Can you turn a flat panel computer monitor into a TV?
 

Last year I purchased 2 19" flat panel monitors as replacements for home and work. My boss just announced that we will be getting new flat panel monitors at work.

This got me thinking that it would be cool if there was a converter available that I could run the coax from my Directv receiver into and plug it into the flat panel monitor. I would have to figure out the sound I guess.

Does anyone know if such a contraption exists? I would love to be able to turn the extra monitor into a TV for the kitchen, or even at my office.

You can get a TV to VGA scan converter that will take composite or s-video input and convert output to a monitor. Some models will have stereo audio input as well.

The room that I would like to use it in has an older Directv receiver that only has a co-ax out. Any solutions? How much do these converters cost?

There's probably something out there somewhere.

You'd probably be better off to just buy a small LCD television... Typically, people want to convert in reverse of what you're wanting.

Easiest, if not cheapest, is to pair the monitor with a PC, and buy a TV tuner card or external USB TV tuner.

looks like around 100-150 bucks

something like this(review of product):

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,111437,00.asp

Just go on ebay, and get a used directv receiver that has s-video. You can swap the card out with the one you have. Shouldn't be much money at all.

My Flat Screen has VGA in, no S-vid. If it's the same for MR, how exactly would that help?

The converter gadget the senator mentioned below.

Yeah get a really cheap computer and buy a 30 dollar tv tuner card...

yea ... and then end up with a complete crap picture :shake:


nah ... don't scrimp on the tuner/conversion part of it.

you get what you pay for

I was figuring more along the lines of HDTV card for under $100.

it can be done .... just not with "a really cheap computer and a 30 dollar tv tuner card"

you also run in the connection issues with ... most HD devices have DVI/HDMI outputs .... HD tv tuners have coax inputs. So you have to go with an antennae most the time and that leads to more problems.


i yet to see/hear about an easy quality HD/PC setup


it's a pain