SkyHD / HDMI / Component

[silverthorn2151]

I have a Samsung LCD tv, about 40" which is excellent. I want to go for sky HD but the HDMI input on the back of the tv is broken (lord knows how but I suspect it might have something to do with xbox 360's and teenagers!)

I am told the Sky HD only has an HDMI output, question is, can I connect that somehow to the component input on the tv. If I can, would that be via an HDMI to Component cable, or via a box of some sort.

I don't want to change TV at the moment, but want to take sky up on a good offer for HD.

And if I did all that, would it work??

[E31Shrew]

Seem to recall you may be able to ask Sky for a box with 'component out' if they still have some.

[Plotloss]

First gen HD boxes had Component and HDMI

Second gen HDMI only (and the irritating thing is that the component output headers are still on the circuit board, just not on the back of the box.

Third gen boxes are HDMI only as well

You can convert HDMI into Component perfectly legally however using a conversion box.

[silverthorn2151]

Well that would be handy, but I recall asking them be foreand them saying that they only hdmi outputs.

[silverthorn2151]

Excellent, thanks chaps. I'll have a look for a conversion box. Would that mean I get HD on screen just as well as a straight HDMI connection?

[E31Shrew]

Yup. You'll just need to take audio out from the Sky box, to either the telly with red /white phonos or to your sound system if you have one

[silverthorn2151]

Sounds good. One more question though.

Do I just need a cable, like this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Component-Cable-HDMI-Male-to...

Or do I need a convertor box like this as well?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HDMI-TO-COMPONENT-R-L-AUDIO-...

[Plotloss]

You'll need a box and it will have to be HDCP compliant.

[silverthorn2151]

Right then. I have spoken to Sky who tell me I can have a SKY+HC box for £30 for DIY installation and that I CAN use component leads from the box to the tv as teh Sky box has component out.

Trouble is, I don't believe them. How can I check and be sure??????

[Plotloss]

Ask who makes it.

If its made by Thomson you have a 50% chance of it having component outputs.

[MonkeyHanger]

Plotloss said:

Ask who makes it.

If its made by Thomson you have a 50% chance of it having component outputs.

The Thomsons's are out of production now. The only chance you have of getting one of those is as a refurb swap for a faulty box. If it comes in a Brown cardboard box, it's a refurb...

Most of the Current installs are 500Gb Amstrads (250Gb personal space / 250 for Anytime) and they're surprisingly good.

[Plotloss]

Thomson did both 1st and 2nd gen boxes though didnt they?

I lose track, sick of dealing with the poorly designed pieces of st.

[silverthorn2151]

Plotloss said:

You'll need a box and it will have to be HDCP compliant.

You've been most helpful. Sorry, but i'm a bit of a dimwit with the jargon on this.

I suspect I won't get sky to commit to what box exactly they are going to send me so I need to gear up for getting a conversion box to take HDMI in that has component out.

Not sure what HDCP means and exactly what box I have to get?

[headcase]

High Definition Content Protection, if you get a box that isnt complient then its possible Sky will stop working when they impliment HDCP

If they said on the phone you can have one with component, if they turn up without one then send them away until thay can come out with one.

[Plotloss]

Digital video and audio content sent out of a Skybox over it's HDMI is copy protected using something called HDCP.

There is a handshaking that occurs between the source and the display, when that is done the content passes.

Non HDCP displays/converters won't have this handshaking and the content will never pass.

We recommend the HDFury2 specifically.