View Full Version : Alternate S-video for regular cable channels?
sydney21
03-14-2006, 02:10 PM
i have heard that since people are not happy with the picture quality from their cable company on regular analog channels, you can run a s-video cable from cable box to tv?? i have it hooked up through hdmi cable now and picture about a 5 out of 10 on analog channels. how would i set this up and does it get confusing changing outputs on the remote everytime? please help with opinions and direction. thanks
mjones73
03-14-2006, 02:24 PM
S-video output on STB to an s-video input on the TV along with audio from the STB to the audio inputs on the TV that correspond with the s-video input if you are using the TV's speakers. Switch between your HDMI and s-video input based on which channel you want to watch.
See the HDTV FAQ on "Poor SD PQ".
sydney21
03-14-2006, 05:21 PM
where do i switch it and when? only go back to hdmi cable connection on hd channels? i thought hdmi was the best connection to have? why would a s-video cable be clearer? i own the sony grand wega kdfe42a10.
You switch inputs on the TV when the PQ for the SD channels is better on the "alternate" input - be it S-video, composite, the TV's internal NTSC tuner, etc.
Did you read the FAQ I mentioned in post 3? It also answers your "why" question.
sydney21
03-14-2006, 07:10 PM
these cables came with my hd dvr box, will these give me a better picture overall than the hdmi cable? if i hook up the s-video and also keep my hdmi cable hooked up, do i just need to switch my video source just for my hd channels only?
You need to use HDMI (or DVI or component video) for the HD channels. These connections will also transmit the SD channels and if the STB is properly set up, will provide perfectly good signals.
It's only if you have problems or see a major difference when hooked up the other way (using S-video for example) that you need to use the "lesser" connection for the SD channels.
Which Make/Model STB do you have? If you have the SA8300HD, see the HDTV FAQ "Tips for SA STBs". It's rare to require an alternate connection with the SA STBs.
sydney21
03-15-2006, 11:40 AM
should i maybe change my analog output to 480p on the box? its set to auto so it aautomatically sets the analog to 480i. should i change it to 480p? would that clear it up at all.
The analogue PQ may simply be poor, no matter what you do. But certainly feel free to experiment to get the best picture possible.
