Who's using component? - Page 2

Re: Who's using component?

Ric,

I have the Sd533, ran 480p via component and 1080i HD Tv via component, incredible 2 years ago. I did notice a slight burn in developing as the 533 goes into FULL for all HD material. My youngest daughter, while trained to select the grey bars, wasn't 100%. So I finally moved it downstairs. I thought there was a problem with the Pioneer and, as it has been 5 years. The blacks were fading and the 1080i wasn't as clear. I bought a Sharp 46D82U with the Toshiba XA2, HD DVD. This combo is excellent so far.

Back to the Pioneer. Once downstairs I redid the convergence on the 533, still a little "cloudy". Pretty sad, thinking the 533 was "done". Over on hometheaterspot I read a thread on cleaning the TV, removing the screen. Well my son and I took the screen off, cleaned the 3 lens' and put the screen back, didn't touch the mirror as it looked OK. The lint free cloth I used was covered in dust and dirt.

I turned the 533 back on and it looked like new....absolute blacks again, perfect color and clarity, the slight burn in notwithstanding. Now...I don't know that I needed a new TV, but I won't bother my wife with that bit of info.

1080i HD on the SD533 is excellent, haven't tried the XA2 HD DVD via component though.

Todd

Re: Who's using component?

That projector was a beauty from the start, who also ages so gracefully...

They don't make them like that anymore. It was way ahead of its time PQ-wise.

Scooter, you gave me that hint some weeks ago ( thanks a lot for that!), so I started the thing up again, and .. unbelievable. There must have been some unused extra resolution hidden in that machine. I'm so glad now I bought a second (spare) lamp a few years ago (didn't use it yet, they're expensive, but I was afraid one day I wouldn't even be able to get one at all).


Cees

Re: Who's using component?

Rick, I have the same set as you, and mine is also about 5 years old. I had an issue some months back that needed some parts replaced, but apart from that, I love my set.

I made sure when I bought it that I would be able to do HD later on, as I knew it wouldn't be in my budget for a new set for a long time. This year, I added HD DVD with the Toshiba D2, and only a few weeks ago added blu-ray with the new 40GB PS3.

With HD cable as well, I am having to do some cable juggling, but its worth it to me to enjoy both HD disc formats. My set was recently recalibrated by our own Gregg Loewen, and HD discs look great.

If the format war bothers you, just wait until you can get a player of either format for a price you're happy to pay. I went HD DVD first because I was able to get a player for my target $200. I figured if I got enough discs to enjoy, then even if HD DVD went down, I would still get my money's worth from my player, which I already have, in my opinion.

I warn you though - HD discs are addictive! You will want more of the little buggers very quickly!

Re: Who's using component?

For those of you who are talking about cable juggling due to limited inputs, etc:

I have limited component jacks on my older HDTV and receiver (but have an HD DVR, Blu-ray, and DVD-recorder) and purchased an A/V switch box with component connections from Radio Shack quite awhile ago for about $30. Does the trick for me nicely.

Since the box uses IR commands, I have even been able to set up "select" commands on my Harmony remote!

Re: Who's using component?

It was the least we could do. The more the merrier!

Re: Who's using component?

Cees..glad it helped! The 400Q has the capacity of up to 1125 lines of resolution. Which is actually closer to what HD in any format was hoped for back in the 80's.

Now if I could...convince...the HD or BD players to allow 1080I out for standard DVD over component...

Edited To Add: It seems Ram Electronics has something I can use. It is displayed in their banner ad. Just can't find it on their website.

Re: Who's using component?

Hey Ric,

As you may recall from my posts over at RixGrafix, I too am using component video connections with my 5 year-old Mitsubishi RP CRT and my HD-A1. The picture quality is superb, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my HD-DVD player from day one.

I indeed still love my 1st gen player, if for no other reason than I can take advantage of lossless audio tracks via the 5.1 analog outs. I really don't see myself upgrading at this point until a reasonably priced dual-format player comes out.

(Commander Dan)

Re: Who's using component?

Mike, have you noticed any picture degradation from doing this? I remember reading about a box for about $40, but some people thought it harmed the picture quality.

I asked Gregg Loewen about this, and he told me about a model by Zektor which is apparently high quality, but at about $250, was more than I wanted to spend. I'd rather put that money towards a new amplifier.

Congratulations on your purchase Ric - I hope you have as much fun as I have!

Re: Who's using component?

Bleddyn, I haven't noticed any picture problems. But, I should note that I have a huge inferiority problem whenever I discuss PQ & SQ of hardware/software.

My display is a 26" Samsung HD CRT, I've got an older entry-level Sony HT receiver (STR DE-445), and my speakers are Polk R30s, CSi25, and R15s. Until I won the Blu-ray in an HTF contest, I was using a Toshiba 1600 as my player.

So whenever, I recommend hardware/software, I feel compelled to add my equipment situation as a caveat. (I need to finish my review of the DMP-BD10 and I'm hoping it will provide useful information on adding an HD player to a low-end system.)

But, back to your question, I picked the box up because the receiver only has one set of component inputs and I was hard pressed to route my DVD player AND my HD DVR (I have since added a DVD-recorder to the mix!). I noticed no signal degradation at all when I added the box between my sources and receiver.

I guess I would recommend that you could always buy one to try and, if unhappy, return it.

Re: Who's using component?

Radio Shack #1

Radio Shack #2

Here are the sort of thing I'm talking about. I can't find the one I have anywhere on the internet. The only differences between these and mine, however, are that mine is powered and accepts IR commands to switch between inputs. I would be tempted to think the IR commands unneccesary, but would disagree. I am amazed by how often I find myself switching between the DVD players and the HD cable DVR.

