Turning an old monitor into a TV...can it work with a monitor this old?

[Primal_Mojo]

I wasn't sure if I should post this under displays or home theater, but it seemed more like a display question, since that's the major component here.

I have an OLD Acer X183H B that my dad gave me, and I was thinking of replacing an old tube TV in the spare room that takes up too much space. Since it's a tube TV, the cable box we have for it is standard, and it connects to the TV with RCA cables (yellow and white only, not red). Available inputs on the back of the cable box are eSATA, coax (2), digital audio (covered 3.5mm jack, I believe), HDMI, ethernet, USB 2.0, 12V DC (power for the cable box), and 2 sets of RCA cables - yellow, red, and white, and green, blue, and red. Currently the only things plugged in the back of the cable box is the ethernet going to the video router, and the yellow, white, and red RCA cables going to the TV. And of course, the power.

The monitor (made in Feb 2010 according to the sticker on the back) has only 2 in/outs, one being for an old monitor power cable, and the other is VGA IN (male). I have a spare pair of external speakers I used to use for my laptop, and they have an audio cable with standard headphone jack, and standard USB power. Can I make all of these components work to take the place of that HUGE tube TV, and if so, which adapters and setup would I need to use to make it work?

EDIT - After looking at the back of the cable box again, I see there's one more USB input on the front. I'm thinking I can plug the speakers in directly to the box, USB and all. If that's the case, then all I need to hook up would be the video through the box. Am I correct in thinking this?

SECOND EDIT: While the speakers do power up through the USB, the digital audio input on the box will not accept the 3.5mm audio jack. On the box, it's a small, hard grey plastic swinging cover that moves inward when you go to plug something into it. More research has shown me that it's an optical audio input, likely toslink. Another adapter needed here, I'm guessing.

 

[Eximo]

An interesting project, but not really worth the time. You can pick up a 19" LCD TV for around $70

3.5mm jacks rarely carry digital information, so I am not sure what that might be for. I would be very surprised if the USB ports on a cable box can be used for audio as well. I would think that would be something like an input for displaying pictures or video from file. Though that really depends on the cable box.

RCA to HDMI converters are pretty common, not sure about VGA, but that would be something you would need I would think. Just not worth the cost though.

LCDs are cheaper than ever before, and getting a small TV to replace even the largest tube television is a great investment in power savings (not to mention getting a 16:9 display)

 

[Solandri]

Available inputs on the back of the cable box are eSATA, coax (2), digital audio (covered 3.5mm jack, I believe), HDMI, ethernet, USB 2.0, 12V DC (power for the cable box), and 2 sets of RCA cables - yellow, red, and white, and green, blue, and red.

Are you sure that's not HDMI out? I can't think of any reason a cable box would have HDMI in but not HDMI out. If it's HDMI out, then get a HDMI to VGA converter and plug that into the Acer. You can get converters which also split out the audio, but they cost more.

https://www.amazon.com/Rankie-Gold-Plated-Active-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00ZMV7RL2
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Active-Adapter-Support/dp/B008O7RH5C

The yellow, red, white are standard RCA (yellow = video, red + white are left and right audio). I believe on most of these they output audio over HDMI and the RCA simultaneously, so you may be able to connect the speakers that way. Normally RCA to 1/4" phono or 3.5mm is flaky, but since it sounds like your speakers are powered it may work. (The green, blue, red are component video - a higher quality version of the yellow.)

https://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-3-5mm-Male-2-Male-Adapter/dp/B004YEBK66

In both cases, try to buy from a place which lets you return for free since we're not sure they will work.

The monitor (made in Feb 2010 according to the sticker on the back)

These older LCD monitors used a CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) as a backlight. As the name implies, it's just a small fluorescent lamp. They faded with use (about 50% intensity after about 5 years), and tended to start burning out after about 5-7 years. They're relatively easy to replace (a CCFL tube costs about $20-$40), but are getting hard to find. Fluorescent tubes contain mercury, so governments everywhere are trying to phase out their production. You may be better off just ditching the monitor and getting a newer LED monitor. One with HDMI in and built-in speakers.