Got Insight???

[speakerman39]

Well folks, I have finally gotten moved. However, there is still so much ado. Anyways, my new dedicated ht room is a bit smaller than I originally thought. As such, have several things to work out just yet. I am supposed to get my Yammie 663 this afternoon so things are looking up. Now to my question-I noticed that my Insight Communications digital cable box has an S-video output as well as optical audio out. So, I connected the rf line from the wall to the in of my digital cable box. I then preceded to hook up the video via S-video to my 42" LG flat panel LCD. It is my understanding that the S-video will give me a better picture but that is NOT the case. Am I wrong here that S-video does not always result in a better picture over just connecting the analog cable directly to my LCD? I am aware that the analog cable is 480i but thought S-video was 480p which is a good as regular dvd quality. Could someone here explain this to me for clarification?? Lastly, I noticed the Yammie 663 can upconvert analog signals to hdmi as well as upscale 480i to 480p. Will this result in a better picture on my LCD? Also, my LCD has an optical audio out so what would I ever use it for??? I am just a bit confused here which is nothing new.........LOL!!!!! Perhaps, some of you can help me put things into perspective. I could just get the DVR but it is an extra $15 per month. Would it really be worth it??? Any members here have Insight Communications as their cable provider?

 

[speakerman39]

Correction-just got my Yammie 663.........woo hoo!!!!!! Too bad I am just worn out from all the moving. Have to work the next several days. Oh well, get to it when I have the time. Such is the life of an audiophile, eh?

 

[MDS]

It is my understanding that the S-video will give me a better picture but that is NOT the case. Am I wrong here that S-video does not always result in a better picture over just connecting the analog cable directly to my LCD?

Usually S-Video will look better than composite or RF but sometimes the difference is very slight. I don't think s-video makes all that much difference over composite when many people think it is a big jump in quality.

I am aware that the analog cable is 480i but thought S-video was 480p which is a good as regular dvd quality. Could someone here explain this to me for clarification??

The cable itself isn't 480i or 480p but those are the max resolutions it can carry. Simply switching from RF to s-video will not convert a 480i broadcast to 480p. The LCD will deinterlace from i to p and scale to its native resolution.

Also, my LCD has an optical audio out so what would I ever use it for???

If you were using the TV's built in tuner, either by connecting your cable directly to the TV or by using an external antenna to get over the air HD, you'd use the optical out to send the audio to a receiver.

Some TVs will output any digital signals coming in via HDMI to the optical out so you could connect all your source devices to the TV and then run a single audio connection to a receiver.

 

[speakerman39]

Usually S-Video will look better than composite or RF but sometimes the difference is very slight. I don't think s-video makes all that much difference over composite when many people think it is a big jump in quality.


The cable itself isn't 480i or 480p but those are the max resolutions it can carry. Simply switching from RF to s-video will not convert a 480i broadcast to 480p. The LCD will deinterlace from i to p and scale to its native resolution.


If you were using the TV's built in tuner, either by connecting your cable directly to the TV or by using an external antenna to get over the air HD, you'd use the optical out to send the audio to a receiver.

Some TVs will output any digital signals coming in via HDMI to the optical out so you could connect all your source devices to the TV and then run a single audio connection to a receiver.

Great, thanks for some clarification. So, would my Yammie 663 improve my picture via hdmi and upconverting from 480i to 480p? My LCD is 1080p. Or, do you think the Motorola DVR will improve the picture quite nicely? In other words, would the DVR be worth an extra $15 per month? I really could care less about recording live tv but do care about improving my picture quality?

 

[Exit]

S video was developed in the early VCR days by JVC. I believe it has 400 lines interlaced with separate inputs controlling parts of the video signal versus one signal with composite. It is the same connector used to output mini DV cameras which are 400 line interlaced. I believe standard tv is about 280 lines interlaced. Some better TVs hand more than 280 lines resolution so there was a noticeable improvement using S-video on those sets. S-video probably won't look very good on a high definition tv the same as composite video doesn't look very good on high definition tv.

