rca dtc100

[kpax478]

hello every one, i have a question for you this evening, i purchased a used receiver(DTC100) and i was reading a thread that said that these receiver only showed hd in 540p when using s-video, but i am using rgb 15pin from the receiver to monitor when viewing hd shows and s-video when i am not, some hd shows show better when viewing s- video than when viewing in hd mode(i have to change input when viewing in hd) and i was wondering what could cause this problem. my monitor is a pioneer sd582hd series. again thanks for any information given

[57U]

I believe that S-video can only "transmit" up to 480i (not p) In order to pass higher resolutions you need RGB or component video cables or DVI, etc.

Your STB appears to be "downconverting" the HD channels to 480i for the S-video output - many STBs have this feature.

Some of the signals may downconvert better than others. Also, true HD should always look better than upconverted 4:3 signals and that may be why some programmes (the true HD ones) look better via RGB.

[57U]

After writing my post above, I searched for your TV and went to the following site. I've never seen such a bunch of drivel in a while.

http://www.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/details__cat_id--11520000,prod_id--5004509.html

1. It says the TV does 1080P - it's actually only capable of 1080i.
2. It says it weighs 1500 lb. Wow, I wouldn't want to be the mover!
3. It says it can't do 1080i - hmm, why is it called an HDTV then? (I assume they were talking about horizontal "resolution" and got confused).

No wonder people are confused about HDTVs.

[Ratman]

Not sure about the specs on the TV, but let's assume the set does upconvert everything to 1080i.

The DTC100 will only output 480i over the S-Video and composite outputs.

It will upconvert all SD/ED signals 540p.
720p programs upconvert to 1080i.
1080i stays 1080i.
(Via the RGB output)

So... if there is a less than perfect (SD) digital cable or satellite program that gets upconverted to 540p by the STB, that will generally make compression/noise/artifacts more prevalent. A second upconvert from 540p to 1080i would probably produce a more noticible degradation (IMO).

Other than that... I would find it very hard to believe that an HD program (720p or 1080i) would look better at 480i.

Are using the DTC100 for satellite, OTA or both?
Are you really sure that what you are watching is really HD?
What program can you use as an example and provide the channel, station, OTA, antenna, etc...

Call me crazy... (the crowd roars!), but I'll bet that you aren't selecting a digital channel, therefore not really getting HD.

[kpax478]

i am using direct tv for my signal,and when i look at foosball on sunday some of the hd channel seems like their out of focus(70-72) while in hd mode. but when viewing in s-video the channels becomes clearer, these are the channels that they use for hd viewing, but when i viewed sunday nite foosball on espn the picture was awsome.

[57U]

The Sunday night game was true HD (Bills Miami). The other games were probably not true HD, rather they were likely 4:3 SD upconverted programmes.

[kpax478]

ok from what i have read the problem is not with my set, it is the signal that i am receiving from directtv, thanks for the information and keep HDTV alive.