Pioneer Plasma Monitor - How to Connect.....?

crosstownk

Hi,

I hope this is the right place for this.

Today I got, for free, a used Pioneer PDP-503MXE. It is a monitor rather than a reciever. It does not have the standard connections that a regular TV would have. User manual with connections listed is here (pick the first listed).

So my question is, how do I connect my Sky box, DVD player, etc to this unit.

I'm hoping that some expert out there can enlighten me.

Thanks in advance.

5uspect

The monitor has the following:
PC Input 1 Mini D-sub 15 -pin, RGB signal (G on Sync compatible)
PC Input 2 BNC x 5, RGB signal (G on Sync compatible)

The first is a standard VGA monitor connection. Newer monitors have DVI which lets you connect to HDMI with the correct cable.

You can also connect DVI output from a PC to a VGA monitor with one of these:


I'm wondering if you can output HDMI to DVI to VGA, if of course you have HDMI.

Otherwise you can go with the BNC option and SCART where you would need something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SCART-BNC-Hsync-Vsync-1-8M/dp/B0018D5FVC

You'll also need to hook up the audio with a separate cable. You can probably get a two phono into 3.5mm jack for that.

Skatedude

as he said, the scart to RGB would be your best bet for hooking up your sky or normal dvd player. but you may need to check your manual for your sky/dvd player as not all output RGB over scart. most do

crosstownk

Thanks for the quick replies!

I've done a bit of Googling and the Scart to BNC seems to be the option but I've read on some website that most domestic equipment scart outputs won't supply enough voltage? Is this true?

While I do have HDMI I won't be using it in the room where the Pioneer unit will (hopefully) be installed as the Pioneer is not HD ready. The audio connections won't be a problem - I'm well up on audio but a bit of a novice when it comes to video.

crosstownk

I've just done a bit more digging and discovered that the optional video card PDA-5002 is fitted to this unit - does that expand my options and if so, which is the best option?

5uspect

Well now you have DVI so you can connect HDMI directly to that with a DVI HDMI Cable.
You also have S-Video whcih can connect to SCART tho the quality may be poor.

crosstownk

Thanks for the advice.

I bought a scart to S-video cable today but it won't do the job as it results in a poor quality, monochrome signal but I have seen cables from a US supplier that claims their leads will work in colour but I do have reservations about the quality.

Thankfully I also bought an S-video to S-video lead and have now managed to hook up my Sky box to the plasma and picture quality is good.

I will have to investigate the SCART option as I really want to put this TV in another room where the video sources (old Sky box, PlayStation 2, DVD) only have SCART outputs.

Thanks for all the help guys - at least I have it up and running which is a step in the right direction!!

5uspect

I have a SCART connector with S-video and phono outputs. Used to use it with a wireless transmitter and my PC before the days of the xbox 360.

Looks like this:
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=105633

big_moe

scart to s-video will only work correctly if your scart device can output a proper s vid signal. if it cant, thats when i turns out in black&white.

input 4 has a composite video BNC input. get a scart to 3 rca and then an rca to BNC adapter and you'll be sorted. the rca audio will go straight in

http://allianceelectric.ie/test/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=325
http://allianceelectric.ie/test/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=360

adam

crosstownk

Cheers big_moe - I'm sure I have one of those scart to 3xRCA somewhere. Now to find it.....

crosstownk

Change of plan - I'm going to keep this Pioneer display in the main room and hook it up to my Sky+HD box. From what I can gather, I need a HDMI to DVI adapter.

5uspect wrote:

you can connect HDMI directly to that with a DVI HDMI Cable.

My local TV shop has these. Will this adapter give me a decent HD picture?

Also, as I stated in the original post, I got the display for free. It has one problem - the top of the screen goes green after a few hours when bright images are displayed. If I turn it off for a while the green pixels disappear. If I blow cold air, using a hairdryer at the 'cold' setting, it disappears within a couple of minutes. A bit of Googling seems to indicate that there is a problem with either the cooling fans or the heat sensor. I plan to remove the rear cover and wire these fans to a permanent 12VDC supply so they run constantly. Has anyone any tips regarding this? Has anyone tried this?

crosstownk

crosstownk wrote: »

Also, as I stated in the original post, I got the display for free. It has one problem - the top of the screen goes green after a few hours when bright images are displayed. If I turn it off for a while the green pixels disappear. If I blow cold air, using a hairdryer at the 'cold' setting, it disappears within a couple of minutes. A bit of Googling seems to indicate that there is a problem with either the cooling fans or the heat sensor. I plan to remove the rear cover and wire these fans to a permanent 12VDC supply so they run constantly. Has anyone any tips regarding this? Has anyone tried this?

A quick update here in case anyone else has problems with the cooling fans not working on one of these units.

It looks like it's the temperature sensor that's at fault. The fans can be manually turned to max speed (normally the speed varies depending on temperature).

To turn the fans to max you need to switch the display into standby. Press the 'Menu' button and then, within 3 seconds press the power button. Once you have done this the 'Integration Menu' will appear. Select the 'Option' tab and continue to scroll down until you see 'Fan Control'. Press the 'Set' button to change from 'Auto' to 'Max'. In a few seconds the fans will run.

The same applies to the 43" version (PDP-433MXE).