Poor picture on new TV

Marty191 · 30-01-2008, 13:43

We bought a new Sony Bravia last week to replace a 16-year old Panasonic CRT model which was playing up. We are very pleased with the Sony except the picture is not quite as good as we expected.

When using the in-built digital Freeview tuner, the picture is very good. When viewing Sky via a SCART lead the picture is pretty good. But we also have a HDD/DVD recorder connected to the other SCART output on the Sky box (not Sky +), and this feeds back to the TV to the second SCART socket, and the picture from this is barely acceptable. If viewing Sky through the DVD recorder in standby mode, the picture is fine, but when it is switched on the picture changes to 4:3 format. I can change it manually each time on the TV but this seems then to downgrade the picture - perhaps it is stretching or distorting it?

I have checked the cables are securely fitted and have swapped them around but it has not helped. I have tried various settings on the Sky box and the DVD recorder and unfortunately nothing helped, but I now think I may have discovered the reason for the poor picture - it's the HDD/DVD recorder itself. It's a LiteOn machine, and it was brilliant with my old TV, but it is an old model and I believe it is simply not compatible with the 16:9 output ratio coming from the Sky box.

LiteOn have a very good support team, I spoke to two different technicians and they both told me the same thing. Even though there is an option on the LiteOn menu for 16:9 video output, it appears that my model of machine is simply not capable of doing it. So I believe it is recording at 4:3 ratio and then when I manually select 16:9 on the TV it results in the inferior grainy/fuzzy picture quality.

I was thinking I would have to get a more modern HDD/DVD recorder but I tried my DVD recorder on my sister's TV and it works fine - but she has Virgin cable instead of Sky. It's all rather baffling.

Your thoughts will be appreciated please.

stvn758 · 30-01-2008, 14:14

I think only one of the Sky's scart sockets outputs RGB, the other will be composite which is crap.

You should connect the Sky box to the DVD recorder using the RGB scart socket, then the DVD recorder to the TV.

I think it is the TV scart on a sky box which outputs RGB.

Scorpio · 30-01-2008, 17:14

Ok set up should be:
Sky TV scart ---> DVDR input
DVDR output ---> TV AV1
Try and set the Sky box and DVDR for RGB
Forget any scarts from the Sky VCR scart

This is called passing the Sky signal through the DVDR. It looks like the DVDR will pass through RGB when it is in standby but not when it's turned on. This may be due to the settings i referred to above or that Liteon doesnt do it!

testing for an RGB signal is easy, Some TVs display 'RGB' when detected but another way is to set Sky to a menu and look at the corners and edges. these will be pin sharp in RGB but blurry in composite. Have a play with the 'video' settings in the Sky picture menu.

Rgds,
Scorp

r_mitchell85 · 30-01-2008, 17:54

I bet the VCR socket on the sky box is only a composite output, isnt it?

Ive had my dvd recoder plugged into this for the past couple of months. I bet this is why my dvd's havent been coming out great quality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorpio

Ok set up should be:
Forget any scarts from the Sky VCR scart
Rgds,
Scorp

r_mitchell85 · 30-01-2008, 18:45

ok, this thread has made me question my own setup.....

only ONE of the sky scarts has RGB out, SO I connected this to the DVDR input.

When I switch the DVDR on, the TV dispalys RBG in the corner, and I can tell the improvement. It looks like my TV only has 1 RGB input. the second scart socket dosent support rgb. is this normal?

Also, my DVDR dosen't seem to pass the RGB signal through. Even when it's in standby. The picture from my sky box seems to be in composite.

I dont think im explaining myself very well here :s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorpio

Ok set up should be:
Sky TV scart ---> DVDR input
DVDR output ---> TV AV1
Try and set the Sky box and DVDR for RGB
Forget any scarts from the Sky VCR scart

This is called passing the Sky signal through the DVDR. It looks like the DVDR will pass through RGB when it is in standby but not when it's turned on. This may be due to the settings i referred to above or that Liteon doesnt do it!

testing for an RGB signal is easy, Some TVs display 'RGB' when detected but another way is to set Sky to a menu and look at the corners and edges. these will be pin sharp in RGB but blurry in composite. Have a play with the 'video' settings in the Sky picture menu.

Rgds,
Scorp

stvn758 · 30-01-2008, 19:45

DVD recorders output RGB, I think my Panasonic has two, but yours should have at least one RGB output.

Make sure you have your Sky box set to RGB in the system menu, by the way.

r_mitchell85 · 30-01-2008, 19:54

Its only a cheap LG dvd recorder.

