I had an old monitor (Samsung Syncmaster 910MP) that was still good. Decided to use it in the bedroom as a TV. (I don't watch *much* TV in there, but now and then is convenient, esp. if I have the flu or something.)
Took my old Roku 2, which works on non digital TV, and first hooked it up using RCA connectors...terrible picture. Is wavy, fades in from color to black and white continually. The Roku's other connection was HDMI, and this monitor is ancient. On the computer, I always used a VGA connector. So I got a cheap HDMI to VGA adapter, and whaddya know...it worked perfectly!
Now, a friend gave me a digital converter, and I'd like to have the option of live over the air TV. (I'm a cord cutter) Same problem. The converter also has RCA jacks, HDMI, and then an RF out thing. (I use the RF in to plug in the antennae.)
I should mention this monitor actually has a tuner in it, but since it's so old, it's not digital, so is worthless now. Back when I used it as a computer monitor, I had a spare cable TV line that was hooked in, and I could actually do computing, with a PIP for the cable (or switch source and watch cable). It was just kinda fun if I wanted to watch news while I computed.
First, I'm wondering if there's anything I'm doing wrong that would cause the wavy/bad picture using RCA. It makes no sense to me that the monitor would have the RCA jacks if they weren't meant to work.
My other options would be:
1. Buy an HDMI switcher for about 15-20 bucks, although I can't tell...I might end up needing a male-fem adapter of some kind. Then bring roku and TV converter into the switcher, which is then hooked up to the hdmi to vga adapter that I use now for the roku. Sigh.
2. Is the RF anything that would work? I have an old RF modulator in my box of junk (Cable Co made me buy that one time), but no coaxial (??) cables.
3. There is also an IN S-video on the monitor, but again, would require some kind of adapter.
4. Leave as is, accept bad video, and watch the news every now and again. The video is passable, but not watchable for very long because it makes you dizzy.
5. Is there any way to make the RCA work?
I'm looking for the cheapest method possible, because I have no idea how much life is left in this monitor. It's been a really great monitor. Apparently I'm emotionally attached to it, because in the long run, it probably would have been cheaper to go to Wal Mart and buy a cheap 20-inch TV. On the other hand, this thing could last five years, and then it was worth it!
Took my old Roku 2, which works on non digital TV, and first hooked it up using RCA connectors...terrible picture. Is wavy, fades in from color to black and white continually. The Roku's other connection was HDMI, and this monitor is ancient. On the computer, I always used a VGA connector. So I got a cheap HDMI to VGA adapter, and whaddya know...it worked perfectly!
Now, a friend gave me a digital converter, and I'd like to have the option of live over the air TV. (I'm a cord cutter) Same problem. The converter also has RCA jacks, HDMI, and then an RF out thing. (I use the RF in to plug in the antennae.)
I should mention this monitor actually has a tuner in it, but since it's so old, it's not digital, so is worthless now. Back when I used it as a computer monitor, I had a spare cable TV line that was hooked in, and I could actually do computing, with a PIP for the cable (or switch source and watch cable). It was just kinda fun if I wanted to watch news while I computed.
First, I'm wondering if there's anything I'm doing wrong that would cause the wavy/bad picture using RCA. It makes no sense to me that the monitor would have the RCA jacks if they weren't meant to work.
My other options would be:
1. Buy an HDMI switcher for about 15-20 bucks, although I can't tell...I might end up needing a male-fem adapter of some kind. Then bring roku and TV converter into the switcher, which is then hooked up to the hdmi to vga adapter that I use now for the roku. Sigh.
2. Is the RF anything that would work? I have an old RF modulator in my box of junk (Cable Co made me buy that one time), but no coaxial (??) cables.
3. There is also an IN S-video on the monitor, but again, would require some kind of adapter.
4. Leave as is, accept bad video, and watch the news every now and again. The video is passable, but not watchable for very long because it makes you dizzy.
5. Is there any way to make the RCA work?
I'm looking for the cheapest method possible, because I have no idea how much life is left in this monitor. It's been a really great monitor. Apparently I'm emotionally attached to it, because in the long run, it probably would have been cheaper to go to Wal Mart and buy a cheap 20-inch TV. On the other hand, this thing could last five years, and then it was worth it!
/www.ebay.com/itm/2-Ports-USB-2-0-VGA-KVM-Switch-Box-Converters-For-Computer-Keyboard-Mouse-L5YG-/321424314831?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_186&hash=item4ad661d1cf
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