HD over component video

[Speedster]

I'm looking to get myself a nice little 40" TV to replace my current LG CRT 72cm TV. Anyway, I have my stuff setup so that all audio & video inputs (DSTV, DVD, iPod etc) run through a Yamaha AVR. The AVR doesn't have HDMI input though. Will using the component inputs / outputs (as opposed to HDMI) cause any quality loss to a 1080p / 1080i video feed?

 

[Roman4604]

(DSTV, DVD, iPod etc) run through a Yamaha AVR.

You can only get 1080i from DSTV by using a HDPVR via HDMI.

 

[mcarson]

I thought DSTV is 720p50 and yes HDMI only with HDCP compliant viewer else swops to SD Definition?

 

[Roman4604]

I thought DSTV is 720p50 and yes HDMI only with HDCP compliant viewer else swops to SD Definition?

Nope, MC broadcast virtually all HD content to the decoder in 1080i (SD is 576i). What comes out of the decoder via its HDMI port depends on HDPVR's settings (in Equipment Setup screen);

Original, Native, 1080i = 1080i
720p = 720p
576p = 576p

Note this applies to SD channels as well, the HDPVR upscales them to the output setting e.g. SD in 576i -> 1080i

 

[Speedster]

You can only get 1080i from DSTV by using a HDPVR via HDMI.

What does the hdpvr output via component?

 

[Roman4604]

What does the hdpvr output via component?

It has no component, only composite (RCA) which outputs SD, no better than a standard decoder.

If you desire HD fidelity you must go HDMI, theres no way of circumventing this.

 

[Speedster]

It has no component, only composite (RCA) which outputs SD, no better than a standard decoder.

If you desire HD fidelity you must go HDMI, theres no way of circumventing this.

My PVR (pace 4 tuner) has component out.

 

[Roman4604]

My PVR (pace 4 tuner) has component out.

Interesting, don't have a 4P, but pretty sure you'll only get SD like with composite.

MC make it very clear, HD is only available via (HDCP encrypted) HDMI. Supposedly not their choice anyway, the TV/movie studios would never license their HD content without HDCP protection.

 

[Speedster]

Supposedly not their choice anyway, the TV/movie studios would never license their HD content without HDCP protection.

Anybody who could confirm this?

 

[Kosmik]

Regarding the protection, Roman is probably correct but the 1080i I'm not sure of. I was under the impression that Sattelite was restricted to 720p. Roman, got any links on that?

 

[Lupus]

Setting my 4p to native/original gives me a res of 720p unless I flick it to 1080i then back again, no difference really though 720p is better for motion.

 

[chrisc]

The component out from the Pace 4 tuner HD-PVR is 576i. Very disappointing.

HD Cabling in Pretoria sell a range of converters that will give you a 720p component signal from the HDMI output and you can send this to the remote TV. However, beware of losses in the cable since component, being an analogue signal, is sensitive to interference

A better bet would be a HDMI splitter and a HDMI to Cat5 converter, then you can use 2 Cat5 cables to send the signal to the remote TV. There is a limit of about 60 metres using Cat5 and 100 metres using Cat6

 

[Roman4604]

Regarding the protection, Roman is probably correct but the 1080i I'm not sure of. I was under the impression that Sattelite was restricted to 720p. Roman, got any links on that?

Search is your friend, this topic comes up almost every month and has been flogged to death e.g. http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...pensive-DStv?p=7868091&viewfull=1#post7868091

 

[Roman4604]

Setting my 4p to native/original gives me a res of 720p unless I flick it to 1080i then back again

Could be something to do with your setup? How are you determining what is coming out of the HDMI port of the decoder?

720p is better for motion.

On decent/modern TVs you won't see any difference with 1080i, their de-interlacing routines are very competent. If you can percieve an edge 'saw tooth' effect then the TV is either misconfigured and really bad.

 

[Speedster]

The component out from the Pace 4 tuner HD-PVR is 576i. Very disappointing.

HD Cabling in Pretoria sell a range of converters that will give you a 720p component signal from the HDMI output and you can send this to the remote TV. However, beware of losses in the cable since component, being an analogue signal, is sensitive to interference

A better bet would be a HDMI splitter and a HDMI to Cat5 converter, then you can use 2 Cat5 cables to send the signal to the remote TV. There is a limit of about 60 metres using Cat5 and 100 metres using Cat6

That is disappointing indeed. Anyway, it's not about getting a signal to a remote TV, it's about running it through the AVR.

 

[Roman4604]

it's about running it through the AVR.

In this day & age of HD, the only truly useful AVR is one that supports HDMI (latest spec, full AV switching). Well worth the investment if you can.

 

[Speedster]

In this day & age of HD, the only truly useful AVR is one that supports HDMI (latest spec, full AV switching). Well worth the investment if you can.

No doubt. But if I can use my existing AVR that'd be awesome. If not, I'll run the HDMI cable directly to the TV and just take the audio via the AVR. Not ideal, but it'll work.