Improving MySky HDi SD quality

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416 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 69

#166215 22-Sep-2008 11:42

Kiwiwolf:
Lotech I have the Panasonic TH-42PV80

http://www.bondandbond.co.nz/audiotv/tv/plasma-screen-tvs/panasonic-th42pv80az-42-hd-ready-viera-plasma-tv/prod92926.html

I did try the passthrough setting on the HDi box. It didn't make any difference to the clarity of TV 1,2,3 and Prime etc and it stretched out the other channels like Fox, CNN, BBC etc and made them look unnatural.

The conclusion I am reaching is that unless you watch a lot of DVD's, play games or have native HD feeds, you are better off with an old CRT when it comes to picture sharpness.

The stretching of the picture is nothing to do with passthrough. It is to do with what you have specified to happen with 4:3 format both within the HDi box and the TV. I suggest you go through each of the settings carefully and if you don't want stretching set 4:3 to pillarbox.

lotech

126 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#166256 22-Sep-2008 13:08

Freeview is HD on One, 2 and TV3 only, and even then only on some shows - although as over half of our TV here is sourced from America, its a pretty solid amount. On mySky HDi, TV3 is also in HD (but not TVNZ), when Sky doesn't have 4 channels of Sports & Movies broadcasting as they only have enough room for 4 HD channels at a time.

General rule of thumb, ignore everything the Harvey Norman salesmen say as their either lying, grossly over exaggerating or have no idea - or possibly all 3 at once.

geekzone.co.nz/lotech

Kiwiwolf

69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#166259 22-Sep-2008 13:17

Would I notice a major difference in HD broadcasts if I upgraded to the Full HD Panasonic?

I already know that there isn't any difference in the non-HD channels after viewing the demo instore.

lotech

126 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#166264 22-Sep-2008 13:27

Yes MAJOR would be the word for it. You'd be getting nearly twice the amount of pixels on screen - 1920 vs. 1024 horizontally and 1080 vs. 768 vertically.
You'd also have a futureproof TV, we won't be seeing 2k or 4k TV in the next 10 years, whereas your current TV was out of date from day 1.

Keep in mind this chart, which pretty much says unless you screen is big enough, or you sit closer, it's just 'SD' to you eye -

geekzone.co.nz/lotech

Kiwiwolf

69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#166268 22-Sep-2008 13:38

Thanks Lotech for taking the time to put the info together.

I think I will now need to find a way to offload my 1 month old HD Panasonic for a Full HD Panasonic. Don't know if Bond and Bond will be too forthcoming!!!

Balchy

484 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#166285 22-Sep-2008 14:33

I tend to disagree with lotec - I have the same tv as you and my picture is fantastic far superior to my old set and the HD looks great as do pretty much all the sky channels - for the size of the screen and my viewing difference it is certainly noticable and for the difference in quality between 720p and 1080i it doesnt really justify shelling out the extra on a full HD panel (in my situation anyway)

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eXDee

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Uber Geek
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#166304 22-Sep-2008 16:23

lotech: Most sports are shot at 1080i as the interlaced feed looks better for fast motion.

Eh? I always thought it was the progressive feed that was good for fast motion, hence sports being 720p and part of TVNZ's argument for using 720p.
From wikipedia which supports my statement:

In the USA, 720p is used by ABC, Fox Broadcasting Company and ESPN because the smoother image is desirable for fast-action sports telecasts, whereas 1080i is used by CBS, NBC, HBO, Showtime and Discovery HD due to the crisper picture particularly in non-moving shots.

So therefore if Sky was following the rest of the industry, Sky Sport would be 720p.

Kiwiwolf

69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#166327 22-Sep-2008 17:34

Balchy if you have the same plasma model as me and I assume the Sky HDi box, can you please give me all of your picture/aspect ratio settings on:

a. The TV
b. The HDi box (HD setup options, SD setup options etc)

Balchy

484 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#166330 22-Sep-2008 17:41

Kiwiwolf: Balchy if you have the same plasma model as me and I assume the Sky HDi box, can you please give me all of your picture/aspect ratio settings on:

a. The TV
b. The HDi box (HD setup options, SD setup options etc)

TV: set to 16:9

HDi box : HD - hd output set to auto
SD - Aspect ratio control - STB
TV type 16:9
wide screen signalling on

Hope it gets better for you, mine was pretty much plug and play and has been pretty sweet apart from the usual stb lockups but the picture is pretty mint

Kiwiwolf

69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#166333 22-Sep-2008 17:47

Balchy these settings are exactly what I have.

Do you find channels such as CNN and C4 blurry?

Do me a favour, if you are near your TV at 4.30 tomorrow, tune into the kids show on TV2 (not that I watch it of course) and tell me if you think the picture is like looking through the wrong pair of specs.

Also see if you can detect during the TV3 news tonight how some of the reports are blurry as well.

lotech

126 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#166335 22-Sep-2008 17:53

I stand corrected. I apologize about the 1080i comment.
Either way, if you have had it less than 30 days you may be able to return the TV - then do it! I didn't want to rag on your new purchase but for $2000 you should be able to pickup a 40" Full HD (1080p) panel - either from Harvey or elsewhere.
Currently JB Hi-Fi are selling screens at a $300 loss to try and gain market share - so seem to have the best deals to go (just don't fall for on sell of extended warranties, surge protectors or cloths).

geekzone.co.nz/lotech

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Balchy

484 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#166336 22-Sep-2008 17:53

Kiwiwolf:
Balchy these settings are exactly what I have.

Do you find channels such as CNN and C4 blurry?

Do me a favour, if you are near your TV at 4.30 tomorrow, tune into the kids show on TV2 (not that I watch it of course) and tell me if you think the picture is like looking through the wrong pair of specs.

Also see if you can detect during the TV3 news tonight how some of the reports are blurry as well.

Now you mention it CNN does look a little fuzzy, not that I watch it much lol. C4 is ok for me though - I'll keep an eye on 3news tonight if my kids let me watch it :)

Kiwiwolf

69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#166337 22-Sep-2008 17:58

Balchy, I'll be interested to see what you think of the kids show on TV2 at 4.30 tomorrow as well.

Lotec, thanks for the feedback.

mightymatt

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#172406 20-Oct-2008 22:39

Hi, Cant really comment on your installation however i install home theatres, sound systems etc and have my own business. I have installed plenty of Panasonic Plasmas with both full hd and non full hd panels with MySky HDi and the only time i had any issues was when i used the crappy hdmi cable that sky give you. once i swapped that out i had no problems. Yes the SD pictures are definitly not as clear however i have never seem them blurry. Even swapping from hd to sd there isnt a lot of change. I have also had the hdmi running through cat 5 converters over around 30mtr and still didnt get blurry pictures.

There may be a problem with your mysky unit or maybe the cable that u are using. very unlikely to be the panasonic plasma as over the past 8-10 years i have been doing installations i havent had one failure of a panasonic plasma yet (touch wood).

hope this helps a little as i know how frustrating it can be sometimes :)

have fun.

sbiddle

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#172429 21-Oct-2008 07:48

mightymatt: only time i had any issues was when i used the crappy hdmi cable that sky give you.

Being a fully digital signal you should be fully aware that HDMI = HDMI. The quality of a $5 HDMI will equal that of a $150 branded HDMI cable. HDMI cables are right up there with Nigerian scammers when it comes to ripping people off.

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