This post originated from an RSS feed registered with Ruby Buzz
by Patrick Lenz.
Original Post: Apple TV and CRT TVs
Feed Title: poocs.net
Feed URL: http://feeds.feedburner.com/poocsnet
Feed Description: Personal weblog about free and open source software, personal development projects and random geek buzz.
At long last, my Apple TV order shipped. And it���s a pretty nice device. But I���m not trying to post a fully fledged review here (others have beenthere already). I���d like to talk about connecting the Apple TV to standard CRT TVs that haven���t heard about HD just yet.
No worries, you���d think, the guys at Rogue Amoeba managed to connect their 4:3 CRT TV, too. But that one had component inputs. Good for them.
SCART-only
Despite the fact that the Apple TV specs clearly state that you need to connect your TV using either HDMI or component video, I optimistically ordered a second Apple TV for my bedroom, where I only have an old-fashioned 28��� Sony CRT TV that has neither of those inputs, although it being only about 18 months old. It only has old-fashioned SCART inputs.
The important bit, however, is the fact that two of its SCART inputs can carry an RGB signal as opposed to an S-Video signal.
Signal conversion
Why is this important? Because a simple adapter cable from component video (let alone HDMI) simply won���t do. The Apple TV outputs its signal in YPbPr, which is nowhere near what most devices understand on those old-fashioned SCART inputs (which are either S-Video or RGB). Fear not, however, there are converters from YPbPr to RGB.
Please note: A designated RGB input is crucial for this setup to work. If your input is something other than RGB-approved, the video signal will end up in black and white or worse. So please double check your TV���s manual.
This is the Hama Video Converter 2/3, which can be had (at least in Germany) for about EUR 70 from Amazon. So this thing goes in between your television and the Apple TV.
Cabling
To connect the converter to the Apple TV you need a component video cable, like this one from Eagle Cable. Since the Apple TV doesn���t ship with any cables, you have to buy some cabling anyway.
The next thing you���d guess you need is probably a simple SCART cable to connect the converter to your TV. Too bad it wasn���t that simple in my tests.
Using a regular SCART cable would work fine while only the video signal from the Apple TV was connected to the converter. As soon as I plugged in one of the plugs of the cinch-based audio cable, the video signal would immediately start to scroll up and down the TV screen. Not good.
If that happens, you have three options.
You use a separate audio input if your television has one and not run the audio signal from the Apple TV through the video converter. (Mine doesn���t.)
You hook your audio signal up separately to a receiver or amplifier. (I don���t have one in the bedroom.)
You get a SCART cable that has a split-off audio jack that can be separately connected to the Apple TV. (I went that route.)
One of the SCART connectors is plugged into the converter, the other one into the RGB input of your TV. The extra cinch plugs go into the audio output ports of the Apple TV, therefore effectively circumventing the converter and preventing that weird signal rotation from taking place.
Conclusion
Having all that wired up, your Apple TV should happily display a 480i or 480p (maybe even a 576i or 576p if your TV model supports it) signal on your CRT TV for an investment of about EUR 100, which is quite a bit cheaper than throwing out your current TV and buying a brand new one.
Previous Topic