The picture from the dvd comes out in RGB, but when it's in standby, it doesnt pass through the sky box in RGB... it looks like composite.

(the sky box is in RBG mode - when I connect scart 1 on the sky box directly to scart 1 on the TV, it looks great)

Quote:

Originally Posted by stvn758

DVD recorders output RGB, I think my Panasonic has two, but yours should have at least one RGB output.

Make sure you have your Sky box set to RGB in the system menu, by the way.

stvn758 · 30-01-2008, 21:01

Have you checked the advanced menus on your DVD recorder, there are usually some good ones hidden away. You might find something - there is no reason why you shouldn't be getting RGB through - it isn't a luxury item.

bfg20 · 30-01-2008, 22:21

As good as the Bravia is I think you have found out what most people do, which is that a shiny new flat screen LCD will never be quite as good as your old CRT.

Marty191 · 30-01-2008, 22:42

Many thanks for all your feedback and ideas folks. I have followed the recommendations frm stvn758 and Scorpio but it hasn't helped I'm afraid. It looks like my Liteon will only record in 4:3 format after all.

As a final test I am planning to take the unit to a friend's house and plug it in to his Sky system at the weekend. I'll report back in case anyone is interested.

r_mitchell85 · 31-01-2008, 22:34

I cant SEE anything in the dvd menu.

there are only 2 that it might be.... "AV2 Connection", you can have Decoder, or other device. Ive tried both, but they dont make much difference.

The other option is Video Output Format. RGB, or YPbPr. Ive left this on RGB.

It just looks like my DVD recorder cant pass through RGB. Which is rubbish. Unless theres something Im doing wrong?!?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by stvn758

Have you checked the advanced menus on your DVD recorder, there are usually some good ones hidden away. You might find something - there is no reason why you shouldn't be getting RGB through - it isn't a luxury item.

infiniteloop · 31-01-2008, 23:25

LiteOn DVD recorders in the past have been composite input only. This may be where your problem lies.

r_mitchell85 · 31-01-2008, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by infiniteloop

LiteOn DVD recorders in the past have been composite input only. This may be where your problem lies.

its an LG dvd recorder. and fairly new, only got it at christmas.

broadz · 01-02-2008, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_mitchell85

The picture from the dvd comes out in RGB, but when it's in standby, it doesnt pass through the sky box in RGB... it looks like composite.

That's the norm for LG DVD recorders. I've got a DR175 and mine's the same. RGB passthru when switched on, composite only when in standby. I got round it by connecting my Sky+ box to my TV using s-video, TV scart on Sky+ box to LG (for recording in best picture quality), VCR scart on Sky+ box to VCR (for those few occasions when I wanted to record to tape).

When watching Sky, I had the choice of switching the LG DVDR on and watching in RGB via two scart leads (Sky to DVDR to TV), or watching via the s-video connection directly from Sky+ to TV (and the difference between the two was negligible; whereas the difference between RGB and composite is massive).

chrisjr · 01-02-2008, 10:38

According to the Sony manual both it's SCARTs are RGB equipped. So why not connect both Sky and DVD direct to the TV one to each SCART?

If you want to record Sky on the DVD then use a third lead from the Sky box to the DVD.

Something like this...

Sky "TV" SCART --> TV AV1 SCART
Sky "VCR" SCART --> DVD AV2 SCART
DVD AV1 SCART --> TV AV2 SCART

Set both the Sky box TV SCART and DVD recorder AV1 SCART to RGB and that should work. Unless Sony are lying in the Specs at the end of the manual and the letters RGB alongside the little icon for the AV2 SCART mean something totally different to the letters RGB alongside the AV1 icon

broadz · 01-02-2008, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

According to the Sony manual both it's SCARTs are RGB equipped. So why not connect both Sky and DVD direct to the TV one to each SCART?

If you want to record Sky on the DVD then use a third lead from the Sky box to the DVD.

Sky "TV" SCART --> TV AV1 SCART
Sky "VCR" SCART --> DVD AV2 SCART
DVD AV1 SCART --> TV AV2 SCART

Because he doesn't want his recordings to look shit?

chrisjr · 01-02-2008, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadz

Because he doesn't want his recordings to look shit?

But on the other hand it seems all attempts to daisy chain the Sky box and DVD have failed miserably.

And anyway by the time the recordings have been mangled by the MPEG encoder in the DVD would it really matter hugely that the source is not RGB

Personally i would rather have the main sources of viewing, live TV and movies on DVD, in the best quality and could live with the odd recording not being at it's best.

