Hi guys
Sorry but I need some help. Im not realy good when it comes to setting up these stb & I need a little advise.
My TV is a Sony KV-T25 Triniton (Yes an oldy) & I picked up a HD STB ( Soniq QMD 500H) cheap from JB's & I cannot make the bloddy thing work. It came with 1 set of cables the Yellow Red & white so ive plug that into the Video in & I cant get any picture or sound just a blank screen after reading the instructions again I noticed that it said S Video cable recomended for Anolouge tv so I pick a RCA to SVHS plug but still nothing.
Are these units compatible or do I need a SD box.
Also if I had a SD STB would I still be able to pick up all the new chanels that are soon to be coming ie One HD (love motorsport which is the whole reason behind the set top box)
Thanks in advance
Stu
0
Connection Types for Dummies!
Started by
...
, Apr 20 2005 12:38 PM
444 replies to this topic
#377
diesel
-
- Senior Member
-
- 13,721 posts
DTV Forums Master
Posted 19 April 2009 - 04:04 PM
Hi Stu
The composite (y, w, r) cables should still give you a picture, but Svideo should give you better PQ. If you are going Svideo->RCA cable, you'll lose PQ so better off either sticking to one or the other.
As far as your HD box is concerned, it should work fine on your SD TV. I do think that some SDTVs may not be able to display 576p which is the minimum output using composite cables. To get 576i, the manual says you need to use component or Svideo.
If you use Svideo, then use the resolution button on the remote to change resolution until you get a picture (576i).
An SD STB will pick up the new channels (with One SD, ABC2 and SBS2 already in use), but will not pick up the HD channels. There is still very little content that is broadcast on the HD channels that is not also simulcast on the SD equivalent station
The composite (y, w, r) cables should still give you a picture, but Svideo should give you better PQ. If you are going Svideo->RCA cable, you'll lose PQ so better off either sticking to one or the other.
As far as your HD box is concerned, it should work fine on your SD TV. I do think that some SDTVs may not be able to display 576p which is the minimum output using composite cables. To get 576i, the manual says you need to use component or Svideo.
If you use Svideo, then use the resolution button on the remote to change resolution until you get a picture (576i).
An SD STB will pick up the new channels (with One SD, ABC2 and SBS2 already in use), but will not pick up the HD channels. There is still very little content that is broadcast on the HD channels that is not also simulcast on the SD equivalent station
#378
stu125
-
- Member
-
- 9 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 19 April 2009 - 07:02 PM
diesel, on Apr 19 2009, 04:04 PM, said:
Hi Stu
The composite (y, w, r) cables should still give you a picture, but Svideo should give you better PQ. If you are going Svideo->RCA cable, you'll lose PQ so better off either sticking to one or the other.
As far as your HD box is concerned, it should work fine on your SD TV. I do think that some SDTVs may not be able to display 576p which is the minimum output using composite cables. To get 576i, the manual says you need to use component or Svideo.
If you use Svideo, then use the resolution button on the remote to change resolution until you get a picture (576i).
An SD STB will pick up the new channels (with One SD, ABC2 and SBS2 already in use), but will not pick up the HD channels. There is still very little content that is broadcast on the HD channels that is not also simulcast on the SD equivalent station
The composite (y, w, r) cables should still give you a picture, but Svideo should give you better PQ. If you are going Svideo->RCA cable, you'll lose PQ so better off either sticking to one or the other.
As far as your HD box is concerned, it should work fine on your SD TV. I do think that some SDTVs may not be able to display 576p which is the minimum output using composite cables. To get 576i, the manual says you need to use component or Svideo.
If you use Svideo, then use the resolution button on the remote to change resolution until you get a picture (576i).
