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HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 10:20 pm
by Orthello77
With the current price of extra Mister setups being what is it is, I've been looking at ways to use Direct video to connect to another component based CRT i have. I have the analogue I/O in my setup already but its attached to another CRT.

I may or may not be able to drive two Component CRTs at once (1x through the analogue board and 1x through HDMI) however thats not my concern, i just want to save the unplugging and replugging wear on the I/O VGA port. Possibly I could use a VGA switch but I'm sceptical I wont loose something there in lag or quality of output. If someone has used a decent vga switch without issues I'd appreciate info on that.

In my search of HDMI to Component converters I've come across this HDMI to Component adapter

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A8FIQXA/

Has anyone used this with Mister ? if so please let me know your experience or if you have used another HDMI - Component adapter with success I'd appreciate that info also.

Re: HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 12:13 am
by thorr
Believe me when I tell you, I am an expert at this because I have tried everything and came up with all the answers through experimentation. I have so much cr@p that doesn't work laying around.

First, that HDMI to component device you linked will not work. I am using a different device that works, but it is no longer made. However, the way that is recommended is to use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS611LJ but you need to mod it with a resistor and a diode per the diagram here: https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_Mi ... rect-Video together with a VGA to component cable.

You might be able to use this together with a vga cable with the end cut off, or wire component cables directly to it: https://www.amazon.com/Futheda-Connecto ... B08CYZRKDP

For the VGA switch, I am using this (they have a two port and a four port, and I have both because I ended up hooking up a PC and a MAC also to my VGA monitor and two was no longer enough). The quality of the switch is perfect. There is no image degradation and no electronics, so no lag. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0881TN9WQ

Hope this helps.

Re: HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 12:59 am
by Orthello77
thorr wrote: Thu Jun 16, 2022 12:13 am Believe me when I tell you, I am an expert at this because I have tried everything and came up with all the answers through experimentation. I have so much cr@p that doesn't work laying around.

First, that HDMI to component device you linked will not work. I am using a different device that works, but it is no longer made. However, the way that is recommended is to use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS611LJ but you need to mod it with a resistor and a diode per the diagram here: https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_Mi ... rect-Video together with a VGA to component cable.

You might be able to use this together with a vga cable with the end cut off, or wire component cables directly to it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P6R918T

For the VGA switch, I am using this (they have a two port and a four port, and I have both because I ended up hooking up a PC and a MAC also to my VGA monitor and two was no longer enough). The quality of the switch is perfect. There is no image degradation and no electronics, so no lag. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0881TN9WQ

Hope this helps.
Thanks a lot for saving me some money on trying things out that wouldn't have worked, I had that fear hence the post.

I could have a go at making the cable - it seems possible , the vga switch does seem a lot more straight forward and would cost me less in time / parts. Part of me likes the idea of having the hdmi port connect to an hdmi screen anyway (if i can use the vga switch effectively) so I can always get output of some sort if I screw up the settings on my CRTS.

Thanks again, its been a great help !

Re: HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 7:09 am
by thorr
Orthello77 wrote: Thu Jun 16, 2022 12:59 am Thanks a lot for saving me some money on trying things out that wouldn't have worked, I had that fear hence the post.
Oops, I almost made you spend money on something that wouldn't work, lol. The part I linked above is female, but you need male. I also edited the above post: https://www.amazon.com/Futheda-Connecto ... B08CYZRKDP

Re: HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 8:15 pm
by Orthello77
thorr wrote: Thu Jun 16, 2022 7:09 am
Orthello77 wrote: Thu Jun 16, 2022 12:59 am Thanks a lot for saving me some money on trying things out that wouldn't have worked, I had that fear hence the post.
Oops, I almost made you spend money on something that wouldn't work, lol. The part I linked above is female, but you need male. I also edited the above post: https://www.amazon.com/Futheda-Connecto ... B08CYZRKDP
Ah good spotting , I've got the vga switch you linked coming but havn't ordered the vga connectors yet so your timing is good !! thanks again :D

Re: HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 5:20 pm
by mcrombaldi
Hi guys! New here to all these stuff.

Just to be clear then. If I purchase the digital I/O version, I won't be able to connect to TVs with AV/component inputs, right?

There is no adapter from HDMI to AV/component that works, that's it?

Thanks!

Re: HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 7:14 pm
by Blitzwing
mcrombaldi wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 5:20 pm Hi guys! New here to all these stuff.

Just to be clear then. If I purchase the digital I/O version, I won't be able to connect to TVs with AV/component inputs, right?

There is no adapter from HDMI to AV/component that works, that's it?

Thanks!
No, unless it's changed since I bought my first mister a few years ago, the digital board has no video out capability it is just a audio out board.

Re: HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 7:18 pm
by akeley
You can still try to use modded Direct Video adapter as described above: viewtopic.php?p=53885#p53885

Re: HDMI Direct Video to Component

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 11:01 pm
by thorr
mcrombaldi wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 5:20 pm I won't be able to connect to TVs with AV/component inputs, right?
Not right. You can make a cable that works with the HDMI port on the MiSTer itself and converts it to component as described above. You don't need the digital IO addon for this.