? Concerning new VSX23

[Jefft54]

I just set up my new VSX23, connecting it with my HDTV, DVD, and ATT U-verse digital cable.

Using all HDMI cables everything works just as it should. My question revolves around this: With the HDMI out to my TV, all devices are controlled with the 23, as they should. However, my wife is none too literate when it comes to electronics and I was worried she wouldn't figure out how to turn the receiver on and switch the remote to the correct function. So, I made a second connection from the cable box directly to the TV. Simply, she can turn on the tv and listen through the tv speakers, as if there was no receiver.

Finally, here's my question. When I switch from the 23 controlling the tv function and go back to TV only, I have to switch the tv input from the HDMI back to component (the direct connection cable/tv). The TV defaults back to 480 resolution rather than the 1080i it's capable of. I can reset the resolution back manually. I'm just wondering if anyone has an idea why the set would default to the low resolution everytime.
Sorry for the long question
Thanks

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The display itself converts to a lower resolution? What display is it?

If all else fails, get a universal remote so she can just hit one button that says "watch TV".

 

[MDS]

The TV can only display one resolution and it is neither 480i nor 1080i (it scales and/or deinterlaces to whatever its native resolution is). So...I am assuming that you mean you can change the resolution going TO the TV via the cable box.

I am not aware of the capabilities of U-Verse but there are various possible implementations so here are my best guesses as to the possibilites:

1. The U-Verse box can output simultaneously over HDMI and Component but downgrades the resolution to 480i over Component while the HDMI is in use. When you switch to Component, that is now the only output and you can manually change the output resolution of the signal.

2. The box offers the ability to set the output resolution individually per output but you've only set the resolution for HDMI.

3. The default output resolution is set to 480i or perhaps 'pass-thru' which does not touch the incoming signal and since a lot of channels on cable are still 480i, that is what the TV sees. When connected to the receiver, you probably have the receiver upconvert to 1080i and that is why the TV always sees 1080i.

In my opinion, the cable box should just be set to 'pass thru' and the receiver as well because the TV will scale and/or deinterlace as necessary and often does a much better job of it than a cable box or receiver. If the U-Verse box offers pass-thru and you use that setting, you won't have this issue.

 

[Jefft54]

The TV can only display one resolution and it is neither 480i nor 1080i (it scales and/or deinterlaces to whatever its native resolution is). So...I am assuming that you mean you can change the resolution going TO the TV via the cable box.
Yes. The cable allows you to choose 480, 720 or 1080, runs a compatability test, then if you see the picture tells you the set is capable of that display resolution.

I am not aware of the capabilities of U-Verse but there are various possible implementations so here are my best guesses as to the possibilites:

1. The U-Verse box can output simultaneously over HDMI and Component but downgrades the resolution to 480i over Component while the HDMI is in use. When you switch to Component, that is now the only output and you can manually change the output resolution of the signal.

2. The box offers the ability to set the output resolution individually per output but you've only set the resolution for HDMI.
Perhaps. I'll check that tonight

3. The default output resolution is set to 480i or perhaps 'pass-thru' which does not touch the incoming signal and since a lot of channels on cable are still 480i, that is what the TV sees. When connected to the receiver, you probably have the receiver upconvert to 1080i and that is why the TV always sees 1080i.

In my opinion, the cable box should just be set to 'pass thru' and the receiver as well because the TV will scale and/or deinterlace as necessary and often does a much better job of it than a cable box or receiver. If the U-Verse box offers pass-thru and you use that setting, you won't have this issue. I'll check but I've never seen that option available on the cable system menu

I'll check some of your suggestions tonight and see if they work. I think that you might be on to something suggesting to set the 2 resolutions seperately
Thanks

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I don't see anyway to set seperate resolutions or use a "pass-thru" on the UVerse box.

 

[Jefft54]

I don't see anyway to set seperate resolutions or use a "pass-thru" on the UVerse box.

I checked it out last night and you're correct. I'll have to play with the 23 more. The universal remote may be the solution.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It's really the easiest way. Set up the remote to where the first option is "Wife's TV" and she will be happy.

I checked it out last night and you're correct. I'll have to play with the 23 more. The universal remote may be the solution.

 

[Kai]

Adding a universal remote is an easy way to make life a lot easier in a home.
I use the Harmony 1 and have activities such a "watch tv", "ipdo", etc. A press of one button and everything that needs to come on comes on, switches to the correct input, devices that should be off are off and even switches to the audio mode I want.
It took a bit of time to tweak it just right and I still use the device's remote "sometimes" when doing some system tweaking but generally not and my wife never has to use the device's remote.

It has made life much easier for us.

 

[Jefft54]

Adding a universal remote is an easy way to make life a lot easier in a home.
I use the Harmony 1 and have activities such a "watch tv", "ipdo", etc. A press of one button and everything that needs to come on comes on, switches to the correct input, devices that should be off are off and even switches to the audio mode I want.
It took a bit of time to tweak it just right and I still use the device's remote "sometimes" when doing some system tweaking but generally not and my wife never has to use the device's remote.

It has made life much easier for us.

Does seem to be a good way to go. A buddy uses the Harmony only and everything is set. Click and go.

 

[MDS]

A universal remote is indeed the way to go BUT will not do anything for the perceived problem that switching to component video causes the cable box to revert to outputting 480i.

You can program a macro such that one touch changes everything to TV mode but the cable box will still behave just as it does now. Now you could also add the sequence to bring up the cable box settings and set its output to 1080i, but why bother - the TV will do any scaling and deinterlacing necessary anyway.