An SD STB will pick up the new channels (with One SD, ABC2 and SBS2 already in use), but will not pick up the HD channels. There is still very little content that is broadcast on the HD channels that is not also simulcast on the SD equivalent station
I have tried both cables & still nothing no picture no sound no menu just a black screen
Anyone any ideas
Stu
#379
diesel
-
- Senior Member
-
- 13,721 posts
DTV Forums Master
Posted 19 April 2009 - 08:34 PM
So you tried the STB Svideo Out->TV Svideo In, then tried pressing the resolution button on the remote to cycle through the various outputs, pausing for maybe 10secs beteween each resolution?
What connections do you have on your TV?
What connections do you have on your TV?
#380
brake
-
- Senior Member
-
- 2,185 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 20 April 2009 - 12:39 PM
hey guys i posted a few questions earlier on in the thread, wondering is someone can help?
I have a Pioneer 5.1 mini home theatre system and i want to run HDMI out from it to my TV and from my TV i want to run the audio via optical to an AV receiver i have that only has one optical audio in, i'm gonna be getting a blu ray soon too so i'll be doing the same thing with that, i've also got a wii and a playstation 2 hooked up to the TV...
1) Will any audio quality be lost from the varios sources (wii, PS2, blu ray, dvd) running it through the TV first as opposed to if i could make a direct connection from the source to the receiver? (i'm not even sure if TV's can output audio signals via optical, i have a panasonic 46pz800a if that helps. i made a seperate thread some people said yes and some said no: http://www.dtvforum....wtopic=76004= )
The sub woofer i have doesnt have RCA's its just normal speaker wire, but the receiver only accepts RCA's for sub...
2) can i buy a converter for the sub to convert the speaker wire to RCA's? (is it a high low end converter?)
the speakers are 60w each (im pretty sure, they're small) and the receiver has 120w per channel...
3) is there going to be any over-powering issues? i dont wanna wreck the speakers
sorry for the long post, appreciated!!!
I have a Pioneer 5.1 mini home theatre system and i want to run HDMI out from it to my TV and from my TV i want to run the audio via optical to an AV receiver i have that only has one optical audio in, i'm gonna be getting a blu ray soon too so i'll be doing the same thing with that, i've also got a wii and a playstation 2 hooked up to the TV...
1) Will any audio quality be lost from the varios sources (wii, PS2, blu ray, dvd) running it through the TV first as opposed to if i could make a direct connection from the source to the receiver? (i'm not even sure if TV's can output audio signals via optical, i have a panasonic 46pz800a if that helps. i made a seperate thread some people said yes and some said no: http://www.dtvforum....wtopic=76004= )
The sub woofer i have doesnt have RCA's its just normal speaker wire, but the receiver only accepts RCA's for sub...
2) can i buy a converter for the sub to convert the speaker wire to RCA's? (is it a high low end converter?)
the speakers are 60w each (im pretty sure, they're small) and the receiver has 120w per channel...
3) is there going to be any over-powering issues? i dont wanna wreck the speakers
sorry for the long post, appreciated!!!
#381
stu125
-
- Member
-
- 9 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 20 April 2009 - 04:31 PM
diesel, on Apr 19 2009, 08:34 PM, said:
So you tried the STB Svideo Out->TV Svideo In, then tried pressing the resolution button on the remote to cycle through the various outputs, pausing for maybe 10secs beteween each resolution?
What connections do you have on your TV?
What connections do you have on your TV?
Its got the Y R W video in at the back & same at the front plus monitor out Y R W
Stu
#382
diesel
-
- Senior Member
-
- 13,721 posts
DTV Forums Master
Posted 20 April 2009 - 04:35 PM
brake, on Apr 20 2009, 12:39 PM, said:
I have a Pioneer 5.1 mini home theatre system and i want to run HDMI out from it to my TV and from my TV i want to run the audio via optical to an AV receiver i have that only has one optical audio in, i'm gonna be getting a blu ray soon too so i'll be doing the same thing with that, i've also got a wii and a playstation 2 hooked up to the TV...
