Customer Reviews

StarTech.com CPNT2VGAA Component to VGA Video Converter with Audio

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This little box does exactly what it says it does, convert component video to VGA. It also conveniently converts left/right RCA audio to a stereo mini jack. It accepts 480i/p, 720p, and 1080i/p video signals and outputs them for VGA in their native resolution. For example 720p is 1280×720, 1080i is 1280×1080(uses non square pixels and is still a widescreen format), 1080p is 1920×1080(1080i would look correct at this resolution). Make sure your display is capable of these resolutions.
Like I said, does what it says, nothing more, will not scale so if you are running a SXGA monitor like me or any non-widescreen ratio the image is going to be shrunk horizontally. I'm running an HDTV receiver and PS3 on my monitor with this device and am very pleased with the image quality. The receiver allows me to select a 4:3 screen in 720p mode so I get close to correct scaling with that. PS3 assumes 16:9 for 720p and up; so scaling with a 5:4 monitor setup like mine comes down to the formatting from the actual devices.
It works great to run a monitor off of component devices, it should be able to convert component to VGA for projectors without component inputs but I have not tested this.
Overall, its image is superb; it is solid, looks to be of quality construction; very small size; just sits there and works. Only complaints are having to sometimes reset it after swapping inputs(although it has never dropped the video after you get the initial picture), the audio out jack on my unit is a little crooked and tight (all the RCA inputs are nice, though, and so is the VGA which has the threads to secure the cable), and the AC adapter takes up 2 spaces on a power strip.
Do your research, this is a fine product for the right application.

This is a slick little unit, very compact and simple to set up and use. Make sure your component video source is sending progressive scan, because this converter seems to convert interlaced component to interlaced VGA which practically no monitor seems to support.

It worked well in one application I tried which was hooking a set-top media box up to a computer monitor. Didn't work the first time, so I had to connect the set-top to a TV, set it to progressive scan, then it shows fine on the monitor, in 480P and 720P modes. Don't have any equipment to test it with 1080P.

I also used it to try to connect a DVD player's component out to a projector with no component in. This did not work as well, though I'm pretty sure it's because the DVD player doesn't really do progressive scan on DVD menus. Parts of the DVD seemed to play OK but the menus were illegible or sometimes completely invisible through the projector.

So make sure your source can send progressive scan ALL THE TIME, or this box might not help.

I needed this for a very... niche purpose. I hooked up a Hauppauge HD PVR to an XBox 360 and a monitor. If you want to do something like that, and your monitor doesn't take component/RCA cables, you will need this or something like it. This one works. Plus, it's very sturdy.

Though, be careful not to mistake this converter's power supply for your Hauppauge's power supply. The Hauppauge will die.

This little adapter is great, in my case it is taking a 720p component source and displaying it thru VGA on a 20" computer LCD monitor. Works well. To boot, it even has sound support which is nice. There are no sync issues that I anticipated, the audio/video stay in sync fine and there is no delay during the conversion process (great for driving multiple displays near each other).

So, this unit looks to be an ideal match for a Wii into a computer monitor. And it was well packaged, looks well built and is a nice size.

BUT... the picture quality is poor (fuzzier than it should be, with muted colors), and the picture itself doesn't stay "locked" in position. Some days I turn on the Wii and the picture has shifted right. Sometimes left. Sometimes up. You just never know.

But the real reason I returned this unit is because it stopped passing a stereo audio signal after a few days of use. So, I had a poor picture and only one channel of audio. FAIL.

Anyway, there are better units out there for less money. The LinkStyle LK-219493 is the one to get. It's well built, produces a MUCH better picture and the audio is solid. It's just a better product for less money. Wish I had bought that originally instead of this poorly developed product.

This unit does a fine job for me, when it works. I use it with a projector that has no component inputs. The major drawback, which StarTech's tech support just confirmed, is that DVDs with HDCP copy protection won't play through it. You'd think they'd mention this up front. Very many of my recent DVD rentals don't play.

This little box does just what it says it does, and I agree with other reviews thus far.

One thing to note its that my box leaves a fractured white line at the top if the screen. I can't get it to go away at all. My recommendation is to look for another brand before buying this product.

This is the right product for you if you're trying to display a Wii on a computer screen. Purchase the upgraded component cable along with this guy, and you're ready to rock!

I used this with an old GDM-FW900 CRT monitor, also used it on two LCD displays. First off, it worked pretty good there were a few artifacts or something at the top of the image but that wasn't what was bothering me. They weren't even on the image, just at the top of the screen, it was weird. Second, I could not get it to output 1080p with my PS3. Might work with another source but that is all I tried. My final complaint and what drove my rating so low and ultimate return of the product was that there was significant green and red ghosting. I have never used one of these converters before so I don't know if this is normal but I'm going to move on and try another product.

Summary:

Pros:
480p/720p/1080i (PS3)
Sound came through fine
Small/Compact

Cons:
Red and green ghosting
Didn't work at 1080p with PS3
Strange white artifacts at the top of the image
No power switch

I have a couple of devices that are YCrCb only for HD resolutions (e.g. Xboxes with Steel Battalions LOC) and wanted to use the Xbox at 720p. I have several once high-end analog/digital 720p LCDs but needed the colorspace conversion. This fit the bill.