ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi and Happy New Year to Beoworld.
I hope this is not a repost and that some may find this useful and might breath a bit of life into an older tv for some?
I recently bought a cheap Beovision 6 from ebay which had a freeview DVB-T tuner but was not HD compatible, from reading up on here i could take it to a dealer and have the software and hardware update but this expensive. The TV has component connections which do not work but it does have a PC input with DVI and VGA which is what i have used here.
I started a discussion in November regarding how to get my mk3 apple TV to work with my mk2 (non-HD) beovision 6-26. (http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/8349.aspx). I didn't get much response at the time but i decided to take the plunge and try out the idea anyway.
I'm pleased to report that the solution i found is working well and i have been able to enjoy HD images on the tv from both the apple TV and a philips Blu-Ray player.
Total cost was £9.80 as i had the other cables required lying around.
I used a Camac HDMI to VGA cable with audio output which i found on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009CRN810/
(there is another slightly more expensive device which should work also http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kanex-AirPlay-Mirroring-Projector-Apple/dp/B0082AFROO/). There are lots of HDMI to VGA/DVI adapters on the market but most of them also require a separate power source (these two take their power from the HDMI port of the device), do not have a DAC for the audio or are not compatible with HDCP copy protection protocol so will not give you an image if you are watching something which is protected, like most DVD's.
I have plugged the HDMI out of the device into the convertor and then the VGA output into a VGA-DVI cable which then plugs into the Beovision PC input, the audio feed comes straight from the converter as a 3.5mm jack and i have used a 3.5mm to twin phono cable to connect this into the PC audio input on the tv.
In order to select the source i just use PC from the list menu on the Beo4 remote (might differ on other tv's).
The Apple TV seemed to work best when i set to output to 1024x768 at 60hz (the Beovision manual says the tv supports up to 1280x768 but i found that this resulted in the image not fitting the screen correctly.
720p mode on the ATV worked well but the picture was slightly offset which i found frustrating - (i think this is to do with the way the converter changes the video output rather than the beovision's fault).
Next up i tried the HDMI output on my Philips Blu-ray player, this time the output seemed to work best when set to 1080i, there was a slight overspilling of the picture onto the bottom row of pixels on the beovision but when watching most 2.40:1 aspect ration movies the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen make this invisible anyway - see attached pictures.
Only one downsides - sometimes when i unplug one device and plug in again the converter glitches and gives a fuzzy picture, i found turning on and off again sorted this but from reading the reviews on amazon if you spend the extra money and buy the more expensive converter made by Kanex and sold in the apple store (similar name to the Camac one i used but this one is officially supported by apple) device then this is sorted - i may try this later but for the moment i'm pretty happy with the cheap fix.
some photos as example - sorry i took them using my phone so quality isn't so good.
Scott.
Beocenter 8500 / Beolab 4000 / Beosystem 5500 / Beolab 8000 / Beogram 2000 / Beosound 8 / Beovision 6-26 / Beovision MX4000 / Beomaster 1900-1 / Beovox CX50 / Beoplay H4 / Beoplay A1 / Beocom 1401 x2
BeoNut since '75
Hi, what a legend.
People saying no, no it wouldn't work and you did it.
I'm trying to do the same thing to my Beovision 7-40 MK2 9361 TV. It's HD-Ready available, but I've never upgraded it. I also happen to have the same Beovision 6-26 as you (I think) When I open the back it says HD TV (but it's no HDMI obv).
Anyways, I can't upgrade my TV to HD-ready because the scaler module is unavailable (in my country)
But my thinking it is that it has to be possible for me to connect Apple TV to my Beo 7-40 MK2 if your Beo 6-26 can...
I have no idea about TV stuff in general, but I was wondering if you could tell me of this HDMI VGA converter would suffice in doing the same thing? https://www.amazon.co.uk/K%C3%96NIG-VGA-TO-HDMI-CONVERTER/dp/B0032YEK3O
It mentions DAC which you mentioned too. Only thing that worries me is that I think I need to have my resolution at 1024x768 but it doesn't show there.. I'm unsure.
