Puzzling input on my Plasma

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:00 am

I have a Hitachi 42 inch 1080 plasma. There's an input on the back which I am puzzled by. It's small, top row has 5 pins, lower has 4 so I assume it's RGB related somehow, but the manual is no help at all. All it says is "For special AV control use only." What is this and what can I use it for? Thanks in advance.

zakk · Post by **zakk** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:17 am

It's a DB9 'serial' port, mostly likely.

It might be to interface with other types of gear, likely by the same manufacturer. In other words you're not going to get any use out of it.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:30 am

Rats.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:55 pm

Now if your plasma TV monitor had a 21-pin RGB input, then it would be gravy to hook an RGB cable from your favorite gaming console... ^_~

Only in Japan or Europe is that possible...

There's that Japanese A/V speciality store inside Japantown in San Francisco, CA, that sells Japanese audio/video gear. Just be prepared to spend some serious money though... ^_~

For just a few dollars more in terms of manufacturing such 21-pin RGB input into today's high-end LCD and plasma TV monitors (and high-end OLED-based TV monitors in the future), it ain't that hard to do. But will the average Joe Blow be willing to scour speciality A/V shops for such obscure 21-pin RGB cables? I think not..... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Endymion · Post by **Endymion** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:26 pm

The thing to do is to look for professional HDTV monitors. These will have VGA inputs that can do 15KHz as well as 31. Then you can just mod a SCART box and be done with it, no more fiddling for cables and you have total compatibility in a single screen, component included.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:32 pm

PC Engine Fan X! wrote:Now if your plasma TV monitor had a 21-pin RGB input, then it would be gravy to hook an RGB cable from your favorite gaming console... ^_~

Only in Japan or Europe is that possible.

Yeah, shame U.S manufacturers aren't willing to spend a few extra bucks.

Bummer since I have a supergun and Progear. Oh well, just more incentive to get my own cab someday. Thanks to all and to Endymion on the monitor suggestion.