this post was submitted on 15 Mar 2026
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Converting HDMI to composite (piefed.blahaj.zone)
submitted 3 days ago by cloudskater@piefed.blahaj.zone to c/retrogaming@lemmy.world
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This may seem like a dumb idea considering how bad composite is, but I have a couple CRTs that I'd love to use as computer monitors, and I'm not in the position to mod them for component or RGB. I want them to "just work" for the time being. I'm looking for a device that converts modern HDMI to analog, but the only good options seem to be really high end devices with support for every format under the sun, which are great, but way more then I need. Otherwise, what am I left with? Cheap, no-name boxes that'll die in two weeks and add half a second of lag? I'm not sure if the product I need exists, but I figured this would be a good place to ask since I can't find a dedicated CRT community. Any help is appreciated!

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[–] the16bitgamer@programming.dev 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Your issue is that you are converting digital to analog so latency will be added regardless.

Perhaps looking into VGA, lots of USB C to VGA adapters, and VGA to Composite adapters. May get you closer (or more reliable results).

Another solution is VGA monitors.

[–] cloudskater@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Funny you say that, because I have an old laptop that has a native VGA output on board and I'm testing it out right now! It works and Mint outputs through it just fine, but I'd need to get a VGA to composite adapter. Buuuut, if I'm gonna do that, I might as well just get an HDMI to composite adapter for the compatibility.

Also, any USB to composite/s video/component adapters? That sounds like a great workaround.

Also yeah, I know latency will exist, but it can always be minimized.

[–] the16bitgamer@programming.dev 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

USB -> Anything requires adapters/drivers/dedicated hardware. Composite is a dead format so you’ll be hard pressed to find one, let alone find one which works. VGA is a least a video standard supported by almost all video chips (why I recommended it).

The only PC made in this century which supports composite natively, is the Raspberry Pi.

[–] cloudskater@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 days ago

Yeah that makes sense. I'll have a look into VGA converters, thanks for the tip!