Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Component cables over-rated

Thanks for the input. The only thing is that the DVD manual states that in order to use the component hook-up, progressive scan needs to be turned off. They don't know what T.V. I have.

FWIW, I'm probably going to get shot for saying this, but in my mind there should be no perceivable difference in quality between an "i" signal and a "p" signal of the same resolution. In other words, turning off progressive scan on your DVD player will cause a 480i signal to be sent to the TV (which it accepts). Turning ON progressive scan on the DVD player will cause the signal to be output as "480p".

My wee brain tells me the ONLY difference between the two has to do with "flicker" and doesn't actually impact picture quality otherwise. If you have ever had a DVD movie sitting on the static intro screen on the normal TV, you probably noticed some flicker to it (not everyone will see it). the "p" eliminates this flicker, but it has never been a problem for me when watching an actual movie (not static image).

So I say keep your component cables (as its a better connection that composite or S video), throw your DVD in interlaced mode, and enjoy the movies. And if your really insistant on getting that "p" mode to work, better start shopping for a new HD TV!

-Alan

A lot depends on the equipment and the scaler used by the dvd player or the built in line doubler of the television/projector.

I can definately tell a difference between 480i to 480p, and also from 480p to 720p or 1080i on my Toshiba 32" or my Sanyo Z2 projector.

An interlaced signal is created by making two passes on the screen. First the odd numbers 1, 3, 5....479 top to bottom. Once this is complete the even numbers 2, 4, ....480. This process takes 1/60th of a second per pass or 1/30th second total time to complete.

The progressive process scans all lines sequentially 1,2,3,....480 in one pass. This process reduces jaggies and other artifacts that come from an interlaced process. In addition all the lines are scanned in 1/60th of a second in one pass.

Anyway, my experience is that there is a difference in 480i versus 480p. Your mileage may vary.

Thanks Firebird. That made sense and now I can put my mind to rest. I'm happy with the picture I have. And the T.V. is new so maybe in 3 to 5 years I'll get an HD TV. Thanks again for posting info that wasn't completely technical.

Randolph, the other replies have pretty much covered the issues, but I'll point out that you've misinterpreted the provisions on p.68 of the player manual that you quoted. That section refers only to setting a different black level, which can't be done on progressive; the manual states(p.18-19)that either progressive or interlaced output can be selected for the component outputs. Since, as was said, your TV isn't progressive scan, you should select interlaced output and can use either S-Video or component connections. Component, in general, should give a slightly better picture, but S-Video(separated video)is a good connection as well.

Thanks John for the information, I thought about taking the time to look up the manual on the internet, but had other things going on.

Sorry Rapmon if you think our responses are technical, when in fact they really aren't.

Alan,
It's not just the flicker, it's also the jaggies. The quality of 480p is much better then 480i. Of course, that is if your TV set can take progressive scan.

Actually, I would say, the step in the quality is higher by going from 480i to 480p than from 480p to 720p.

No problem Randy. I'm new to home theater and until I understand more I just need to learn. I appreciate the info you've given me also.

I knew my reply would stir the pot;

Whether a signal is 480i or 480p the end result is exactly the same resolution: 307,200 pixels (640 x 480). The only difference is how the pixels are drawn. In progressive, each frame is drawn from the top of the screen to the bottom. In interlaced, odd lines are drawn, then it has to go back and fill in the even lines.

Being an avid video gamer, jaggies are caused by low resolution. The high the res, the less noticable the jaggies. "i" vs "p" shouldn't make one iota of difference as the end product is exactly the same-they just take a different path to achieve the end result.

Now when you step up in res (720, 1080) the quality should be a dramatic leap in quality.

-Alan

Alan,

The jaggies are caused not only by the limited resolution but by the motion of the object.

For a static picture you are correct. For a moving object the time delay between the two halves of the frame causes the straight line to break up, hence the jaggies. It is very visible on a large screen monitor.