My first HDTV........A few questions

[jjhann]

Hi there, I bought myself a 27" LCD HTDV Ready LCD TV.
It has inputs ranging from svideo, composite, Component(YPR) and a VGA input. But no HDMI input.
Since it is a HDTV I assume the only way to get HD is via the VGA connection ?
I have a ATI 9800XT and it has a DVI output, and it came with a small adapter that converts the DVI to VGA. So I use this adapter and the run it to the VGA input on my HDTV.
I downloaded 1080i and 720i HD Clips from Window Media Player HD website and the picture looks really good.....so I assume I'm getting HD.

I guess my question is I'm I really getting HD with this method ? My video card also has a svideo output and I've yet to try this method. But from past experience svideo wasnt the greatest quality.

I also noticed Divx HD, Divx 6 I think. I'm familiar with burning DVDs using Nero Vision.
However I would like to burn these clips onto a DVD and play them with a Upscaling DVD player that support Divx. I'm not sure how to go about this.
Will I be getting true HD quality if I burn a HD Divx and play it on a Upscaling DVD Player that supports divx ?
What method do most people use to burn and watch HD content ?

Thanks for the help.

[jman98]

If you have an HD cable box, it's possible to send the output of the box through the composite connection. My dad does this. It works fine.

Whether you are getting HD or not from connecting to a PC is hard to say, but I'd guess that you probably are. Depends on what resolution your PC is using for the monitor and what you are using for playback.

I would not recommend trying to do HD over an S-Video cable. The results aren't very pretty.

You burn Divx files to DVD as data discs (DVD-ROM mode). No you will not be getting true HD quality from an upscaling player. Almost nothing on the market can play HD Divx. Even the much beloved Oppo DVD players do NOT play HD Divx. The divx.com web site lists a few players that supposedly can play HD Divx and I know that there is a Helios media player that apparently can do it, but I'd advise you to do a lot of research and try to find someone who owns one and can verify that it really does play HD Divx before trying to buy. Oh, for those of you who think that Oppo does play HD Divx, think again. Check the website. It clearly states that resolutions above standard DVD (720x480 or 720x576) are NOT supported for Divx playback.

I can watch HD content only on a PC (via HD Divx) or by watching HD cable on my HD TV. Most people don't have any other way of truly watching HD content yet.

[jjhann]

Thx for the reply. I only have content that I downloaded from the internet that is HD.
I also just found out that there is a DVI to YPbPr connector available.......I'm thinking maybe this is the way to get true HD quality vs what I'm using now DVI to VGA.
Anyone know for sure ?

[Jim44]

Typically, HD is sent through DVI/HDMI or YPbPr connections only. S-Video and composite do not typically transport HD signals. So using the DVI out on the video card should get you HD. Whether you use the VGA or YPbPr inputs to the display is up to you - which looks better to you? The display may have separate circuitry for each of those inputs, and it's possible one may look better to you than another.

Jim

[edDV]

What is the make and model of your new HDTV? If it is an LCD, it will have a native resolution for the LCD panel. That will limit the maximum definition you will see. The input connection combination you mention is rare for a LCD-TV.

Your 9800XT can output analog components at 1080i or 720p. It may have come with an adapter or you may need to buy one. Depending on model*, it will be a cable assembly or an adapter that looks like this



720p is probably the best setting for that panel. You would hook it up with Green Blue Red analog component coax to the TV. The TV will receive 720p and then scale that to the native resolution of the LCD panel.

The VGA port will not work as a normal HDTV connection. It will make the LCD panel look like a computer monitor and support a list of VESA resolutions (e.g. 1024x768, 1280x768, 1366x768). These are normally listed in the TV manual. Use the resolution that most closely matches the LCD native resolution.

Once you have a "desktop", you can use media players to open windows on the desktop, or you can set the 9800XT to "theater mode" where playback media gets scaled to the output resolution (full screen) on that monitor.


*Read the card's manual or consult the "HDTV Adapter FAQ" at the ATI site.

[jjhann]

Thx for the help guys, I've been here doing some research as well. EdDV you hit it pretty much right on the nose. I found out from the manufacturer of my LCD that the YPbPr connection is for High Definition AND I need that exact item you posted. I was wondering why in my ATI control panel I wasn't getting any HDTV options on the LCD.
That was becasue I'm using DVI - VGA.
Once I switch to DVI-Component(YPbPr) I will get High Definiton options and true HD.
The thing is all this technology is too new for my town. So I took a visit to Ebay.
I'll have my HD in a few days
Thx for he help every1.

[edDV]

Thx for the help guys, I've been here doing some research as well. EdDV you hit it pretty much right on the nose. I found out from the manufacturer of my LCD that the YPbPr connection is for High Definition AND I need that exact item you posted. I was wondering why in my ATI control panel I wasn't getting any HDTV options on the LCD.
That was becasue I'm using DVI - VGA.
Once I switch to DVI-Component(YPbPr) I will get High Definiton options and true HD.
The thing is all this technology is too new for my town. So I took a visit to Ebay.
I'll have my HD in a few days
Thx for he help every1.

Did you figure out the monitor's native resolution?

[jjhann]

Well, from the booklet it says 1280x720 WXGA. But it also says SXGA 1280x1024.
I currenlty have the LCD TV set to 1280x1024 at 60Hz.