Question:
I'm looking for something like this (http://www.copperbox.com/lite/popinfo.php?lc_code=KD-SW2X1&uneek=856938793) preferably in the UK.
Do you know of any possible bargains..e.g. Switcher with 3 component cables, in any other sites?
I use a "component switcher" from Maplins. Well, it has 3 sets of 3*phono in and 2 sets of 3*phono out and it does the job perfectly. It's a BTech BT25 and costs around £12. About 9/10 people say there is no loss of quality. I connect
Component->Phono
-------------------------
Red->Red
Green->Yellow
Blue->White
Maplin link BT25 (http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=030412173036396&moduleno=21301&modulecode)
There is a thread on another forum with more expensive options here (http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76429)
As it happens i've just written a PO for an AA 1154 from Unicam, but does anyone know if the 5842mx (http://www.scancom.ltd.uk/products/avtoolbox/avt-5842mx.htm) or the 5842 (http://www.scancom.ltd.uk/products/avtoolbox/avt-5842.htm) are technically any worse? They're half the price of the AA1154 (but don't do optical audio switching) and look very temping.
xenon that is fantastic I must say.
So
1) Digibox -> Scart->YUV converter -> Phono Component ---> Maplin switchbox
2) DVD Player -> Phono Component ---> Maplin switchbox
3) Maplin switchbox -> Phono to BNC Component -> Plasma.
Hope I'm correct there! :thumbs:
That sounds good! (esp the plasma bit :D), but yeah, give it a shot and do some comparisons with it connected and with it not, but I noticed no difference on a 32" crt (panny progressive one). Dunno if a big plasma will show if there are problems with the box, but you can always return it. It's an item Maplin shops usually have them in stock if you are near one, rather than online if you want.
I have my Gamecube and DVD on component, both progressive scan and it works great. May I ask what the YUV converter is that you have? Does it deinterlace and convert RGB from your Digibox to YUV? Just curious in case I need one in future. Thanks!
I haven't even got the plasma yet xenon! Its booked for me though. Trying to get my connection options sorted in advance of the big day.
I have 2 converters in mind:
Transcoder (http://www.syncblaster.com/Syncblaster_RGB2C.html) at Keene (Code RGB2C).
Also the one at www.rgbtosvideo.com
A big price difference..is it evident in the pic quality I wonder and are there any other good ones around?
Originally posted by xenon
Maplin link BT25 (http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=030412173036396&moduleno=21301&modulecode)
I can happily recommend this as well, been using it on and off for about 18 months with no problems and no loss in pic quality.
Which plasma are you going for? For you digibox, a scart RGB to component RGBS (4 BNCs) may work. Set the plasma to Sync On Video (Sync on Composite). That is if your Digbox outputs with sync on composite as opposed to sync on green (RGsB). The bulit in scaler may be fine, try it before splashing out on one of those boxes. But then I would say all this cos I can't afford it so feel free to ignore me :D What inputs does the plasma have? A vga maybe? A separate set of RGB and Component inputs?
If not how about the RGB to VGA js box cos then you skip out a YUV these are just ideas :)
Plasma is Hitachi PMA400e. The Horizontal frequency is 24HZ+, most plasmas are 15hz..I cannot find a VGA converter that would suit this plasma.. though I'm perfectly happy with the component switcher..its a great post by you..the best ever!
Actaully not sure about the Digibox..there is a menu on it I could play with. I wish I could spend less, a SCART -> 4 BNC would be great. Here is the PDF for the Plasma..take a look and give me advice as you obviously know your stuff.
Hitachi PDF (http://www.lynx.net.uk/justprojnew/images/pdfhitpma400e.pdf)
Hi! That's a really good spec sheet, gives great details. Oh, nice plasma too! At least they are gearing them more towards home use with good connectivity. There's always something though...! I see what you mean about the 15khz thing. That's a pain, quite a rare occurence in plasmas. Short of using an external deinterlacer to bump up the frequency to 31khz there is not anything else to suggest :( PCs output that fequency so maybe throw together a mini home theatre PC with a DTV card in. Or give Svhs output from your digibox a go, you may be happy with it! Sorry I can't help you further. In any case, I'm sure HDTV will be along soon enuff :D
Free bonus: these settings may help get you started, from the avforums, apparently good and tested on Avia.
Contrast...................................35
Brightness................................+3
Colour......................................+2
Tint..........................................-10
Sharpness...............................+3
The rest of the settings were left at Factory default
Picture......................Normal
Contrast mode ........Dynamic
Black Stretch............Low
LTI............................Low
CTI...........................Low
YNR..........................Low
BNR..........................Low
3d Comb..................On
Film Mode................On
Gamma....................2.2
Line INTP.................Off
Colour Temp............Cool
If any news comes up on new connectivity I'll post here. Enjoy the new toy!
xenon that is superb! My access to the Avforums is limited in my job at the mo.
I think I will go with the component converter from Keene..I could get the S-video converter (I have a spare S-Video lead which is used with the 32" CRT) but for the bigger image I want amazing results, mainly for DVD of course, and those nature programs on National Geographic and the like!
Still not decided..basically the component method is double the price of the S-Video method (using RGB converter as my digibox doesn't have s-video out) and is quite messy with switchers and more cables, but of course will give better results.
Dan - JS Technology, not Keene. Don't compromise your image quality for the sake of a few quid. One uses broadcast quality components, the other does not. You know it makes sense!!
The BT25 should be OK, so long as you have decent cables feeding it, and being output from it.
And again, component, not S-Video. It would be like buying a Porsche and not going above second gear...
Grandmaster I agree, and since I've now found out that you can change BOTH VGA inputs from RGB to Component inputs on the Hitachi, I'm getting the JS Tech YUV converter. :thumbs:
After all, why crawl along in second!
