Old mysky box + new Samsung TV - can I improve the picture?

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flyboy2000

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#75748 22-Jan-2011 23:26

I have a four year old (purchased) mysky box and have just bought a new 32-inch Samsung LCD HD TV (Model LA32C530). The current box-to-TV connection (as supplied by Sky and connected to the old TV) is a SCART to composite cable.

The picture is ok but I am wondering if I can improve it as a bit fuzzy at times...

Am not expecting HD as I don't have mysky HDI - but would I be better to unplug the SCART and change to S-video?

Unfortunately the old sky box does not have an HDMI output - just the SCART output, a "video output" and an S-video output.

Thanks for any advice.

Shoes2468

794 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 79

#430061 22-Jan-2011 23:34

Hi
You would be better to change the cable for a scart to component cable, as this will be more likely to be supported by your new tv, I would be surprised if your tv had s-video.

flyboy2000

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#430102 23-Jan-2011 07:29

Thanks - you are right - no S-video on the new TV. Will give the SCART-component cable a go and see if it can improve the pic.

Cheers

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#430103 23-Jan-2011 07:39

With my HD TV and SD box the colours were terrible on component. This is because the 3 component outputs from my box have a small delay between them which would be fine on an SD TV but not on my higher resolution HD TV. Cartoons looked fine with only slight smudging where colours change, but was terrible for normal programmes.

In my case the best result came from s-video, because then the TV has to create the colour space and you do not have the same issue. At some stage I'll change to a Vu+ Duo box and connect with HDMI (I've got a blue card ;-).

I've got the small silver box, hope the SD MySky box is better with output timing. Your TV might also have a better video processor.

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JimmyH

2898 posts

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+1 received by user: 1554

#430332 23-Jan-2011 21:31

My Sky box (as opposed to my MySky box - which it isn't) is one of the Pace-230 units, and is connected to a 40" HD TV. It is also a small silver box, so could be the same unit as Niel's. Changing from a SCART-> Composite cable to a Scart-> Component cable gave a small but noticeable improvement in picture quality. Did not appear to lead to any of the smudging Niel describes. Sky even supplied the new cable, and I still have the old onw if I want to switch back.

Definitley worth a try.

flyboy2000

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#430338 23-Jan-2011 21:43

Thanks all. I was too impatient to wait for to ask Sky for a cable or buy a cheap one online so picked up a SCART to component at Jaycar today at $60 (ouch). But it has definitely made an improvement with nearly all backgrounds less pixellated than when using the SCART to composite.

Cheers again for your advice.

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#430416 24-Jan-2011 06:30

Composite will not produce more pixillation, but rather accentuate pixellation.
A good quality TV should show component video correct; my TV is not that good so s-video was the best option until I can go HDMI.

You can never have enough Volvos!

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bongojona

253 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 30

#431288 26-Jan-2011 09:18

I was in the same boat for a while and found a scart to component cable gave the best result.

However, I now have mysky HDi connected through HDMI and the results are much much better and cleaner (for SD programs). You sould really look to upgrade your mysky as soon as you can. Don't Sky give you a deal ? I cannot rem what I paid but it was not alot.

they only problem will be getting used to a sharp HD image then going back to SD... does not look quite as good ha.

StuntCommando

41 posts

Geek

#431300 26-Jan-2011 09:44

$49.00 to upgrade from MySky to HDI (if you purchased the original unit outright).

GF74

85 posts

Master Geek

#431408 26-Jan-2011 14:25

Also, do not forget to go into the Sky box options and ensure that the settings match your TV and output methodology.

You can configure Widesceen/LetterBox/CentreCut modes as well as what format the SCART outputs (Composite/Component) in.

GF

dolsen

1483 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#431413 26-Jan-2011 14:31

StuntCommando: $49.00 to upgrade from MySky to HDI (if you purchased the original unit outright).

That's the best option. Watch all of the programs on the mysky box you want, then, upgrade to myskyhdi for $49. They will probably give you an hdmi cable to join them too.

StuntCommando

41 posts

Geek

#431499 26-Jan-2011 17:10

Yep - theu supply the HDMI cable and also a modulator if you require it.

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flyboy2000

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#431511 26-Jan-2011 17:43

Thanks again everyone - great advice. Perhaps I should've just given them a call first! I phoned them a few minutes ago, got great customer service - they are going to deliver the new mysky HDMI next week, shift the old mysky into the multi-room, and all for $49. I'll keep the cable I just bought from Jaycar to connect the old box in the other (multi) room anyway. Hopefully they'll sort the cables so we're HDMI connected. Result!