb 20, 2011 5:45 PM in response to Jtclifford
    Level 7 (28,085 points)
    Feb 20, 2011 5:45 PM in response to Jtclifford
    won't work, even with an HDMI to USB converter.

    The display's USB is used onl for audio, brightness control, and the camera. Video uses Mini DisplayPort. You need a HDMI to Mini DisplayPort converter.
    <http://kanexlive.com/products/kanexXD.html>
    It does support HDCP, but is limited to 720p resolution.

  • by beagledog48,

    beagledog48 beagledog48 Jul 18, 2015 1:28 AM in response to Bob Elmore
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 18, 2015 1:28 AM in response to Bob Elmore

    I watch my Technomate sat receiver on my computer monitor. I have a 24" HP W244. When you turn it on it asks you what input source do you want. You just select HDMI and the connection is made immediately. I also have a Mac 24" Cinema Display and that doesn't have an HDMI input. It's a pity that although I paid nearly a thousand for the Mac Monitor the inputs are basic. I do have an HDMI input on my Blackmagic Card but that doesn't work either. Another way I can watch TV on my Mac is to connect the Technomate via my Hauppauge PVR Box. That works fine running Eyetv software.