DVR Chatter

I'm also wondering if HDMI will be an improvement over component for what I assume to be compression artifacts. Slower images are sharp and breathtaking, but once the action picks up I get lots of pixelization. Plus, color gradients are not smooth (such as cloud scenes at night), but rather have clearly defined boundaries, like a jpeg image with too much compression. Will HDMI fix that, or is that simply the best my DVR (6412 pIII / Comcast) or TV (30" Sony Wega CRT HDTV) can do?

Don't forget that if you use a dvi/hdmi converter, you will lose the digital sound portion of the HDMI interface.  When I used my converter and switched the Comast 6412 to DVI, I was unable to get the sound directly out of the DVR to my HDTV.  So, I switched it to component cabling and its all fine now.  I haven't had time to fiddle with the DVI/HDMI setup so maybe someone else has this hooked up the correct way.

My TV is a Sony KD34XBR960 - a 34" CRT.  I originally connected it to the DVR via component cables.  Later, I tried HDMI.  I can't see any difference between them.  In fact, I can't see any difference between the picture I get with the TV's own digital/HD tuner and the picture than comes in from the DVR. 

A lot of people, in this forum and elsewhere, say that a digital connection gives a better picture than a component connection.  I don't doubt those who see a difference, but that hasn't been my experience.

I can't comment on whether a digital connection improves audio - my hearing is sufficiently impaired that I wouldn't notice any difference.

Sean wrote:

Wouldn't using an adapter hurt the image quality a bit? It would probably be best to hook HDMI up directly to the box wouldn't it? I don't mind getting a new box if thats the case. I am not that impressed with the picture quality of this TV (unless I have it set up wrong) so perhaps that would help.

The only channel that looks good in my opinion is "INHD", the rest of the channels labeled HDTV look grainy. I was switching back and forth between Showtime and Showtime HD and the image quality looked the same to me - just that the HD channel actually filled the whole screen. I thought HD was supposed to be significantly better.

An adaptor would not hurt the image quality at all because it's a digital connection... e.g. a bunch of 1's and 0's rather than waves.

You'll notice that especially on your local channels.  Even though you may be watching the HD channel, the product your viewing may not be HD, especially if it's not prime time network shows (in which case it usually is now). 

I've also noticed that not all material on HD channels is native HD (as INHD usually is native).  It's undergoing an upconversion at the broadcast point in a lot of cases. 

If you didn't notice a difference between Showtime and Showtime HD other than the widescreen aspect I suspect you need to do some tweaking on your TV's video settings.  Most come out of the box "hot" with brightness and contrast all jacked up high.  Search for your TV model family on that "other" site (AVSForum.com, don't be mad at me Frank!) for tweaks.  Your bound to find a wealth of information if you have the patience to really dig there.

shj wrote:

My TV is a Sony KD34XBR960 - a 34" CRT.  I originally connected it to the DVR via component cables.  Later, I tried HDMI.  I can't see any difference between them.  In fact, I can't see any difference between the picture I get with the TV's own digital/HD tuner and the picture than comes in from the DVR.

You shouldn't see a difference between your TV's HD tuner and the HD tuner from the DVR.  Its the same thing being output as they are both HD tuners as long as your viewing an actual HD broadcast (720p or 1080i).

Actually I view both. The HDMI runs from the DVR to the TV which is used when bypassing the receiver and surround sound.  The COMP goes into the receiver and out HDMI, without any upconversion. Got most of my cables at Home Depot- very reasonable.  Comparing HDMI and Component, believe it or not, Component looks better than HDMI.

Last edited by dar (12-13-2006 3:26:13 PM)

Thanks for all of the help so far guys... I decided that I will swap my current box tomorrow for an HDMI capable one, and I'll be ordering the HDMI cables from monoprice.com too. That's a great price at just six dollars, compared to the (Monster Cable) ones I saw at circuit city for a whopping $120!

jganyard wrote:

12)  The iGuide does not display in widescreen unless you use one of your TV's stretch modes.

Can you clarify more on this please? I am not sure what you mean by this... Also why would the iGuide not be widescreen, I thought the DVR boxes were HDTV capable?


Thanks for recommending AVS Forum too, that looks like a great helpful resource for HDTV stuff.

Last edited by Sean (12-13-2006 10:03:52 PM)

Sean wrote:

Can you clarify more on this please? I am not sure what you mean by this... Also why would the iGuide not be widescreen, I thought the DVR boxes were HDTV capable?

All the displays & menus the DVR generates are in 4:3 (not widescreen) format.  I suspect it's using software that was originally written for non-HD boxes.   My father has a non-HD Motorola cable box (not a DVR), and its displays are the same as I have on my DVR.

Also, that way they they don't have worry about modifying the displays depending on the type of TV being used.

shj wrote:

Sean wrote:

Can you clarify more on this please? I am not sure what you mean by this... Also why would the iGuide not be widescreen, I thought the DVR boxes were HDTV capable?

All the displays & menus the DVR generates are in 4:3 (not widescreen) format.  I suspect it's using software that was originally written for non-HD boxes.   My father has a non-HD Motorola cable box (not a DVR), and its displays are the same as I have on my DVR.

Also, that way they they don't have worry about modifying the displays depending on the type of TV being used.

Yep, you just said it better than I did.  I also have a non-HD/DVR Moto box and the menu's and guide are the same as on the 6412.

Sean wrote:

I will be ordering an HDMI cable from monoprice.com, thank you guys for all the help. Epsecially the AVS Forums recommendation, I've found great color settings and advice for my TV from there.

You'll like it over there right up until the time you say something that Jabba disagrees with and deletes, or when they edit the content of your "Private" messages.