Scart = Perfect HDMI = Terrible

Leon2000 · 19-10-2009, 13:29

I received BT Vision on Friday. When using via HDMI the picture quality is awful in all Screen Ratio settings. On Scart it is absolutely perfect. No fix needed but why would HDMI be very blurry, too much colour and not 'smooth'?

I have played with every possibe setting in the TV (new Sony 46") and on the Sony Amp (also brand new).

Ideally I would like to use HDMI for any HD content and to free up the Scart so I can use it elsewhere...

Any thoughts?

wwwebber · 19-10-2009, 13:41

I would try connecting it up directly to your TV just to rule out any issues with your amp.

I have mine connected up via HDMI without any problems.

Leon2000 · 19-10-2009, 13:45

Thanks Webber - have done that - still the same...

wwwebber · 19-10-2009, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon2000

Thanks Webber - have done that - still the same...

Well, it's either an incompatibility issue which are now very rare or the BTVision box is faulty.

Thats all I can offer I'm afriad. Maybe others can help. Also, BT may be along to help soon here in the forum.

r_mitchell85 · 19-10-2009, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwwebber

Well, it's either an incompatibility issue which are now very rare or the BTVision box is faulty.

Thats all I can offer I'm afriad. Maybe others can help. Also, BT may be along to help soon here in the forum.

have you tried a different hdmi lead?

Leon2000 · 19-10-2009, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_mitchell85

have you tried a different hdmi lead?

Yup - same result.

deletia · 19-10-2009, 14:45

When connecting via HDMI you need to change the TV Settings (aspect ratio I think) in order to obtain HD output.

Choose 720p or 1080i and the TV picture will upscale and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

In standard SD the picture is rather washed out.

It's all explained in the documentation.

deletia · 19-10-2009, 14:47

Aye - see here:

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/image...n_screen05.jpg

Leon2000 · 19-10-2009, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by deletia

When connecting via HDMI you need to change the TV Settings (aspect ratio I think) in order to obtain HD output.

Choose 720p or 1080i and the TV picture will upscale and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

In standard SD the picture is rather washed out.

It's all explained in the documentation.

Done this over and over and exactly the same result I'm afraid...

scotty2808 · 19-10-2009, 15:08

sorry - no idea what the problem is.
my picture over HDMI is good. no issues with it.

pippo_t · 19-10-2009, 15:14

I have a Sony 32" LCD 720p TV that I bought in May (2008 version) and I have the exact same experience.

I've tried a number of fixes (turning off the supposed picture enhancements the TV applies as standard) and changed a variety of settings on the BT Vision box and whilst the HDMI picture is watchable, sports and fast moving images are unbearable.

Reducing the detail to SCART type connection gives a much clearer image.

If you ever find a way to improve the HDMI performance let me know the secret!

scotty2808 · 19-10-2009, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by pippo_t

I have a Sony 32" LCD 720p TV that I bought in May (2008 version) and I have the exact same experience.

i'm using a 40" Sony bought at a similar time.
i have not heard of probs with Sony's before - but I had heard them for other makes.

pippo_t · 19-10-2009, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty2808

i'm using a 40" Sony bought at a similar time.
i have not heard of probs with Sony's before - but I had heard them for other makes.

I did wonder if I don't configure it properly, but I also think it depends on the channel and type of program.

Sport on ESPN for example was dreadful, but BBC and others were OK on HDMI.

I just find the picture smoother on SCART, and whilst I would love higher resolution, the jagged edges/blurring make football unwatchable.

Can I ask how much you spent on the HDMI cable you are using? I think I spent around 11.99 for 2m.

Leon2000 · 19-10-2009, 16:41

Just spoke to BT Technical Support - they barely ran through any options and want to send an engineerout. Their system is down so they'll be calling me back within 24hrs to arrange. They think it may be a faulty box - my concern is they will charge if it's found to be a compatibility issue to wjich I offered the model numbers of the TV and he advised he could'nt comment...

£35 on the HDMI cable (each)..

elj221c · 20-10-2009, 13:22

Well, it seems you have erradicated the cable by trying two but I would take them both back, to get your money back, as being usuitable. In reality you have been ripped off!
No need to spend that much at all.
An aside, my BTV on a Panasonic PX70 connected via HDMI at 720p is really good as is the Panasonic Home Cinema also via HDMI, both on sub £5 cables.

