I've been trying to connect my Homecast HD STB to my Sharp Aquos 83cm LCD HDTV via DVI connector.

I've been able to use the RGB to DVI connector from my laptop so the Aquos becomes secondary monitor without any problems, so I'm sure the Aquos AV/Tuner unit's DVI connector isn't faulty.

The main concern I have is that it's possible that the Aquos's DVI capabiltiy is only as a PC secondary monitor, rather than allowing for DVI connection from HD STB's. Unfortunately, the Aquos manual has nothing specific to this sort of connection..... but what little there is doesn't bode well!!!

Anyone out there know if the Aquos does support DVI input from STB, and if so, is there anything beyond a standard DVI to DVI cable (I have one I got from Bing Lee for $48) that I'd need?

hmm, shouldn't have anything to do with HDCP should it? that's just with DVD players isn't it?

you might have to contact sharp about it.

You are right the STB does not out put HDCP

Thanks guys for the thoughts....

Turns out the Homecast HD STB has to use the TV/Sat button on the remote to access the connection modes, and you have to wait for about 10 seconds before anything happens. Gotta luv where engineers bury inconsequential stuff like connection modes, and the amount of info in the manual to explain accessing it.......

I tried the same connection from a Kaon SD box using the RGB out from the box to a scart / dvi converter to the DVI input on the Aquos and got nothing. I am now using the RGB out of the Kaon to a RGB / YUV Component via scart adaptor and going into the Aquos AV component input. Was dying to use the DVI connection. Any suggestions?

We have successfully tested the Aquos with Dvi output from a STB to the DVi in and had no problems. I will double check to make sure there isnt anything in the settings you have to change. Will try and find out today.

Try this -

Step 1

Select Input 5 with the remote control (input 5 is the DVI input)

Press Menu on the remote to bring up the menu.

Scroll to Option (last one in the menu)

In Option, scroll down to the 2nd line which read Input Select [PC digital] (PC digital is the current selection)

Press ENTER to bring up the selection screen.


Pick the appropriate format like Digital AV or Analogue AV, what ever the device requires.


Hope this helps.

Thanks I tried all these combinations and no joy I'm afraid. Is it because it's an SD box not HD? Does DVI require a HD signal?? I am settling on the RGB via scart to component input using the Hantrex converter. This in itself is proving to be an unstable connection (intermittant loss of signal and occasional picture shudder). What do you have to do to get a decent picture above composite to these beautiful TVs???

I would assume it is because its an SD box. I have only tested with a HD STB.

With so many other connections available, no use wasting the DVI on a SD signal.

HERE IS YOUR PROBLEM:

You SAID:

I've been able to use the RGB to DVI connector from my laptop so the Aquos becomes secondary monitor without any problems, so I'm sure the Aquos AV/Tuner unit's DVI connector isn't faulty.

WHEN USING RGB to DVI YOU ARE USING a MODIFIED version of RGBHV (VGA) input your display. VGa to VGA which BTW is NOT digital but analogue.

DVI plugs can come in TWO wired up SEGMENTS wired up...
DVI-A (VGA)
and the one with the most pins is
DVI-D (DIGITAL)

The segment DVI-A is just ANOTHER form of VGA type.

EVEN THOUGH you have a DVI-I plug input, ARE you SURE that the display implements the DVI-D part of the segement?

When you connect a RGB to DVI plug you are ONLY taking the VGA signal to segement in the DVI-I plug to its variant VGA input segment called DVI-A not DVI-D.

The media box you have may only be DVI-D implemented thereby indicating:

1. The DVI-I socket does NOT implement DVI-D input segment at all - not wired up.
2. THE DVI-D (if your manual says it has DVI-D capable input is defective.)

You could well have a DVI-I that really ONLY has the RGB segement (DVI-A) segement implemented on your display.

DA