Fritz

One thing I haven't seen discussion of here is the DVI vs Firewire debate. It boils down to this: The only way to get a perfect transfer between a receiver and a TV is to do a digital transfer. Component video is analog. The manufacturers don't like the digital transfer because that would allow us to make perfect copies of broadcast TV, assuming that we are all criminals and don't deserve that feature. Anyhow, the manufacturer compromise was DVI because it allows a pure digital transfer but has built in copy protection to now allow a recording device to work on that feed.

Anyhow, adoption of DVI is sporadic, and we are seeing alternatives, like Firewire. Firewire is as good as DVI yet it allows two way communication and recording capability from the stream. I'm sure manufacturers may find a way around it, but one can see that DVI may live a very short life.

This becomes obvious when Mitsubishi has now spec'd out their Promise Module to be Fireware capable and NOT DVI capable. This means the Zenith SAT-520 and Sony SAT-HD200 may not be the way to go. Samsung's SIR-T165 does have Firewire as well as DVI, whereas the SIR-TS160 adds DirecTV but apparently lacks firewire.

Mitsubishi's Promise Module is supposed to provide firewire support in the TV (for older HDTV upgradeable ones) as well as terrestrial and unscrambled cable HDTV capability. Makes one wonder which is the best way to go.

I was all for the Zenith/Sony receiver until I read up about DVI and Firewire, and now it seems that I either wait for the Mitsubishi module or go with the Samsung for DirecTV support and get the MPM whenever it hits the market if needed.

57U

Fritz, welcome to the forum.

Actually DVI and Firewire have been discussed quite a bit in this forum although not necessarily in a "head to head" discussion.

The Mits "promise module" was recently mentioned in This thread.

I hope you don't mind, I'm going to move this thread into the DVI/HDCP Situation forum.

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

Paolo

Sorry if this is off topic, but what does a DVI input look like? and what do the other types of digital inputs look like? I have not seen them before so I am just curious, thanks.

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BadCamper

Here's some photographic examples from our beloved Monster Cable Website:

IEEE 1394 (FireWire): http://www.monstercable.com/product...n=1112&mixtype=

DVI: http://www.monstercable.com/product...n=1558&mixtype=

Their photograph of the IEEE 1394 is incorrect, however. A true 4-pin to 4-pin would have the small tip on each end. The larger tip is the 6-pin FireWire connection; commonly used on Computers and removable harddrives.

If you really want to get into it, check out your local Best Buy or Ultimate Electronics; each store, by now, should be sporting their Integrated Mitsubishi's with a IEEE connection to a D-VHS player.

billw

Are you sure that is the correct cable for DVI.
I use them on new deployments for IBM monitors and I have one on my JVC TV.

I looked at the link and the picture on the monster website does not appear to be a DVI cable.

A DB15 is more like a VGA cable according to the picture.

I am not at all an expert - I just noticed it and wanted to know whether I would be ordering the wrong cable.

Bill

Axiom

That is definitely not a DVI cable. It looks like a VGA monitor cable to me.

BadCamper

Oh, I've only glanced at a DVI very briefly, so I was probably mistaken on that one. As for the IEEE Firewire, I'm 100% sure that's the cable!

57U

Here's a photo of a ---> DVI connector

Also if you go to -->This link and download the operating manual (bottom left of screen) there is a diagram of the inputs for the Hitachi TV at the top of page 9.

Hint: The internet is a good source of information. Typing the words "DVI Connector" into your favourite search engine can get you this type of information.

__________________
57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

Doc

Spoke to Customer support Mitsubishi last week concerning my concern as to why the Promise Module did not include DVI in addition to IEEE. The officail position is that DVI will NOT be available unless that becomes the standard. Although Directv uses DVI only, the new DishNetwork receivers are reported to have IEEE.

Promise Module will cost $995 and be released the end of Oct or the beginning of Nov.

Promise Module will include a smartcard adapter (of some sort) to allow software updates of the hardware.

billw

that is interesting....JVC makes receivers for Dish and JVC is telling me that their 9000 receiver will have DVI.

I thought this would make sense since JVC released their new HD TV's with DVI.

But nothing would surprise me.

Bill

armor10

The Best way to go would be Hitachi's XWX Series that has 2 Fire wire connections and 1 DVI connection. It also has a smart card reader for updates. Once agian Hitachi comes out with something really cool first then the other companies copy them.