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Using an SGI or VGA monitor as an HD monitor?
In our move to HD, we’re looking to repurpose some of our tube monitors. One of these is a monstrous SGI monitor that we currently use as a 2nd Mac monitor. I always hoped to be able to use the other switchable input as an HD source. Converter boxes exist for this purpose but has anyone had experience with these? I’d hate to have to buy a new HD monitor (especially since LCDs are about all you can find anymore) and trash perfectly operational tubes.
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5 Replies
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There’s a really stunning HD monitor from Sony that will blow you away quality-wise, it’s only 17″ but just stunning. Plus it has vga and component inputs. Best part is it’s only $549 at Fry’s
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I forgot, the model number of the Sony is MFM-HT75W.
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Yes the 24″ sgi works great as an HD monitor. Pretty close in color tp my PVM 20L5..
Actually I have an extra with key digital converter for sale in NY. -
I use a Sony 23″ GDM-900 CRT combined with a Key Digital transcoder to allow component input. These monitors can be found refurbished for $700 or less. Picture-wise, they are equivalent to the high-end brodacast HD monitors that Sony sells. The major downside is you need a transcoder and you can’t display standard def 480i natively.
That 17″ Chris mentioned sounds like a great deal, but you will not get a true 1080 HD image on a 17″. You need to calculate the monitor’s dot pitch and size to see figure out if it will display 1080 lines without the lines overlapping one another. Even with a very fine dot pitch, 17″ is very small and probably won’t cut it.
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So, what would I need to use my SGI monitor to view an HD-SDI signal?
The monitor has both a VGA input and an SGI input switchable. Currently I use it for the Mac’s 2nd monitor and to view our old SGI (which we are phasing out).
Googling turned up this:
https://www.extron.com/product/product.asp?id=hdsdiacr100I can’t seem to find pricing, either.
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