Connection Questions!

[fastcatfire]

Just got a new Plasma. It's an Akai 4290 monitor. EDTV. My question is would it be a big diffrence to connect DVI-d connection. I currently am using componet connections. The unit is also not recieving 720p signals.
Not sure if it will. I am running thru a Yamaha RXV reciever also.Anything will help.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Just got a new Plasma. It's an Akai 4290 monitor. EDTV. My question is would it be a big diffrence to connect DVI-d connection. I currently am using componet connections. The unit is also not recieving 720p signals.
Not sure if it will. I am running thru a Yamaha RXV reciever also.Anything will help.

If you're Akai is only EDTV (enhanced definion tv) then as far as I know it can only receive up to 480P signals, to receive 720P you would need an HDTV. Hope that helps

 

[brian32672]

I looked up the specs of this monitor. And it is a HDTV. So yes, the DVI connection should (will) give you a little better picture quality.

Specs I read are.....

Product Specifications

Display Features
Diagonal Size 42 in

HDTV Compatible Yes

Aspect Ratio 16:9

Comb Filter Digital

Contrast Ratio 700:1

Brightness 600 cd/m2

Viewing Angle 160 degrees

Display Resolution 852 x 480

Total Pixels 408,960 Pixels

Pitch 1.08 mm

Progressive Scan Capability Yes

Widescreen Modes Zoom, Normal, Panorama, Wide, Stretch

Audio Features
Audio Format Supported Stereo

Audio Controls Sound mode, Balance, Bass, Treble

Additional Features
Multi-Language Menu English, French, Spanish

Accessories
Remote Control Remote control

Connectors
Connectors Serial, Audio line-in, VGA input, Speakers output, Composite video input, Component video input, S-Video input

S-Video Connectors 1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - rear

RCA Connectors 1 x composite video input ( RCA phono ) - rear, 4 x audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear

Component Connectors 1 x component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - rear

Other Connectors Total (Free) / Type 1 x VGA input ( 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ) - rear, 1 x serial ( mini-phone 3.5 mm ) - rear, 2 x speakers output ( click-fit x 2 ) - rear

General Product Info
Subcategory Plasma TV

Television Technology Plasma (PDP)

Television Type Plasma panel

Weight 70.55 lbs

Also known as Akai 4290, Akai PDP4290, PDP4290, 4290

Manufacturer Part No. PDP4290

Company Info Akai

Dimension 25 in x 40.9 in x 3.5 in (HxWxD)

 

[fastcatfire]

Thanks Brian,
Will the DVI give me the 720,or just better 480? Do I need to change something in the menu? I could not find anything in the menu about it. I also do not have the remote controll, just a universal. Now I have to find a DVI cable that don't cost a fortune. Everywhere I go is Monster Cable.
Who else makes a good cable?
Thanks,
FCF

 

[brian32672]

Thanks Brian,
Will the DVI give me the 720,or just better 480? Do I need to change something in the menu? I could not find anything in the menu about it. I also do not have the remote controll, just a universal. Now I have to find a DVI cable that don't cost a fortune. Everywhere I go is Monster Cable.
Who else makes a good cable?
Thanks,
FCF

Actually the RGB or dsub will give you 720. (dsub will be in terms of the actual pixel ratio) If 720 is being fed through it. Do you have Digital Cable, Do you have a upconverting dvd player.

If the only signal you are sending to the monitor is a 480i or 480p. Then thats all it will see. The monitor does not upconvert.

You would still get the best quality if a DVI cable is used.

For a decent DVI cable I have bought one here. For this price, you can not go wrong, even if its just for testing purposes....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73387&item=5786262101&rd=1

Hope this helps.....

 

[brian32672]

Do I need to change something in the menu? I could not find anything in the menu about it.

Forgot about this....

No you should not need to change anything in the menu. The monitor/tv will automatically search for the highest signal.

I am pretty sure this is how plasmas work.

My DLP-- Projectors (all 3 that I have had & have) will automatically search for the highest signal

 

[brian32672]

OOOOPPPPS

Now actually looking back at those specs, Does this thing even have a DVI connection???????

 

[brian32672]

I do see that it is marketed as 4 different monitors, surely the same specs. But one may have added a DVI connection.
This may be your case......

 

[Mort Corey]

If the specs quoted are indeed correct at 850X480, then it is indeed an EDTV. A digital connection might give you a slightly better picture but it will always be 480p when displayed. Any signal that it is sent, whether 480i or 1080i is converted to the panels native rate of 480p.

Blue Jeans cables makes quality, inexpensive, DVI cables should you want to give one a try.

Mort

 

[fastcatfire]

Thanks Brian,
Huge help. This is a great site.

 

[brian32672]

If the specs quoted are indeed correct at 850X480, then it is indeed an EDTV. A digital connection might give you a slightly better picture but it will always be 480p when displayed. Any signal that it is sent, whether 480i or 1080i is converted to the panels native rate of 480p.

Blue Jeans cables makes quality, inexpensive, DVI cables should you want to give one a try.

Mort

He is correct (Mort I mean) But I was thinking in the same terms as a projector. Being, some projectors are native 854x480 but will work at a maximum of 1280x1024 or more.

But again the best possible connection would be DVI then Component (not composite) then VGA

 

[brian32672]

He is correct (Mort I mean) But I was thinking in the same terms as a projector. Being, some projectors are native 854x480 but will work at a maximum of 1280x1024 or more.

But again the best possible connection would be DVI then Component (not composite) then VGA

Let me elaborate on this a bit more.

I am thinking in terms of front and rear projection, LCD and DLP.

Also on my flat screen lcd monitor.

My LCD monitor Sony is native 800x600 But when swithched to and fed 1024x768 it has a huge difference in picture quality. This process is called scaling (not up/downconverting) (2 different processes)

I am assuming that they HDTV Plasma with a native of 480p, and is sent a signal of 720p or better, the screen will automatically scale to the source.

If not then please correct me.

But why would I (or anyone) spend 2,000.00+ on a newer technology in Plasma, that can't handle a older technology of LCD or DLP.

Surely his screen will look better if the source is sending a 720p or 1080i signal. As the tv/monitor is capable of HDTV. And the Plasma will scale to the upconverted image.

 

[brian32672]

Also if you are in need of a long DVI cable.

Here is the one I just bought, its HDMI to DVI. But they have DVI to DVI.

For this lenght I felt it was a decent price. I contacted them before buying. And its actually 10 meters. (which is closer to 32 feet) So in my setup, its perfect lenght and is only about 6" longer than I need.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5787000412&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

 

[Mort Corey]

Plasma displays are a little different in how they scale incoming signals vs a computer monitor. They're all progressive displays and all scale to the native rate of the panel. 850X480 usually scales to 480p while the HD displays using a 1024X768, 1280X768 or 1366X768 usually scale all incoming signals to 720p. My 1024X768 panel scales everything to 768p so there's no really hard and fast rule. On my display, I get the best PQ by feeding the panel 1080i vs 720p from my STB. Other brands may behave differently. IIRC, the last generation of consumer Panasonic displays would not accept a 720p signal from a STB (they would through a computer though) but yet that was the native rate of the panel. Go figure.

In my case, the DVI cable did produce better PQ vs component, but it was not that great of a difference with a good HD source.

Mort (who didn't even want to mention the alis 1024x1024 panels)