8300 questions

[OmegaMan]

I want to copy High definition and standard definition signals from this box to my S-VHS VCR. I want to go out through the S-video port. I am trying to archive as close to 400 lines resolution as possible. Do I have any other option other than the dummed up RCA outputs?
In a thread that was stickied it recommended going in and changing the resoulution to 480i, so you can use the stretch feature instead of zooming. Were they talking about setting a different resolution for every channel, ie 480i for SD and 1080 i for HD? I have a Panasonic 53X54
:thankyou3 in advance

[57U]

Using S-video and the RCA audio connections is the best you can do. I've done it a few times.

The S-video connection is limited to 480i anyway, so I don't believe you have to change your "setup" at all.

[DoubleDAZ]

Depending on the software version you are using, you may not find the PQ very good using the Copy To VCR option. SA was made aware of the problem at CES and a fix should be in the next OS update (1.5). They thought the issue had been resolved and didn't realize they broke it in a later release. I don't use the option myself, but I did test it and it is bad (1.87.16.1). It looks like the de-interlace is messed up and it's not even watchable. With any luck, you may not have any problem at all, but I thought I'd let you know of the potential problem.

[57U]

If I recall, I didn't use the "copy to VCR" function. I simply hit "play" and recorded from the S-video...

[DoubleDAZ]

Yeah, recording directly works fine, just the Copy To VCR may be messed up. That option is nice in that you don't have to be watching the program, but it does have to be a recording that you are copying.

[OmegaMan]

I have a Panasonic 53X54 rear projection television. The stretch option on this television will not work if you're using either component cables or HDMI inputs. I have gone through the steps recommended in the sticky portion of this thread that should enable me to use the stretch option on my box. However it only works about 10% of the time on a standard definition channel. The rest of the time I have to settle for the zoom function. When I went in to set up I chose 1080I, 480 I widescreen and 480p widescreen. Can anyone tell me how to resolve this issue?

Another issue I have is that I cannot get the S. video output to work from my box. It will not do it on either live or recorded programs, it will not send a signal either in to my S. VHS VCR or into my television. I've used several different cables and tried different ports. I have also disconnected the component outputs at the time I was trying to use it to see if that would make a difference and it didn't. Has anyone else had these issues? :worker:

[57U]

S-video should work simultaneously, so I don't know why you can't get a signal there.

On the S-VCR, you need to tune to the correct input (not channel 3). Sometimes it's channel zero, sometimes you need to configure the menu to "input" and say that that "input" is S-video, etc.

If you send a 480i signal to the TV, you should be able to stretch it. You need to properly configure the STB so that it sends 480i for the SD channels and 1080i for the HD channels. You may want to recheck the HDTV FAQ "Tips for SA STBs".

I have no idea why it would work some of the time and not others, unless there's a problem with the STB or the TV.

[DoubleDAZ]

I would not enable the wide formats, they already stretch the image, though probably not as good as your HDTV. So, try enabling just plain old 480i to see if that makes a difference and works better for you.

[DoubleDAZ]

sometimes you need to configure the menu to "input" and say that that "input" is S-video, etc.This may also be true for the TV.