Progressive Scan - How to make it work

[clisi]

I have a Zenith progressive scan DVD player and a Sony HDTV-ready TV model KV-32HS510. I have them hooked together with component cables (Pb, Ps, Y). I didn't go out and buy a special component cable for the PS hookup but used an old one that is probably for a stereo (I wonder if that is the problem) but the DVD player works fine and the picture is great. It's when I try to turn progressive scan on via the menu on the dvd player it hangs and I have to reset it (instructions for this are in the Zenith manual). I have communicated with Zenith both via e-mail and phone and their claim is that my TV is the problem. I called Sony and they told me to change the DRC Mode to "Progressive". I explained to them that when I try to change the DRC mode to "Progressive" it does not stay, but reverts back to Cinemotion or Interlaced (whichever it's set on). They now say that Progressive will not work unless I have a DVD in the player that is capable of playing in PS mode. I think someone is full of malarky and I know someone on this board can help me. Any comments are greatly appreciated!

[RottenFoxBreath]

is there no way you can get your hands on a set of component cables to try it,even to return them as "unused" if you can open the pack easily,it could be all done in less than an hour,excuse could be alreay have a set,the wife purchaseds another set,etc.
i was lucky with my purchase,the stupid assistant couldnt find the price for the monster component cables i wanted ,so put through the price for jvc ones,about £12.needless to say,they didnt go back,and i got progressive working on mine,.
the problem i had was my dvd player,wouldnt stay set until the cables were all connected.

[hexxisoft]

i think 10 dollars got me a set of component cables on ebay. they work great. i probably could've gotten them for even cheaper actually, i was just in a rush and did buy it now.

[clisi]

Does everyone think it is the cables? My only question is, if the problem is the cables I'm using now, how does it work at all? I am going to buy a new set just to see, but I'm curious what the new cables will have that the old ones don't.

[redwudz]

Unless your setup is particularly sensitive or there is something wrong with the cables, I doubt that's the problem. I use RCA cables in place of component cables from two sources, computer HDTV and from my progressive player to a 5 X 7 ft. projection screen with no problems I can see.

Not that real component cables aren't a better idea.

My Sony DVD player is always set on progressive, the only time I change it is when I am outputting to my regular TV monitor. If you could borrow another progressive scan DVD player and try it, that might answer the question whether it's the TV or the DVD player.

[mattyboy]

Sounds like the player is messed up.

[RottenFoxBreath]

Unless your setup is particularly sensitive or there is something wrong with the cables, I doubt that's the problem. I use RCA cables in place of component cables from two sources, computer HDTV and from my progressive player to a 5 X 7 ft. projection screen with no problems I can see..

i got far too much ghosting that way,so resorted to the component cables,which worked out quite well actually.

[clisi]

I just bought the new component cable (RCA $19 at WalMart). I'll try it out tonight and see what happens. Anyone else have a Zenith DVD/VCR combo unit model XBV442?

[clisi]

I changed the cables last night. No difference. I spoke to both Zenith and Sony and they are both telling me that I have to have a Progressive Scan/High Definition DVD to test it. None of my DVD's say Progressive Scan or High Def so I'm now trying to get one to test it.

[Ward River]

How do you get High Def video out of 720 line DVD-Video?

[clisi]

Ward - I don't know what you mean, but I found this page - look at this link (http://www.docdvd.com/dvdfaq.shtml) section 2.12. I have my component cables plugged into the 720p Pr port. The TV also has 480i/480p ports and maybe it'll work when I plug it into those? I'm so confused.

[MOVIEGEEK]

If you're using component cables the only difference is PS will display 480p when using the 480 ports,to get anything higher you need a player with DVI or HDMI connectors.
BTW...I think the problem is your player and the Zenith tech is full of crap.

[redwudz]

RottenFoxBreath, when I checked out component cables at a local video store, it was obvious that the component cable was just three RCA type cables bound together. Even a knowledgeable clerk admitted it. I got three quality RCA cables (1 meter) and they work great. Not saying that a component video cable may not be designed different, but I am suspicious on it being more of a sales hype than a difference in design.

clisi, still sounds like a DVD player problem. My DVD player ( Sony NS-425P) can be switched to progressive even if hooked to a non-progressive scan TV. Of course, there is no video displayed in that case. But it still outputs the progressive video, irregardless of the monitor used. Really, try another DVD player with progressive scan and see if that's part of your problem.

[RottenFoxBreath]

yeh i could possibly agree with you about the dubious quality of cables,but as the monsters were priced at around £80, £12 was a bit of a bargain.
i tried rca cables and they didnt work,well they wouldnt let me change the dvd player to progressive,whereas the monsters did.

[clisi]

The RCA cables I bought in WalMart were not bound together but were 3 separate cables. RottenFoxBreath (what a name!) - were your RCA cables separate or bound together?

Redwudz - I wish I had another DVD player, but I don't. I will have to bother a friend to see if I can test it that way, but you may be right. I'm going to push Zenith too, to give me a straight answer.