Scart and HDMI on same device

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wazzab

84 posts

Master Geek

#24405 23-Jul-2008 10:39

I have a slight issue with picture clarity when running SKY digital thru my DVD recorder. The picture is great, but the EPG graphics are quite blury and have a bit of noise around them. My setup - SKY to Bravia via Scart to Component (Belkin Pure Av) - picture is great, epg is great and TV states 720p. SKY to Sony DVD recorded via SCART to SCART (Monster), then DVD recorder to TV via Hdmi to Hdmi (Belkin Pure AV), image upscaled to 1080i. Could it be the upscaling that is possible affecting the graphics, or possible SCART and HDMI on the same device.

I was reading a review on a DVD Recorder I was looking at purchasing and the tech review had this "I also feel that I should mention here that I have read online that you shouldn't have both the HDMI and SCART cables connected on the same device at the same time, as its not very good for it apparently. This means that if you want to watch a movie on DVD using the full upscaling capability then you should disconnect any SCART lead that is currently connected to other devices like or pvr/stb or anything else not necessary, before connecting the connecting the HDMI lead and watching it through that. If a SCART lead has to be connected so that you can view the recorder on the TV screen then I guess you have no choice, I just remember reading that its advisable to not have both types of connections being used live at the same time, so I thought I should pass on that advise..."

Any ideas or opionion on the above? I am booked for SKY HD on 31st Julyt and can't wait. My issue may go away as my older bravia only has one HDMI input so the Sky HD will go directly to the TV, and I will have to go SCART to Component from DVD recorder. Thanks

Spyware

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#150576 23-Jul-2008 10:53

My guess is that the noise and smearing is on the composite signal (SCART to SCART between your Sky decoder and DVD recorder). I've observed the same thing on a SCART to composite lead from Pace DS230NNZ. Noise and smudging was only apparent on EPG (I consider all Sky picture quality to be substandard with visible compression artifacts on nearly every channel).

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wazzab

84 posts

Master Geek

#150581 23-Jul-2008 11:01

Thanks - I might try SCART to Component from SKY to DVD recorder, then HDMI to HDMI from DVD to TV to see if it improves. Just frustrating thats all when the images are different.

tchart

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#150586 23-Jul-2008 11:11

Thats interesting that your TV reports 720p for the SCART->Component output. Perhaps you have a different decoder than mine as my TV reports 576i which is what I believe is correct (for Freeview too).

My setup is similar to you although I dont use HDMI for any Sky stuff (my DVD player occupies that port).

I have the Sky decoder outputting Component from the one Scart and S-Video from the other (same as you). I have a 32" LCD TV with 16ms response time.

To step back a bit, before I settled on a confguration I tried all of the Sky decoders outputs on my TV and all but the component have the smear/delay on the EPG (or even the channel number at the top right when you flick through the channels). This is why I decided on component for Sky since we mostly watch Sky and it doesnt have this problem.

The S-video/Composite are both terrible on my TV. The S-Video from the Sky decoder on my TV is over exposed but is slightly better when I feed it to my DVD recorder which is then fed back to the TV's S-video.

It still all looks pretty crap though (as Spyware said) Sky is so over compressed it isnt even a joke anymore. My $130 freeview box gives a better picture over composite than I get over component from the Sky signal. Seriously!!!

I wouldnt bother getting Sky HD since the regular channels arent any better (not yet anyway).

When I replace my DVD recorder Ive spotted a replacment at DSE which has component input and HDMI output. I think that may be the way to go (my current one only has composite & S-video) if you are sticking with Sky and want HDMI.

Just my 2c.

Trevor

tchart

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#150587 23-Jul-2008 11:14

LOL just saw your reply, I see you've already got a DVD recorder with component input. Let us know what the picture is like with the Sky->Scart->Component->DVD Recorder->HDMI->HDMI->TV setup.

wazzab

84 posts

Master Geek

#150591 23-Jul-2008 11:28

Actually you may be right on your first point - i think the SKY to TV via SCART->Component shows 576i on the TV.

I just double checked the specs on my DVD recorder (sony RDR-HX820) and it doesn't have Component IN, so I may just have to live with it at this stage.

I was thinking of ditching the DVD/HDD recorder anyway as upgrade to SKY HD will have the HDD funtion. I get annoyed with the DVD/HDD making that slight whinning sounds as the HDD spins the whole time plus the smudgy graphics. I might try a DVD Player/Recorder only without HDD. Seem to be a few around, just need to get one with Component In so I get a decent pic from the SKY HD box for recordings.

Thanks for your replies.

richms

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#151147 25-Jul-2008 00:58

The scart to scart on loads of dvd recorders will do RGB, if you have a fully wired cable and set the skybox to output RGB.

Richard rich.ms