Hello

I have been looking for options for combining DVI + ( Toslink or SPDIF/COAX) into HDMI. This would then feed into a splitter/distribution box for delivery to up to 4 tvs. Saw similar threads but not one which is encompassing all below. ( NOTE ... I post here due to the review which panned one product for use with a Mac ... may be platform specific ?)

Initially, I thought it was a simple conversion ... but the HDCP features of HDMI seem to be a problem. There are a number of options ... the cheapest from Monoprice was panned for use with a Mac. (which is what I am outputting from) ... the following are other options... has anyone had success with these and specifically from a pc or more particularly, a mac mini ? Also .... needs to handle 1080P ... 1920 pix x 1080 pix

I am slightly nervous given the one review (cost not a big issue..... dealing with things that dont work is !)

Any help here ? Has anyone used or happy with any of these ?
Alternatives ? Thanks.

DVI + Digital Audio to HDMI + SPDIF/COAX Converter Adapter :
http://www.uxcell.com/dvi-digital-audio-hdmi-spdifcoax-converter-adapter-p-29329.html at $94 ... no reviews

(also ... only $50 at Chinese site ... http://www.lightinthebox.com/HDMI-Converter.... (http://www.lightinthebox.com/HDMI-Converter--DVI---SPDIF-Audio-to-HDMI--HCD0101--SMQ039-_p29691.html)
http://media.uxcell.com/uxcell/images/item/catalog/ux_a08123000ux0046_ux_c.jpg


Apogee DVI To HDMI Converter w/ SPDIF Optical Toslink + Coaxial
http://www.jaykang.com/dvitohdcospo.html at $70 ... no reviews
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-25796116032680_2035_12761334


http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp ..... (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011405&p_id=4630&seq=1&format=2) at $38
but ... ""As stated before this product does not identify itself properly to computers (none of my Macs liked it) requiring effort to force the computer to output the desired signal. Despite all of my effort could not allow a proper rendering of a 1080I or 1080P signal""
http://images.monoprice.com/productmediumimages/46301.jpg


Multi-Functional HDMI + DVI + Component Video ( YPbPr ) + Composite Audio + SPDIF Audio to HDMI + SPDIF Switch Switcher Selector
http://www.cecompass.com/index.asp?..... (http://www.cecompass.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=59) at $80 .... no reviews ($149 at hdtvsupply.com)
http://www.cecompass.com/ProductImages/hdmi/c301/C301_Front.JPG


Gefen DVI + Audio To HDMI Converter - DVI And Spdif Audio Input To HDMI
http://enjstore.com/audio-hdmi-converter ..... (http://enjstore.com/audio-hdmi-converter-spdif-audio-input-p-10479.html) @ $229 ... no reviews
http://enjstore.com/images/ext-dviaud-2-hdmi.jpg


Atlona HDMI/DVI Scaler with Analog/Digital Audio
http://www.nyetex.com/ProductDetails/.... (http://www.nyetex.com/ProductDetails/ACCESSORIES/Line_Doublers_AND_Scalers/7879.aspx) at $199 .... no reviews
http://www.nyetex.com/Upload/Product/Large/AT-HD560DVI.jpg


Vantora HDMI Splitter, and DVI + S/PDIF to HDMI Converter Switch
http://sewelldirect.com/Vantora-HDMI-Splitter..... (http://sewelldirect.com/Vantora-HDMI-Splitter-and-DVI-SPDIF-to-HDMI-Converter-Switch.asp) at $100 ..... looks promising .... no reviews addressing DVI+audio
http://sewelldirect.com/images/products/SW-8810/SW-8810_lg.jpg


Thanks for viewing....

I certainly will be interested by your tests, since when I looked at those same products some time ago I got the same dubious impression :D

I did combine successfully audio/Toslink and DVI out of a 2008 Intel Mac mini into HDMI using ... a Yamaha RX-V3800, slightly more expensive than those adapters :cool:
To get a reliable HDMI connection, I did however have to insert a Gefen DVI Detective on the :
Mac Mini -> DVI -> DVI Detective -> DVI_to_HDMI cable -> RX-V3800 path.
Beware that the Mac Mini outputs Digital Audio thru Toslink only, to go to SPDIF you would need one more converter.
You correctly identified, in addition to HDCP support, the full 1080p@60Hz support as a major issue for some of those cheap adapters (1080i@60Hz or 1080p@30Hz instead).
My understanding is that the 2009 Mac Mini does support HDCP on its HDMI output, although not with Audio mixed into it; even excluding the HDCP issue, part of your problem thus remains.

I use this: http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=4174 which my local MicroCenter had marked down to $150 for some reason.
My wiring diagram is:
Audio: Mac Mini's minijack to optical cable into scaler
Video: Mac Mini's mini-DVI->hdmi cable into scaler
Output from scaler: single HDMI cable at 1080p and full digital audio.

Not only does this arrangement allow me to run a single HDMI cable for both video and audio to my finicky Onkyo 875, but it also solved the Onkyo's inability to accept and scale PC signals. So, yay!

* BUMP *

Hoping technology is improving quickly .... and testers can reply to resolve the issue .... in the best and most economical way !

