Cheaper Component to S-Video Converter - Page 17

They all appear to be the exact same unit, but why does HDTVSupply want three times as much? Is there a difference? From the pictures of the box, it sure doesn't look to be any different. Even the silk-screen on the case is the same. Wouild the internal electronics be different, even though the connectors and everything else about them are identical? It seems unlikely to me.

They are the same unit(Lenkeng),it's just that HDTVSupply is an expensive place to buy anything from.Iv'e cross checked their prices for various components against the prices from other sellers of the same components and HDTVSupply is always higher than everybody else,sometimes much higher. G.

I agree with Greaser, I believe the only differences between the various Lenkeng products is how much you want to pay for basically the same thing. I've seen the one MP sells for $58 for more than $100 at other etailers IMO get the cheapest one you can find, at least that way you didn't spend too much. That Philips would probably do a better job than a Lenkeng but note you've got to be able to feed it 480i(something that not every device outputs) and it's much larger than a little standalone converter like the Lenkeng or others.

No problem with BluRay. I have the BD player set for 1080i output and all works very well.

Interesting!

Actually video sample 1 was the HDMI unit, and sample 2 was the MonoPrice converter.

So that means out of three converters that I've had (including the Ambrey one), the MonoPrice one is the best of the three.....

That's really disappointing, considering I had just ordered that unit.

Thank you for giving us the results!

That is disappointing, and I also ordered one. That converter really crushes the luminance. I fully expect my Video Filter to outlast the analog hole. But once 2014 (or whenever) hits, what then?
But it is good news for those who want to go the HDFury route. You can get what looks to be a pretty good component->composite/s-video converter for under $50.

My LinkStyle recently arrived, which now shows out of stock. It appears these are selling out fast from North American vendors.

Although the video quality is reasonably acceptable to me, the main thing is that it does eliminate copy protection and will be usable with my DVD recorders when the analog hole is plugged. For $60 I see it as an inexpensive investment into the unknown future.

I had no idea MP sold so many of these but if the following notice on their website is any indication they sure sell, still only 3 reviews though
Only 3 left in stock - order soon!
We expect to receive:
80 pieces on 5/4/2011

They've been out of stock before but I had no idea how many they ordered at a time, until I saw the above note today.

jjeff, could you post a link to the web page at the MP site? I seem to have a problem finding the correct search terms.

See below:

Just a heads up:

It appears the same HDMI to Composite converter that we had purchased at around $60 has now dropped to $29

http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-Composite.../ref=pd_cp_e_2

Looks like tomwil got you the link, only 2 left now


For under $30 and a more than fair $2.98 shipping I just couldn't resist. I mean where else could one get a video filter (even if it's not the highest PQ) for change over $30 I don't see how these can last long....

I have to admit, I couldn't resist either... How can they even make this thing for $30?!?

I ordered two of 'em as soon as tomwil posted about the sale: I was about to reluctantly order one anyway at $58.99, getting a twofer made the decision easier. Quality may be so-so, but at this $29.95 price they make a decent emergency backup (heck, a used Sima CT-2 fetches $100).

UPDATE 8pm EST: Price just went up to $47.95

So it did, luckily my Amazon conformation said the original $28.99, I should have probably ordered 2 like you did very weird indeed
Thanks again for the tip tomwil!

I hope those who bought one (or two) will post a review after testing it.

jjeff has kindly posted screen shots of the converter output:

Resolution
Contrast
Black Level

And Loobster has provided a video of the output:

Question:

Why would Amazon seller be selling what appears to be the same HDMI-to-Composite converter at different price points?

$47.99

$56.99

$91.99

all I know is it seems to be a somewhat common practice with the converters made by Lenkeng, guess you can spend as much money as you want I liked the $30 PP and thanks to you I got it

Do they have the same stock number? Is it possible that they have the same shell, but different electronics? There is no guarantee that they are identical INside.

Two say three available, and the other one says two available. I wonder if they are relly the same. If they are, it IS strange the threee listings at different prices.

Same unit, same multiple price points on eBay as well. This is an eBay "But It Now" gimmick that has unfortunately migrated to Amazon as sellers market on both sites. I don't understand it, one would think any idiot could see the same seller was hawking the same item at widely varying prices and just pick the cheapest one. But apparently enough naive folk bite at the higher prices to make the spread worthwhile: the sellers get the price shoppers while still leaving the option open to fleece the unknowing.

That sucks, wish I could have picked it up for $30. The PQ of this unit is serviceable, but it's odd. It reminds me of a medicore PAL->NTSC transfer. I have a Samsung SV-7000W and that's what it looks like, a soft pseudo-film look. I did notice it has a PAL/NTSC switch. I'm wondering if, since it's made in China (which uses PAL), if it's natively PAL and requires a conversion to NTSC when converting from digital to analog. If so, it would look far better if it natively output NTSC.

The Sima video filters also had a PAL/NTSC switch. They don't do any converting but when set to NTSC they are NTSC-in-NTSC-out and when set to PAL they are PAL-in-PAL-out.
I did test my Sima once with a PAL VCR and multi system TV and it worked just fine when set to PAL. I think they have the switch just so they can sell the same unit worldwide.

You have to remember that with digital HD (ATSC), there's no longer NTSC or PAL. The only leftover is the frame rate (50/60Hz). Since this unit takes ATSC (although it also accepts progressive ED, which is basically NTSC/PAL), it has to convert it to either NTSC or PAL for the analog output. I'm just guessing that it's natively PAL and then has to convert it again for NTSC out. For example, my Sony BD player has analog outs. As far as I know, it will only display NTSC out of those, i.e. native. However, a unit in Europe would probably only output analog as PAL (but yes, I know that many PAL components drop frames to output a faux NTSC). They both take a digital ATSC signal and convert to analog, but both only have 1 native resolution. If I'm correct, someone with a native PAL systen would see a much better picture.

I am in the market for a new Component>SVideo converter, with component pass-through. I have a couple of Lenkengs, and an Audio Authority, I'm thinking of buying an Ambery this time. Has anyone used one? Does anyone have any other brands to recommend?

kjbawk, i have an Atlona AT-Comp 500 and it works quite well.The Atlona has a HD pass-through. Hope this helps.

Thanks - I knew there was at least one I was forgetting. I'll check it out.

I briefly had an Ambery but didn't find it to be in any way superior in picture quality to my Lenkeng unit.

Some suggested that 'it must be faulty' since they figured that this was not possible for it to output a lower quality than any Lenkeng device. I maintain that if the unit was faulty I would have had an unstable picture, not a very stable, low quality picture.

I believe my comments on my Ambery experience are detailed earlier in this very thread.

Thanks for reminding me of that. I went back and read the posts. I guess I'll go with the Atlona. I see them through Amazon for $241. They are $299, direct from Atlona. If anyone knows a better price on one with a warranty, please let me know!

Audio Authority no longer makes them. When I get the new one, I plan to send in my Audio Authority one for repair. They said that would be $45, IIRC. Best to have a spare.