1) Will any audio quality be lost from the varios sources (wii, PS2, blu ray, dvd) running it through the TV first as opposed to if i could make a direct connection from the source to the receiver? The TV will only pass through 2.o sound via it's optical output. It will only pass DD5.1 for FTA HD transmissions that are transmitted in DD5.1, so I wouldn't use this option. You are better off buying a new AVR or an optical switcher ($29 from Jaycar)
the speakers are 60w each (im pretty sure, they're small) and the receiver has 120w per channel...
3) is there going to be any over-powering issues? i dont wanna wreck the speakersIt'll be OK as long as you keep the volume low, but if you turn it up too loud, you will wreck your speakers
1) Will any audio quality be lost from the varios sources (wii, PS2, blu ray, dvd) running it through the TV first as opposed to if i could make a direct connection from the source to the receiver? The TV will only pass through 2.o sound via it's optical output. It will only pass DD5.1 for FTA HD transmissions that are transmitted in DD5.1, so I wouldn't use this option. You are better off buying a new AVR or an optical switcher ($29 from Jaycar)
the speakers are 60w each (im pretty sure, they're small) and the receiver has 120w per channel...
3) is there going to be any over-powering issues? i dont wanna wreck the speakersIt'll be OK as long as you keep the volume low, but if you turn it up too loud, you will wreck your speakers
#383
digitalj
-
- Senior Member
-
- 12,805 posts
DTV Forums Master
Posted 20 April 2009 - 04:50 PM
diesel, on Apr 20 2009, 04:29 PM, said:
Spam Reported
please don't quote spam posts.
#384
diesel
-
- Senior Member
-
- 13,721 posts
DTV Forums Master
Posted 20 April 2009 - 06:46 PM
stu125, on Apr 20 2009, 04:31 PM, said:
Its got the Y R W video in at the back & same at the front plus monitor out Y R W
Stu
Stu
#385
brake
-
- Senior Member
-
- 2,185 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 20 April 2009 - 09:17 PM
Deisel, thanks for that reply, what does that optical switcher do?
Anyone else know about the sub question:
The sub woofer i have doesnt have RCA's its just normal speaker wire, but the receiver only accepts RCA's for sub...
2) can i buy a converter for the sub to convert the speaker wire to RCA's? (is it a high low end converter?)
also, i've thought of another question:
if a get a bluray player and connect that via HDMI to the tv, can i use the optical out for audio if i connect it straight to the receiver?
Anyone else know about the sub question:
The sub woofer i have doesnt have RCA's its just normal speaker wire, but the receiver only accepts RCA's for sub...
2) can i buy a converter for the sub to convert the speaker wire to RCA's? (is it a high low end converter?)
also, i've thought of another question:
if a get a bluray player and connect that via HDMI to the tv, can i use the optical out for audio if i connect it straight to the receiver?
#386
...
-
- Senior Member
-
- 8,273 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 20 April 2009 - 10:31 PM
brake, on Apr 20 2009, 09:17 PM, said:
Deisel, thanks for that reply, what does that optical switcher do?
Anyone else know about the sub question:
The sub woofer i have doesnt have RCA's its just normal speaker wire, but the receiver only accepts RCA's for sub...
2) can i buy a converter for the sub to convert the speaker wire to RCA's? (is it a high low end converter?)
also, i've thought of another question:
if a get a bluray player and connect that via HDMI to the tv, can i use the optical out for audio if i connect it straight to the receiver?
Anyone else know about the sub question:
The sub woofer i have doesnt have RCA's its just normal speaker wire, but the receiver only accepts RCA's for sub...
2) can i buy a converter for the sub to convert the speaker wire to RCA's? (is it a high low end converter?)
also, i've thought of another question:
if a get a bluray player and connect that via HDMI to the tv, can i use the optical out for audio if i connect it straight to the receiver?
As for the BluRay question, yes you can but optical doesn't have the bandwidth to carry the HD codecs like DTS hdma or DD TrueHD so you will only be getting a conventional DTS or DD soundtrack......
