Ok

I have a NextWave digital setop box which outputs HD via either
-Component (Y/Pb/Pr) or
-RGBHV over a 15-pin VGA

I currently use the Component output to go directly to my HDTV but I want to know if I am able to connect the 15-pin VGA on the STB to my E85H DVD/HDD and record HD (or at least ED) Digital TV.

The problem is that the E85H does not have a VGA input- however it does have a 21-pin SCART input. Is there a cable that has a VGA plug on one end and a SCART plug on the other? Would this cable even exist? (am I asking a stupid question?) Would I lose any information by using such a cable- I'm not sure but maybe some sync issues?

It is obvious that this connection would not preserve a full 1080i picture or even a 720p but will it preserve a 576p picture? The 'operating instuctions' says that the *RGB in* is PAL- does this include a progressive input?

An "expert" told me something about this input only being S-Video over SCART only... is this true? But then he said that S-Video was capable of 576p anyway not just 576i...

Struggling to understand...

I'm afraid I dont think you'll be able to do it.
(BTW: Authentic SCART doesn't do anything beyond PAL/NTSC, from memory... I assume your recorder doesnt have component input? Are you sure the SCART input is even RGB, not just s-video? {And no s-video doesn't do progressive normally})

Oh, and anyway, I think you'll find the so-called "HD 576p" looks worse than the normal SD anyway...

Yeah- no component input.

It is pretty clear that the input is RGB, and elsewhere on the forum people say that using a STB with a SCART output connected to the DVD SCART works fine and preserves quality.

Currently I'm recording from the second tuner through plain old composite and Im having trouble getting a full 16:9 AR. I can see that the 576p on ABC and SBS looks a fuzzy (something to do with halving the resolution during BOB or something I was told) but I notice a +ve difference, however slight when I watch SEVENs 'HD'.

I don't really use it to record though- the PC gives me more flexibility. Just exploring the options.

The Pana E85H sure does take a RGB SCART input. I don't believe you can get your RGBHV into it without an expensive converter. You may have to live with s-video for recording.

BTW - do you like the nextwave? You can't buy them in Melbourne.

I wasn't really responsible for buying it and I wouldnt say it is the best solution out there.
My problem is maily the fact that it is marketed as a dual HD tuner but here is no way to actually get two HD signals out of it. The secondary output is only through composite and there is no real qualitative difference between SD and HD in PIP (I personally think its is a bit misleading they way that they marketed it, it makes you think that you can actually view two HD streams at the same time- not true at all).

I'd rather just get myself a PVR with LAN and then I could do all the DVD stuff on my computer. Neway recording is a little screwy due to aspect ration problems- too much effort to figure out.

I just leave it to the rest of the household to use and stick to my visionplus- at least then I have a 7-day epg.