Freeview box for RGB\DVI-D Monitor

marleyboy

I am looking for the cheapest method of setting up a freeview box onto an LCD Monitor.

The Monitor has a DVI-d n RGB input, does anyone know what the cheapest method of allowing my monitor to be used as a freeview TV, or would it be cheaper to look into buying an LCD TV with Freeview?

I know there are cables such as scart to RGB or DVI-d but I am not sure if this method would work properly or not for a bog standard freeview box. The costs of HD Freeview (HDMI - DVI-D) are bordering the cost of a new tv with freeview, and I am not particularly worried about having HD channels as its only for a bedroom.

Does anyone out there know what the cheapest option would be, whether there are such freeview boxes with RGB out, what price range I am looking at, or should I just go for a TV?

I dont really want to waste the monitor as its a good monitor thats just gathering dust - I do not want to connect freeview up to it via a pc\laptop, all I am after is turning it into a digital tv so as to not let it go to waste.

Thanx in advance.

fwor

DVI-D and HDMI are compatible formats, so a Freeview box with HDMI output and a HDMI-to-DVI cable should work Ok - the latter should cost less than a tenner.

I've just done it the other way round for a media centre with DVI out connecting to TV with HDMI in, and I ~think~ it will work either way. Obviously you will need some other route for sound, as DVI won't carry that. I just connect the digital out to a sound processor and separate speakers.

marleyboy

I could sort out the audio via an old soundworks amp, but what bothers me is the cost of Freeview with HDMI output, as I assume this is a HD freeview box, which cost in excess of £100, as its for a bedroom, I am not too concerned about having HD channels, (as far as I am aware there are only 2 HD channels available on Freeview).

I am wondering if there is a cheaper alternative, that does not necessarily mean having HD, maybe a bog standard freeview box that I could plug into it via the RGB input, using something like scart - RGB cable or scart - DVI cable.

fwor

I'm guessing that SCART to DVI conversion is going to be expensive, as the two formats are so different (analogue vs. digital for a start).

I've used SCART to RGB on a CRT TV and it worked, but the quality was disappointing.

Thinking laterally - do you have a spare PC with DVI out that you could stick a secondhand Hauppage Freeview card in or attach a USB receiver to?

marleyboy

I'm thinking SCART to RGB as a cheaper method, but wasnt aware of the quality, I am avoiding the idea of re-hooking a pc upto it, as this then becomes just another computer console, its starting to look like investing into a tv with freeview.