Computer monitor to be used as TV

[Confused_]

I want to use my Samsung computer monitor to watch TV through an HD digital setup box. The monitor has a DVI input while the setup box has a HDMI output. Therefore I bought an adapter HDMI/DIV to connect them.
But the monitor only shows "Check the signal cable" and beneath it there is the word "Analog". I checked the cable. It is well connected. I could not work out what what to do next. Does it mean the monitor is not HDCP compliant so it cannot be used for watching TV or I did not do right with anything else.
Help needed!

 

[herrwizo]

First of all, you probably need to set the input source to DVI on your monitor, provided that it doesnt switch automatically. If that doesn't help, the issue is most likely your HDMI/DVI adapter, or even cable if it is a DVI cable. I am not sure from the working of your issue whether you are using the adapter on HD box or the monitor (i.e. whether it is a HDMI to DVI or DVI to HDMI, which in turn means that one setup uses a HDMI cable, while the other uses a DVI cable - a huge difference). It would be very helpful if you could provide pictures of the adapter and the cable you use to connect to your monitor. Take a picture of pinout of the adapter and cable as well.

 

[Confused_]

First of all, you probably need to set the input source to DVI on your monitor, provided that it doesnt switch automatically. If that doesn't help, the issue is most likely your HDMI/DVI adapter, or even cable if it is a DVI cable. I am not sure from the working of your issue whether you are using the adapter on HD box or the monitor (i.e. whether it is a HDMI to DVI or DVI to HDMI, which in turn means that one setup uses a HDMI cable, while the other uses a DVI cable - a huge difference). It would be very helpful if you could provide pictures of the adapter and the cable you use to connect to your monitor. Take a picture of pinout of the adapter and cable as well.

 

[Confused_]

Dear Herrwizo, thank you. As requested I would include some photos for you.
But I cannot find ways to do it although I have taken some photos.
I can only clarify some points raised by you.
1. I would think the input souce on my monitor is DVI as that is what the monitor always set.
2. The HDMI/DVI adapter has no cable, only the adapter. It is HDMI male to DVI female. I use HDMI male to insert into setup box HDMI female socket. The DVI female insert into the original DVI cable's male socket. The another end of DVI cable goes to monitor. What do you think? 3. Today I also tried connection from my blu-Ray DVD player (that has an HDMI socket) with the monitor. It got same result " Check the signal cable" and beneath it there is the word "Analog". Hope To get your guidance.

 

[herrwizo]

Well, for starters, there are several types of DVI connectors (and corresponding cables).

Please tell which connector type are you using od DVI part, namely on your adapter, on your monitor and also on your DVI cable.

Is it DVI-D (single or dual link), DVI-A or DVI-I (single or dual link)? See here:

http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface#Connector

I am asking because your issue is most likely the fact that either the converter or the cable are analog only (DVI-A).

 

[Confused_]

Hi Herrwizo, as requested, I checked my DVI parts. My monitor is DVI-I (dual), my DVI cable is DVI-I (dual), my adapter is DVI-I (dual) also.
One thing I should mention is that the adapter came with no cable. It came as a small piece, one end is HDMI and the other end is DVI-I (dual).
The cable I used is the original DVI-I (dual) cable that connects my monitor to computer. There is not a second HDMI cable in this case.
Look forward for your further guidance.

 

[herrwizo]

Well this is very strange. The only thing you can do at this point is to try to find out what is the cause by elimination approach: test with a different monitor or borrow one, test with a different brand HDMI to DVI converter and replace the DVI cable. It also would not hurt to use a pure HDMI cable from your HD setup box to monitor, and use a DVI to HDMI converter on the monitor itself (you will need to purchase it, it is the opposite from the one you currently have), to completely eliminate DVI cable from the equation and use just HDMI cable.

 

[Confused_]

Well this is very strange. The only thing you can do at this point is to try to find out what is the cause by elimination approach: test with a different monitor or borrow one, test with a different brand HDMI to DVI converter and replace the DVI cable. It also would not hurt to use a pure HDMI cable from your HD setup box to monitor, and use a DVI to HDMI converter on the monitor itself (you will need to purchase it, it is the opposite from the one you currently have), to completely eliminate DVI cable from the equation and use just HDMI cable.

 

[Confused_]

Dear Herrwizo, thanks for advising me of all the way. I tried to use my blu-Ray DVD player HDMI socket and connect it to my monitor using the same HDMI/DVI cable. The monitor responded with OK video although no audio (I understand that is normal). But once the cable changed to connect my set top box the monitor is a black screen. Nothing I can do. Now I stopped my trial and presumed my monitor is not compatible with TV signal. Thank you.

 

[herrwizo]

It is most likely the HDTV box that is not compatible, probably not designed to be used with converters or has issue with some models.

 

[Guest]

I'm no expert, but when I tried this a couple of years ago, I had the same problem and discovered that the issue was the difference in frequencies sent by the STB and those acceptable by the screen. Probably wrong here, but it was something like the STB signal was 60z and the monitor required 50Hz.

 

[Confused_]

Many Thanks to you both for your advice.