#387
brake
-
- Senior Member
-
- 2,185 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 21 April 2009 - 12:50 AM
..., on Apr 20 2009, 10:31 PM, said:
It sounds like your sub is an unpowered unit so it can't be connected to an AVR like most HT subs which have their own internal amplifier (does it have it's own power cord?).
As for the BluRay question, yes you can but optical doesn't have the bandwidth to carry the HD codecs like DTS hdma or DD TrueHD so you will only be getting a conventional DTS or DD soundtrack......
As for the BluRay question, yes you can but optical doesn't have the bandwidth to carry the HD codecs like DTS hdma or DD TrueHD so you will only be getting a conventional DTS or DD soundtrack......
it doesnt have power, its just really a larger speaker in a larger ported box....
so DTS and DD will still give 5.1??
#388
...
-
- Senior Member
-
- 8,273 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 21 April 2009 - 04:11 AM
brake, on Apr 21 2009, 12:50 AM, said:
it doesnt have power, its just really a larger speaker in a larger ported box....
so DTS and DD will still give 5.1??
so DTS and DD will still give 5.1??
2) Yes
#389
brake
-
- Senior Member
-
- 2,185 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 21 April 2009 - 10:46 AM
..., on Apr 21 2009, 04:11 AM, said:
1) Unfortunately you can't use this sub with an AVR then, except as a conventional speaker......
2) Yes
2) Yes
damn, but i dont understand why it needs its own power if the if its just like a larger speaker, the AVR has 120w in the sub channel. Or is it that i cant buy anything to convert the speaker wire to RCA's?
what about an AVR that has normal speaker wire inputs for the subwoofer (dont know what they're called) ? couldnt i just plug my sub into that?
#390
...
-
- Senior Member
-
- 8,273 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 21 April 2009 - 12:20 PM
brake, on Apr 21 2009, 10:46 AM, said:
damn, but i dont understand why it needs its own power if the if its just like a larger speaker, the AVR has 120w in the sub channel. Or is it that i cant buy anything to convert the speaker wire to RCA's?
what about an AVR that has normal speaker wire inputs for the subwoofer (dont know what they're called) ? couldnt i just plug my sub into that?
what about an AVR that has normal speaker wire inputs for the subwoofer (dont know what they're called) ? couldnt i just plug my sub into that?
It would help if you could let us know what AVR you are using, make and model number.
#391
brake
-
- Senior Member
-
- 2,185 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 21 April 2009 - 01:21 PM
..., on Apr 21 2009, 12:20 PM, said:
If your AVR is designed to run an unpowered sub then yes you can use it, however most AVRs are designed to run a powered sub and have a single RCA output which only carries signal information for LFE but no power to run the speaker. If it was designed to power the sub then it would have normal speaker binding posts for this output like the rest of the speakers......
It would help if you could let us know what AVR you are using, make and model number.
It would help if you could let us know what AVR you are using, make and model number.
oh ok, that makes sense,
its a pioneer vsx-d511-s
#392
...
-
- Senior Member
-
- 8,273 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 21 April 2009 - 02:41 PM
brake, on Apr 21 2009, 01:21 PM, said:
oh ok, that makes sense,
its a pioneer vsx-d511-s
its a pioneer vsx-d511-s
#393
brake
-
- Senior Member
-
- 2,185 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 21 April 2009 - 04:03 PM
..., on Apr 21 2009, 02:41 PM, said:
Looking at page 8 of the owners manual your AVR can only handle a powered sub unfortunately.......
damn man that sucks... thanks very much for the help! appreciated!!
#394
thatguy
-
- Member
-
- 15 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 17 June 2009 - 07:58 PM
Hi all, I have just recently obtained a second hand PYE PDP4205T plasma TV and I was checking out the inputs on the rear of the unit.
I have a question about this DVI input shown below;
What exact type of DVI input is it?