 

[speakerman39]

S video was developed in the early VCR days by JVC. I believe it has 400 lines interlaced with separate inputs controlling parts of the video signal versus one signal with composite. It is the same connector used to output mini DV cameras which are 400 line interlaced. I believe standard tv is about 280 lines interlaced. Some better TVs hand more than 280 lines resolution so there was a noticeable improvement using S-video on those sets. S-video probably won't look very good on a high definition tv the same as composite video doesn't look very good on high definition tv.

Seems logical. Looks like I just need to give the DVR a chance. Just hate forking out $15 a month for something I am NOT buying. Not sure, but that does sound a bit too expensive if you ask me. However, if I do fork out that extra $15 p/month the picture would have to be bettrer or otherwise it is of no use to me.

 

[speakerman39]

Just got off the phone with my local cable company aka Insight Communications. Thus, I decided to go ahead and give their DVR a try as it is FREE for 30 days. What is more amazing they are coming out on Sunday!!!! I have to work the next few days and totally covered up. Heck, even got HBO included for 30 days at no extra charge!!!! This should give me time enough to decide if it is for me or not. If not, I plan to explore other options such as Direct TV or Dish Network, and etc. AT&T has been advertising a bundle plan of any (3) services for like $69 a month. For now, I will give Insight a try. They just moved my services from my former address for FREE so I feel I at least owe them that. I also just recently purchased a broadband modem from them. They use the Motorola 6416. Plan to do a bit of research too see just how good it is. Insight claims it is a newer design and as such performed quite well for their customers. Anybody here familiar with the Motorola 6416???? If so, please share your experience(s).

 

[HiDefGuru]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I remember from my First Supervisor was that S-Video Seperates Chrominance and Luminance. Basically Color and Grayscale. It's an overall better image then the combined composite, but by a small margin in most aspects.

And yes... PONY UP THE DOUGH FOR HI-DEF SERVICE!!!

 

[Davemcc]

Motorola 6416 - It's a good unit, good menu system, decent menu options. I had no glitches with its use (until the cableco disabled the HDMI in the firmware). I did get really bad SD picture, but I think that was the cable feed, not the fault of the 6416. I actually prefer the 6416 to my current satellite DVR. If my cable provider ever decides to join the 21st century and begins supporting HDMI, I will likely go back to cable with the 6416.

The 6416 also has some VERY useful product wiki. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup

 

[Midcow2]

upgrade to satellite for better PQ

... my Insight Communications digital cable box has an S-video output as well as optical audio out. So, I connected the rf line from the wall to the in of my digital cable box. I then preceded to hook up the video via S-video to my 42" LG flat panel LCD. It is my understanding that the S-video will give me a better picture but that is NOT the case. Am I wrong here that S-video does not always result in a better picture over just connecting the analog cable directly to my LCD? I am aware that the analog cable is 480i but thought S-video was 480p which is a good as regular dvd quality. Could someone here explain this to me for clarification??

Just my opinion but you can get a much high PQ (1080p) going to satellite ( DishNetwork or DirectV) or fiber optics (AT&T Uverse).

 

[speakerman39]

S video was developed in the early VCR days by JVC. I believe it has 400 lines interlaced with separate inputs controlling parts of the video signal versus one signal with composite. It is the same connector used to output mini DV cameras which are 400 line interlaced. I believe standard tv is about 280 lines interlaced. Some better TVs hand more than 280 lines resolution so there was a noticeable improvement using S-video on those sets. S-video probably won't look very good on a high definition tv the same as composite video doesn't look very good on high definition tv.

Very interesting point. Guess i was wrong in my speculation.

 

[speakerman39]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I remember from my First Supervisor was that S-Video Seperates Chrominance and Luminance. Basically Color and Grayscale. It's an overall better image then the combined composite, but by a small margin in most aspects.

And yes... PONY UP THE DOUGH FOR HI-DEF SERVICE!!!

Well, from previous experience S-video did make a noticeable difference. However, that was on a crt tv not an LCD flat panel. It never hurts to hope though eh?

 

[speakerman39]

Motorola 6416 - It's a good unit, good menu system, decent menu options. I had no glitches with its use (until the cableco disabled the HDMI in the firmware). I did get really bad SD picture, but I think that was the cable feed, not the fault of the 6416. I actually prefer the 6416 to my current satellite DVR. If my cable provider ever decides to join the 21st century and begins supporting HDMI, I will likely go back to cable with the 6416.

