Progressive Scan using component outputs explained

[ToolZero]

If you plan to use progressive scan through component video this is VERY important.

The progressive scan signal is sent via component video connections, which are labeled Y, Pb, Pr.
Component video connections labeled Y,Cb,Cr transfer only interlaced signals, not progressive scan.
Standard AV and S-Video connections do not transfer progressive scan video images.

Just because a DVD player says it has progressive scan doesn't mean you can use it. The Oppo OPDV971H DVD player is awesome and it does Progressive Scan. But it only sends progressive scan through the DVI output. It does NOT send progressive scan through the component video outputs. Look at the picture and you will see Y,Cb,Cr.

So if you want to use Progressive Scan look on the back of the DVD player, receiver and TV and make sure the component video connections are labeled Y, Pb, Pr.

I got this information from http://hometheater.about.com/od/beforeyoubuy/a/progressivescan_3.htm

I pulled the following from the article:

...keep in mind, is there are two types of progressive scan, which is also referred to as 480p, when referenced to DVD players: progressive scan and progressive scan with 3:2 pulldown detection. If your DVD player has progressive scan without 3:2 pulldown detection, it will still produce a smoother image than traditional interlaced video, as the progressive scan DVD player will read the interlaced image of the DVD and process a progressive image of the signal and and pass that on to a TV or video projector. However, if the DVD player has the addition of 3:2 pulldown detection, not only will your video display a smoother progressively scanned image, but you will experience the DVD film in as close a state as possible to what you would see coming from an actual film projector, except that it is still in the video domain.

In addition to DVD, progressive scan is applied to DTV and HDTV as well. Standard definition DTV is broadcast in 480p (the same characteristics as progressive scan DVD - 480 lines or pixel rows progressively scanned) and HDTV is broadcast at either 720p (720p lines or pixel rows progressively scanned) or 1080i (1,080 lines or pixel rows that are alternately scanned fields made up of 540 lines each). In order to receive these signals, you need an HDTV with either a built-in HDTV tuner or an external HD tuner, HD Cable, or Satellite box.

What You Need To Access Progressive Scan

In order to access progressive scan, both the source component, such as a DVD player, HD cable, or satellite box, and the Television display need to be progressive scan capable. The progressive scan signal is transferred from the source component to the television via either a progressive scan component video output or other type of connection, such as DVI (Digital Video Interface) or HDMI (High Definition Multi-media Interface) that allows the transfer of standard and high-definition progressive scan images to a similarly equipped television.

On DVD players, the progressive scan signal is sent via component video connections, which are labeled Y, Pb, Pr. Component video connections labeled Y,Cb,Cr transfer only interlaced signals. In addition, standard AV and S-Video connections do not transfer progressive scan video images. If you hookup a progressive scan output to a non-progressive scan TV input, you will not get an image. In addition, in order to view progressive scan with reverse 3:2 pulldown, either the DVD player or Television need to have 3:2 pulldown detection. The preference would be for the DVD player have the 3:2 pulldown detection and actually perform the reverse pulldown function, with a progressive scan capable television displaying the image as fed from the DVD player. There are menu options in both a progressive scan DVD player and a progressive scan capable television that will assist you setting up a progressive scan capable DVD player and television or video projector.

Conclusion

When you shop for a DVD player and new television, you will find the term progressive scan tossed around by the salesperson, just like watts-per-channel is bandied about concerning audio systems. You will hear the salesperson tell you how much you need it and that you can't settle for less or do without it. However, there are other factors to consider. If you are planning to use the DVD player with an older TV that doesn't have progressive scan inputs, then this feature does you no good. On the other hand, if you are planning to use the DVD player with a HD-upgradable or HDTV that has progressive scan capability, then it definitely makes sense to purchase a progressive scan DVD player.

 

[WndrBr3d]

Hah! Just kidding, seriously though, great article for someone looking for that kind of information!

 

[MDS]

YCbCr is digital and is what would be sent over the component output if the player were in interlaced mode. It is the format in which the video data is stored on a dvd (and compressed by MPEG-2).

YPbPr is analog component video and is what would be sent over the component output if the player were in progressive mode.

I don't think the article is accurate when it says that both source and display must be progressive capable to use progressive scan. Many tvs accept 480i, include 3:2 pulldown processing and can do the deinterlacing themselves. The difference is that older non-HDTVs ONLY accept 480i. It takes an HDTV to accept 480p (YPbPr), although as far as I know many can also take the 480i signal and deinterlace it. Not everyone that has an HDTV also has a progressive scan dvd player - sad as that may be.

Just like the choice of whether to use a digital connection from dvd player to receiver and let the receiver do the decoding vs using an analog connection and letting the dvd player do the decoding, the choice of interlaced vs progressive from the dvd player can also depend on which device has the better deinterlacer.

 

[brushro]

Deinterlacing & the progressive scan thingy

O.K....Now to take this one step further to ensure proper equipment & technology matching how does one find out what the best deinterlacers are...who makes them?...where does one look on a peice of equipments spec sheet?
Thank You