Inexpensive Solution for TV-Video Out?

21 Nov 2005 6:54 PM

funkychateau

I have an older computer (Compaq Presario 400 MHz) that I want to use
as a utility box to run a live DJ/Karaoke show.

It has onboard "AGP" graphics (no AGP slot, but that's what the
front-panel label says) and 100 MB dedicated video RAM. It has both
VGA and digital monitor outputs. I'm using the VGA-monitor connector.

What I want to do is send my video in parallel to a TV monitor, for
karaoke, without disabling the existing desktop monitor. I can use
either s-video or 75-ohm coaxial video. In other words, I want the TV
to simultaneously display whatever is showing on my VGA monitor.

I have open PCI slots as well as the older slots (forget the name).
Also have open USB ports.

What's the cheapest reliable way to get a video output to my TV?

thanks,

Martin

22 Nov 2005 12:38 AM

Boothbay

Well for one thing, you can install a video card that has a video out
in one of your pc slots..But, aside from that, I suspect your system
may not have enough power to this. As far as cheapest, go to ebay.

23 Nov 2005 2:44 AM

PC

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"funkychateau" <funkychat***@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1132599287.934033.225340@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>I have an older computer (Compaq Presario 400 MHz) that I want to use
> as a utility box to run a live DJ/Karaoke show.
>
> It has onboard "AGP" graphics (no AGP slot, but that's what the
> front-panel label says) and 100 MB dedicated video RAM. It has both
> VGA and digital monitor outputs. I'm using the VGA-monitor connector.
>
> What I want to do is send my video in parallel to a TV monitor, for
> karaoke, without disabling the existing desktop monitor. I can use
> either s-video or 75-ohm coaxial video. In other words, I want the TV
> to simultaneously display whatever is showing on my VGA monitor.
>
> I have open PCI slots as well as the older slots (forget the name).
> Also have open USB ports.
>
> What's the cheapest reliable way to get a video output to my TV?
>
> thanks,
>
> Martin
>

Martin

What model 'Presario' ?

100MB dedicated video Ram seems an unusual amount I would've expected
16/32/64/128 multiples.
A machine of that age is more likely to have 'shared' Ram

VGA and "Digital" outputs !!!!!
Again unlikely to have "Digital" output on a machine of this age, unless it
was a very very top end machine.

Parallel monitor/tv output could be done with a PC to TV Converter as
exampled here
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104194&cp=&kw=vga+output+converter&parentPage=search
A converter like this is also the cheapest way for your PC as it does all
the conversion work, a PCI ATI All in Wonder card could do it but I would
think you'll have performance problems.
That all depends on what you are doing on the PC that you want displayed.

The other slots will be "ISA" slots, you are unlikely to find any solutions
involving these slots.

Cheers
Paul.

23 Nov 2005 3:48 AM

Smarty

I also think the external VGA to composite video box is the best solution
all things considered since your 400 MHz PC is old and does not support
current DirectX, video cards, etc. Since the referenced Radioshack device
below has been discontinued, you may want to look at:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=292419&pfp=BROWSE

for a similar device, also under $100, which gets good reviews.

Smarty

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"PC" <ab***@local.host> wrote in message
news:DIQgf.3069$vH5.176528@news.xtra.co.nz...
> "funkychateau" <funkychat***@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1132599287.934033.225340@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>>I have an older computer (Compaq Presario 400 MHz) that I want to use
>> as a utility box to run a live DJ/Karaoke show.
>>
>> It has onboard "AGP" graphics (no AGP slot, but that's what the
>> front-panel label says) and 100 MB dedicated video RAM. It has both
>> VGA and digital monitor outputs. I'm using the VGA-monitor connector.
>>
>> What I want to do is send my video in parallel to a TV monitor, for
>> karaoke, without disabling the existing desktop monitor. I can use
>> either s-video or 75-ohm coaxial video. In other words, I want the TV
>> to simultaneously display whatever is showing on my VGA monitor.
>>
>> I have open PCI slots as well as the older slots (forget the name).
>> Also have open USB ports.
>>
>> What's the cheapest reliable way to get a video output to my TV?
>>
>> thanks,
>>
>> Martin
>>
>
>
>
> Martin
>
> What model 'Presario' ?
>
> 100MB dedicated video Ram seems an unusual amount I would've expected
> 16/32/64/128 multiples.
> A machine of that age is more likely to have 'shared' Ram
>
> VGA and "Digital" outputs !!!!!
> Again unlikely to have "Digital" output on a machine of this age, unless
> it was a very very top end machine.
>
> Parallel monitor/tv output could be done with a PC to TV Converter as
> exampled here
> http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104194&cp=&kw=vga+output+converter&parentPage=search
> A converter like this is also the cheapest way for your PC as it does all
> the conversion work, a PCI ATI All in Wonder card could do it but I would
> think you'll have performance problems.
> That all depends on what you are doing on the PC that you want displayed.
>
> The other slots will be "ISA" slots, you are unlikely to find any
> solutions involving these slots.
>
> Cheers
> Paul.
>