We also created an IP block that receives the standard VGA signals as inputs, and then converts them and drives an HMDI port directly. That way, students can still work with VGA systems, and have the same experience as driving a physical VGA port. I use the VGA IP block in my classes at Washington State University with good success, and all of my older VGA design projects mapped over directly. Incidentally, the VGA port was removed because I was having trouble finding monitors the still have VGA...