Set-top HDTV tuner with computer monitor?

[alex_ant]

OK, football season is coming soon and I can't wait anymore for HDTV. I've looked at the EyeTV 500, but my Mac is way too slow. I would like to spend as little money as possible. I have a Dell 1704FPT which is 1280x1024 and has HD15 and DVI inputs. The HD15 is being used by my TiBook. I also have a 13" standard television that has component video inputs, which I understand will be nowhere near HDTV quality, but at least it's better than NTSC, and I will use this as a last resort. Getting HDTV onto the Dell is obviously preferred.

Can I use just any tuner that has a component video output, and get a cheap component-to-HD15 adapter and expect it to work plugged into the 1704FPT? Or do I need a much more expensive format converter of some kind, like this one? http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/kd-ctca2.htm

Otherwise, I've found two tuners so far that have RGB HD15 outputs:

Samsung SIR-T150 (web page gone)
Humax HFA100 (http://www.humaxusa.com/products_HFA100.html)

Can I connect a tuner that has an RGB HD15 output, like either of these, to the HD15 input of my 1704FPT? If so, what will I then do about the TiBook? Get a HD15-DVI converter? Get a VGA switcher? If I can indeed connect these HDTV tuners to my monitor, will 16:9 programs display properly (e.g. with proper black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, no funny effects or discoloration etc.?)

 

[lfielder06]

This seems like what you might be looking for. I have one and it works great. It comes with xbox hdtv hook up, but works for any hd source. I have used it on 17" crt monitor and have no complaints. Works great with my xbox. It looks similiar to your first link, but is only $73 after shipping.

I have used this for 1080i and 720p and it looks great on a crt. It stretches it to full screen and widescreen displays properly. It also has a place to plug you computer in and a switch to switch between hd source and vga.

 

[alex_ant]

Excellent, just what I was looking for. Thanks!