OT: CRT monitor as PAL monitor OR extended desktop

megabit wrote on 11/23/2008, 7:19 AM

I'm thinking about buying a used one, as this seems indispensable in DVD preparation. However, how do I connect one with "BNC inputs" to my ATI card, using Component?

I remember only a few years ago I was using such monitors a lot (mainly Trinitrons), but my "CAD-specialized" graphics cads used to have "BNC output" (usually with sync on Green), so the connection was straightforward.

When not emulating PAL TV (with the component - out set to PAL), I'd like to use the CRT for extending my desktop (i.e. at some 1900x1200 resolution, or whatever close it may be capable of). This calls for Component connection (as opposed to VGA); also, using Component, I would need to put another card to my PC (the current ATI feeding two HD flat screen through its 2 DVI's; when needed I'd simply deactivate the DVI->HDMI, and activate Component out).

So, to put the above somewhat messy elaborate into a simple question:

Will the Component-out of a modern "gamers" card like the ATI HD 3870 work with BNC input of a several-years-old CRT monitor? I know "BNC" is not a signal designation, but simply the connector type - hence I'm not certain.

Comments

RBartlett wrote on 11/23/2008, 7:56 AM

Before you order a suitable cable for your graphics card, I'd think it beneficial if you could let us know if this BNC input monitor is a computer monitor or a video industry field/grading monitor please?

In either case, you'll need some quality cable. But you might also need a sync-splitter or possibly even a scan-converter/timebase-corrector to handle the RGB+HSYNC+VSYNC.

Computer CRTs cannot always sync as low as 50Hz 15.625kHz , similarly video CRTs with BNCs have a problem with VGA or above and non-interlaced.

Perhaps you can describe the monitor with more detail to help work out which market it is from?

Sync-on-green is still the way even with video gear, fwiw.
The ATI HD 3870 will have flexibilities no doubt to serve TV video or computer display modes. Whether you'll get a clear desktop - well YMMV, it really comes down to the quality you have on the CRT you are suggesting you use.

There will be a way but elegance isn't forthcoming.

GlennChan wrote on 11/23/2008, 10:25 AM

Check the input types on the PAL monitor. (EDIT: You're talking about a PAL broadcast monitor right? And not a computer monitor with BNC connectors?)

Chances are, it has a composite input and a S-video input. Here's how I would do it:

Use a DV device with digital->analog passthrough (some low end cams don't have it but most do). The DV camera should have S-Video and composite out. Don't go through your video card.
The composite out on a DV camera will be RCA male. Get a RCA female to BNC adapter.
Hook up both S-Video and composite out. Turn on/off the comb filter to whatever setting gives you the most chroma crawl. I'd use the composite out to check for that stuff.

This will give you better monitoring than going through your video card. I'm not a big fan of using computer monitors for monitoring (though it is the cost-effective way of doing it for HD if you're on a budget).

megabit wrote on 11/23/2008, 12:50 PM

Guys, I'm thinking about a second-and SONY GDM-FW900; I don't think it has anything apart from VGA and BNC inputs. Also, I don't have anything to use as a cheap D/A converter (am not even sure if my EX1 would work as one).

farss wrote on 11/23/2008, 1:17 PM

"I'd like to use the CRT for extending my desktop (i.e. at some 1900x1200 resolution, or whatever close it may be capable of). "

A video monitor capable of that resolution is going to need either HD component or HD SDI inputs and cost around $30K if you can find one as I believe they're no longer made.
Most of the CRT monitors with component inputs are data / computer monitors. The ones I used to work with long ago needed R,G,B, HSyc and VSync signals. Some only needed R,G,B and the sync signals were in the green channel. These are less than useless for monitoring video, I don't think they'd even accept interlaced.
What you want is a broadcast monitor or just a CRT TV would do for the purpose if you want to save money. As said above you really want a firewire to composite converter to feed it as well. Either a DV camcorder, VCR or a device like the ADVC 110 is all you need.
Composite video carries the luma and chroma information in the one analogue signal. Around 5MHz for the luma and 0.5MHz for the chroma. Because of the latter things that look pristine on your LCD PC monitor can very easily look like rubbish on a TV.
S-Video connections provide a separate wire for luma and chroma hence your video will look much better using that, you get less problems with chroma crawl and bleed However very few consumers use them so you're not going to see your images 'worst case' which is the aim of the exercise.

Bob.

farss wrote on 11/23/2008, 1:22 PM

I don't think the EX1 will do firewire to composite video.
That monitor is NOT a video monitor and quite useless for your purpose.
I use a Sony PVM-1444QM, long out of production.
There's still JVC CRT monitors that do 16:9 around I think as Old New Stock if you're lucky.
Any on this page are what you want:

http://www.expandore.com/product/JVC/Monitor/jvc_monitor.htm

Bob.

UlfLaursen wrote on 11/23/2008, 9:40 PM

I have had a JVC for several years and I love it.

/Ulf

Grazie wrote on 11/23/2008, 11:04 PM

I have arranged for two PC >> Monitor setups for the monitor "Channels". These can be flicked/switched easily from the front of the of the A or B Channels/Input Selector http://www.expandore.com/product/JVC/Monitor/TM_H150CGU.htmon the front of my JVC Monitor[/link]:

Channel A: PC > Firewire (Canopus card) > Panasonic Deck > Composite (RCA female to BNC adapter) > JVC Monitor

Channel B: PC > Firewire (Canopus card) > Panasonic Deck > S-Video > JVC Monitor

NB: The Firewire feed is totally separate to the Firewire daisy-chain of firewire external hard disc arrays!! - Oh yes! FW-Deck via Canopus f/w 4-pin and the external drives on the MB f/w. Learnt to make this physical "splitting" of the f/w streams after much angst, anguish and failure.

Grazie