Prefer the look of analog signal to digital signal on my TV

[cngizbleevng]

Up until today, I had DirecTv with an older satellite receiver that fed the video signal to the TV via component RCA cables (red, green, blue). The 1080p plasma TV gave a very realistic and smooth image this way.

Unfortunately, the receiver conked out and was replaced today by a newer one with HDMI output. It looks bad on the TV though. Some whites look washed out, and other scenes look dull or cartoonish. Ads look different than the regular programming. I've fiddled with the contrast and brightness but can't seem to get it to where I like it.

Does anyone know whether I can get an adapter that would change the HDMI signal back to analog so I can connect it the way it was before? If there is such an adapter, will the signal still look poor since it went through the digital phase prior to reaching the adapter?

Please help

[lingyi]

There are converters, but the HDMI signal may be encrypted to prevent conversion. There are devices like some HDMI splitters that strip the encryption, but it's hit and miss.

[johns0]

Sounds like your system isn't set up right,i switched from component cables to hdmi with a new box and the picture was just as good.

[Brad]

Try changing the HDMI Black Level setting on the receiver or TV?

[lingyi]

I have a 19" TV above my monitors for casual TV viewing and have my cable box connected via component because I like the softer picture it provides. I suspect the washed out whites and cartoonish effects the OP is describing are do to less color bleeding and sharper image of HDMI. I've gotten used to it, but still (as well as many others) don't like the cleaned up look of vintage TV shows on channels like TVLand.

OP, try turning down the sharpness (which is probably too high anyway) and the color settings (typically named something like Cool, Normal, Warm, Warm 2). Also, did your lighting situation change? Settings for daytime viewing should be dramatically different than nightime.

[cngizbleevng]

Sounds like your system isn't set up right,i switched from component cables to hdmi with a new box and the picture was just as good.

It is set up correctly. Some images look fine, but others don't. With the component set-up, all the programming and commercials looked good and similar to each other.

[cngizbleevng]

Try changing the HDMI Black Level setting on the receiver or TV?

I don't have that option unfortunately, if you're referring to more than just Brightness and Contrast.

[cngizbleevng]

I have a 19" TV above my monitors for casual TV viewing and have my cable box connected via component because I like the softer picture it provides. I suspect the washed out whites and cartoonish effects the OP is describing are do to less color bleeding and sharper image of HDMI. I've gotten used to it, but still (as well as many others) don't like the cleaned up look of vintage TV shows on channels like TVLand.

OP, try turning down the sharpness (which is probably too high anyway) and the color settings (typically named something like Cool, Normal, Warm, Warm 2). Also, did your lighting situation change? Settings for daytime viewing should be dramatically different than nightime.

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't have those options on the TV.

Fortunately, I traded the older receiver in the basement that has component outputs for the one upstairs. Everything looks great again.

[dellsam34]

It's your TV doesn't work well with HDMI, pretty much the internal DAC $ucks. It's time for a new TV, after all soon will be the holidays... lol I had a similar problem with dishnetwork few years ago and they had to change the receiver twice to no avail, replaced the freaking TV with a new one and the picture looked completely different.

[cngizbleevng]

It's your TV doesn't work well with HDMI, pretty much the internal DAC $ucks. It's time for a new TV, after all soon will be the holidays... lol I had a similar problem with dishnetwork few years ago and they had to change the receiver twice to no avail, replaced the freaking TV with a new one and the picture looked completely different.

Interesting. I hadn't known that that was a component of TVs. So I guess I could also buy a video DAC that would accept the HDMI from the cable box and convert the signal to component for the TV's inputs, since that seems to work better on the TV.

[lingyi]

As I stated above, some HDMI signals, especially from Sat boxes are encrypted and some converter boxes can't strip the encryption to allow conversion to component. The fact that your new box is HDMI only is a good indicator that the signal is probably encrypted. Carefully read the specs and reviews of the box you're planning to buy.

[lingyi]

I love my Panasonic plasma, but all plasma TVs aren't the same. It wasn't until the last two generations of the Pioneer Kuro series (and only the top models) did plasma become the top performing HDTVs. The fact that you say your set doesn't anything other than brightness and contrast points to it being really old or a low end set. It's likely even a new mid-range LCD will out perform your set.

[johns0]

It the same thing when people who had 32 inch crt tvs and switched to 32+inch lcd tvs and said the 32 inch crt had much better pictures with the sd shows they were watching.

[dellsam34]

It's cheaper to get a modern used TV, The high quality HDMI to analog video boxes are very expensive, cheap chinese ones will disappoint you, I've tried them. Last year I got a 55" LED LCD TV for the guest room for $249 new in box on a weekend sale, few months after that I picked up one from craigslist for the garage for $40 (42"). If you don't like LCD TV's the next best thing is OLED (way better than Plasma), but it is not cheap yet, expect to spend over a grand.