PS2 to LCD (HDMI) screen, how?

mattsavage · 01-09-2009, 7:50 PM

Hi. We have a new screen that only has an HDMI input, this is fine for the Xbox.
We used to have a PS2, VGA box and computer screen. This worked really well. But the output from the VGA box will not work with the input for the new screen.
How can we use the PS2 with this new screen?
Do we need a different VGA box? Do such things exist?

The screen we have is the HITACHI UT32MH70 as recommended by 'spud131' on this forum!

Cheers,
Matt

fallenangle · 01-09-2009, 11:10 PM

I've now checked the specs of your Hitachi UT32MH70 and it does have a PC input which is presumably what you're wanting to use.

The native resolution of the screen is an unusual 1366 x 768 but if it has a PC socket it should be able to display the output from sources such as a VGA converter box used with games' console.

Have you tried the screen with a PC or other source just to check that the socket itself isn't faulty? Is it actually set to display VGA resolution (640x480/60Hz) which is what the VGA box should be outputting? You should certainly check the Hitachi's manual to see just what resolutions it supports when using the PC socket.

What make of PS2 >VGA box is it? What type of cable connection is it using from the PS2 ie. Composite, S-Video, RGB SCART or Component?

mattsavage · 02-09-2009, 8:35 PM

Hi. Thanks for your reply.
Yes, the screen does have a VGA input, but the output from the VGA box simply does not work with this screen. When we plug the lead from the VGA box into the VGA socket on the screen we cannot see anything! I am pretty sure I read ages ago that these VGA boxed were no good for LCD screens.
We've connected the Xbox straight to the VGA input on the screen and it's fine.
You mentioned a "transcoder with HDMI output" I have no idea what this is, but is this what we need?
Thanks again,
Matt

mattsavage · 02-09-2009, 8:41 PM

ah-ha! do I need one of these,
item number 220441077234 on ebay.co.uk??
from what it says this is the thing, but £48 is a lot just to use an old PS2, or is it?!
Cheers,
Matt

fallenangle · 02-09-2009, 10:18 PM

Yes that's what I was talking about in my original (now deleted) post.

As far as I know problems with gaming VGA boxes and LCD screens are specific and not general. That's why I asked what make you were using. But I'd be interested myself to know if there is some wider compatibility problem and if so why.

I can't say whether £48 for the transcoder is worth it, that's really up to you. I've recently spent £30 getting my Dreamcast (which cost me £25) connected to my TV via Component cabling using a RGB >YUV transcoder and I'm going to spend some more trying to get 480p out of it too.

Getting stuff to connect to the screen you want can often be an expensive hassle but what's the alternative? In the UK with the PS3 not being backwards compatible if you want to play from the back catalogue of great PS2 games you need still need a PS2.