How does a HDMI to vga work? or RCA to VGA?

Question

Okay well i'm planning to get one for so i can hook it up to my computer monitor not laptop! Monitor/computer screen. Anyways im just wondering how this work because right now i dont have a TV and i have a big computer Monitor and i was thinking about using that as my Screen so i can play my PS2/PS3 Xbox etc...  if anyone can tell me how it works, like do i need something? or can i just plug it into the monitor and it works? It would be much appreciated if someone can help me, thanks :D!

spacemissing · Accepted Answer

There are various video format converters, all of which contain active circuitry.
Explaining how one of them works would take an awful lot of space,
and each type works at least slightly differently from the others.


MCM Electronics sells a number of converters, a few of which are:

80-7570  VGA to component video  $43.49

83-9025  VGA to Y/C or composite  $115.00

83-10746  composite or Y/C to USB  $69.99

classicsat · Answer

They only work of the device supports the non standard signal for that plug, EG, analog video over HDMI, or component/composite on VGA. Chances are strong the cables don't work, because your devices do not actually support those.

Instead, you need a converter box to convert one signal type to another.

The Xbox 360 does supprt VGA though. A monitor with DVI should display either, if it supports HDCP.

Sound Labs · Answer

Don't do it! this gets asked every single day. Those cables do exist, but they don't work, so they are basically a scam.

HDMI carries digital, encrypted signals. VGA is analog. There is no cable that can decrypt a digital signal and make it analog.

It would need to be connected to some powered device to make it happen.

Your connections must be digital on both ends, like HDMI to DVI or analog at both ends like VGA to component. And even then, there can be issues.

How does a HDMI to vga work? or RCA to VGA?

3 Answers