Difference in SKY picture quality between AV transmitter with HDMI input and composite

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tkingsbr

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Wannabe Geek

Topic # 236115 18-May-2018 16:34

I've been sending SKY from the box in the sittingroom to the bedroom, so we can watch it in the middle of the night. The old transmitter seems to be stuffed, and I'm thinking of getting a new one. The latest models of transmitter available here seem to have only HDMI input, and the SKY box has only one HDMI port, which is dedicated to the sitting room AV set up. I could get an HDMI splitter, and one of the latest wireless transmitters - or (much cheaper) one with composite input, similar to the one we've been using.

So I have 2 questions. Is the HDMI picture likely to be much better than the one delivered by Composite. (as in worth paying the extra)?

Has anyone a working system as I have described, and can they recommend brands/models?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rikkitic

Glurp
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Reply # 2018471 18-May-2018 17:33

As a general principle, HDMI will always be much, much better than composite. Even if you are not fussy, you will notice it. But if you have already been happily using a composite device, this may not matter to you.

No device can output quality that is better than the input. I'm not familiar with current Sky boxes but even with an HDMI port, you won't be getting the best quality unless you are paying extra for it. But it will still be better than composite. Personally, I wonder if this is the best set-up for what you want, but I don't have recent experience of current options.

p.s.: I also wonder how you have been doing this at all. HDMI and composite are two very different technologies.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

tkingsbr

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 2018552 18-May-2018 19:37

I've been using a Dick Smith AV wireless transmitter and receiver. The SKY box we have (the latest one - HD. I think it's called mySky) has an HDMI port - which sends the picture to our TV in the sitting-room, and a another port - I'm not sure if it's 'component' or RCA, or if the two are the same (it has 3 separate plugs, white, red, and black) - which I connect to the AV transmitter. This sends the signal to the bedroom, where the receiver connects to the TV, also by means of the RCA/Component cable. It's worked fine up until recently. Then we started getting intermittent picture and sound distortion. Since the TV will show HDMI photos fine from a laptop, I'm assuming the problem is with the AV transmitter.

If as you say the picture quality is better with HDMI I'll certainly go with the dearer HDMI option.

Thanks very much for your prompt reply.

Spyware

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Reply # 2018557 18-May-2018 19:39

RCA is the name of the physical connector. Composite is the name of the signal.

Rentakill

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Reply # 2023827 28-May-2018 10:48

Hi there.

Another option you could consider is using a Dtt modulator that you connect to your Skybox via either HDMi or Conponent/Composite Analog output from your Skybox.
The Dtt Modulator is setup so that it modulates the Sky Video output onto the Digital DTT Freview platform. So basically you can connect the output of your DTT modulator to your existing home Coaxial TV distribution and just Tune in as another Digital TV channel.

There's a few different Modulators around which are priced from $180 - $500 depending on what you want.
I've been using a Satlink WS 6990 for about a year or two with good results.
The good thing about a Modulator is it is nice clean and simple. And is tunable on any Set around your house - including the neighbours if they're interested..

Hope that helps.

Cheers:

tkingsbr

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 2023855 28-May-2018 11:16

Thank you! Very helpful.