Component Input

[Bowflex]

My Zenith HDTV unfortunately only has one HD component input that only supports 480i. Is there anyway I could buy something that would afford me 720p or 1080i viewing of either progressive scan or Xbox gaming?

[57U]

If your TV only supports 480i and has no inputs for 1080i, then it is not an HDTV. What is the TV model number?

[Bowflex]

Trust me it's a HDTV. The other component supports 1080i but is used for my HD cable box from Time Warner. The model number is C36V23 36" with built in tuner.

[57U]

If you want to run more than one HD source (or PS) to the component input, you may wish to check out the 10th post in --> This Thread (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1066) on component video switches.

Remember that if you have a 720P signal, your Zenith will not be able to display it, if it only accepts 1080i. It would be quite costly to upconvert the 720P to 1080i outside the TV (probably $500-$1000)

[Bowflex]

Thanks for the response. I received the component switch today and look forward to hooking up the various "components". Any advice to the best progressive scan DVD player to buy or should I just wait for HD DVD players?

[57U]

If you currently have a DVD player (interlaced for example and your asking about upgrading), you could wait for HDDVD, but it's a couple of years away probably, perhaps more. If you don't have a DVD player, go out and buy one. You can buy a a half-decent player for under $200.

[Bowflex]

I need some serious help. I'm not able to get a signal from my PS DVD player when hooked up to the component switch I ordered. Just to review. I have the JVC JX-S111 AV selector that allows 3 component inputs for those of us who have TVs that afford just one . The "Monitor Out 1" of the switch goes to the Component Video and Audio input on the TV, which on my TV is the HD in(1080i) or DVD in(480i), no other choice exists. I hooked up my cable box in Input 1 of the switch which worked perfectly with an excellent signal when I press corresponding 1 on the front of the switch. I followed the exact directions when hooking up the PS DVD player which goes into Input 2 of the switch. But when I depress #2 on the front of the switch no signal from DVD. On the instructions, under "Notes", it says- "Switch to Component Video Input on the TV in order to view sources connected to Input 1,2,3." On my TV the input sources are: Analog, Video 1,2, DVD in, HD in, DTV and Front Video. My Zenith model # is C36V23. Is this switch compatible to my TV?

[57U]

Since you know that input 1 works on the switch, connect your DVD player to that input. If it works, something is wrong with input 2 of the switch. If it doesn't work, something is wrong with the cables or the DVD player. Also, try your DVD player directly to the TV.

[Bowflex]

DVD player works fine when connected to TV. It's not the switch because I hooked up the cable box to input 2 and it worked just fine. I even switched cables and once again no problem. Any other suggestions?

[57U]

hmm, sounds like you tried everything. That would indicate that the "combination" doesn't work with the DVD player (DVD, cable, switch, cable, TV). Potentially too much line loss? Whose cables are you using?

When you've got the STB working, disconnect the STB and try connecting the DVD player to that combination of cables and switch, if you haven't tried that already.

Is it possible that once the TV "sees" a 1080i signal, it doesn't switch to 480P? Try turning the TV off and then on again. Leave the TV off for 30 seconds. Or try changing to another input and then back to the component input.

[Bowflex]

Both the cable box and DVD player are connected via standard monster component cables. Upon further inspection of my TV, there is a label on the back of the TV that says, "This product will not accept a progressive signal from a DVD or other source. Switch your product to interlaced(480i)." There is a setup option on the DVD which will allow me to either enable or disable "progressive output." I initially enabled it when the player was hooked directly to TV. I going to try your suggestion and mine which involves using the switch after I disable progressive output. I'll get back.
Nothing worked. I even tried to hook up my Xbox but to no avail. I'm assuming that because the input source is HD 1080i, it will only accept a 1080i source. Both the Xbox and DVD will work in the 480i input. I even tried to hook up the DVD directly into the HD 1080i input on the TV, but once again to no avail.

[57U]

If you can't use the PS mode, you may wish to connect the DVD player by S-Video and do away with the switch, unless you need it, or unless you think the component cables give you a better picture.

This product will not accept a progressive signal from a DVD or other source. Switch your product to interlaced(480i) Wait a minute, you said your DVD player works when connected directly to the TV (I assume in PS mode).

[Bowflex]

Look at the previous reply. I added some things. To answer your question, I don't know if I showed in progessive. I do know that when I pushed the progessive out button on the DVD player the picture became distorted. This is after I had enabled "progessive mode."

[Bowflex]

I solved the problem. First off, I should have done more research on HDTV's before purchasing the one I have. Unfortunately I have a TV that is not capable of any progressive mode. Which means I will never be able to enjoy 480p DVD's. I can only enjoy 480i or 1080i. Here's what I did. I couldn't get a signal before because the original monitor output was connected to the HD 1080i on the TV. The Xbox and DVD player are both standard component video pieces of equipment. The only video equipment that would work would be a HD 1080i components. Therefore I changed the monitor output to the 480i input on the TV and lo and behold it worked. The DVD player is hooked up to input 1 and the Xbox to input 2 on the switch and they both work just fine. Hopefully when HD DVD players come out, they will be 1080i and I can restore the original monitor output and just hook up my Xbox to S-Video since I don't see any drastic video difference between S-Video and Component 480i. My cable box is now back where it started; the 1080i input on the TV.