Component Video Cable Woes

[bte52]

Good Morning,
I checked the FAQ's and did a search of the forum on my problem and couldn't find any information. I am hoping that someone here can shed some light on my problem.

I have an older (2001) Panasonic PT-47WX49 rear projection, HD ready TV with DirecTV satellite service. Note: This set offers three S-Video inputs and two component video inputs. After 5 years I finally decided to take advantage of the HD and ordered the new dish and receiver from DirecTV. The new system was professionally installed last week.

As the installation techs were finishing up their work I noticed that they had used the S-Video connection from the new DirecTV receiver to my TV. The receiver kit included the component video cable and asked them why they didn't use that instead and they replied that it wasn't necessary and the S-Video cable connection was just fine. The HD picture was excellent with this connection.

I accepted this explanation and they left but everything I had read indicated that the component video connection is a step up from S-Video in terms of picture quality. I decided to just switch to the component video cables and judge for myself. After doing so the picture OK but I noticed that there were small flashing/tracer like white lines surrounding all objects and people in the picture. This problem existed with both normal and HD broadcasts. The TV has two component video inputs so I also checked by moving the cables to the second set and found the same thing. I checked all my connections and no luck so I reverted back to the S-Video and called DirecTV tech support. After many troubleshooting scripts they decided to send out a field tech. He came yesterday and did some checking. His diagnosis was that the cheap component video cable that came with the HD receiver was the culprit and suggested that I go with Monster cable or similar. Off to Circuit City for $90.00+ component video cable. I installed the cable and the exact same problem exists. In one of my searches for a fix I read that running the incoming coax from the antenna to the receiver through a surge protector can cause HD reception problems. I bypassed the surge protector and still no difference

I realize that I should just be satisfied with the S-Video connection but since my TV and HD receiver support component video I'd like to use it. Any suggestions out there? I am at my wits end. Thanks for reading!

Ed

 

[jonnythan]

You won't get HD through S-Video. That's why you need to use component cables.

 

[matthewdclarkaz]

RE: Woes

The above post is correct in that s-video will not carry a HD resolution, and that component will.

As to the problem that you are seeing: when you say "This problem existed with both normal and HD broadcasts" is this with the HD specific channels that DirectTV offers? Keep in mind that on your local channels (and oall channels besides the specific HD ones) even if it states that it is delivered in HD you will only recieve it in HD if Direct TV carries that particular channel in HD. There will only be a handfull (up to a dozen) channels that will take advantage of the HD Component cables (and box.) If on these channels (I can't remember exactly but I think they are in the 400 range on DTV) you are seeing the problem you describe, it is possible that there is a problem with the box or your TV's component video inputs.

Also be careful here "In one of my searches for a fix I read that running the incoming coax from the antenna to the receiver through a surge protector can cause HD reception problems. I bypassed the surge protector and still no difference" as when you bypass your power protection even with your coax you are leaving your entire system (in most cases) vunerable to surges and interferance. Most of the respectable power centers these days will not noteably reduce your HD feed.

Best of luck.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Good Morning,
I checked the FAQ's and did a search of the forum on my problem and couldn't find any information. I am hoping that someone here can shed some light on my problem.

I have an older (2001) Panasonic PT-47WX49 rear projection, HD ready TV with DirecTV satellite service. Note: This set offers three S-Video inputs and two component video inputs. After 5 years I finally decided to take advantage of the HD and ordered the new dish and receiver from DirecTV. The new system was professionally installed last week.

As the installation techs were finishing up their work I noticed that they had used the S-Video connection from the new DirecTV receiver to my TV. The receiver kit included the component video cable and asked them why they didn't use that instead and they replied that it wasn't necessary and the S-Video cable connection was just fine. The HD picture was excellent with this connection.

I accepted this explanation and they left but everything I had read indicated that the component video connection is a step up from S-Video in terms of picture quality. I decided to just switch to the component video cables and judge for myself. After doing so the picture OK but I noticed that there were small flashing/tracer like white lines surrounding all objects and people in the picture. This problem existed with both normal and HD broadcasts. The TV has two component video inputs so I also checked by moving the cables to the second set and found the same thing. I checked all my connections and no luck so I reverted back to the S-Video and called DirecTV tech support. After many troubleshooting scripts they decided to send out a field tech. He came yesterday and did some checking. His diagnosis was that the cheap component video cable that came with the HD receiver was the culprit and suggested that I go with Monster cable or similar. Off to Circuit City for $90.00+ component video cable. I installed the cable and the exact same problem exists. In one of my searches for a fix I read that running the incoming coax from the antenna to the receiver through a surge protector can cause HD reception problems. I bypassed the surge protector and still no difference

I realize that I should just be satisfied with the S-Video connection but since my TV and HD receiver support component video I'd like to use it. Any suggestions out there? I am at my wits end. Thanks for reading!

Ed

You may also want to call the dish company to see what signal you are supposed to receive, what you signed up for as you think you should be getting HD but it is not coming in through the Svideo feed. This is part of their service, they should fix it. When it is fixed, you should complain about the lack of knowledge of the initial service people as they will continue to rob people of what they paid for.

 

[zipper]

Do you have, or have you had, a progressive scan DVD player hooked up via component cbls? Picture OK? If so, it may be a faulty STB...........you didn't mention if the tech swapped out the unit to eliminate that possibilty.