I'm trying to connect my laptop, with Ubuntu 8.10 installed, to my receiver (it's a Denon AVR-789). The laptop's only video output is a single VGA connection.

I've found several DisplayLink derived devices for USB external video cards with DVI connections, but they don't produce Linux drivers and a Google search indicates that no one in the community has created one yet either. I've seen VGA to component video, but my understanding is that the VGA connection outputs the signal in an RGB format, while the component video inputs on the receiver only accept YPbPr signals. My hope is to get it connected for as cheap as possible, as I ultimately intend to replace the laptop with a new HTPC that includes HDMI.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Never tried it, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't use one of these --> http://alrightdeals.com/Item.htm?Id=S5_Audio...Video...Output.Devices_Cables_AV...Mu ltimedia_2___1776935

Granted, you may have to tweak xorg.conf for it to work properly.

Unfortunately, it will only transfer the RGB signal from the laptop without converting it. I don't know enough about the two signals (RGB and YPbPr) to know whether or not they can be easily converted.

I see. Well, you may be out of luck until you get your HTPC built (which you can do uber-cheap thanks to vdpau).

Damn, I was afraid of that. Oh well. Thanks for your help though.

You want a VGA to Component transcoder. I'm sure there's VGA to DVI thingies out there but I'd guess they cost more. There are no drivers required.

Take a look here: http://www.digitalconnection.com/faq/hdtv_4.asp

-Trouble

Well, I learned something! :D Thanks, Trouble. :)

Those things are pricey, though, esp. since you can build an HTPC for around $200-$300.

That Audio Authority transcoder is within reason. The Key Digital one is outside what I was looking to spend though.

Thanks for the link Troubleshooter, I'll have to think it over. It hadn't seen a solution in that price range.

Now, I do love me digitalconnection and you will get great support there..but at the same time, you can probably guess some google searches to find what you're looking for at perhaps different price ranges ;)

-Trouble