How to get DVI + Toslink combined ? .... to then feed a 1 x 4 splitter...

Thanks
sd

I know it is a more expensive than the options you are looking at but have you considered the DVDO (Anchor Bay) EDGE. You could use the

DP --> HDMI Adapater --> HDMI Cable -->
Toslink Mini --> Standard tostlink Cable -->

--> DVDO EDGE--> 4x1 HDMI Switcher (there are quire a few out there that will do this last step).

the DVDO EDGE will do a lot more than just combine the audio and video it will do a very good job of up-scaling, noise reduction, etc.

Just a thought if you were still looking.

Thanks Mike

Will have a look. Could also assign an inexpensive AV amp to do it as well. The upconversion would be an asset though with the DVDO ....

cheers
sd

I have component cable run throughout my house. I also have a keydigital 8x8 component switch.

I'd want to output my mac mini dvi, so that I could plug it in my component switch so I can distribute the macmini outuput throughout the house. Any ideas on this?

If they made a simple minidvi to component adapter would that work?

Any other ideas? We don't have HDMI run throughout the house and I really like the ability of using the keydigital switch to distribute video so my ideal solution would involve being able to use plug the mac mini into the keydigital 8x8 component switch.

Thanks for any help

You might want to think about VGA output from the Mac and then convert that to Component. Multiple choices for the gear. I have an Audio Authority device that converts from VGA to Component.

Regards,
George

If they made a simple minidvi to component adapter would that work?

No.

Like George suggests, the few Mac users who insist on going component use a VGA transcoder, something like this:

http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/9a60.asp

Howdi

Bit the bullet and ordered the "DVI & S/PDIF Digital Coax/Optical Toslink Audio to HDMI Converter" from monoprice ... $38.

http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/53693.jpg

Link to Product Page (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011405&p_id=5369&seq=1&format=2)

So far this is running from a Mac Mini (Toslink + DVI->HDMI with HDMI->DVI converter ... didnt have DVI-DVI cable ! ... getting that) and then from the above unit to an HDMI Splitter (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011301&p_id=5069&seq=1&format=2) and from there outputting to three Samsung TVs (46", 52", 58") through HDMI CABLE ONLY. (with audio ! yay) All TVs running at 1920x1080 pixels.

All seems well.... so far. Will report any glitches. Splitter says it is HDCP 1.2 protocol compliant.
Havent tried anything with HDCP ... so cant yet report on that.


cheers
sd

I've had no problems running the Monoprice unit w/ my mini's either...

How far are your HDMI runs?

Hello all, after spending several weeks researching and reading all you posts I went out and purchased the Monoprice DVI to HDMI converter when I first connected the unit it worked just fine until I changed the video resolution, now all I get on my TV screen is incorrect format, I have tried changing the resolution back to 640X480 and every other combination possible and nothing seems to bring the picture back,strangely enough when I boot up the Mini I get the Apple logo then the incorrect format notice, any ideas??

dimond: Any idea what audio format(s) are supported, or not ? i.e. Is the conversion box taking a 5.1 audio signal and only injecting stereo into hdmi , or does it actually support the formats it's given 1-1 in your experience ?

Thanks for the info, due to your success I plan on getting one as soon as monoprice have them back in stock. It'd be nice to know what to expect audio wise, particularly if it's going to limit my options...

cheers

How far are your HDMI runs?

12ft. 25 ft. 75ft ... each work fine so far.

One thing I have noticed is that the RF remote for the satellite box doesnt seem to like this little unit. Response is way down when it is on.


Any idea what audio format(s)
Havent actually paid attention to that... will have to check to see what the AV receiver shows when I know I have a 5.1 .... might be a while before I get to that... working out of town and busy next 2 weekends....

(sidebar : just installed some network cams.... works nice ! ... panasonic & toshiba.)

cheers
sd

firstly,

thank you for this thread.

secondly,

looks like monoprice is out of stock for this item...

are there any other options?

Hello all, after spending several weeks researching and reading all you posts I went out and purchased the Monoprice DVI to HDMI converter when I first connected the unit it worked just fine until I changed the video resolution, now all I get on my TV screen is incorrect format, I have tried changing the resolution back to 640X480 and every other combination possible and nothing seems to bring the picture back,strangely enough when I boot up the Mini I get the Apple logo then the incorrect format notice, any ideas??

I hoping I am understanding your situation on resolution/refresh. Try this - set your TV to "PC mode" (leave the hdmi cable in as is). Then reboot the Mini - this may or may not be required setp. Next, See if the Mini will allow changing the resolution and refresh etc. If yes, then set it the way you want, put the Mini to sleep and change the tv mode back to whatever HDMI setting it was before. Now wake the Mini.

Hope this was clear. Someone else had suggested this to me and it worked. Catch is, what a pain if one has to do that to change rez/refresh etc.

Some challenges with these units best I can tell is EDID. The ideal would be the TV display whatever it is told to display (see's signal then adapts accordingly) and the PC/MAC is at our control to output what we tell it to do. I guess Mac Mini doesn't totally fit into that venue just yet.

- Phrehdd