Using VGA monitor as TV?

[JustinG]

All you computer wizards out there, ive got a extra monitor laying around and was wondering if there is a way to make it into a TV, for the kitchen, splitting the signal from one of my cable boxes to have this in the kitchen? I realize id have to watch whatever is on the TV at the time, but that doesn't bother me cause cant watch two at the same time. But anyway to do this without having like a PC and a tuner card?

[Mike]

You'd need a converter from whatever signal your cable box is putting out to whatever your monitor takes in.

HDMI to DVI?
Composite to VGA?
Component to VGA?

Type your input followed by your output and end that all with "converter" on google and you'll have your answer.

[JustinG]

http://us.kworld-global.com/main/prod_in...&prodid=25

This look it will work? I think it will but not to sure.

[Mike]

looks like it.

[BLINGMW]

whatever that thing costs, I bet it's more expensive than a craigslist 19inch tube TV. Heck, I just gave away a 27

[Mike]

whatever that thing costs, I bet it's more expensive than a craigslist 19inch tube TV. Heck, I just gave away a 27

ya, for the price of some contraption, i'd much rather pick up a used POS TV on CL. you could probably get a small LCD for $100.

[JustinG]

yea ill have to check that out, those boxes usually run for around $50-75, which is much cheaper than a new 19in flat screen. Biggest reason i want to use the PC Flat screen is for space on the counter.

[KPWSerpiente]

Along a somewhat similar vein; I've been using my 52 inch Samsung LCD as a monitor for my new laptop since it came with an HDMI output. I love what we can do now a days...don't know if I'd have survived growing up even a decade earlier.

-T

[D_Eclipse9916]

The gateway 22 or 23 or whatever it is that I bought for my computer is HDMI and only costs 199 at Best buy, if they still have them. Was rated on the top list of CNET. Once you see good pictures and HD video, makes cable suck nutsacks to watch. Shouldnt have bought it, ruined regular tv, but I needed a new monitor for the 2 times a week im on my computer at home.

[JustinG]

if i want HD ill watch the big TV, this is just for general viewing while in the kitchen cooking etc...., but still not a bad price.

[JustinG]

another techno guy question, I have been ripping some DVDs onto my computer XP w/ Media Center, in the hopes to play said Movie files on my XBOX 360. They play fine in their .VOB format on the PC, but 360 wont pick them up and play them. I have it setup through Media Center extended and its saying it isn't a supported file format. Apparently Supported File formats are WMV and MPEG1, or I can bypass Media Center Extender and it will play MPEG4 or AVI. So any known software that will convert the DVD to any of those formats?

I have no problem ripping them onto the PC, but cant find a good conversion software that works. I have tried 3, and have 2 more to try with no luck. Any Recommendations are appreciated. Especially if it will Rip and convert in the same time, instead of me having to rip and then use another software to convert.

[Dave]

a little OT, but does anybody know of a good, free program to write DVDs? I want to burn a few to backup the data on my computer, but I don't think I have the software for the DVD-writer.

[JustinG]

i think ill change this to the I have a computer/technology question someone help me......

[JustinG]

i think ill change this to the I have a computer/technology question someone help me......

[Ken]

VOB2MPG is the program i use

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[Ken]

a little OT, but does anybody know of a good, free program to write DVDs? I want to burn a few to backup the data on my computer, but I don't think I have the software for the DVD-writer.

imgburn, pretty sure it does just about everything

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[Mike]

i use handbrake. click a button & done.

[JustinG]

VOB2MPG is the program i use

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.videohelp.com/tools/VOB2MPG">http://www.videohelp.com/tools/VOB2MPG</a><!-- m -->

VOB2MPG didnt work on the movie I have been trying, its showing as a converted file but wont ever load in Media Center, Quicktime, or WMP. I have Handbrake but haven't tried it yet. We'll see when I get home.

[Jake]

Try Handbrake. It works really well on the Mac, I'd assume the software is the same on Windows. It has a ton of presets for exporting - so, iPod, PSP, Xbox, PS3, etc.

[JustinG]

yep, handbrake is the winner, if i choose to batch the files does that mean they will link together to where i dont have to click on each to make it play, it will automatically start from 1 and play through 5