Suggestions for using the TBC2 with a PC

Hello,

Wondering if anyone has a good solution for getting a PC into the TBC2. So far, it seems like Startech DVI-VGA converter (p/n: DP2VGA2) I have doesnt produce a compatible resolution (2048x1280, 1920x1200 & 1080p at 60Hz). Probably should have checked that before getting the VGA expander… I tried forcing various resolutions and refresh rates with GPU driver but was not able to get a useable signal to TBC2. Seems like I should have gone with a component based converter instead.

Can’t help but laugh at myself for waiting a few years to then hit a wall so close to finish line because of a $20 converter!

Curious what kind of setups are working for you guys.

Thanks for any help on this one!

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Look for a used AJA IO XT, native YPbPr out from your PC.

EDIT: Oops I forgot it was intended for Mac with the Thunderbolt ports but maybe you can get a converter for that stage.

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I don’t have my TBC2 yet, but am going to follow this thread to see if I can learn from it. Sorry I don’t have any wisdom to share. But in general my motto is ‘buy once, cry once’. I am going the component route, have Blackmagic Design UpDownCross converters and HDMI to Component converters. These are working well with a VU003B into the synth. I’m guessing that it will work just as well with a TBC2.

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Thanks for the quick responses! Will be taking a look into those

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I’ve got two HDMI > component converter I was using before I switched the system over recently.
kramer vp 422 I believe and something generic from amazon ~$50 that worked just as well as the kramer from what I could tell.

With the switch over I’m using a BMD updowncross, a couple bidirectional SDI <> HDMI, and a HDMI > SDI

I forget which two boxes are dedicated to my two computer outputs
I use a m1 mac minis’ HDMI output and an appleTV running another desktop

then with the constellation switcher I have two bmd SDI > analog boxes, one for each channel of TBC2.

I haven’t gotten the TBC2 back in the mail yet to test but I am imagining this will work even more reliably than what I was using before.

I got a VGA expander when I ordered the TBC2 because that is how I was running my system at the time. Now I’m not really using VGA so it will probably just sit in a box for a while.

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Just out of curiosity before I try anymore converters, is there anything that needs to be done to TBC2 aside from just plugging in ribbon cables to get the expander to work? I see there are a couple dip switches on the back. There doesn’t seem to be a full manual for Expander or TBC2 yet so I didn’t want to just start messing with stuff.

I tested out my current DP->VGA converter on a couple different monitors and it does seem to output supported resolutions and frequencies after all.

Forcing the resolutions in the Radeon driver does have quite a few technical options for the timing standards. Could the problem be from the wrong standard / settings?

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Hi @Z0NK0UT , would you please check this thread out if you get a chance. Thank you!

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