Others may have different opinions of course.

r_mitchell85 · 01-02-2008, 15:53

how do I connect the sky+ box to the tv using s-video?
so, s-video is somewhere in between scart RBG ,and scart composit.

what is the point of composit anyway. I just looks like shit. at the moment I can choose between viewing sky in good quality, or recording dvds in good quality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadz

That's the norm for LG DVD recorders. I've got a DR175 and mine's the same. RGB passthru when switched on, composite only when in standby. I got round it by connecting my Sky+ box to my TV using s-video, TV scart on Sky+ box to LG (for recording in best picture quality), VCR scart on Sky+ box to VCR (for those few occasions when I wanted to record to tape).

When watching Sky, I had the choice of switching the LG DVDR on and watching in RGB via two scart leads (Sky to DVDR to TV), or watching via the s-video connection directly from Sky+ to TV (and the difference between the two was negligible; whereas the difference between RGB and composite is massive).

Nigel Goodwin · 01-02-2008, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_mitchell85

how do I connect the sky+ box to the tv using s-video?
so, s-video is somewhere in between scart RBG ,and scart composit.

S-video lead and two phono's from the back of the Sky+ to the TV's S-Video and audio inputs.

Quote:

what is the point of composit anyway. I just looks like shit. at the moment I can choose between viewing sky in good quality, or recording dvds in good quality.

It's what has always been used in the past, and is of a similar quality to a VCR.

r_mitchell85 · 01-02-2008, 16:03

So does the s-video lead carry a RGB or a composite one? or is it something totally different?

If its of similar quality to a VCR then im guessing the quality wont even be as good as the composite scart connection i currently have?

also does the s-video carry a widescreen picture? and will it automatically switch onto the correct AV, the same way it does with scart.

sorry for bombarding uze with questions!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

S-video lead and two phono's from the back of the Sky+ to the TV's S-Video and audio inputs.

It's what has always been used in the past, and is of a similar quality to a VCR.

Nigel Goodwin · 01-02-2008, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_mitchell85

So does the s-video lead carry a RGB or a composite one? or is it something totally different?

It carries the B/W and colour signals separately, it's bascally PAL before it's added together to make composite.

Quote:

If its of similar quality to a VCR then im guessing the quality wont even be as good as the composite scart connection i currently have?

No, it's composite that's VCR quality, S-Video is similar but avoids many of the problems associated with PAL, and it's those problems that make the picture poor. S-Video is a long way short of RGB quality, but it's not far off as good as DVD or digital TV signals - try it and see, it's a LOT better than composite.

Quote:

also does the s-video carry a widescreen picture? and will it automatically switch onto the correct AV, the same way it does with scart.

It carries a PAL picture, no widescreen switching, you would have to manually switch.

F2kSel · 01-02-2008, 16:28

I also use the S-Video connection and carn't see any difference between that and scart, maybe my scat cable isn't that good but good enough.

If I'm honest I still use the rF connection as I carn't be be bothered to select AV all the time.

Nigel Goodwin · 01-02-2008, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by F2kSel

I also use the S-Video connection and carn't see any difference between that and scart, maybe my scat cable isn't that good but good enough.

If I'm honest I still use the rF connection as I carn't be be bothered to select AV all the time.

I take it you don't have an LCD or Plasma set?.

r_mitchell85 · 01-02-2008, 16:39

so would this be suitable?
http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/stor...&category_oid=

and I would have to have the white and red phono leads to carry the sound, as it is not included in the s-video lead.

Also, what is this YPbPr thing? im presuming its something to do with high def, or lcd \ plasma TVs, its not something ive seen in the past.

Nigel Goodwin · 01-02-2008, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_mitchell85

so would this be suitable?
http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/stor...&category_oid=

Yes, that's the sort of lead you require.

Quote:

and I would have to have the white and red phono leads to carry the sound, as it is not included in the s-video lead.

Yes you do, the mini S-Video lead is picture only.

Quote:

Also, what is this YPbPr thing? im presuming its something to do with high def, or lcd \ plasma TVs, its not something ive seen in the past.

It's called Component, it's what the Americans used instead of RGB - but because it's American it was updated to carry Hi-Def as well, where RGB never was (because the Americans don't use it). It's very slightly inferior to RGB, as it's encoded slighty from RGB - but there's generally no RGB quality sources anyway.