What is the best sort of signal that it can take?
Can I get a HDMI to DVI cable to run a HD STB into it?
DVI / RGB input image
I have a question about this DVI input shown below;
What exact type of DVI input is it?
What is the best sort of signal that it can take?
Can I get a HDMI to DVI cable to run a HD STB into it?
DVI / RGB input image
Edited by thatguy, 17 June 2009 - 07:59 PM.
#395
...
-
- Senior Member
-
- 8,273 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 27 June 2009 - 02:41 PM
thatguy, on Jun 17 2009, 07:58 PM, said:
Hi all, I have just recently obtained a second hand PYE PDP4205T plasma TV and I was checking out the inputs on the rear of the unit.
I have a question about this DVI input shown below;
What exact type of DVI input is it?
What is the best sort of signal that it can take?
Can I get a HDMI to DVI cable to run a HD STB into it?
DVI / RGB input image
I have a question about this DVI input shown below;
What exact type of DVI input is it?
What is the best sort of signal that it can take?
Can I get a HDMI to DVI cable to run a HD STB into it?
DVI / RGB input image
Exactly which analogue it accepts (ie. Component, RGBs or RGBHV) you will have to look at the owner's manual to find out.
Whether it will be able to accept a HDMI signal (via a HDMI/DVI adaptor) will be determined by the source and the plasma. By this I mean will the source be requiring a HDCP "handshake" and if it does, does the PYE have HDCP compliance on the DVI input? There is unfortunately no info availble online for this plasma to refer to......
Also you will have to make a seperate audio connection to the TV if you plan on using the TV's speakers and it may not have a suitable input.
#396
blomster
-
- New Member
- 1 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 20 August 2009 - 10:33 PM
peter_vfr, on Apr 20 2005, 12:38 PM, said:
Some of the most common questions that arise on these forums relate to how to connect the various components of your system together and what are the best types of connection to use.
The following is intended to be a basic overview of the types of connection available and their characteristics.
In increasing order of quality, the basic types are as follows:
Type: RF
Description: Carries all video and audio signals on one channel
Connectors: F type
Audio: Yes
Comments: Should only be used from the wall socket (or aerial source) to your tuner.
Type: Composite (CVBS)
Description: Carries all video on a single channel.
Connectors: RCA, BNC, SCART (see FAQ below)
Audio: No
Comments: Most commonly found as a yellow RCA lead with two attached RCA leads (red and white) for audio.
Type: S-video
Description: Carries video as two channels, split into luminance and chrominance.
Connectors: S-video (round connector with 4 internal pins), SCART
Audio: No
Comments: A better connection type than composite found on many older and newer screens, suitable for Standard Definition (SD) digital broadcasts.
Red Green Blue (RGB) Type Connections:
Description: RGB type signals break up the picture into 5 components; 3 colours and two synchronisation (sync) signals for analogue systems or it keeps the signal as a fully digital stream.
NB: You will need an RGB type connection to support a High Definition (HD) digital signal
Type: Component (YUV)
Description: An analogue RGB signal carried over 3 channels
Connectors: 3xRCA, SCART
Audio: No
Comments: Commonly identified by the symbols; YUV, YCbCr, YPbPr. Replaced S-video as the higher-grade video connection and found mainly on Asian derived components.
Type: RGBS
Description: An analogue RGB signal carried over 4 channels
Connectors: RCA, BNC, SCART
Audio: No
Comments: Similar to YUV but separates the sync component onto a separate channel and is commonly found on European derived components.
Type: RGBHV
Description: An analogue RGB signal carried over 5 channels
Connectors: RCA, BNC, VGA (Dsub15)
Audio: No
Comments: Used most commonly by computers for graphics connections. Becoming more common on some plasma and LCD screens.
Type: DVI
Description: Fully digital RGB signal transmission.
Connectors: DVI-I, DVI-D
Audio: No
Comments: Allows the video to be kept in a digital format rather than being converted to analogue then back to digital resulting in a better picture quality.
