Jericho

I asked this question before, but I'm still confused. What does this thing do:

http://www.av-sales.co.uk/HDMI-VGA-CONVERTER-139-.htm

It takes an HDMI input and converts it to component. But why wouldn't someone just use component cables instead? It would be much cheaper and easier.

The big benefit of HDMI on some DVD players is the upscaling it does. And without an HDMI input on your TV, it seems you're SOL on getting that upscaling benefit. But on the off chance something could actually work around that problem, I'm interested in finding out.

Drexl

It doesn't say that it does this, but the big deal with these devices is to strip the HDCP to allow playback of upscaled DVDs and HD discs if ICT is enabled.

Jericho

So, if I'm following along correctly, would this thing allow me to play upscaled DVDs (from an appropriate upscaling player) on a non-HDMI input TV?

I'm not sure what ICT is

Drexl

If it strips HDCP, yes. Again though, I don't know if this particular device does that.

ICT is the Image Constraint Token to cause the image to be downscaled over component. It hasn't been used yet, and may not be used for a few years.

Josh Z

As I said in the other thread we just had on this subject, the box will not work with an HDCP encrypted signal, which means all Blu-ray and HD DVD players. If it stripped HDCP from an HDMI signal, the manufacturer would be in violation of the DMCA and numerous other contractual agreements with the HDMI steering committee.

The box will only work with an HDMI signal that is not encrypted with HDCP. So it may be useful for some computer applications, but not watching High-Def movies.

That page says that the box is compatible with PS3. I'm not sure whether the PS3 forces HDCP when playing video games. Perhaps not, in which case the box would work for that. But I guarantee you that the PS3 does enforce HDCP on all movie content.