Progressive vs. RGB output on upscaling DVD player & HD TV

[iansport]

Hi, I have a few questions about optimum connections between AV devices and signal upscaling.

I recently bought a new TV that supports HD up to 720p and 1080i. I also have a Liteon DVD recorder/player that has upscaling built-in. I have 2 questions: the first is in regard to my current connections and settings.

At the moment everything is going through the DVD player i.e. RF in, scart out (to PVR/Freeview digital box), and HDMI to the TV. When I first set it all up, I set the DVD HDMI setting to auto and the output to Scart RGB and when the TV powers up it displays the message on the screen of 'HDMI 1080i'.

However, when I've checked the settings on the DVD player, each time after I've powered up it reverts to 'Progressive' in the output menu, from a choice of Component/S-Video/Scart RGB/Progressive. When I change it back to 'Scart' it doesn't appear to have any visible effect on picture quality. I should say at this point that HD programmes are not available through my digibox at present. so is this lack of visible difference because I'm not receiving HD content, and therefore does it make a difference whether the output defaults to progressive or not?

My second question is about HDMI and scart connections. I'm thinking of upgrading my digibox that carries the sattelite digital channels to one that has both a HDMI connection and a USB port. If I then connect the digibox to HDMI 2 on my TV I assume that will make the scart redundant for the connection between the digibox and DVD player with my current set up. However, I also currently have RCA audio going out from the DVD to external speakers. Therfore, I'm also assuming that if I upgrade to HDMI connections for all the devices that I will then have to keep swapping the phono connections between the DVD player and the digibox depending on whther I'm watching live/recorded programmes, or a DVD.

Additionally the digibox has an archive function that allows me to write from the hard drive of the PVR/digibox to disc. Will I still need the scart connection to do this?

Many thanks, Ian

[SatStorm]

You don't say which is your TV.

Overall, LCD TVs have "locked" the external upscaling through HDMI connections. It is a practical observation that Component looks visually better on DVB and DVD player. On some LCDs, even component is locked, so on those few ones (which is of very well known brands), RBG through Scart may look better!

The reason is the internal upscaler of your TV. If upscaled signal detected, the TV de-activates filters and other stuff and pass through the signal "as is". If "pure" signal is detected, the TV activates the filters and the build in upscale features and that may look better on TV (but not as sharp).

That happens in an attempt of the industry to puss HDTV sources and limit the capabilities of the upscaling. Technically this is easy with the HDMI connections. With component, most TVs "forget" to block the signal if it is upscaled. RGB is considered "low quality" and no limitations applies.

[iansport]

Yia sou, SatStorm, many thanks for your very helpful post. My TV is a Hanspree XV series (XV JT01-32E2-000 32).

If I understood your explanation correctly, until I'm able to receive HD broadcasts, a Component link is superior to HDMI given the situation you describe, unless my TV 'locks out' component, in which case Scart would give me a better quality picture.

BTW, I lived in Saloniki for many years and fell in love with your country!

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[SatStorm]

Yes, you understand correct! Better use component for upscaled signal, most TVs don't lock out component.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with your TV to tell you 100% what goes on with it (Hanspree doesn't have a presence here in Greece)

Offtopic: Greece is a blessed country, but the current situation here is not so good. After 1999, our economy is very bad. We Greeks under pressure don't function well, so those days Greeks are not the friendly people once was, neither enjoy there lives. The new generation don't have jobs or the jobs pay few, while our country is now officially the most expensive country in Europe (considering our salaries and how the basic things costs). So many choose not to work at all, and stay with there parents, up to 35 - 40 years old! A crazy situation.
The immigration to other European Countries began to look a nice option for various reasons. For example I'll be in Germany in mid July and I'll do a search for the possibility to find a job there.
Greece in 2008 is a place you don't have a future. Even those that immigrate to our country the last 2 decades, leave the place (with few exceptions, mostly from Albania).
Greece changed quite a lot the last 20 years. Unfortunately for my generation, not for better.

[RabidDog]

I dont understand why all these mfrs get their panties in a bunch about upscaling dvd players, I mean its all mktg'ing isnt it? I would be pretty sure your £500 TV does a better job of upscaling than your £50 dvd player. What digibox do you have? as digihome has no archive AFAIK??

I didnt realise Greece was in the crapper, been there many times(long time ago)

[SatStorm]

No, it's not marketing!
Upscaling can be 8bit, 10bit and 12bit. Most TVs do 8bit upscaling and some later ones 10bit. Really expensive models may do 12bit (I don't know one).
DVD players do 12bit upscaling (or more)

Cheaper LCD screens (less than 2.500 euros) don't do a better job on upscaling than the average DVD player of pioneer for example.

It's all about the electronics in the inside.

Greece has to pay back the money it took from European Union back in the 80s (and used by some, not all), the price of the 2004 olympics and the fact that all the countries around, offer cheaper hands for work (so the industry close the factories in Greece and open them in the rest countries).
Meanwhile, the average Greek has to compite foreigner in the local jobs: They work more for less.
Same problems exist in many European countries those days. Greece is simply one of them.