[flowersga]

I know this is going to sound like a crazy question but I'll ask anyway. First a little background...

Prior to my HR20, I had a D* SD Tivo and a separate OTA HD Tuner. I always thought that the OTA was connected to my TV via HDMI but I just realized that it was actually DVI. When the HR20 showed up I didn't have an HDMI cable so I connected the HR20 to my HK receiver via a component cable and the monitor out on the HK receiver to the TV via component. All the while I also had a S Video monitor out cable from the HK to the TV because the HK needs that for the on screen display. For some reason I also connected the HR20 to the HK receiver via S Video (actually I think the installer did that, don't ask me why).

The other night, while hooking up the ethernet, I realized that my TV has been set to the S Video input this whole time and I am receiving HD picture (looks good, full 16 x 9 widescreen). So my question is, is this possible? I thought that HD required a digital connection. I plan on changing it ASAP but I'm more curious than anything.

Last question...my HK receiver doesn't have an HDMI input. So if I connect the HR20 to the TV via HDMI, can I connect the audio to the HK receiver via optical, or will that confuse it?

Sorry for the long post and TIA for the help.

 

[Brantel]

Aspect ratio has nothing to do with the resolution of the image. S-video only supports SD images.
You can get HD on analog component connections. HDMI digital eliminates the extra D to A and A to D conversions.

If you thought it looked good on S-video, switch over to the component input and set your HR-20 to output HD and tune to a HD program and tell us how it looks. That is if you have a true HD tv set.

 

[Canis Lupus]

flowersga,
If your S-Video input has been carrying the signal, you've been getting no better than 480i resolution. This is a standard def signal.

HDMI is not required per se for HD, as some people notice no difference using component for that purpose. It doesn't sound like you'll be too concerned with it either.

If you do want to use HDMI, then yes you can separate the HDMI to go to the TV, and the optical audio to go to your receiver.

 

[Stuart Sweet]

I've compared the quality and I will say that the s-video output is excellent. Combined with some of the enhancing features of your TV, it's easily the best 480i signal you've ever seen.

 

[Canis Lupus]

I agree. Guess I should have said "no higher than 480i" cuz the 480i looks pretty darn good too under the right setup.

I've compared the quality and I will say that the s-video output is excellent. Combined with some of the enhancing features of your TV, it's easily the best 480i signal you've ever seen.

 

[Road Rage]

S-video Also called Y/C, this two-wire standard keeps the color separate from the intensity signal, and thus avoids the overlapping sideband problem of composite signals. (Converting an NTSC signal to S-video gains you nothing since what was lost cannot be recreated.) Although the quality of S-video is close to component video, S-video cannot transport anything better than 480i. - from hdguru.com

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Make sure you dont' go buying a new HDMI cable at a retail store though. Dang, Best buy wants $60 for a $15 cable. Even Wal Mart wants $33! I ordered mine on Amazon for $20 (I'm amazon prime so i get free 2day shipping)

Since HDMI isn't analog, cable quality isn't as important as it is with Composit, S-Video or Component cables.

 

[mganga]

Make sure you dont' go buying a new HDMI cable at a retail store though. Dang, Best buy wants $60 for a $15 cable. Even Wal Mart wants $33! I ordered mine on Amazon for $20 (I'm amazon prime so i get free 2day shipping)

Since HDMI isn't analog, cable quality isn't as important as it is with Composit, S-Video or Component cables.

yeah, watch out for bestbuy trying to scam you with their overpriced cables, power-supply crap, and warranty--all are ludicrously overpriced.

 

[hasan]

I've compared the quality and I will say that the s-video output is excellent. Combined with some of the enhancing features of your TV, it's easily the best 480i signal you've ever seen.

I'll agree with that and then some. I find there are times when I'm watching SD like MSNBC or CNN that my S-Video looks better than my HDMI. It is not consistent, but it does say some very nice things about the S-Video output quality of the HR20.

 

[petergaryr]

I've compared the quality and I will say that the s-video output is excellent. Combined with some of the enhancing features of your TV, it's easily the best 480i signal you've ever seen.

I have found that with SD programs, it is often better to drop down to 480p. It seems to make the artifacts less noticeable.

 

[flowersga]

All, thanks for the info. I'll check out the connections tonight and report back.

Greg