I’ve got an older monitor with a mini DIN input, and my computer only has HDMI. I’m wondering if there’s a way to connect them. I’m not sure if this is even possible, so I’d really appreciate any advice or ideas.
Mini DIN sounds like what you’d see on s-video cables. If you search for HDMI to s-video adaptors, some options exist, but I’m not sure how well they’d work with your monitor’s analog input.
Do you know if your monitor uses NTSC, PAL, or SECAM video signals? Some adaptors only support specific ones. This was a fun little rabbit hole to look into!
@MissNicklaus
I have no idea what kind of signal it uses. I don’t have the manual or any documentation for it.
Sam said:
@MissNicklaus
I have no idea what kind of signal it uses. I don’t have the manual or any documentation for it.
If it’s an older monitor sold in America or Japan, it’s likely NTSC. Australia used PAL for monitors and TVs since most were manufactured in Asia. SECAM was mainly used in France, Russia, and some parts of Africa. NTSC and PAL were the most common standards back in the day. Some adaptors can handle both.
@MissNicklaus
The monitor was designed and sold in the US, but it says it was made in China.
An old monitor without VGA? That’s unusual.
If it’s mini DIN, it’s probably s-video, which is analog. Mini DIN has a bunch of variants with different pin arrangements, but s-video was the most common I’ve seen.
To make it work, you’ll probably need an HDMI to VGA converter (powered ones are easier to find) to handle the digital-to-analog conversion. Then you’d connect a VGA to s-video adaptor. What resolution does the monitor support? 480p?
@Dolph
Yeah, it’s probably s-video. The monitor supports around 480p.
Sam said:
@Dolph
Yeah, it’s probably s-video. The monitor supports around 480p.
Alright, the cheapest way to go is two converters: HDMI to VGA (a powered one works better if HDCP is a concern, but a passive one might be okay) and then VGA to s-video (passive ones are fine for this).
It’s a bit janky, but it should work.
@Dolph
But those powered converters are like $100 or more, at least from what I’ve seen.
Sam said:
@Dolph
But those powered converters are like $100 or more, at least from what I’ve seen.
If HDCP isn’t an issue for your setup, you don’t need a powered converter.
For example, if it’s just a basic PC monitor, you probably don’t need HDCP. But if you’re running a Blu-ray player through your PC, the monitor might not display the video due to HDCP (separate from any resolution limitations).
Some adaptors have RCA jacks. RCA yellow is for video, and red and white are for left and right audio. If all you’re dealing with is VGA to s-video for the video signal, you can ignore the rest.
@Dolph
I don’t have any female ports for those red, white, and yellow cables.