QuestionQUESTION: Hi Wayne,
i have a harman kardon 2600 avr and a acer x1161 projector that i would like to hook up, wireless if possible. i want to fix my projector to the ceiling, so wireless would be so much tidier.
my projector doesn't have HDMI, only VGA (also s video and composite). i have seen some wireless VGA to usb etc, but i feel this will limit my projector to my computer. i would like to be able to run all my components (DVD, sat, media player & computer) that go 'in' my avr and then choose either TV or projector 'out' from the avr.
the 2600 avr has one HDMI 'out' for monitor (currently connected to TV). i would like to be able to switch that over to the projector when i choose.
any ideas how to best do this at a reasonable price? i have seen a number of VGA to HDMI adapters and wireless adaptors, but i'm not sure what has good picture quality and what is best suited to my needs. hope you can help.
Thanks
Peter
ANSWER: Hi Peter,
You've got a few challenges here. Unless you use one of the analog outputs from the AVR, you'll need to split the HDMI signal, then convert it to VGA, and have a wireless connection (prior to or after the split).
According to the Acer manual, the 15-pin input on the projector should accept both VGA as well as component video (which is an available output from the AVR. This is the route I would recommend, as HDMI can be a really "fussy" format when you start putting switches and other devices in the chain. Component video is typically much more reliable, and easier to work with. Depending on the devices, HD video (up to 1080i) is still available (with that said - resolutions of 1080p or 3D are only available via HDMI).
There are several wireless solutions for component video. For example:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/13215186?adid=22222222227000295843&wmlspartner=wlpa&wl
I'm not necessarily recommending this particular brand, but it's just an example of what's available. A Google search for "wireless component video" will give you a LOT of choices. I do recommend websites like www.markertek.com and/or www.bhphotovideo.com from personal experience of purchasing from them. They are gear toward the professional end user, and they do away with the marketing nonsense that is all too prevalent in this industry.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
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QUESTION: hi Wayne,
wow, you are fast! okay, sounds like we are gettin on the right track.
so let me try to understand this (sorry, hifi dummy here). i would a component video cable (thats the red, blue, green cable, right?) and connect it from 'component out' into the grandtec, right? (i dont see any component connections on the grandtec pic?) or do i need to get a component to vga adapter?
the other grandtec i would connect to the projector via vga, right?
then, i would imagine if i wanted to switch to projector from TV, i would need to go to device setup on the avr and select, say 'media player' and change from 'HDMI to component out' which will then bring up the projector. am i on the right path so far?
the last big question, if i switch from hdmi video out, can i still keep the audio out on hdmi (i guess i could test it, but it sounds like you will know of the top of your head)? i dont want to lose my 7.1 sound.
let me know what you think.
thanks again
Peter
AnswerThe component out would indeed be the red-green-blue connections.
I do have to make a correction - the Grandtec unit is NOT a component video unit, as it only outputs in composite video (I missed that before). The concept is the same however.
As far as the audio output, it would depend on the device. You may be able to have video out of the component while keeping the audio feed from HDMI. That type of feature will vary from brand to brand, and I don't have specific knowledge of that particular device, as there are literally thousands of models with varying features.
Please realize that what you are attempting is rather complicated by the fact that you want to go wireless.
