Raspberry Pi Forums

Hi, I have just received my Raspberry Pi, but not yet in a position to use it as I have some display issues. I'm not particularly tech savvy, but can usually find my way around problems by Googling and the like, anyhow I would just like some advice on how I can get up and running in the most cost effective way.

The problem - I own a Dell monitor that uses a VGA input. Through reading up on the subject I am aware that using a series of HDMI to DVI to VGA adaptors will not work, and I am also aware that using some form of Composite to VGA adaptor will not work either unless it a powered signal converter.

Might this be what I am looking for?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CCTV-DVD-DVR- ... 336e9a9bee

I would rather be sure than diving in to a purchase. Either way, I am reluctant to have to go out an buy a TV or monitor with a composite/HDMI/DVI input. We do have a TV with composite/scart sockets in the house, though its just not practical setting up the RPI in our lounge!

Yes, this is the right kind of device, and for an amazingly low price I might add.
However, do note that the picture quality you will get, and the screen resolution will be the same as if you connected the PI an old color TV through the RCA (or scart) input.
That is a very low resolution screen, (expect something like 500 x 500) and also expect some color fuzziness.
Any cheap second hand DVI-D supporting 15" monitor, that can be had for a similar price, will hive a much higher resolution picture.

Thanks for the advice.

Would you know of any similar powered device that converts HDMI to VGA (I haven't come across any myself), or is the composite to VGA option the best way foward?

I will look into prices of second hand monitors, good thinking.

franksidebottom wrote:Thanks for the advice.

Would you know of any similar powered device that converts HDMI to VGA (I haven't come across any myself), or is the composite to VGA option the best way foward?

I will look into prices of second hand monitors, good thinking.

http://elinux.org/RPi_VerifiedPeriphera ... y_adapters

HDMI-VGA confirmed working.

Have a look at this thread. http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewt ... =63&t=5049
These adaptors seems to work quite well for about £15 .

...Colin

I've mentioned it elsewhere, but if we're suggesting looking around for secondhand DVI monitors, wouldn't it also be worth keeping an eye open for secondhand small flat-screen TVs? As long as they're less than a few years old, they should have at least one HDMI port, and even the smaller ones tend to be capable of 720p HD, if not 1080x.

That said, big supermarkets often sell new 16"-18" TVs for well under £100, though I don't know how well they would perform with the Pi?

Some altenatives to a HDMI-VGA convertor): a cheap Hd_ready TV (http://www.medion.com/be/prod/MEDION%C2 ... 30014359A1) or a New but obsolete Motorola Lapdock (model 100 with micro HDMI-input) available for as low as 50$ (37€).

Hi,
An HDMI to VGA adapter is available for $10.43 US - free postage.Can be found on ebay.com
Hope this will help those who are on a budget.

Hi,
An HDMI to VGA adapter is available for $10.43 US - free postage.Can be found on ebay.com
Hope this will help those who are on a budget.
Cheers

Might be a bit too late to reply, but this thing works, and it's only around RM15 (USD5) here in Malaysia.

C-Fu wrote:Might be a bit too late to reply, but this thing works, and it's only around RM15 (USD5) here in Malaysia.

I am amazed that that cable works; just looks like a passive one.

JeremyF wrote: I am amazed that that cable works; just looks like a passive one.

yeah me too! it doesn't seem to have any complex circuitry to it, so I'm guessing it's passive. I'm guessing it's because of the analog nature of vga and composite.

just for clarification, it's a male vga to female s-video & female composite video y cable.

The photo is a bit dark, do you have a link to the website for this product??

Also it appears the adapter has a VGA male end does this plug into the graphics card or monitor??

The VGA spec does not cater for composite video only RGB analogue which means that if it does work the image would be black and white (unless there's a QAM decoder circuit).
The VGA monitor must also support video interlacing at 50/60Hz with the provided resolution.

Richard S.