Upconversion Connectivity

[philb316]

I have a dell 2200mp projector which has a VGA connector for 720p and 1080i. Fortunately the projector also comes with a component to VGA cable.

I would like to purchase an upconversion dvd player, but need to go from HDMI (seems everyone is dropping upconversion thru component) to VGA (could use the component(male) to VGA cable as part of the solution).

What are the options -> seems like Sewell has HDMI to DVI, and DVI to component?

Thanks,
Phil

[Jonathan]

Unfortunately you're going to run into a couple issues.  One that hits everyone in this situation is that HDMI is a digital only signal and VGA and component are analog signals.   So you cannot just simply get some cables to connect the two.  You would need to use an active signal converter.  These generally run about $200-$250 to go from a digital to analog signal.

The second problem you'll run into is that almost every DVD player that uses HDMI has what is called HDCP.   HDCP is a copy protection that is built into the DVD player.  It runs a signal accross the HDMI or DVI to check to make sure it is connected to an HDCP compliant display.  If it is not an HDCP compliant display the DVD player will either lower the quality of the video, or more often show no video at all.  As soon as you convert to component it can no longer make the protection check and will always disable the video.  So you won't get anything on your projector.

The only way to use an HDMI DVD player that has HDCP built into it is to connect it to an HDCP compliant display that has an HDCP compliant HDMI or DVI port.

Unfortunately it's causing a lot of people a lot of grief.  Hopefully you can find something that will work for you.

[mark]

I have tried a couple of upconverting DVD players, and personally I don't think they are worth the hype.  Most DVD players now can do progressive scan output through component, which will give you the 480p signal.  The upscaling in my opinion isn't going to get you any real difference.

I've considered an upscaling DVD player for the convenience of a single HDMI cable, but I think it will be hard to tell a real difference between the upscaled digital and the progressive scan component.