Nb: DVI-A carries a RGBHV analogue signal via a DVI style connector; make sure you source and screen both support DVI-D formats to get digital signal transmission.
Type: HDMI
Description: Fully digital RGB signal transmission with audio.
Connectors: HDMI
Audio: Yes (digital)
Comments: Allows the video to be kept in a digital format rather than being converted to analogue then back to digital resulting in a better picture quality. Also carries audio and supports HDCP (see FAQ below)
Audio Connections:
As most of the above connection types only carry video, you will also have to make an audio connection. Most output sources; Set top boxes (STB), Personal Video Recorders (PVR), DVD players, etc have a separate audio output which come in a range of forms. These may be connected either directly to your screen or to an Amplifier or Surround Sound System.
They come in three basic forms:
Type: Audio out
Description: 2 or more channels carrying analogue audio signals, sometimes with surround sound encoding.
Connectors: RCA
Comments: Most commonly found as two RCA connectors (red and white) that also carry a surround sound encoding, your receiver/amplifier must have a Dolby decoder to separate the surround sound signal. Also found as multiple RCA connectors (6 or more) to carry each channel separately.
Type: S/PDIF
Description: Single channel metal cable carrying a fully digitally encoded sound stream.
Connectors: RCA
Comments: Capable of carrying all Surround sound transport standards. Needs to be connected to a suitably equipped amplifier to decode the signal.
Type: Optical out
Description: Fibre optic version of S/PDIF
Connectors: Toslink
Comments: Capable of carrying all Surround sound transport standards. Needs to be connected to a suitably equipped amplifier to decode the signal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is HDCP?
High Definition Content Protection (HDCP) is a new industry standard of copy protection for HD material. It is only supported by HDMI (all) and DVI (some) connections. If material you are viewing is HDCP encoded and if you do not have this carried by a HDMI connection and/or your screen is not HDCP compliant then the picture quality will be downgraded. This is only true if the source unit (STB, PVR, DVD player, etc) is also HDCP compliant. At this time there is very little HDCP encoded material around but this will change over the coming years.
It is prudent to consider whether a product you are likely to buy is going to be interacting with HDCP material and if it is HDCP compliant.
What is a SCART connector?
A SCART connector is a 21 pin rectangular shaped connector found on many audiovisual units. It is a European standard connector capable of carrying multiple signal types including; composite, S-video, YUV, RGBS and Audio. There are a range of different types of SCART connection and composite, S-video and audio are directional depending on the application.
What type of connections should I use for each component?
Generally, you should use the best component with the best connection.
Eg. HD STB with HDMI or DVI, then DVD player with Component (YUV), then VCR with S-video and so on…
However this may be varied if there is a lower quality output that you spend the majority of the time viewing. It is normally best to try out various components on each input type and find the combination that you are happiest with.
My amplifier has multiple component inputs and a single output, should I run everything through the amp?
While this makes changing the viewing source easier, it can, depending on the quality of the amplifier, reduce the quality of the signal to the screen. The best quality of picture is obtained by sending the image directly from the source to the screen.
My STB/PVR outputs the picture with one type of connector but the screen has a different type, what can I do?
There are adapters (cable and plug type) that will allow you to change the connection type but they will only pass through the signal type being supplied.
My STB/PVR outputs one type of RGB signal but the screen accepts another, what can I do?
The most common of these situations is when your STB/PVR outputs RGBS but the screen will only accept YUV or VGA (RGBHV). In this case you will have to get a powered converter box that will convert the signal to the desired type. These are readily available for between $130 and $160. This will provide a much better picture than stepping down to the S-video or composite connection, and can support HD pictures.
Cheers,
Peter
The following is intended to be a basic overview of the types of connection available and their characteristics.
