Dwin HD-500 / HDDVD Player compatibility?

OK, this is about the third thread I've posted in a few different areas of the forum. Sorry about the repetition, but I am trying to find a solution to my problem as inexpensively as possible.

OK, here's my dilemma. I have a Dwin HD-500 CRT projector. It utilizes 5 BNC inputs (Red, Green, Blue, H/C Sync, Vertical Sync). It is an RGB/Sync monitor, which means it requires an external, a line doubler, line quadrupler, or chroma decoder for video playback.

When I purchased this projector, it came with the LD-5 line doubler. This unit offered component inputs and an RGBS input. When I had this scaler, I was able to get hi-def from my Dishnet receiver, the 6000. This receiver actually had an RGB output, so I was able to connect it directly to the RGBS input on the doubler.

A year ago, my LD-5 died, and I bought a cheap LD-2 line doubler on ebay. It has no component inputs -- only S-Video, so I am not currently able to get HD.

My new problem is I want to utilize my Toshiba A1 HD-DVD player on my projector, but I currently have no component inputs. The LD-5, although offering component inputs, would not work because that unit did not detect an HD source from component -- it would attempt to scale the HD signal and that would result in a scrambled picture. Dwin makes a processor called the Transcanner 2, which offers 2 component inputs which detect for an HD signal. I've had no luck finding a used machine, however.

So, to summarize, I need a device that will enable the HD signal through component output to work with my projector which has 5 BNC inputs (though I think it works with fewer BNC inputs - I know they are not all necessary). I am not that tecnically adept which is why I pose the question here where all the knowledgable folks abide. There were some helpful folks on the video scaler forum that offred some advice, but they also recommended I try in the projector area. As I said, I am trying to get the least-expensive methodto attain my needs, as I don't really need a scaler at all. The only inputs I will use to my projector will be the HD-DVD player & the Dishnet VIP211 HD receiver. The inputs can be either component, DVI, or HDMI, or any combination of those, as long as the BNC outputs are available.

Thanks in advance for any help & suggestions.

Hi Dave. Someone already suggested the same device on my other thread, but I was unsure it would work. Are there other deviced / cables / switchers I would need with this unit? I'm trying to contact the company by phone, but it doesn't list a number.

I'm just trying to get this to work right. I have done multiple searches but I'm just not that technical and a lot of the responses aren't easy to follow.

BTW, what do you mean when you mentioned upscaling DVD's? Would this funtion of the A1 be lost using this device?

Thanks for all your help Dave. I sent an email to Crescendo through their website. I will get on this ASAP.

Funny - you mentioned a DVI to VGA transcoder. I actually have a DVI to VGA converter that I had been using to allow playback of my upconverting Samsung DVD player when I still had the RGBS input on my LD-5 working. However, when i tried to connect the Toshiba to this device (along with a HDMI / DVI adapter), the display read "HDMI error". I guess I was trying to accomplish too much.

I've checked ebay every day for 2 months. I have only seen 1 transcanner 2 (which I was bidding on) that ended Sunday night for $511. Everything else has been an LD-2, which I currently own.


Dave,

My upconverting player that I previously used is a Samsung HD841. I had the DVI output going into a DVI - VGA converter that I bought online a couple of years ago. It worked excellent through this process, into the RGBS input of the LD-5. Then the scaler crapped out on me and I had to buy the LD-2 on ebay.

I do have concerns that this transcoder will not allow me to continue to upconvert standard DVD's with the Toshiba HD-A1. It does a very good job at upconverting, and I have an extensive library still of DVD's. Are there other options that could utilize my DVI - VGA converter and allow me to continue getting upconverted DVD's, along with HD-DVD playback? If not, I'll settle for HD playback only. Thanks again.

Bob

Hi Dave. I finally had a chance to snap a photo of the converter, so here it is. If I remember correctly, I think I bought this from a company called keydigital, but I may be mistaken. It worked great with my Samsung upconverting DVD player when I still had the LD-5 with component input.

Thanks again for all the help.

Dave,

You've been a great help! I just purchased the HDMI/DVI cable from the company you recommended. I will also buy the transcoder from crescendo.

So let me go over this one more time for accuracy -- I will connect the Toshiba HDMI out to the HDMI / DVI cable. This cable will then feed into the transcoder from Crescendo. Then, the VGA output on the transcoder to a VGA / 5-BNC cable directly to the projector? Is this right? Will I not utilize the scaler at all? I just want to make sure I have all this right before I buy the transcoder.

Also, since you seem to know absolutely everything about HT -- I also have the B&K Reference 20 as my processor. Will this be able to give me the TruHD 5.1 audio from the Toshiba A1? I'm assuming it will, but I need to hook it up correctly if it is compatible.

Thanks again for all your help. You're quickly becoming my new best friend.

One more thing -- where do you recommend I get the VGA / 5-BNC cable?

I guess 3 or 4 feet would be enough.

Now I'm confused again. Do I need a cable that will reach all the way to the PJ which is mounted on the ceiling? Or do I need a cable that will connect to the BNC cables that currently connect to the scaler from the PJ?

Again, I don't know how I can thank you enough for all your help! So I just bought that cable from ebay.

So let me see if I have it straight -- The Toshiba or the Dishnet receiver will work for HD by the following process:

HDMI output on the Toshiba A1 - I connect the HDMI / DVI cable that I purchased tonight. This cable will plug into my existing DVI / VGA converter. Then I plug the VGA / 5-BNC female cable to the 5-BNC male plugs that are currently plugged into the scaler, which connect directly to the PJ.

Did I get it right this time?

As for the audio, you mentioned disconnecting the B&K Ref 20 and connecting the Toshiba output directly to the amp? Is that right? I can live without the TruHD if I must -- the hd picture was much more important to me. It would have been nice to hear the new sound format though.

Thanks again for all the help.

Bob

Great! That will make it easier to switch between sources. Is the $29 all I need?

One additional question -- if I do decide to connect the Toshiba directly to the amplifier for TruHD sound, howdo I adjust the volume? This is probably a very stupid question, but I never heard of connecting a player directly to an amp. It's a Carver 5 channel amp, BTW.

Hi Dave. I got all the cables and connected this up. I know everything is wired correctly because the HD-DVD logo appears. However, every time I tried to play a disc I got an "HDMI Error" on the Toshiba and it would shut down. I unplugged the Toshiba on 4 different occasions as you suggested, but it would not play a disc.

Any other suggestions? I really want to get this wrking now that I'm so close. I have the latest frmware update on the Toshiba. Thanks again for your help.

Bob