30-01-2008, 13:43	#1
Marty191 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Worthing, West Sussex Posts: 27	Poor picture on new TV We bought a new Sony Bravia last week to replace a 16-year old Panasonic CRT model which was playing up. We are very pleased with the Sony except the picture is not quite as good as we expected. When using the in-built digital Freeview tuner, the picture is very good. When viewing Sky via a SCART lead the picture is pretty good. But we also have a HDD/DVD recorder connected to the other SCART output on the Sky box (not Sky +), and this feeds back to the TV to the second SCART socket, and the picture from this is barely acceptable. If viewing Sky through the DVD recorder in standby mode, the picture is fine, but when it is switched on the picture changes to 4:3 format. I can change it manually each time on the TV but this seems then to downgrade the picture - perhaps it is stretching or distorting it? I have checked the cables are securely fitted and have swapped them around but it has not helped. I have tried various settings on the Sky box and the DVD recorder and unfortunately nothing helped, but I now think I may have discovered the reason for the poor picture - it's the HDD/DVD recorder itself. It's a LiteOn machine, and it was brilliant with my old TV, but it is an old model and I believe it is simply not compatible with the 16:9 output ratio coming from the Sky box. LiteOn have a very good support team, I spoke to two different technicians and they both told me the same thing. Even though there is an option on the LiteOn menu for 16:9 video output, it appears that my model of machine is simply not capable of doing it. So I believe it is recording at 4:3 ratio and then when I manually select 16:9 on the TV it results in the inferior grainy/fuzzy picture quality. I was thinking I would have to get a more modern HDD/DVD recorder but I tried my DVD recorder on my sister's TV and it works fine - but she has Virgin cable instead of Sky. It's all rather baffling. Your thoughts will be appreciated please.

30-01-2008, 14:14	#2
stvn758 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17,338	I think only one of the Sky's scart sockets outputs RGB, the other will be composite which is crap. You should connect the Sky box to the DVD recorder using the RGB scart socket, then the DVD recorder to the TV. I think it is the TV scart on a sky box which outputs RGB.

30-01-2008, 17:14	#3
Scorpio Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,048	Ok set up should be: Sky TV scart ---> DVDR input DVDR output ---> TV AV1 Try and set the Sky box and DVDR for RGB Forget any scarts from the Sky VCR scart This is called passing the Sky signal through the DVDR. It looks like the DVDR will pass through RGB when it is in standby but not when it's turned on. This may be due to the settings i referred to above or that Liteon doesnt do it! testing for an RGB signal is easy, Some TVs display 'RGB' when detected but another way is to set Sky to a menu and look at the corners and edges. these will be pin sharp in RGB but blurry in composite. Have a play with the 'video' settings in the Sky picture menu. Rgds, Scorp

30-01-2008, 17:54	#4
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	I bet the VCR socket on the sky box is only a composite output, isnt it? Ive had my dvd recoder plugged into this for the past couple of months. I bet this is why my dvd's havent been coming out great quality. Quote: Originally Posted by Scorpio Ok set up should be: Forget any scarts from the Sky VCR scart Rgds, Scorp

30-01-2008, 18:45	#5
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	ok, this thread has made me question my own setup..... only ONE of the sky scarts has RGB out, SO I connected this to the DVDR input. When I switch the DVDR on, the TV dispalys RBG in the corner, and I can tell the improvement. It looks like my TV only has 1 RGB input. the second scart socket dosent support rgb. is this normal? Also, my DVDR dosen't seem to pass the RGB signal through. Even when it's in standby. The picture from my sky box seems to be in composite. I dont think im explaining myself very well here :s Quote: Originally Posted by Scorpio Ok set up should be: Sky TV scart ---> DVDR input DVDR output ---> TV AV1 Try and set the Sky box and DVDR for RGB Forget any scarts from the Sky VCR scart This is called passing the Sky signal through the DVDR. It looks like the DVDR will pass through RGB when it is in standby but not when it's turned on. This may be due to the settings i referred to above or that Liteon doesnt do it! testing for an RGB signal is easy, Some TVs display 'RGB' when detected but another way is to set Sky to a menu and look at the corners and edges. these will be pin sharp in RGB but blurry in composite. Have a play with the 'video' settings in the Sky picture menu. Rgds, Scorp

30-01-2008, 19:45	#6
stvn758 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17,338	DVD recorders output RGB, I think my Panasonic has two, but yours should have at least one RGB output. Make sure you have your Sky box set to RGB in the system menu, by the way.