In increasing order of quality, the basic types are as follows:
Type: RF
Description: Carries all video and audio signals on one channel
Connectors: F type
Audio: Yes
Comments: Should only be used from the wall socket (or aerial source) to your tuner.
Type: Composite (CVBS)
Description: Carries all video on a single channel.
Connectors: RCA, BNC, SCART (see FAQ below)
Audio: No
Comments: Most commonly found as a yellow RCA lead with two attached RCA leads (red and white) for audio.
Type: S-video
Description: Carries video as two channels, split into luminance and chrominance.
Connectors: S-video (round connector with 4 internal pins), SCART
Audio: No
Comments: A better connection type than composite found on many older and newer screens, suitable for Standard Definition (SD) digital broadcasts.
Red Green Blue (RGB) Type Connections:
Description: RGB type signals break up the picture into 5 components; 3 colours and two synchronisation (sync) signals for analogue systems or it keeps the signal as a fully digital stream.
NB: You will need an RGB type connection to support a High Definition (HD) digital signal
Type: Component (YUV)
Description: An analogue RGB signal carried over 3 channels
Connectors: 3xRCA, SCART
Audio: No
Comments: Commonly identified by the symbols; YUV, YCbCr, YPbPr. Replaced S-video as the higher-grade video connection and found mainly on Asian derived components.
Type: RGBS
Description: An analogue RGB signal carried over 4 channels
Connectors: RCA, BNC, SCART
Audio: No
Comments: Similar to YUV but separates the sync component onto a separate channel and is commonly found on European derived components.
Type: RGBHV
Description: An analogue RGB signal carried over 5 channels
Connectors: RCA, BNC, VGA (Dsub15)
Audio: No
Comments: Used most commonly by computers for graphics connections. Becoming more common on some plasma and LCD screens.
Type: DVI
Description: Fully digital RGB signal transmission.
Connectors: DVI-I, DVI-D
Audio: No
Comments: Allows the video to be kept in a digital format rather than being converted to analogue then back to digital resulting in a better picture quality.
Nb: DVI-A carries a RGBHV analogue signal via a DVI style connector; make sure you source and screen both support DVI-D formats to get digital signal transmission.
Type: HDMI
Description: Fully digital RGB signal transmission with audio.
Connectors: HDMI
Audio: Yes (digital)
Comments: Allows the video to be kept in a digital format rather than being converted to analogue then back to digital resulting in a better picture quality. Also carries audio and supports HDCP (see FAQ below)
Audio Connections:
As most of the above connection types only carry video, you will also have to make an audio connection. Most output sources; Set top boxes (STB), Personal Video Recorders (PVR), DVD players, etc have a separate audio output which come in a range of forms. These may be connected either directly to your screen or to an Amplifier or Surround Sound System.
They come in three basic forms:
Type: Audio out
Description: 2 or more channels carrying analogue audio signals, sometimes with surround sound encoding.
Connectors: RCA
Comments: Most commonly found as two RCA connectors (red and white) that also carry a surround sound encoding, your receiver/amplifier must have a Dolby decoder to separate the surround sound signal. Also found as multiple RCA connectors (6 or more) to carry each channel separately.
Type: S/PDIF
Description: Single channel metal cable carrying a fully digitally encoded sound stream.
Connectors: RCA
Comments: Capable of carrying all Surround sound transport standards. Needs to be connected to a suitably equipped amplifier to decode the signal.
Type: Optical out
Description: Fibre optic version of S/PDIF
Connectors: Toslink
Comments: Capable of carrying all Surround sound transport standards. Needs to be connected to a suitably equipped amplifier to decode the signal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is HDCP?
High Definition Content Protection (HDCP) is a new industry standard of copy protection for HD material. It is only supported by HDMI (all) and DVI (some) connections. If material you are viewing is HDCP encoded and if you do not have this carried by a HDMI connection and/or your screen is not HDCP compliant then the picture quality will be downgraded. This is only true if the source unit (STB, PVR, DVD player, etc) is also HDCP compliant. At this time there is very little HDCP encoded material around but this will change over the coming years.
