PC to Benq PB6200

[mhermetz]

For years I've been using my Benq PB6200 as a cheap 1080i projector for my Xbox 360. This has recently changed with the purchase of my first house. Ideally I would like to just buy a new fancy full HD projector but for now I have to work with what I have.

My 360 to projector setup was done with a VGA to Component cable. Worked great, however now I want to simply use my PC output to the projector in 1080i. I'll be using it for movies, and games. The hitch being that the video card on my PC has only HDMI or a DVI output. Is it possible to buy just buy a long VGA cable and then utilize the DVI-VGA connector that came with my video card? Will it still be able to output 1080i?

 

[Wolfshadw]

That will work... sort of. I did the same for my HTPC and my old BenQ MP610 projector. While not HDCP compliant (no blu-ray or protected HD content), it should still play 720p/1080i content.

-Wolf sends

 

[mhermetz]

So even if my PC had a blu-ray drive (don't have one,but was thinking of purchasing one specifically for this) I wouldn't be able to play it but say something like a HD home movie would play?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Correct. All DRM protected content must be played on HDCP compliant hardware. Since an HD Home Movie is not DRM protected, it will play over non-HDCP compliant devices (such has VGA outputs).

-Wolf sends

 

[mhermetz]

Ahhh... ic...I think. I find all that shit confusing. why isn't vga hdcp compliant? because its an older connection method?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Correct. Analog VGA connections are not HDCP compliant.

-Wolf sends

 

[mhermetz]

I did some more research and many forums (older threads, 2004) are stating that the 1080i is only possible from a ypbpr to VGA connection. I'm not sure how this is possible, or maybe back in 2004 dvi-i connections were not prominent but should still work now?

 

[Wolfshadw]

You have to remember that back in 2004, 1080i content was mostly just a pipe-dream and digital signals where brand spanking new (sort of). For the common household, it was still all analog (component to VGA was doable). It's when you start converting the signal from analog (VGA) to digital (DVI/HDMI) that things get tricky.

All in all, your best bet is to stick with what you have until you can afford a good (~$800) 1080p, HDCP compliant projector with HDMI inputs. As they become more prevalent, prices will continue to drop. What is $800 now, cost me over $1K when I bought mine and yes, it's worth every penny!

-Wolf sends

 

[mhermetz]

I finally got to test this setup out. It does work...sort of. After some playing around with my Catalyst control center under "My VGA Display" I was able to get it to recognize 1080i, however once I went to play games it would be restricted to 720. As for videos, my player powerDVD10 would crash. I'm thinking rather than my simple DVI to vga adapter I will need an active dvi-vga adapter. Thoughts?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Not sure why PowerDVD 10 is crashing. If you're just playing DVD's (not Blu-Ray discs), it should not care that you're using an adapter of any type. My guess (and it's a wild guess) would be that PowerDVD does not like the resolution it's being forced to display. Check within Catalyst Control Center to see if you can set up a HotKey (under Preferences) to automatically change the resolution to something PowerDVD likes and then another HotKey to change it back for gaming.

I would note that the save function on my driver version (I don't know which) doesn't work.

-Wolf sends

 

[mhermetz]

Not sure why PowerDVD 10 is crashing. If you're just playing DVD's (not Blu-Ray discs), it should not care that you're using an adapter of any type. My guess (and it's a wild guess) would be that PowerDVD does not like the resolution it's being forced to display. Check within Catalyst Control Center to see if you can set up a HotKey (under Preferences) to automatically change the resolution to something PowerDVD likes and then another HotKey to change it back for gaming.

I would note that the save function on my driver version (I don't know which) doesn't work.

-Wolf sends

I would agree that it is most likely powerDVD not liking the resolution because as soon as I change to say 720p it will run fine. I'm not sure if this is something I can live with or not. I may just keep a look out for a used 1080p projector on Kijiji or something. I can live with 720p for some games but I got too used to watching my movies in 1080i. When a screen is 100" I can really tell the difference between 720 and 1080.