BT Support · 20-10-2009, 13:58

Hi Leon2000,

Have you heard back from the technical support team yet? If not drop me a PM and I will chase this up for you.

Cheers

Shane

Leon2000 · 20-10-2009, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by BT Support

Hi Leon2000,

Have you heard back from the technical support team yet? If not drop me a PM and I will chase this up for you.

Cheers

Shane

Yep - engineer due out on Thursday thanks.

£35 for cable - I went for the best of everything as installed when I built the house - wires are in the walls so wanted good quality stuff.

kboxer42 · 20-10-2009, 14:01

I have tried Scart and Hdmi over the last few months and have come to the following conclusion:

On Demand Standard Defination Stuff on my 37inch Toshiba Lcd is of a very High Standard. Better with Hdmi than Scart.

Freeview for the most part is slightly better with Hdmi than a Scart Lead.

But agree with my set up Espn football matches are not brilliant picture with Hdmi. Have not gone back to a scart lead to check comparisons on Espn yet. I tried it on 1080i and 720p settings and 1080i the picture had interlaced lines and 720p was better but picture looked washed out.

wwwebber · 20-10-2009, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by kboxer42

But agree with my set up Espn football matches are not brilliant picture with Hdmi. Have not gone back to a scart lead to check comparisons on Espn yet. I tried it on 1080i and 720p settings and 1080i the picture had interlaced lines and 720p was better but picture looked washed out.

ESPN is a bad quality / low bitrate channel from the off which is Freeview things not a BTVision thing. HDMI + LCD will tend to highlight these issues more because the clarity is so much better. Scart will smooth things out and remove jaggies etc.

kboxer42 · 20-10-2009, 17:26

Yes I just looked a t a friends picture for Espn running with a scart to Plasma and it does look better. As you said its not a BTVision fault but a Freeview one and On Demand thru hdmi is impressive.

19-10-2009, 13:29	#1
Leon2000 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Scart = Perfect HDMI = Terrible I received BT Vision on Friday. When using via HDMI the picture quality is awful in all Screen Ratio settings. On Scart it is absolutely perfect. No fix needed but why would HDMI be very blurry, too much colour and not 'smooth'? I have played with every possibe setting in the TV (new Sony 46") and on the Sony Amp (also brand new). Ideally I would like to use HDMI for any HD content and to free up the Scart so I can use it elsewhere... Any thoughts?

19-10-2009, 13:41	#2
wwwebber Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,536	I would try connecting it up directly to your TV just to rule out any issues with your amp. I have mine connected up via HDMI without any problems.

19-10-2009, 13:45	#3
Leon2000 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Thanks Webber - have done that - still the same...

19-10-2009, 13:53	#4
wwwebber Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,536	Quote: Originally Posted by Leon2000 Thanks Webber - have done that - still the same... Well, it's either an incompatibility issue which are now very rare or the BTVision box is faulty. Thats all I can offer I'm afriad. Maybe others can help. Also, BT may be along to help soon here in the forum.

19-10-2009, 14:35	#5
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	Quote: Originally Posted by wwwebber Well, it's either an incompatibility issue which are now very rare or the BTVision box is faulty. Thats all I can offer I'm afriad. Maybe others can help. Also, BT may be along to help soon here in the forum. have you tried a different hdmi lead?

19-10-2009, 14:39	#6
Leon2000 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Quote: Originally Posted by r_mitchell85 have you tried a different hdmi lead? Yup - same result.

19-10-2009, 14:45	#7
deletia Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Earlston Posts: 38	When connecting via HDMI you need to change the TV Settings (aspect ratio I think) in order to obtain HD output. Choose 720p or 1080i and the TV picture will upscale and you'll be pleasantly surprised. In standard SD the picture is rather washed out. It's all explained in the documentation.

19-10-2009, 14:47	#8
deletia Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Earlston Posts: 38	Aye - see here: http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/image...n_screen05.jpg

19-10-2009, 14:48	#9
Leon2000 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Quote: Originally Posted by deletia When connecting via HDMI you need to change the TV Settings (aspect ratio I think) in order to obtain HD output. Choose 720p or 1080i and the TV picture will upscale and you'll be pleasantly surprised. In standard SD the picture is rather washed out. It's all explained in the documentation. Done this over and over and exactly the same result I'm afraid...