I can't find that product you linked in my own country, that's why I'm trying to find alternatives. Thanks for any answer mate. I'd appreciate it if you could shed some light on if my TV is compatible or not, and if I could be able to stream Netflix (without HDCP problems).
Regards, Alex
Hm, a BV7-40 MK2 is hd-ready. I have one too and am using it with an ATV2 and a dvb-s hd receiver, both via HDMI and in 720p mode for month now.
Can't understand why there should be a problem ?
BeoSound 9000 MK3, BeoLab 8000, BeoLab 6000, BeoLab 3500, LCS9000, BeoLab 11, BeoLab 7.2, BeoLab 7.1, Beolab 4 PC, BeoCenter 2300, BeoSound Century, BeoSound 8, Beosound 2, BeoVision 7-40 MK2 , BeoVision 7-32 MK3, BeoVision 6-22, BeoVision 4-42, BeoMedia 1, BeoCom 4, BeoLink 1000, BeoLink 5, BeoLink 4 & BeoTime
To put it bluntly: I just learned what HDCP meant yesterday. I don't know a lot about TV's but enough basic knowledge to probably be able to setup my own TV using guides.
So pardon me for not understanding you completely Have you upgraded your TV to HD-ready and that's how you're able to watch 720p? Or is it possible without upgrading to HD-ready?
I called my local B&O and they said the module is out of production so they couldn't upgrade it.
This is what I know about the BV7-40:
MK1 = Not HD-ready
MK2 = HD-ready (720p resolution)
MK3 and upwards = Full-HD (1080p resolution)
MK4 and/or MK5 got 3D support
MK1 TVs could be upgraded with a so called "scaler module upgrade kit" to MK2, which means that they are fully MK2 TVs. These upgrade kits are no longer available from B&O.
Martin
I have a MK2 9361 model.
So all I need to do to get it to 720p is to get a DVI-HDMI converter and that's it? I'd like to install Apple TV as well but honestly the remote has so many weird buttons like V.Mem and A.MEM. I'm used to just being able to press 'Source' and scroll down to HDMI1-2-3 or 4. Which 'channel' would Apple TV be on for example?
Thanks for answering!
I forgot to mention that I'm confused that some people use a VGA-HDMI adapter and others a DVI-HDMI. I don't know which one...
For connecting the ATV2 to my BV7-40 MK2 I used the following parts:
- HDMI cable (like this)
- HDMI audio extractor (link)
- HDMI to DVI cable (like this)
- Chinch to Scart cable (like this)
Alex123: I forgot to mention that I'm confused that some people use a VGA-HDMI adapter and others a DVI-HDMI. I don't know which one...
HDMI can be converted to dvi without any active components required, as it is already digital. VGA is an analog format which needs active components - so called converter - to be converted to a digital signal.
I can't thank you enough, Martin.
Okey, do you know if this would still work with the new Apple TV 4th Gen? I noticed that the optical output thing is gone. https (Youtube)
Is that of importance?
I have a set-top-box which currently runs on SCART. Is it possible to change this to 720p and also have an Apple TV installed with 720p?
Again, thank you so, so much.
Ok that link didn't work. https://youtu.be/FJoo9Tcq9-0?t=3m41s
I use the same connectivity as Martin to connect my Apple TV4 to a non-HD BV6 - works very well for my needs (mostly BBC iPlayer) but anything with an hdcp output (eg Netflix) will not produce a picture. I used this audio extractor: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00P44HADW/ref=pe_386171_51767411_TE_dp_1
Alex123: ... Okey, do you know if this would still work with the new Apple TV 4th Gen? I noticed that the optical output thing is gone ...
... Okey, do you know if this would still work with the new Apple TV 4th Gen? I noticed that the optical output thing is gone ...
With the extractor I mentioned you don't need the optical output at all. All audio is extracted from the HDMI signal.
