View Full Version : Need a bit of advice.
Craig Ojala
08-27-2003, 05:04 PM
Finally receiving HDTV via Comcast this Friday. I understand that component cables are a must for HDTV. My question is as follows: will I need to make an additional connection for my digital (non-HDTV) channels? I've read that SD channels often times don't look very good when utilizing the component cables. Am I worrying about nothing? Thanks in advance for your anticipated assistence.
I heard the same thing about that....but mine come in clearer than non-component cables...you should be fine....|
~j
Depends on the STB. Some are better using S-video or composite. See the FAQ on "Cables & Connections."
Craig Ojala
08-28-2003, 10:16 AM
I've looked at the FAQ's and received a tremendous amount of information, however, I'm a little confused - since you need component video cables for HDTV, how would you utilize S-Video for the other channels? Is there an additionl S-Video hook-up on most HD STB's? ......and if so, I assume I would send my component cable to one input on my TV, and the S-Video to another?
kevinw
08-28-2003, 11:19 AM
You would not bother with S-Vid if you are using component. All your channels will come through that feed.
raidbuck
08-28-2003, 01:06 PM
On my Sammy DLP and Comcast Motorola 5100 STB I get the best SD picture using a split cable directly into the Antenna port of the TV and bypassing the STB. Through component cables and the STB the SD is pretty bad (better for digital channels). HD is great, though, so I change inputs a lot.
Rich N.
Originally posted by kevinw You would not bother with S-Vid if you are using component. All your channels will come through that feed. Kev, on many of the STBs the SD channels look terrible if viewed through component video connection. This is a known issue, especially on SA3100HD units and is mentioned in the FAQ on "cables & connections".
On the SA3100HD, the component video connection also transmits all channels at 1080i. This means that the TV cannot stretch the SD channels, so you really must use S-video or composite for this functionality.
Yes, you need to hook up S-video, or composite if the SD channels look poor, and yes - to another input on your TV.
kevinw
08-28-2003, 04:41 PM
57u
I was following off of what SOZE said-I heard the same thing about that....but mine come in clearer than non-component cables...you should
be fine....| of course if the PQ is worse then then the dual connection would be better.
mikehbkwm
08-28-2003, 05:11 PM
I have a motorola HD stb and use component for everything and analog doesnt look bad at all..... i have a very good signal to... but when i first hooked it up i thought analog might look like crap via component....... now i do split the signal to a VCR but thats just to watch tapes if ever or record something off analog.....
Craig Ojala
08-28-2003, 06:08 PM
Thanks everyone! I sincerely appreciate the feedback. I guess I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best with the component cables. If it is noticably inferior, I'll try a seperate S-Video to another input on the TV. Thanks again.......
We're all correct. The newer Motorolas have solved the issue, they have good SD PQ via the CV. They can also pass "native" signals.
The SA3100HD can do neither, but the SA3250HD should solve those "issues".
Craig Ojala
08-28-2003, 07:24 PM
57U, what do you mean by "pass native signals"? FYI, I've got a Hitachi 53UDX10B TV. Hopefully I'll get one of the new STB's. Thanks.
mikehbkwm
08-28-2003, 07:29 PM
the box can do native 720p or 1080i whatever your tv accepts natively which your is 1080i you should set it to that.... like on a DLP set youd obviously want to set it to 720p..
Craig Ojala
08-28-2003, 07:40 PM
Whoa.... there is a lot to learn. Thanks much!
Originally posted by Craig Ojala 57U, what do you mean by "pass native signals"? It means that the STB will let the signals pass through without changing them. ie 480P in, 480P out, 720P in, 720P out, etc.
Some STB don't "pass" the convert everything to 1080i.
