Adding two tv's to projection setup

[withoutfear]

I"m wanting to add two tv's to our youth stage that will show the same material as our projector. Currently I use a vga cable from the computer to the projector.
In thinking this through, my initial thought is to purchase a 4-port vga splitter and run vga to all media devices, then at the Tv's I would have to adapt the vga to rca or s-video. Is this the best method to go about accomplishing my goal? If not what would be another suggested method?

[[Admin] osborn4]

Most TVs any more have a VGA (a.k.a. PC or RGB) input.

If you get a splitter, make sure it it powered. A distribution amplifier might be better.

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by withoutfear

In thinking this through, my initial thought is to purchase a 4-port vga splitter and run vga to all media devices, then at the Tv's I would have to adapt the vga to rca or s-video. Is this the best method to go about accomplishing my goal? If not what would be another suggested method?

You can't 'adapt' VGA to composite video or S-Video, it would have to be scan converted down in which case you may be better off to do the scan conversion and then distribute that out to the displays. However, be prepared for possibly a likely less than stellar image.

[withoutfear]

Thanks for responding.
Brad, thanks for explaining why it wouldn't be a likely resolution, how about some advice on the best option! I did a quick google search and found several cables labeled "VGA to RCA and s- video". I'm sure there is a reason your saying that it's not possible or doesnt exist and I'm interested in learning if you want to share!
Again if anyone wants to offer a solution that will maintain the signal integrity, that's really what I'm after. Until then,I'll be looking at scan converters.
Cheers!!!

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by withoutfear

Thanks for responding.
Brad, thanks for explaining why it wouldn't be a likely resolution, how about some advice on the best option! I did a quick google search and found several cables labeled "VGA to RCA and s- video". I'm sure there is a reason your saying that it's not possible or doesnt exist and I'm interested in learning if you want to share!

I found several as well and they have the following caveat "Note: Please make sure the Video Card of your system supports TV (RCA / S-Video) output through VGA Port". These devices are not taking a standard 'VGA' signal and providing a composite video from it, instead a few video cards, such as some older Matrox cards, support composite video and S-Video inputs and/or outputs via their HD15 VGA port and that is the intended application for those cables. This also explains why most of the reviews of such cables are overwhelmingly negative (this one on Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/VGA-Adapter-S-Video-Cable-Vi... , has 29 five star reviews and 188 one star reviews) as it is easy to misunderstand what those cables are actually meant to do.

As far as how to best approach this, what are the TVs involved and/or what inputs can they support? If all they have are composite video, S-Video and/or NTSC RF inputs then that is going to limit what image quality can be achieved, at least without likely negatively impacting the image for your projector.

[Stever]

You will also find on many projectors that the VGA port can be selected to do VGA, Component, S-Video in the settings menu, hence the different dongles available. Typical on the small classroom projectors.

What aspect ratio is the projector and the tv's your planning to use 4:3, 16:9, 16:10?
If they are different you will likely need to scale the image before you distribute it.

[withoutfear]

i have gathered bit more info on this setup i would like to go for so ill lay it out and see what you guys think would be a good solution.

The projector is a sd sanyo plc-xt25 It has an vga out on it as well.
The tv models are sanyo dp42740.
It has hdmi, s-video,usb, rf, and component.
Could i keep the current system setup and just take a vga feed from the output of the projecter into a scan converter. come out of the sc with component then Y split that to two tv's?
also the scan converter i own uses usb for power could i use a regular power brick power supply to feed the power as the comp will be located rather far away?
If so would that be 12v?

[EricE]

You already have the TV's? What a shame - quite a few have VGA on them.

Without something like an Extron video switch/processor (which would cost more than two new TVs), whatever the output of your computer is needs to go to all three devices - and you probably aren't going to be happy with composite or SVIDEO on your projector...

I take that back, one of my favorite vendors has a box that might work for you:

http://www.networktechinc.com/vga-converter.html

Check out the diagrams at the bottom of that page. $200 isn't bad, and if you email them about charity/non-profit pricing they will discount. I have a 4x8 VGA matrix switch from them and love it.