Please keep in mind that the extractor I linked above is only two channel audio output, simple stereo not multi-channel.
I thought that if a TV was able to decode HDCP it could stream Netflix? My TV is HD-ready http://bogo.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2646/~/which-bang-%26-olufsen-televisions-qualify-as-hd-ready%3F
an according to this source it can decode HDCP. But I'm not sure what that means. Does it mean I can actually stream Netflix if I find a converter that supports HDCP?
Understood, thanks.
To set all this up, do you think I should call a B&O technician to help or do you think it's easy enough for me to set it up myself? I'm guessing you have a pretty good idea of how complicated it is or not.
Alex123: ....if I find a converter that supports HDCP?
....if I find a converter that supports HDCP?
https://www.hdfury.com/tag/audio-extractor/
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Hi,
you meant this product? https://www.hdfury.com/shop/videoprocessors/linker-4k60-444-600mhz/
It says it's for advanced users, I'd put myself in a category of 'absolutely no idea of what I'm doing'. Sure I could handle it? And is there no other way I can bypass the HDCP block than to buy that product?
You guys have been very helpful so far, thank you.
The HDFury, which MM suggested is a total overkill for your needs.
The audio extractor I suggested does nothing else than pulling out the audio signal from the hdmi signal, as a DVI connection does not include audio signals. DVI is a video signal only.
To get video and audio from an Apple TV you have to feed video via the DVI connection and audio via scart connection. As the MK2 version of BV7-40 is hd-ready it supports HDCP. MK1 versions aren't hd-ready so they don't support HDCP.
The most simple way to connect two/three HDMI devices to your TV is to use a HDMI switch with automatic switching functionality like this. This devices includes an automatic switch and an audio extractor. I use this one myself on a BV7-32 MK3 setup.
Setup of all these things is quite simple as long as you know what to plug where and where to make changes in the connection menu of your BV.
@BeoIce
Sure - but I was just answering the question ;-)
The device, that you linked to, is probably more usefull, anyway.
So thanks for mentioning that.
Okey, thanks Martin.
What does 'supporting HDCP' mean though? Does it mean I can stream Netflix?
Supporting HDCP means that you can stream Netflix.
I don't have a Netflix account but I will try to test it for you with an Apple Store HD Trailer. Should be the same as it makes also use of HDCP as far as I know.
I can play Apple Store trailer content on my BV7-40 MK2, but I can not confirm that these trailers play in HD, as I can't verify it.
What I definitly can confirm is that my dvb-s hd receiver plays HD channels without any problems on the BV7. This wouldn't be the case if HDCP does not work.
Maybe someone else with access to Netflix or other streaming HD content can confirm.
Just updating this threat as noticed there had been some recent responses since my original post.
I ended up changing the cheap cable i had for the Kanex branded one which is currently for sale from apple as an officially licensed product. I was never fully satisfied by the original.
This is the cable which i have found works best.....
http://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/H9139VC/B/kanex-atv-pro-x-cable-airplay-mirroring-for-vga-pro-xjector
I bought mine from this ebay seller for £12
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kanex-AirPlay-Mirroring-for-VGA-Projector-Apple-TV-Ipad-ATV-Pro-Black/322372413049
I can confirm that it fully supports HDCP and have been using it to watch Netflix.
Some further investigations shows that it works by shrinking the 720p HD picture slightly to fit the 1024x768 screen - this means that the picture is slightly offset from centre (see photo). Due to the thick surround and contract screen on the Beovision this isn't really noticeable and worth the tradeoff to be able to be able to still use this great TV.
Hi Scott,
Really interesting post indeed !
I acquired recently a BV6-26 mk1 (type 9251) without the HD kit, but a DVI socket.
I bought an HDMI to DVI-D converter that works well for connecting a PC, but no luck with today's HD-DVB decoder.
Searching on the Internet for this issue, I found that the HDCP lock may be bypassed using a (powered) HDMI splitter.
EDIT 2018: Solution's here (in French)
View this post at https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/27750/248146.aspx#248146