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Kaladbolg
Level 1 (5 points)

Q: DVI to Component Video - Compatibility Question

Hello, everyone. I am in a pickle with my soon to be new Mac Mini, concerning the issue of hooking it up to a TV for use as a monitor.

My problem is thus: The TV is a 26" LCD with only a maximum of a Component Video input (no VGA or HDMI), and the Mini has only DVI out. I have seen a cable and/or adapter on the internet that converts DVI to Component, but there is a warning that says the DVI port must support it, or the graphics card must support it. I am wondering if anyone knew if this would work with the Mac Mini. My only other alternative is to use the DVI to Video adapter with S-Video, which on the 1368x768 TV would be inferior. I would prefer component, but am unsure if it would even work because Apple's Tech Specs on the Mini lists only DVI to VGA conversion or the S-Video/Composite adapter, and does not specifically say if it supports Component.

Any support would be GREATLY appreciated, as I have been up for three hours into the wee hours researching all the aspects of my problem, and am unable to figure it out. THANK YOU!

Duncan

EDIT: Here is a link to the adapter: http://sewelldirect.com/dvivideoadapter.asp

And cable: http://sewelldirect.com/DVI-to-Component-Adapter-Cable-6ft.asp

That way you can see what I mean about that cryptic warning. All I need to know is if the Mac Mini can support that sucker! Thanks again!

Posted on Dec 1, 2007 2:54 AM

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Kaladbolg

Q: DVI to Component Video - Compatibility Question

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  • by Boece,Helpful

    Boece Boece Dec 1, 2007 4:22 AM in response to Kaladbolg
    Level 5 (6,246 points)
    Dec 1, 2007 4:22 AM in response to Kaladbolg
    Our local video "expert" is BSteely, and hopefully he will weigh in on your question.

    Some posts of his from the past, which may relate:

    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5458457#5458457

    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5537321&#5537321

    The impression I get is that you might need a more expensive adapter to convert DVI to component.

    BTW can you give us the model number of your LCD TV? Thanks!

    AppleTV is probably better suited for a component-only TV, though the Mini can certainly do a good job when the TV does have digital or VGA inputs.

  • by Kaladbolg,

    Kaladbolg Kaladbolg Dec 1, 2007 12:03 PM in response to Boece
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 1, 2007 12:03 PM in response to Boece
    The model is a JVC LT-26X506, and it is about 2 to 2-and-a-half years old. I am starting to think this may not work but I'm still not 100% sure...

    If there is a more expensive adapter as you suggested that may work, do you know where to find it? I saw some other, more expensive ones in my search but they still had the same warning, so I don't know if they would work, either.

    There also IS a $100 box at my work (RadioShack) that converts VGA to Component, so I could do DVI>VGA>Component that way, but I'd rather see if there's something simpler out there that would work.

    Thanks for your input and links!

  • by Kaladbolg,

    Kaladbolg Kaladbolg Dec 4, 2007 11:59 AM in response to Kaladbolg
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 4, 2007 11:59 AM in response to Kaladbolg
    Hrm...after much deliberation I have decided that the VGA to Component box is the way to go, as it was the only thing I saw that I am pretty sure will work. Thanks for the help, though, guys.

  • by Thomas Garner,

    Thomas Garner Thomas Garner Dec 23, 2007 5:23 PM in response to Kaladbolg
    Level 1 (85 points)
    Dec 23, 2007 5:23 PM in response to Kaladbolg
    Guys I was just on an Online Chat with David S on the Apple Store web page and he told me that the store typically carries a DVI to Component adaptor but they are just out of them at this time.

    He said they should be restocked in about a week. Hope that helps.

    My goal is to connect to a Yamaha RX-V757 Home Theatre system.

  • by SwissRv,

    SwissRv SwissRv Feb 11, 2008 12:46 PM in response to Thomas Garner
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2008 12:46 PM in response to Thomas Garner
    Hey Thomas, I have the same goal as you and same A/V amplifier ! I got one of those cables listed above (DVI to component, which I plugged into the Apple mini-DVI to DVI), but the MacBook does not even detect there is an external display.

    Have you had any feedback from your shop ? Do you have a working setup now ?

    If only I could force the graphic card to send some signal on the mini-DVI port, even if no display is detected (I guess some "high" signal is missing on one pin of the DVI plug).
    Thanks

  • by BSteely,

    BSteely BSteely Feb 11, 2008 10:17 PM in response to SwissRv
    Level 5 (7,635 points)
    Feb 11, 2008 10:17 PM in response to SwissRv
    SwissRv, there are a couple problems with the connections that have been made. Firstly, the Apple Mini DVI to DVI Adapter does not carry any analog signals to the DVI connector. Therefore plugging in a DVI-I to Component cable will not pick up any signal. Secondly, a simple DVI-I to Component video cable won't work from a MacBook because it cannot do the necessary translation from RGB to YPbPr.

    What you need is a DVI to Component video translator, which is an active device/box, not a simple converter cable. You could also get an Apple Mini DVI to VGA Adapter but you would still need a VGA to Component video translator box. The VGA version might be found cheaper than a DVI version. Good luck.

  • by SwissRv,

    SwissRv SwissRv Feb 14, 2008 11:10 AM in response to BSteely
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 14, 2008 11:10 AM in response to BSteely
    BSteely, thanks to your valuable advice, I am going to follow this last route, the VGA to Component converter.
    Cheers.