Do you know of any possible bargains..e.g. Switcher with 3 component cables, in any other sites?
Answers:
I use a "component switcher" from Maplins. Well, it has 3 sets of 3*phono in and 2 sets of 3*phono out and it does the job perfectly. It's a BTech BT25 and costs around £12. About 9/10 people say there is no loss of quality. I connect
Component->Phono
-------------------------
Red->Red
Green->Yellow
Blue->White
Maplin link BT25 (http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=030412173036396&moduleno=21301&modulecode)
There is a thread on another forum with more expensive options here (http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76429)
Answers:
As it happens i've just written a PO for an AA 1154 from Unicam, but does anyone know if the 5842mx (http://www.scancom.ltd.uk/products/avtoolbox/avt-5842mx.htm) or the 5842 (http://www.scancom.ltd.uk/products/avtoolbox/avt-5842.htm) are technically any worse? They're half the price of the AA1154 (but don't do optical audio switching) and look very temping.
Answers:
xenon that is fantastic I must say.
So
1) Digibox -> Scart->YUV converter -> Phono Component ---> Maplin switchbox
2) DVD Player -> Phono Component ---> Maplin switchbox
3) Maplin switchbox -> Phono to BNC Component -> Plasma.
Hope I'm correct there! :thumbs:
Answers:
That sounds good! (esp the plasma bit :D), but yeah, give it a shot and do some comparisons with it connected and with it not, but I noticed no difference on a 32" crt (panny progressive one). Dunno if a big plasma will show if there are problems with the box, but you can always return it. It's an item Maplin shops usually have them in stock if you are near one, rather than online if you want.
I have my Gamecube and DVD on component, both progressive scan and it works great. May I ask what the YUV converter is that you have? Does it deinterlace and convert RGB from your Digibox to YUV? Just curious in case I need one in future. Thanks!
Answers:
I haven't even got the plasma yet xenon! Its booked for me though. Trying to get my connection options sorted in advance of the big day.
I have 2 converters in mind:
Transcoder (http://www.syncblaster.com/Syncblaster_RGB2C.html) at Keene (Code RGB2C).
Also the one at www.rgbtosvideo.com
A big price difference..is it evident in the pic quality I wonder and are there any other good ones around?
Answers:
Originally posted by xenon
Maplin link BT25 (http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=030412173036396&moduleno=21301&modulecode)
I can happily recommend this as well, been using it on and off for about 18 months with no problems and no loss in pic quality.
Answers:
Which plasma are you going for? For you digibox, a scart RGB to component RGBS (4 BNCs) may work. Set the plasma to Sync On Video (Sync on Composite). That is if your Digbox outputs with sync on composite as opposed to sync on green (RGsB). The bulit in scaler may be fine, try it before splashing out on one of those boxes. But then I would say all this cos I can't afford it so feel free to ignore me :D What inputs does the plasma have? A vga maybe? A separate set of RGB and Component inputs?
If not how about the RGB to VGA js box cos then you skip out a YUV these are just ideas :)
Answers:
Plasma is Hitachi PMA400e. The Horizontal frequency is 24HZ+, most plasmas are 15hz..I cannot find a VGA converter that would suit this plasma.. though I'm perfectly happy with the component switcher..its a great post by you..the best ever!
Actaully not sure about the Digibox..there is a menu on it I could play with. I wish I could spend less, a SCART -> 4 BNC would be great. Here is the PDF for the Plasma..take a look and give me advice as you obviously know your stuff.
Hitachi PDF (http://www.lynx.net.uk/justprojnew/images/pdfhitpma400e.pdf)
Answers:
Hi! That's a really good spec sheet, gives great details. Oh, nice plasma too! At least they are gearing them more towards home use with good connectivity. There's always something though...! I see what you mean about the 15khz thing. That's a pain, quite a rare occurence in plasmas. Short of using an external deinterlacer to bump up the frequency to 31khz there is not anything else to suggest :( PCs output that fequency so maybe throw together a mini home theatre PC with a DTV card in. Or give Svhs output from your digibox a go, you may be happy with it! Sorry I can't help you further. In any case, I'm sure HDTV will be along soon enuff :D
Free bonus: these settings may help get you started, from the avforums, apparently good and tested on Avia.
Contrast...................................35
Brightness................................+3
Colour......................................+2
Tint..........................................-10
Sharpness...............................+3
The rest of the settings were left at Factory default
Picture......................Normal
Contrast mode ........Dynamic
Black Stretch............Low
LTI............................Low
CTI...........................Low
YNR..........................Low
BNR..........................Low
3d Comb..................On
Film Mode................On
Gamma....................2.2
Line INTP.................Off
Colour Temp............Cool
If any news comes up on new connectivity I'll post here. Enjoy the new toy!
Answers:
xenon that is superb! My access to the Avforums is limited in my job at the mo.
I think I will go with the component converter from Keene..I could get the S-video converter (I have a spare S-Video lead which is used with the 32" CRT) but for the bigger image I want amazing results, mainly for DVD of course, and those nature programs on National Geographic and the like!
Still not decided..basically the component method is double the price of the S-Video method (using RGB converter as my digibox doesn't have s-video out) and is quite messy with switchers and more cables, but of course will give better results.
Answers:
Dan - JS Technology, not Keene. Don't compromise your image quality for the sake of a few quid. One uses broadcast quality components, the other does not. You know it makes sense!!
The BT25 should be OK, so long as you have decent cables feeding it, and being output from it.
And again, component, not S-Video. It would be like buying a Porsche and not going above second gear...
Answers:
Grandmaster I agree, and since I've now found out that you can change BOTH VGA inputs from RGB to Component inputs on the Hitachi, I'm getting the JS Tech YUV converter. :thumbs:
After all, why crawl along in second!
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