The 6416 also has some VERY useful product wiki. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup

Thanks a bunch dave as this info is most useful. I also feel better about at least trying the 6416. Who knows, it may work just fine. I also appreciate the link as I am sure I will re-visit it again.

 

[speakerman39]

Just my opinion but you can get a much high PQ (1080p) going to satellite ( DishNetwork or DirectV) or fiber optics (AT&T Uverse).

Well, a neighbor had Direct tv and it was constantly going out every time it rained. He was also on the phone with customer service with less than stellar results. In fact, my neighbor has switched to Insight cable tv and is using the 6416 himself. The sad part is that is ALL it ever does anymore is RAIN RAIN RAIN!!!!!! God, I am so sick of it. Just seems top never end. We are in yet another serious weather threat again as we speak. However, I may look into it if the 6416 does not work out for me.

 

[speakerman39]

Got the 6416 hooked up and the picture was awful via hdmi. We also tried the other hdmi inputs but got the same result. I suggested we try component but there was not any improvement. The picture is very blurry. The installer decided to try just using the rf from the wall into the 6416 then a coaxial cable to my LCD. The picture now looks much better but still not as good as I would like to have. It is tolerable at best. I do not have the 6416 going into my Yammie 663. In fact, the 663 is not even hooked up. Working on it though. This past week has been very hectic to say the least. Anybody here know what the problem could be? The cable installer believes it is my LCD. When, I play an HD DVD there is no blurring and the picture is fantastic. Therefore, I do not believe it is my LCD. He also claims that part of my cable outside still needs to be buried and as such could be causing some of the trouble. Is he correct here?

 

[Davemcc]

Did the installer set the resolution in the setup menu? It could still be set to 480i. In the menu, you should also be able to confirm the signal quality sent by your cable provider. Instructions should be in the link how to get into the menu to check resolution.

Also on the Wiki page, go to configuration > How to check your incoming signal strength.

 

[speakerman39]

Did the installer set the resolution in the setup menu? It could still be set to 480i. In the menu, you should also be able to confirm the signal quality sent by your cable provider. Instructions should be in the link how to get into the menu to check resolution.

Also on the Wiki page, go to configuration > How to check your incoming signal strength.

Yes, the installer was able to get to the menu but unable to do anything else. It is set to 720p. I have adjusted my picture a bit and like it better. Just dont understand why I have to use a coaxial cable instead of the hdmi or even component. At least the picture is decent. Not sure it is worth the extra $15 a month though. I need to get the rest of my ht together in the next few days. Right now, I am just exhausted from such a hectic week. As always, it is cold, cloudy, and raining. Guess it is more of the norm now as opposed to the exception.

 

[PENG]

If you are subscribing to the HD channels, either cable or satellite should get you PQ as good as your HD DVD players can, and if not then there is something wrong with your cable company. Either get them to fix it or switch to satellite and risk losing the signals every time (or at least half the time) there is a snow/rain storm.

 

[bandphan]

ive found s video to work better than hdmi for sd, with my cable service over hdmi, but as a conveince i still use hdmi, and with locals all sd id through the ota, which is far superior to cable or sat. My display does a nice job with sd over cable, but ive found myself not watching poor pq chanels.

 

[speakerman39]

If you are subscribing to the HD channels, either cable or satellite should get you PQ as good as your HD DVD players can, and if not then there is something wrong with your cable company. Either get them to fix it or switch to satellite and risk losing the signals every time (or at least half the time) there is a snow/rain storm.

Well, I am not subscribing to the HD package as money is a bit tight right now. We all are feeling the crunch at the pumps and everything in-between is going up significantly. The installer claims that my picture will improve once the outside line on the ground is buried. He also told me it takes about (3) weeks. I hope he is correct in that my pq will improve once they come and bury the cable. No need to get Direct tv or Dish network because all it ever does here is rain. Thus, I would never have service so why even bother. I am stuck with cable and as such will have to get used to the picture. The new AT&T Uverse is not yet available here. When it is, I will probably switch. Until then, there is really not much that I can do.