30-01-2008, 19:54	#7
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	Its only a cheap LG dvd recorder. The picture from the dvd comes out in RGB, but when it's in standby, it doesnt pass through the sky box in RGB... it looks like composite. (the sky box is in RBG mode - when I connect scart 1 on the sky box directly to scart 1 on the TV, it looks great) Quote: Originally Posted by stvn758 DVD recorders output RGB, I think my Panasonic has two, but yours should have at least one RGB output. Make sure you have your Sky box set to RGB in the system menu, by the way.

30-01-2008, 21:01	#8
stvn758 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17,338	Have you checked the advanced menus on your DVD recorder, there are usually some good ones hidden away. You might find something - there is no reason why you shouldn't be getting RGB through - it isn't a luxury item.

30-01-2008, 22:21	#9
bfg20 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 306	As good as the Bravia is I think you have found out what most people do, which is that a shiny new flat screen LCD will never be quite as good as your old CRT.

30-01-2008, 22:42	#10
Marty191 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Worthing, West Sussex Posts: 27	Many thanks for all your feedback and ideas folks. I have followed the recommendations frm stvn758 and Scorpio but it hasn't helped I'm afraid. It looks like my Liteon will only record in 4:3 format after all. As a final test I am planning to take the unit to a friend's house and plug it in to his Sky system at the weekend. I'll report back in case anyone is interested.

31-01-2008, 22:34	#11
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	I cant SEE anything in the dvd menu. there are only 2 that it might be.... "AV2 Connection", you can have Decoder, or other device. Ive tried both, but they dont make much difference. The other option is Video Output Format. RGB, or YPbPr. Ive left this on RGB. It just looks like my DVD recorder cant pass through RGB. Which is rubbish. Unless theres something Im doing wrong?!?! Quote: Originally Posted by stvn758 Have you checked the advanced menus on your DVD recorder, there are usually some good ones hidden away. You might find something - there is no reason why you shouldn't be getting RGB through - it isn't a luxury item.

31-01-2008, 23:25	#12
infiniteloop Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,149	LiteOn DVD recorders in the past have been composite input only. This may be where your problem lies.

31-01-2008, 23:40	#13
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	Quote: Originally Posted by infiniteloop LiteOn DVD recorders in the past have been composite input only. This may be where your problem lies. its an LG dvd recorder. and fairly new, only got it at christmas.

01-02-2008, 10:06	#14
broadz Banned User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,313	Quote: Originally Posted by r_mitchell85 The picture from the dvd comes out in RGB, but when it's in standby, it doesnt pass through the sky box in RGB... it looks like composite. That's the norm for LG DVD recorders. I've got a DR175 and mine's the same. RGB passthru when switched on, composite only when in standby. I got round it by connecting my Sky+ box to my TV using s-video, TV scart on Sky+ box to LG (for recording in best picture quality), VCR scart on Sky+ box to VCR (for those few occasions when I wanted to record to tape). When watching Sky, I had the choice of switching the LG DVDR on and watching in RGB via two scart leads (Sky to DVDR to TV), or watching via the s-video connection directly from Sky+ to TV (and the difference between the two was negligible; whereas the difference between RGB and composite is massive).

01-02-2008, 10:38	#15
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	According to the Sony manual both it's SCARTs are RGB equipped. So why not connect both Sky and DVD direct to the TV one to each SCART? If you want to record Sky on the DVD then use a third lead from the Sky box to the DVD. Something like this... Sky "TV" SCART --> TV AV1 SCART Sky "VCR" SCART --> DVD AV2 SCART DVD AV1 SCART --> TV AV2 SCART Set both the Sky box TV SCART and DVD recorder AV1 SCART to RGB and that should work. Unless Sony are lying in the Specs at the end of the manual and the letters RGB alongside the little icon for the AV2 SCART mean something totally different to the letters RGB alongside the AV1 icon

01-02-2008, 10:55	#16
broadz Banned User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,313	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisjr According to the Sony manual both it's SCARTs are RGB equipped. So why not connect both Sky and DVD direct to the TV one to each SCART? If you want to record Sky on the DVD then use a third lead from the Sky box to the DVD. Sky "TV" SCART --> TV AV1 SCART Sky "VCR" SCART --> DVD AV2 SCART DVD AV1 SCART --> TV AV2 SCART Because he doesn't want his recordings to look shit?

