I am looking for a HDD recorder with HDMI input and output with Optical audio.

I wish to connect my PlayStation 3 (HDMI) and Nintendo Wii (component) up, and have the sound directed to my Logitech Z-5500 Digital speakers via Optical audio from the device and video to my TV via HDMI.

I have a diagram if that doesnt make sense.

http://web.mac.com/barra_240t/iWeb/abyssin...cture%201-1.png


Any help would be great!

I don't think there are any with HDMI input, component is as good as it gets for input I think. Happy to be corrected.

Why do you want to set it up this way?

The LG DVDR has a HDMI connection, not sure about the optical out thought.

I have my PS3 working with HDMI directly to the TV, and the speakers are plugged into the console, thats the easiest way I could find to get the Wii into the system.

Do you know another way?

I still want the PlayStation 3 to use the HDMI because I love the quality

Note:
My TV has the following connection:
*HDMI in
*DVI in
*2x component video in
*S-Video and Scart in

The speaker (Logitech Z-5500)
*Optical Audio in
*Coaxil in
*Headphone jack

If anyone can think of a good setup out of that, i would be grateful.

No DVDR has an HDMI input. As DVDRs are inherently an analogue technology it also makes no sense to want one. As component is about 95% HDMI PQ its also of little point specifying one over the other.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

All,
HDD recorders must record digital signals because they are a digital device.
The HDMI was created for a number of reasons;
To replace the forrest of cables between signal sources and the display/sound output devices with a single cable.
To put a delay in the sound signals to make up for the delay of storing images in the display device
To carry content protection information to prevent the copying of copyright recordings.

This is why the HDMI input is rare. The only source of non copyright material is what you create in a video camera. So when most cameras have HDMI output then it might happen.
There is no objection to HDMI outputs

AlanH

Guys, please help...

I am helping my father in law set up his Samsung HR735 to his HD STB. The problem is that A DVI D connection exists between the STB and the Plasma TV, however I can't carry that HD signal between the STB and the DVD recorder. I have connected the HDMI cord between the Samsung and the TV and AV jacks between the STB's VCR output and the Samsung's AV1 input (it seemed the only connection that would work. But what I need is a way of carrying the HD signal from the STB to the recorder, but the recorder doesn't have a component in connection, just component out.

I'm not sure how much sense this is making, but if anyone can help, please let me know.

Cheers
Tim

A bit jumbled Tim. I take it the issue is the HD STB => DVDR? Also help if you mentioned what models each device is.

FWIW DVDRs can't really record HD at HD picture quality. That's one reason why they tend to have simple composite inputs only. Do you have an SVideo input in the DVDR maybe?

Are you using a SCART connection on the STB => DVDR?

Regards

PEter Gillespie

Hi Peter,
Thanks for your help. I will find out the STB model - I'm not there at the moment. The HR735 only seems to have an AV1 input - as the only input. How do I use the component out on the STB and use it in the AV1 input in the DVDR - is there a way?

There are svideo jacks in the back of both - is it that simple?

If there is any other info I have to get, please ask and I will get it.

Thanks very much
Tim

I though the HR735 was the TV model. My mistake. Have downloaded the manual now. Basically you have AV1 and AV2 (both composite (R/W/Y cables)) AV2 (at the front) might need you to hit an INPUT SEL. button somewhere to select it. However I imagine you'll be using the AV1 inputs around the back. The advantage here is this also has a SVIDEO INPUT. Almost certain your STB will have SVideo OUT so just connect the cable and you should be sorted - PQ should be pretty good (say 85%+ of Component PQ).

Like how the manual rabits on about the purity of the 'digital stream' with its HDMI outputs. Amazing they can get away with this misleading stuff. Anyway select the HDMI or Component outputs from the DVDR to the TV as you want.

But just to re-iterate, there's no point recording HD on a DVDR - you can record SD and the end PQ will look almost identical.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Peter,

Thanks ever so much. I will get an S Video cable today and hopefully that will be it sorted.

Cheers
Tim

Peter, the onlt thing was that when I was using the RWY cables from the VCR out sockets, the picture looked as though it was too big for the screen, ie it hadn't rendered the picture the same as the DVI D cable had - would the S Video cable fix this issue?

VCR? You mean DVDR?

Might fix the "overscan", one benefit of DVI/HDMI is it doesn't suffer from overscan. However an analogue connection should still only lose about 5% to each side of the screen. Maybe check you aspect settings on the box.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

PS You only need to spend $30 or so for a v good svideo cable (even less)

PPS I don't know if its of interest but you might like to browse this PVR FAQ.

Hi Peter, by VCR I mean the RWY VCR out sockets on the back of the STB - they are, I think, analogue sockets?? I put RWY out of the VCR sockets in the back of the STB to the AV1 sockets in the back of the DVDR.

I will try the S Video cable this afternoon.

Thankyou.
Tim

Understood. Yes RWY are analogue (and actually about the lowest PQ option (svideo is much better if possible)) They also can't carry HD signals anyway. Read the PVR link I provided as it covers cables for a bit.

Good Luck

Peter Gillespie

Hi Peter,

I bought the S Video cable last night, but I couldn't work out the set up - ie how to make the DVDR work with the S Video cable in, because the screen went blank when I put the cable in. When I replaced the RWY cables into the AV1 socket and the VCR out (analogue) sockets in the STB, the picture and sound came back, but, obviously, in poor definition.

FYI, Force 7 series is the STB.

The system works at the moment, don't get me wrong, but if there is a way of bettering the picture quality, I'm happy to try.

But thankyou very much for your help.

Cheers
Tim

Did you select the s-video input? Also, in some devices you have to enable the s-video output as well via a menu.

Rob.

The DVDR is meant to autmatically select the SVideo if its plugged in but as Rob says check the DVDR menu for selecting what AV setting might be (there's also a button possibly on the remote or front for toggling the source?). More likely you might need to set the SVideo output on the STB. Make sure you're using the Svideo INPUT on the DVDR (There's a output there too.) you also need to keep the Red and White (audio) cables plugged in regardless of if you use composite of svideo inputs.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Thanks Rob,

I couldn't see that in the menu system - would it be there?

Generally the input selection of the dvdr is just button pushes (either from the remote or the dvdr front) while the stb output is set from a menu, perhaps under video output or similar. I'm not actually familiar with this stb, I'm speaking generally from my own experience.

Rob.