Why did my HDMI cable reduce the quality of my non-HD channels?
Question:
*I'm using a Sharp Aquos LCD 42" and a DVR box.
If you are really only noticing the problem with non-HD channels, try adjusting your cable box to "pass-through" SD content. To do this, look for a Video Output type of menu (depending on your cable provider/box, this menu may only be accessible after pressing power on the unit and then hitting the menu or setup key on the remote). Once you've found this menu, configure the box so that it outputs SD content at 480i. It's possible that this setting only effects HDMI output, which is why you're only now noticing the problem.
Anyway, changing this setting may improve the look of your non-HD channels by allowing your TV to do the scaling instead of your cable box. Many cable boxes do terrible jobs of upconverting SD content to HD, whereas many HDTVs do a fairly good job at it.
If this doesn't solve your problem, and it very well may not, you should call your cable provider and see if they know of a solution or ask them to bring you out a new box.
If you feed a SDTV signal to a HDTV it usually scales the output to a higher resolution. The TV usually knows best
how to do this process for the TV. However your DVR box
may be scaling the signal at the HDMI output and not in a manner that looks as good a SDTV connection would be.
It may seem complicated at first but try this method
Tune to a HDTV channel with the HDMI input selected
Activate Split screen PIP mode and select the previous
connection you used to use (rewire it back active)
anyways I meant to say select the old method in the right
side panel of split screen.
This will let you see any channel picture in HDMI and other
input either YPrPb or Video composite (or S-video)
If the left is best turn of PIP split screen
If right is best hit SWAP and turn of PIP split screen.
If you see a tremendous difference in HDMI over component
on HDTV channels then I would guess your component
outputs are 480i/480p mode. Most cable boxes have
a setup menu available to cable repairmen (hidden menus)
that allow setting output resolutions of programs by format and jack types. Typical settings are NTSC 480i converted to 480p and sometimes 1080i converted to 720p.
Might be a good time to request a cable repairman to your home. Especially if no cableman was present when the box was installed, like you picked up the box and hooked it up yourself.
I would be ery surprised if a properly setup DVR box
doesn't produce equal picture to HDMI on HDTV.
The HDMI uses the same video as the component connection
the difference is easy of connection with respect to audio.
HDMI is one plug does all component requires 5 cables
3 video 2 audio to do same. DVI in most cases is technically
better than both HDMI and component . Consumers rarely can see the difference of properly setup TV's and accessories.
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