Beginner question: Connect pc to analoge television

Question

We've still got an old fashioned analoge television downstairs. Upstairs is my computer. I've got UTP cat 5e from the television to the computer with a length of about 15-20 meters, but I cannot plug the UTP-cable in the television. I want to be able to view the computer screen on the television, including sounds. Or at least, I want to be able to stream audio and especially video on from my PC on the television. It should be possible using the available UTP Cable.

I'm a computer engineer (professional on software, hobbyist on hardware) with just a little knowledge on AV stuff. On http://www.svideo.com/ I found some devices that could help me to accomplish this. Is there anybody that can help me on this issue? I want to be quite sure about display quality before I start buying extra devices. Obviously, I need some device near the television, to plug in the UTP-cable and to connect that device to the SCART or AV (TULP) connectors on my television.

On the TV end point, I use this (http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00iBZEtHCMgGqh/Scart-Switch-Box-White-.jpg) device, so I could use the red/white/yellow ports and then bring the signal to VCR, HDD Recorder or Television.

Update: In my current hardware installation, I use the UTP for data traffic.
It would be no problem though, if I'd have to add another UTP cable from computer
to television. In that case, the first cable would be network traffic, whereas
the second cable only serves for streaming computer output to the television.

Answer 1

I'd agree with @filzilla. However, if you're set on doing this, there's information you'll need to, if nothing else, educate yourself as a consumer.

First: the items shown on the svideo site will work adequately. You may get sides of the computer image cut off on the TV, unpredictably, I may add, depending on the electronics.

Second: If you want (or need) BETTER than adequate, you'll likely need a pro-grade scan converter...which does an excellent job of converting computer video out (VGA, HDMI) to TV (NTSC, PAL, SECAM, 1080i, 720p). The Sony 1024 is a great unit, reasonably priced on eBay, but cannot handle HDMI. *VGA is as good a standard as it gets.

Third: While I've not explored the svideo site fully, with your reference to meters and spelling of analogue, I'm guessing you're in the European side of the Atlantic...in which case you need to makes sure that the converter will work with your local TV standard.

Fourth: Depending on your location and proximity to broadcast towers or other EMF sources, 15-20m of cable could act as a wonderful antenna. Distribution amplifiers and "hum-buckers" will take care of that issue. Having never worked with HDMI over 3m, I'm not sure if there's signal degredation issues with 15-20m lengths.

Fifth: A/V over Cat5 is not an area in which I have a lot of expertise outside of internet applications. Most of those solutions compress the bejeebers out of stuff...which may or may not be an issue for you.

So...caveat emptor. I'd seriously consider a dual monitor video card, an HDMI flatpanel monitor and some good, shielded cable to connect it to your computer.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You will need an adapter, yes, but in terms of quality, it is a solution used by many corporates to great effect.

Have a look at my answer on this question on a slightly wider topic of streaming to multiple TV's.