19-10-2009, 15:08	#10
scotty2808 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 435	sorry - no idea what the problem is. my picture over HDMI is good. no issues with it.

19-10-2009, 15:14	#11
pippo_t Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Doncaster, UK Posts: 6	I have a Sony 32" LCD 720p TV that I bought in May (2008 version) and I have the exact same experience. I've tried a number of fixes (turning off the supposed picture enhancements the TV applies as standard) and changed a variety of settings on the BT Vision box and whilst the HDMI picture is watchable, sports and fast moving images are unbearable. Reducing the detail to SCART type connection gives a much clearer image. If you ever find a way to improve the HDMI performance let me know the secret!

19-10-2009, 15:17	#12
scotty2808 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 435	Quote: Originally Posted by pippo_t I have a Sony 32" LCD 720p TV that I bought in May (2008 version) and I have the exact same experience. i'm using a 40" Sony bought at a similar time. i have not heard of probs with Sony's before - but I had heard them for other makes.

19-10-2009, 16:32	#13
pippo_t Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Doncaster, UK Posts: 6	Quote: Originally Posted by scotty2808 i'm using a 40" Sony bought at a similar time. i have not heard of probs with Sony's before - but I had heard them for other makes. I did wonder if I don't configure it properly, but I also think it depends on the channel and type of program. Sport on ESPN for example was dreadful, but BBC and others were OK on HDMI. I just find the picture smoother on SCART, and whilst I would love higher resolution, the jagged edges/blurring make football unwatchable. Can I ask how much you spent on the HDMI cable you are using? I think I spent around 11.99 for 2m.

19-10-2009, 16:41	#14
Leon2000 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Just spoke to BT Technical Support - they barely ran through any options and want to send an engineerout. Their system is down so they'll be calling me back within 24hrs to arrange. They think it may be a faulty box - my concern is they will charge if it's found to be a compatibility issue to wjich I offered the model numbers of the TV and he advised he could'nt comment... £35 on the HDMI cable (each)..

20-10-2009, 13:22	#15
elj221c Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 11	Well, it seems you have erradicated the cable by trying two but I would take them both back, to get your money back, as being usuitable. In reality you have been ripped off! No need to spend that much at all. An aside, my BTV on a Panasonic PX70 connected via HDMI at 720p is really good as is the Panasonic Home Cinema also via HDMI, both on sub £5 cables.

20-10-2009, 13:58	#16
BT Support BT Support Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 459	Hi Leon2000, Have you heard back from the technical support team yet? If not drop me a PM and I will chase this up for you. Cheers Shane

20-10-2009, 14:00	#17
Leon2000 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Quote: Originally Posted by BT Support Hi Leon2000, Have you heard back from the technical support team yet? If not drop me a PM and I will chase this up for you. Cheers Shane Yep - engineer due out on Thursday thanks. £35 for cable - I went for the best of everything as installed when I built the house - wires are in the walls so wanted good quality stuff.

20-10-2009, 14:01	#18
kboxer42 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 18	I have tried Scart and Hdmi over the last few months and have come to the following conclusion: On Demand Standard Defination Stuff on my 37inch Toshiba Lcd is of a very High Standard. Better with Hdmi than Scart. Freeview for the most part is slightly better with Hdmi than a Scart Lead. But agree with my set up Espn football matches are not brilliant picture with Hdmi. Have not gone back to a scart lead to check comparisons on Espn yet. I tried it on 1080i and 720p settings and 1080i the picture had interlaced lines and 720p was better but picture looked washed out.

20-10-2009, 14:16	#19
wwwebber Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,536	Quote: Originally Posted by kboxer42 But agree with my set up Espn football matches are not brilliant picture with Hdmi. Have not gone back to a scart lead to check comparisons on Espn yet. I tried it on 1080i and 720p settings and 1080i the picture had interlaced lines and 720p was better but picture looked washed out. ESPN is a bad quality / low bitrate channel from the off which is Freeview things not a BTVision thing. HDMI + LCD will tend to highlight these issues more because the clarity is so much better. Scart will smooth things out and remove jaggies etc.

20-10-2009, 17:26	#20
kboxer42 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 18	Yes I just looked a t a friends picture for Espn running with a scart to Plasma and it does look better. As you said its not a BTVision fault but a Freeview one and On Demand thru hdmi is impressive.

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Scart = Perfect HDMI = Terrible