It is prudent to consider whether a product you are likely to buy is going to be interacting with HDCP material and if it is HDCP compliant.
What is a SCART connector?
A SCART connector is a 21 pin rectangular shaped connector found on many audiovisual units. It is a European standard connector capable of carrying multiple signal types including; composite, S-video, YUV, RGBS and Audio. There are a range of different types of SCART connection and composite, S-video and audio are directional depending on the application.
What type of connections should I use for each component?
Generally, you should use the best component with the best connection.
Eg. HD STB with HDMI or DVI, then DVD player with Component (YUV), then VCR with S-video and so on…
However this may be varied if there is a lower quality output that you spend the majority of the time viewing. It is normally best to try out various components on each input type and find the combination that you are happiest with.
My amplifier has multiple component inputs and a single output, should I run everything through the amp?
While this makes changing the viewing source easier, it can, depending on the quality of the amplifier, reduce the quality of the signal to the screen. The best quality of picture is obtained by sending the image directly from the source to the screen.
My STB/PVR outputs the picture with one type of connector but the screen has a different type, what can I do?
There are adapters (cable and plug type) that will allow you to change the connection type but they will only pass through the signal type being supplied.
My STB/PVR outputs one type of RGB signal but the screen accepts another, what can I do?
The most common of these situations is when your STB/PVR outputs RGBS but the screen will only accept YUV or VGA (RGBHV). In this case you will have to get a powered converter box that will convert the signal to the desired type. These are readily available for between $130 and $160. This will provide a much better picture than stepping down to the S-video or composite connection, and can support HD pictures.
Cheers,
Peter
Having read the above am I correct in assuming that the reason i am getting a black and white picture through my Magnavox HDSTB is because i don't have the RGBS cable? I have the three pronged red white and yellow cable but no matter how i try to connect it (through DVD player or direct) i only seem to get black and white picture. TV is SD.
I am trying to keep my dvd recorder in the loop but not sure in which order to connect them.
All help appreciated.
Kind regards
Blomster
never mind - have worked it all out
thanks
Edited by blomster, 21 August 2009 - 09:23 PM.
#397
diesel
-
- Senior Member
-
- 13,721 posts
DTV Forums Master
Posted 15 September 2009 - 08:25 PM
Spam reported - sunny87
#398
they08
-
- New Member
- 3 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 28 September 2009 - 03:47 PM
The best connection is to use a digital one so that there is only one decoding process on the signal and this is in the display, particularly if it is a progressive display.
The next best is to use a component connection so that the recovery of the RGB signals only happens once.
Next best is RGB. This is because in a progressive display the signal is reconverted into a component signal for storage and then reconverted to RGB.
The next best is to use a component connection so that the recovery of the RGB signals only happens once.
Next best is RGB. This is because in a progressive display the signal is reconverted into a component signal for storage and then reconverted to RGB.
#399
blanket
-
- Member
- 5 posts
DTV Forums Member
Posted 03 October 2009 - 09:28 PM
Hi, don't know if this is the right forum.
If you have a standard oldfashioned analogue tv and you connect a HD STB to it, can you do so through the rca cables or do you have to use HDMI connection?
Thanks.
If you have a standard oldfashioned analogue tv and you connect a HD STB to it, can you do so through the rca cables or do you have to use HDMI connection?
Thanks.
Edited by blanket, 03 October 2009 - 09:29 PM.
#400
diesel
-
- Senior Member
-
- 13,721 posts
DTV Forums Master
Posted 03 October 2009 - 10:01 PM
blanket, on Oct 3 2009, 09:28 PM, said:
If you have a standard oldfashioned analogue tv and you connect a HD STB to it, can you do so through the rca cables or do you have to use HDMI connection?
Think of the HD STB as allowing you to decode the HD Digital signals and then displaying on your screen of choice
