Set top Box connection to a Computer Monitor

[antonefjr]

Can I connect a set top box to a computer's monitor/computer?  I already know I can connect a set top box to an audio source such as a receiver.  I wish to know this before I subscribe to Fios TV .  I don't have a TV because I like to watch TV online as was wondering if I have the set top box and subscribed to Fios TV, can I connect the box to the computer/computer monitor.

[Hubrisnxs]

You can connect a set top box to a computer monitor or to a PC if you have the right inputs on the back of your monitor or PC

if you're monitor has an HDMI in the back of it, then it will direct connect.   

the only thing you have to worry about is "what will be giving me sound"   

if you have PC sound or a small home theatre, or speakers in the monitor then you should be fine.  just keep in mind that you may need seperate audio cables going to "something" to get sound.

you're monitor may not have speakers built directly into it.   

[antonefjr]

Thank you.  Also, could I possibly use an S-Video Cable to connect the set top?

[Hubrisnxs]

yes,  the stb's have the following outputs.

they have Coax out

RCA out

S video out

Component cable output

hdmi out

and then then have digital coax and optical audio

so you have a few different ways you can plug it in.  

just remember you'll need either RCA or digital coax input or optical audio input on whatever you are going to use for sound.

you might have to use a mini jack converter to get it to plug into a sound card, that kinda stuff.

[antonefjr]

Thank you!

[Hubrisnxs]

Remember, S-Video isn't HD   so if you have an HD tv then you might want to go with an HDMI/DVI cable.  they are pretty cheap

What cable you use, will effect your picture quality, 

Modulated RF (channel 3/4)   260-330 lines depending upon the quality of the modulator, and Comb Filter in the TV

Composite Video  260-330 lines depending upon how good the Comb Filter is.

S-Video   Up to 400 lines (does not need a comb filter)

Component Video/HDMI   Up to 1080 lines

Here are the manuals for the DVR's that you might get, so you can check the S Video Pin Count.

Motorola 7232-P2 HD DVR

User Guide 

Motorola 7216 HD DVR

User Guide 

Motorola 7100-P2 HD Set-Top Box

User Guide 


Motorola 7100-P1 HD Set-Top Box

User Guide 

Motorola 2500 SD Set-Top Box

User Guide 

[antonefjr]

Thank you....I will go with the HDMI cable....

[antonefjr]

On the back of my computer, I have a six pin S-Video input jack.  Is that the same on the set top boxes or do they only have 4 pin S-Video cables?

[DTG3]

How do I connect my laptop computer to Verizon HD settop box through a hdmi cable

[lacticacidtrip]

Hi DTG,

Your question is slightly off topic on this old thread.

The answer is, you probably don't.

The HDMI jack on the back of the box is output only. The HDMI jacks on nearly all laptops are output only. Connecting an output to an output won't produce a result, and hopefully won't produce a short.

So the question is, what are you attempting to do?

1. Are you trying to watch your laptop on your TV?
2. Are you trying to use the Media Manager?
3. Are your trying to watch/record your STB on your laptop?

[rapidrobert39]

can I connect my laptop to use as a monitor to my verizon HD box.  If yes, how??

[PJL]

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@antonefjr wrote:

Can I connect a set top box to a computer's monitor/computer?  I already know I can connect a set top box to an audio source such as a receiver.  I wish to know this before I subscribe to Fios TV .  I don't have a TV because I like to watch TV online as was wondering if I have the set top box and subscribed to Fios TV, can I connect the box to the computer/computer monitor.

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You may be able to connect the STB to a computer monitor if the monitor has HDMI or DVI inputs.  If it has only a DVI input, you will need a connector adapter that converts HDMI to DVI, like the ones in this link.  Make sure you get the right genders on the adapter.  If the monitor only has a VGA input you would also need a DVI to VGA connector like the one this link.

There are probably ways to connect the STB to a computer and then to a monitor, but they get even more complicated and expensive.  An alternative could be installing a QAM TV tuner card that accepts a cable card in your computer and using that as the STB.  You won't get VOD and some other functionality, but it would work too.