HDMI > composite down convert

[Dolby]

Asking for a friend at work and - since I've never attempted this - have no clue!

He's going to connect a his HTPC to this (proposed) amplifier via HDMI - and then to his CRT TV via composite. He doesn't care for sound - he just wants to know his video will come through

Do amps do this?

 

[bruce_the_loon]

Your friend is looking for a scaler device. Couple of products around, but none that I've tried. http://www.svideo.com/hdmi2svideo.html http://www.amazon.com/GefenTV-HDMI-to-Composite-Scaler/dp/B0013LTNF8
Just make sure it supports PAL before buying and be careful of HDCP protection. If he has component in, the three video cables, he'll get a better picture.

 

[Dolby]

He's going the scale router *if* an amplifier can't do it ...

He's seen a converter/scaler for R400.00 - but would rather buy a full amplifier at R2,000.00 if it does it.

 

[Smurfatefrog]

An amp with an HDMI input & composite output will obviously do it, not sure he'll find an HDMI amp for R2000 though

 

[Wasp_21]

AFAIK, Hdmi doesn't passthrough to Composite. HDMI can only passthrough to HDMI, via the AMP. So HDMI input = HDMI output.

 

[McGuywer]

AFAIK, Hdmi doesn't passthrough to Composite. HDMI can only passthrough to HDMI, via the AMP. So HDMI input = HDMI output.

Agreed. I have experienced this.

 

[Dolby]

... but an amplifier can take different sources, connect via different methods (Xbox is component, DSTV is composite and Blu Ray is HDMI) and output via a single HDMI? I know most amps could do composite > HDMI, component > HDMI, HDMI > HDMI

 

[Wasp_21]

My reciever/amp, does not do hdmi input to any output / Nor any input to HDMI output. It is HDMI to HDMI passthrough. The more expensive (R4000 - R5000) amps can do this. I have a Sony MAGONGO setup, bought last year.

 

[McGuywer]

Yip,
I can only go from HDMI - HDMI
I cannot mix the sources.

Amp: Sony HT-STR500

 

[stevenv]

I'd imagine the amplifier would need to downscale however it would probably also have to "decrypt" HDCP content into non-encrypted video otherwise any protected content probably would be scrambled in the composite output. This is why many digital devices (e.g. PS3, HD PVR etc) require HDCP compatible HDMI connections.

 

[stevenv]

A silly question: why not just output video from the HTPC via composite or s-video? There is no benefit of HDMI in this scenario.

 

[Dolby]

I guess switching and sound?

And if it was possible and he bought the amp, it would provide a base for upgrading at a later stage if needed.

 

[stevenv]

But the amp "should" have input and outputs other than HDMI for those folks who don't have HD panels so ...

HTPC ---> analogue ---> amplifier ---> analogue ---> television
HTPC ---> HDMI -------> amplifier ---> HDMI -------> future panel

And basically once he gets a new TV, switch over to the HDMI option.