Mutley's Hangar Forums

Heya everyone,

As some of you may know I'm purchasing a functioning hardware unit B747 CDU for my Pedestal.

The monitor on it though isn't quite so simple. It uses a TV S-Video monitor, rather than a direct graphics card (VGA/DVI) output.

So, my questions is... What cables do I need to get the display on it working? Now don't worry, you don't need to be an expert on FS hardware or anything like that... You just need to help me sort out my monitor troubles!

Basically, as far as I know, my nVidia GTX285 gives out a DVI output. So, I thought of getting a DVI to VGA converter, then a VGA to S-Video coverter. This seemed correct, until I saw this picture incldued in the manual of the CDU...



As you can see, I've labelled the picture with things I'm not too sure of. The answers are in the (short) manual... I just can't find them! Please take a look at this manual here: http://www.opencockpits.com/uploads/OPE ... U_B737.zip

Then, once you have checked it out, please report back here telling my what you think I need to get the monitor working. (Ie, what cables/connectors are required).

It is a great piece of kit, it just uses some monitor inputs that my graphics card doesn't directly give!

Regards,

JAck

The cable on the right appears to be S-Video to RCA female. The short horizontal one is RCA male to RCA male. RCA is a commonly used format for video and audio signals. For video it's not unusual to see three separate RCA leads, a yellow for video and a red and white for right and left channel of stereo audio.

So basically, it would look something like this?

CDU (RCA Female) -> RCA Cable (Male/Male) -> RCA (female)/S-Video (female) -> VGA -> DVI -> Graphics Card

This is going to look like one MASSIVE cable .

Jack what you need is a DVI to composite RCA phono (yellow) plug.

It doesn't look as thou such a thing exists but I have found these - (Click on pictures)





My only worry is that the first one is for a Mac G5 DVI output, so long as the spec is the same as PC DVI (Which it should be) then it will be ok but check first.

If this is no good then you will need a DVI to VGA adaptor then a VGA to RCA (Yellow) phono adaptor lead.

Hope this helps.

Cheer

Just to play it safe, I'll go for the DVI -> VGA. I know it's a "longer" route but it's more safe in terms of compatibility.

Thanks Mut, helped me clear up my confusion a tad. Do you think my first route suggestion will work?

Jack

Waaaiiiittt... That S-Video socket is a MALE connector isn't it? (top right).

Skip the S video bit Jack, you don't have a S video output on your graphics card so why add another component that can only lessen performance?
From what I read into it is you have a DVI output on your card? So you have to get (eventually) from a DVI output to a RCA (Yellow) Plug.
So to use the way you are thinking then
CDU (RCA Female) -> RCA Cable (Male/Male) -> RCA -> VGA (Adaptor or lead) VGA-> DVI -> Graphics Card adaptor

Yes?

Right then, I think I've sorted it!

So from my GFX Card, I adapt the signal to a VGA output. I then add a VGA -> RCA adapter, then, plug a dual male RCA lead into this adapter. This is then connected directly into the CDU?

Thanks for your help Joe & John, it has helped .

Also, doesn't the RCA cable quality effect image performance?

Will this suffice? I plan to plug this into the back of my VGA converted GFX Card output:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VGA-SVGA-to-S-VID ... 588648833e

I take it I JUST have to use the YELLOW lead, and ignore the black S-Video one?

I then plug the female yellow lead into the male/male RCA cable which connects to the CDU.

So finally:

My PC (DVI) -> VGA -> RCA (female) -> RCA male/male -> CDU

Perfect Jack, spot on!
I don't think there will be a performance degradation issue here as you are only effectively turning the signal into a text ouput so I cant see any bandwidth issues, go for it!!

Cheers

Okay thanks Mut!

I'll confirm with Opencockpits first before I place the order but all looks good at the moment!

I didn't help. I was tapped out on my knowledge on the topic at the first post. Glad you've got a solution path. You're going to have a young fortune in cables and adapters, but then, why should you be any different?

John

Sorry to dig this up again.

Just got the reply from Opencockpits. Basically it was what you guys were saying was correct, but they didn't include a DVI in their PC to CDU setup, as follows:

LCD <-> RCA <-> VGA <-> PC

However, whenever I mention that my PC gives a DVI, they said that they "didn't know" (as they have only teste the above setup).

Also, Mr Nico Kaan (who is VERY experienced with Opencockpits hardware) said that it might not work. He said that a VGA -> RCA -> RCA male/male -> CDU would work...

Basically, whenever I mention DVI, everyone becomes a bit unsure if it'll work or not.

Will I really mess the whole thing up converting from DVI to VGA?

Cheers,

Jack

They need shooting if it doesn't work with a DVI > VGA adaptor, I don't see what other choice you have.

Joe

Hmmm...

Not sure weather to go for the VRInsight CDU II Panel then. It has a direct support for VGA/DVI so it would work straight off without ANY adapters.

There were some problems with the CDU II Panel if I recall in Sept 2009, but these have now been fixed.

Also, another advantage is that the CDU II Panel is backlit and have a working EXEC light, and is more "malleable" (ie can work with PMDG/Level-D/757 Captain/PSS/....etc).

I give W2F a ring for their 2C, they seem to know alot about stuff like this!

Jack

Right.

Just had another more promising reply from Nico Kaan (the guru of Opencockpits Hardware).

He was worried that converting VGA or DVI to a TV-OUT signal may cause problems, but when I mentioned Opencockpits sold this: http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/vid ... p-261.html - He seemed more convinced that it would work.

So, I now know that VGA to CDU definitely works! It's just the first step of getting it to VGA in the first place from DVI... Does anyone forsee any problems in doing this?

Regardless, I'm going to bite the bullet and buy it. It's the best CDU I can buy with my budget.

If it doesn't work, I'll just get a cheap second GFX card with TV-OUT and use that.

Jack