Re: Who's using component?

Ric..depending on where you live, you may get it in two days! I have ordered with Free Shipping from both Buy.com and Amazon and had my orders in 2-3 days.

Enjoy!

Re: Who's using component?

Posted by Ric Easton:
I did the Amazon A3 deal last night as well. By the time I did it, it was down to $159.98, but was on backorder until approx. Dec. 25. I didn't care, because I did not want to go to a 5:00 A.M to noon sale and find none in stock. Also, the selection of 3 free movies offered by Amazon is better IMO than the choices of the 5 free movies I will get later.

I am an Amazon Prime member, so all my stuff ships 2nd day air. I got an e-mail this morning that says the A3 will actually ship between 12-4 and 12-7, so I will not have to wait so long after all. So, for $159.99, I will get the player and 10 movies, and did not have to leave my house or even get up early.

Getting back to the main topic: I always thought you needed HDMI to get 1080i. Am I correct that HDMI is only required in order for a player to upsconvert? I currently have my DiSH HD receiver and and upscaling player connected to one of those Monoprice HDMI switchers (my Mitsubishi 1080i DLP only has one HDMI input). I want to keep the upscaling DVD player because it it is region-free as well. However, that would require a Monoprice 3-way switcher. So, it seems to me that I can use component out from the DiSH receiver and use the HDMI switcher for my upconverting standard DVD player and the A3 when it comes, and still get 1080i, correct? Am I right that component out from the DiSH receiver will not limit me to 480p?

Re: Who's using component?

You probably just made the wife a happier camper, too, Ric!

Congrats!

Re: Who's using component?

Many of those offers are third-party ("Marketplace") offers. I guess after a new one comes along with a lower price, the price rises again when those get sold out.


Cees

Re: Who's using component?

I've recently been turned on to this free service for tracking 30-day price guarantees at Amazon (and other sites):

http://www.priceprotectr.com

It works great and saved me some $$ when the price dropped within the guarantee window.

Re: Who's using component?

Congrats and welcome to the club!!

Re: Who's using component?

ok, folks, a real old-timer here (i haven't posted in 6 years!) who took advantage of the Amazon $159 HD-DVD player even though I vowed not to enter the fray until a HD winner was chosen. How free dvd's will sway me... anyway, I have an older projection tv: Mitsubishi WS-65311 with no HDMI. I hooked up the player but after reading in the manual that some discs that are copy protected will be down-converted to 480 over component, I got a little nervous. I tried a bunch of standard DVD's and got the message on screen that they were being down-converted to 480.

I didn't want to open the HD-DVD's until I was sure and so I searched HTF and found this thread. So, after reading it, please tell me if I've got this right: 1) The HD-DVD's will play at 1080i via the Toshiba A3 even in component video until the studios decide to put copy protection on? 2) basically no dvd will play at 1080i using the A3 over component, so no upconverting?

I was kind of excited that i'd be able to upconvert my 3000+ dvds so I'm a little disapointed there, but if I can actually play HD-DVD's at the higher rez then at least I can keep this thing.

ONe more question: is it possible to in some way get the HDMI into this old Mitsubishi? I.e. is there some kind of high-def converter that will accept the HDMI signal and output it via component to my 5-year old Mitsubishi? Or am I resigned to having made the mistake of having bought a high-def-dead-end? I seem to remember Mitsubishi promising to make sure all their tv's would be able to accept either HDMI or Firewire once the standard became known - because at the time it wasn't standardized. Or am i remembering it wrong?

Re: Who's using component?

You understand correctly, HD DVD over component is doable (at least until the studios decide to flip on the ICT flag, but that should be a few years away if ever). DVD over component will not be upconverted, and will only by delivered in its native resolution (480).

If your TV doesn't have HDMI, only component video input(s), then you are stuck with what you have (1080i for HD DVD, 480p for DVD). I also retired my 5-year old 1080i HDTV set to the bedroom, and went with a HDMI-capable plasma set in April.

Re: Who's using component?

Out of curiosity, what is gained by not allowing upconversion over component?

Re: Who's using component?

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I am opening the plastic wrap as we speak. I hope it will be a treat - i've kept my head in the sand over hd-dvd/blu-ray and i haven't even previewed either technology in a store or at a friend's house yet so this'll be my first glimpse.

On the standard DVDs: even without upconverting, you think I may still notice an improvement on DVD? Keep in mind you are talking to someone who can't really see a difference with progressive scan turned on or off on my old dvd player!

Re: Who's using component?

Scott,

Trust us, it will be a treat.

Not allowing upconversion over component is supposed to make it more difficult to illegally copy DVD (the HDMI connection supports DRM). As if those organized crooks wouldn't have the proper equipment to get the signal after the HDMI chip.

If you want to see the SD DVDs upconverted over HDMI, you need a TV set having that.

Another solution would be to buy one of those new PC monitors having DVI + HDCP support and 1980x1200 screens. I did that as a temporary measure (and moved the monitor to a PC later). All you need for it to work is an HDMI->DVI cable.


Cees

Re: Who's using component?

I've tried that one and the one from monoprice. If you are passing anything above 720P, you'll see some degredation on a large screen(42"+). I'm upgrading receivers before I upgrade my display again so it will work for now.

Correct and Correct.
No but HD will be a big improvement.

I will say this for those of you just buying in. Once you get used to the HD signal, it will be kind of tough to go back to HD. It will take a bit but it will set in and that's all she wrote.