using my a/v unit to link dvd, x box, freeview etc to my projector. help!

[admin_exported]

i recently got a projector and have both audio and video (using component) running through the amp. then video through one component cable to the projector these work fine. however i have tried plugging my freeview box into the amp first of all using a single yellow video out lead. this didint work. i had a scart to s video cable kicking around so tried this still no picture. so thinking seeing as i am using component to run to the projector and between the dvd and x box etc thought maybe everything has to be the same. i tried a scart to component still no picture! i am new to using my a/v unit as a link for video. does everything have to run through the same cables and is there anything i need to know or is there any1 who can advise me on the best way of linking everything together.

thanks craig.

 

[d4v3pum4]

Without knowing the makes and model numbers of the equipment it will be hard to find a solution but I will answer the above as best I see fit:

• Composite video (yellow) will only work if you either run another Composite video cable to the amp OR the amp performs video conversion to Component (YpBpR) (Green/Blue/Red)
• SCART to S-Video cables are directional and this will only work if the Freeview box outputs S-Video over SCART. This would be within the Freebox settings under video. If you routed the cable via the amp, again the amp would either need the same cable out i.e. S-Video or again the amp performs video conversion to Component (YpBpR)
• SCART to Component Video (YpBpR). Again, this will only work if the Freeview box outputs Component Video over SCART. The only equipment that I know of that does, is the older Topfield PVR.

SCART is a connection type which supports Composite Video, S-Video, RGB and in very rare occasions (see above re. Topfield PVR) Component Video.

If the amp performs no form of video conversion, then you will need to connect the same video cable out to the projector. You could also buy a QED RGB SCART to Component Video converter for around £60. It would connect as follows:

Freeview box (set to RGB) - SCART out ==> QED Converter ==> Component out ==> Amp Component in ==> Amp Component out ==> Projector.

Component video doesn't carry audio so you would need to connect a separate audio cable (analogue RCA phono - red/white)

Another alternative would be to connect via a DVD Recorder that supports RGB in and has Component Video out. I used to use this for when I watched SD Sky on my projector.

 

[professorhat]

Would be easier to be positive if you list the equipment you're using, but it's common for the same connection to have to be used from source through an AV receiver and then on to the TV / projector. So in other words, if your DVD player is using component into the AV amp, you need a component lead running from the amp to the projector and if the Freeview box is using composite or s-video into the amp, you'd also need a composite / s-video lead running from the amp's output to the projector as well. So I suspect this is your problem. There are exceptions to this with the process of upconversion e.g. where some amps allow you to plug in any analogue source and it will upconvert (and sometimes upscale) these signals and pass them all out of the HDMI output.

I suspect the reason the scart to component option didn't work as these generally run on two different standards (scart on RGB and component on YPbPr) meaning running a lead from one to the other won't work without some sort of conversion going on in between. More info on this can be found here.

EDIT - beaten to it!