PC to TV converters?

[pdoom]

I'm thinking of buying a PC to TV converter (VGA to VHS, scanline converter or however those things are called), and I got some questions you guys can certainly answer :)

- what video quality can I expect? Some people tell me it's ok, some say it's rubbish. Assume I want to use it for, say, watching DVDs. How would this compare to 'stand alone' DVD players or old VCRs?
- is quality noticeably better with s-vhs output instead of vhs?
- are the cheap ones (80$ or so) good enough? Or should I go for a more expensive one?
- can anyone recommend a certain type/brand of converter?

thanks a lot!
pdoom

[MoRpH]

pdoom, check out the scan convertor reviews on vjcentral.com I would also recommend you read the scan convertor article @ vidi-yo.com (link in the tech links section on VJC) :nod: :cool:

[coon]

i think so .
PC to TV Converter = TV Encorder = Scan Converter.:)

i use SUMA Tv Encorder2.
(Go TO http://www.suma.co.kr and http://www.suma.co.kr/product/product_view.php?mode=view&no=29)
AND Very Cheap...i buy under 100$



THIS IS INTRODUCTION of TV ENCORDER2 BY SUMA Co.

SUMA TV Encoder2 converts the non-interlaced analog RGB and sysncs (vertical, horizontal, or composite) from a standard VGA source into a broadcast quality NTSC or PAL video signal. Advanced digital signal processing and Flic-FreeTM digital filter technology provide a clean and stable video display. A proprietary digital scaler fits the computer image into an underscaned TV-size image, supporting resolutions from 640 X 480 (up to 85 Hz refresh rate) to 1024 X 768 (60Hz). Further more SUMA TV Encoder2 supports easy-to-use external function keys and Plug & Play mode. SUMA TV Encoder2 provides zooming function which enable you to magnify the selected part into full screen. SUMA TV Encoder2 provides the Best solution to you who want to enjoy Full Screen DVD/Video Playback on large TV at Higher Resolution!


Specification - Feature List
-Single-chip ,crystal -controlled, all-digital Video signal Processing
-Enhanced Image Quality with Advanced DSP
-Multiple Frequency input Formats:
640 X 480,up to 85Hz
800 X 600,up to 85Hz
1024 X 768,up to 60Hz
-Support Plug and Play
- Supports NTSC ,NTSC-EIAJ, and PAL B/D/G/H/I/M/N standards
- Selectable TV output : Composite or S-VHS
- Function : Under-scan, Freeze, Zoom, Pan and Scroll
- Function Key : Power, Left/Right/Up/Down, Blank, Pause, Zoom
- Support Full Screen regardless format
- Support Zooming : Magnify the selected part into Full Screen (320 x 240)
- Powered by USB PC Interface



Accessories
- User's Manual
- RGB Cable
- USB Cable (A-B)
- Mini Din Cable
- RCA Cable



Applications
- Computer compatible TV
- Internet Appliance / TV /SetTopBox
- Advanced VGA to Vid
---------------------------------
;) ;) ;) ;)

[MoRpH]

Coon maybe you could review your unit for the scan convertors section on vjcentral???

[Amukidi]

Cue SFX bloke slobbering. Yeah lets hear more! Broadcast quality for $ioo - this I gotta see.

[MoRpH]

It doesn't seem to list over-scan..... it ain't broadcast if it doesn't overscan. Hmmmm maybe this is why he's getting a black border underscan on his MX1 as per the other thread

[riesso]

look at the grandtec ultimate XP !!!:nod: :nod:

i use it and it is cool....good resolution ,good zoom, scalable on the sreen left,right , up or down...
highest res..1600x1200

costs about 130 ? in germany...and 130 $ in the states

look @ these links

us :

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_slc.asp?Id=2808
or http://www.grandtec.com/xppro.htm

for germany or europe


http://www.elv.de/Main.asp?Menue=Shop&Artikel=453-92&Gruppe=PC-MM

[hamageddon]

i'd like to add that the zoom feature is a moveable quarter screen zoom only, but
with nice quality considered the price

[sleepytom]

- what video quality can I expect? Some people tell me it's ok, some say it's rubbish. Assume I want to use it for, say, watching DVDs. How would this compare to 'stand alone' DVD players or old VCRs?
Depends on the price of the unit - for a scanconverter that gets near to the quality of a standalone dvd player then you are looking at several hundred ?/$

- is quality noticeably better with s-vhs output instead of vhs?
Genrally yes

- are the cheap ones (80$ or so) good enough? Or should I go for a more expensive one??
Depends how fussy you are / what kind of gigs you are doing - personally i find the cheap scanconverters all make the video look far too bad and i'd recomend spending as much as you can on a decent scanny

- can anyone recommend a certain type/brand of converter?

Vinemicros (http://www.vinemicros.com) make a range of good mid priced units
I have atrust tview pro av 1280 (http://www.focusinfo.com/products/proav_1280/proav_1280.htm) which is not cheap but offers genuine broadcast quality and very nice zooming and scaling / positioning options