Scan converter to use any LCD for FTA setup:

[Anole]

In a previous thread, I discussed using a cheap LCD with composite video input, as an outdoor tuning aid.
7", $30, LCD TV to use for FTA setup

Here is a device you might use to turn any old LCD into an FTA setup tool.
It's a digital scan converter that'll take Composite, Svideo, or Component, and upconvert it to the natural resolution of many monitors.
More importantly, it interfaces to LCDs which have only a VGA input.

I've been wavering about buying the sister to this device for some time.
Then, it was dropped as a product.
So, I was considering this one at about $33.
Well, today it's $30 and I'm ordering it.

Mygica HD Game Box, Play Game on PC LCD Monitor, Support Resolution Up to 1920 X 1200

 

[guapoharry]

Interesting...

 

[ynnedibanez]

let us know how well it works please

 

[SatelliteAV]

Scan converters usually do not produce a very good image. I mounted a flat screen in the rear berth of my boat and used a scan converter for DVD and television viewing. It was a picture........ but not very enjoyable viewing! There is ringing and blurring that makes it near impossible to read menus and small print.

Let us know the results!

 

[Cadsulfide]

I've used them for camera's and they're OK for that, Brian is right they suck dogwater for text.

 

[Anole]

the good 'n the bad:

Well . . . the picture is a little soft, much as I imagined it should be...
Not really any significant ringing on sharp-edged text.
I'm experimenting on a 22" wide-screen LCD.
The native resolution is 1680x1050 (which is a supported mode of the converter).

My first test was with a DishNetwork DTV Pal, digital OTA converter box, and outputting composite video.,
Wide screen 1080 and 720 stations looked appropriate, and 480 sub-channels were stretched wide a bit.
That's really the function of the source video.

Expecting much better picture from Svideo source, I then connected a Channel Master CM-7000 converter box.
It handles 16x9 vs 4x3 video a little differently, but seems to work fine if you press the Wide button on the remote, to get a satisfactory picture.
Can't say the picture looked any differently.

Many FTA receivers have component output, and the converter will take that format.
It should give a better picture, but I've not yet tried the mode.

One disappointment in picture quality, comes from poor gamma.
I'll see if the monitor has some adjustment to to improve quality.
However, for the purpose of FTA tune-up, the picture is fine. -
I'll try to post some pix this weekend.