01-02-2008, 11:18	#17
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by broadz Because he doesn't want his recordings to look shit? But on the other hand it seems all attempts to daisy chain the Sky box and DVD have failed miserably. And anyway by the time the recordings have been mangled by the MPEG encoder in the DVD would it really matter hugely that the source is not RGB Personally i would rather have the main sources of viewing, live TV and movies on DVD, in the best quality and could live with the odd recording not being at it's best. Others may have different opinions of course.

01-02-2008, 15:53	#18
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	how do I connect the sky+ box to the tv using s-video? so, s-video is somewhere in between scart RBG ,and scart composit. what is the point of composit anyway. I just looks like shit. at the moment I can choose between viewing sky in good quality, or recording dvds in good quality. Quote: Originally Posted by broadz That's the norm for LG DVD recorders. I've got a DR175 and mine's the same. RGB passthru when switched on, composite only when in standby. I got round it by connecting my Sky+ box to my TV using s-video, TV scart on Sky+ box to LG (for recording in best picture quality), VCR scart on Sky+ box to VCR (for those few occasions when I wanted to record to tape). When watching Sky, I had the choice of switching the LG DVDR on and watching in RGB via two scart leads (Sky to DVDR to TV), or watching via the s-video connection directly from Sky+ to TV (and the difference between the two was negligible; whereas the difference between RGB and composite is massive).

01-02-2008, 15:59	#19
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by r_mitchell85 how do I connect the sky+ box to the tv using s-video? so, s-video is somewhere in between scart RBG ,and scart composit. S-video lead and two phono's from the back of the Sky+ to the TV's S-Video and audio inputs. Quote: what is the point of composit anyway. I just looks like shit. at the moment I can choose between viewing sky in good quality, or recording dvds in good quality. It's what has always been used in the past, and is of a similar quality to a VCR.

01-02-2008, 16:03	#20
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	So does the s-video lead carry a RGB or a composite one? or is it something totally different? If its of similar quality to a VCR then im guessing the quality wont even be as good as the composite scart connection i currently have? also does the s-video carry a widescreen picture? and will it automatically switch onto the correct AV, the same way it does with scart. sorry for bombarding uze with questions! Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin S-video lead and two phono's from the back of the Sky+ to the TV's S-Video and audio inputs. It's what has always been used in the past, and is of a similar quality to a VCR.

01-02-2008, 16:15	#21
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by r_mitchell85 So does the s-video lead carry a RGB or a composite one? or is it something totally different? It carries the B/W and colour signals separately, it's bascally PAL before it's added together to make composite. Quote: If its of similar quality to a VCR then im guessing the quality wont even be as good as the composite scart connection i currently have? No, it's composite that's VCR quality, S-Video is similar but avoids many of the problems associated with PAL, and it's those problems that make the picture poor. S-Video is a long way short of RGB quality, but it's not far off as good as DVD or digital TV signals - try it and see, it's a LOT better than composite. Quote: also does the s-video carry a widescreen picture? and will it automatically switch onto the correct AV, the same way it does with scart. It carries a PAL picture, no widescreen switching, you would have to manually switch.

DS Forums

Poor picture on new TV

01-02-2008, 16:28	#22
F2kSel Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stoke Posts: 1,240	I also use the S-Video connection and carn't see any difference between that and scart, maybe my scat cable isn't that good but good enough. If I'm honest I still use the rF connection as I carn't be be bothered to select AV all the time.

01-02-2008, 16:30	#23
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by F2kSel I also use the S-Video connection and carn't see any difference between that and scart, maybe my scat cable isn't that good but good enough. If I'm honest I still use the rF connection as I carn't be be bothered to select AV all the time. I take it you don't have an LCD or Plasma set?.

01-02-2008, 16:39	#24
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	so would this be suitable? http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/stor...&category_oid= and I would have to have the white and red phono leads to carry the sound, as it is not included in the s-video lead. Also, what is this YPbPr thing? im presuming its something to do with high def, or lcd \ plasma TVs, its not something ive seen in the past.

01-02-2008, 16:53	#25
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by r_mitchell85 so would this be suitable? http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/stor...&category_oid= Yes, that's the sort of lead you require. Quote: and I would have to have the white and red phono leads to carry the sound, as it is not included in the s-video lead. Yes you do, the mini S-Video lead is picture only. Quote: Also, what is this YPbPr thing? im presuming its something to do with high def, or lcd \ plasma TVs, its not something ive seen in the past. It's called Component, it's what the Americans used instead of RGB - but because it's American it was updated to carry Hi-Def as well, where RGB never was (because the Americans don't use it). It's very slightly inferior to RGB, as it's encoded slighty from RGB - but there's generally no RGB quality sources anyway.