I'm new to this so forgive me if this is obvious to everyone...

I recently got a HDTV (a 50 inch Sony Grand Wega) and have a Panasonic progressive scan dvd player. I have noticed that the movies that I see on HD cable (e.g., HBO) are of noticeably higher quality than the same movies on my DVD player. The level of detail is noticeably sharper. Is this to be expected or does it indicate a problem with my DVD player?

I should note that I'm pretty sure that everything is hooked up right and I am using component cables for both the cable and dvd hookup.

Thanks!

rob

that is expected.
the HD in HDTV stands for High Definition.....
which dvd players are not (OK..there are probably some on the market or on the way, but they are not typical DVD players)
You are seing the benefits of what you purchased and the appropriate viewing material (HD source)

Progressive scan DVDs are 480p - 480 horizontal lines of resolution.

HBO HD is 1080i - 1080 horizontal lines of resolution (2 540 line fields interlaced). So it's no surprise that it looks better.

Movies are shot on film which is actually higher than digital HD resolution so they can be readily converted to 1080i with no loss in quality.

This will change when we get DVDs with HD resolution.

Thanks for your replies! Makes sense to me. I guess the implication for someone like me who is a movie buff and enjoys a high quality picture is to subscribe to HD movie channels and enjoy my movies that way rather than renting DVDs, at least to the extent that its convenient.

Until HD resolution DVDs are available - yes. Or you can get a D-VHS player and rent D-VHS movies (if you can still get them).

Isn't it funny that in order to get the highest quality digital programming you have to use analog tape and UHF antennas?

"I guess the implication for someone like me who is a movie buff and enjoys a high quality picture is to subscribe to HD movie channels and enjoy my movies that way rather than renting DVDs"

You're still going to be buying DVD's. And you'll also be interested to know that most HD movie channels (except Showtime) pan-and-scan almost all of their movies. If original aspect ratio is important to you, you're going to be very disappointed with most HD movies.

>>I recently got a HDTV (a 50 inch Sony Grand Wega) and have a Panasonic progressive scan dvd player.

DVD should be slightly softer and less detailed.

Your problem is your display trashes anything other than a 720P scan rate. A DVI DVD player set for 720P will bring tears to your eyes. For all NTSC sources an external scaler fixes them as well.

In the meantime set the player for 480I for the least amount of artifacts from the internal scaler in the display.

Richard F. Fisher
Have you been calibrated? ISF and HAA Trained
Mastertech Repair Corporation, Lawrenceville, GA
770-513-3987 E-Mail - help@mastertechtv.com
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Thanks for all the useful insights!

Bill T - what does it mean that an HD movie channel uses "pan and scan"? How does it deteriorate the quality of the image?

Richard - Assuming the display that I have (which I just unfortunately bought) trashes anything other than 720P, does that mean it will give me an inferior image for broadcasts in 1080i? Also, re: the DVD player, are you suggesting that I get a DVI DVD in 720 P? I wasn't sure if tears to my eyes meant a good or bad picture (there is good crying and bad crying). What reasonably priced DVI DVD would you recommend? Can I get it set up for a home theatre system?

Thanks!

rob

>>Richard - Assuming the display that I have (which I just unfortunately bought) trashes anything other than 720P, does that mean it will give me an inferior image for broadcasts in 1080i?

Yes, that is not 720P. Set up your STB for 720P output always. This "trashing" is common for most HD displays. Calibration recommended as always.

>>Also, re: the DVD player, are you suggesting that I get a DVI DVD in 720 P? I wasn't sure if tears to my eyes meant a good or bad picture (there is good crying and bad crying).

You need a DVI DVD player and you set it for 720P. While this will resolve artifacts from scaling it will also introduce -20% green on the color decoder. Component works best on this display and if you want the color decoder correct that will require an external scaler fed by a $100-200 DVD player set for 480I. I still recommend to my clients that budget an additional $1000 for an external scaler with ANY display to resolve these kinds of problems.

>>What reasonably priced DVI DVD would you recommend? Can I get it set up for a home theatre system?

IF you want one now your choices are limited. Check these threads...

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=213962&messageid=1080574574&lp=1080793846

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=213962&messageid=1079908259&lp=1079984465

Thanks for all the insights Richard. I checked the links and they were quite helpful. Looks like the new Panasonic DVD DVI player will be out shortly so I'll probably try that. I think I'll also get a callibration done.

Just a few quick follow-ups:

1. You said in the meantime to set my recorder to 480i. I assume this means to essentially turn the progressive scan off and allow the TV to do the progressive scanning?

2. You said to set the STB for 720P. I'm guessing that means standard transmission broadcast but I'm not sure. Is it a setting on the TV set or something else?

Thanks for helping us HDTV novices!

>>1. You said in the meantime to set my recorder to 480i. I assume this means to essentially turn the progressive scan off and allow the TV to do the progressive scanning?

Yes. For some reson internal scalers appear to perform best using the native scan rate of the source.

>>2. You said to set the STB for 720P. I'm guessing that means standard transmission broadcast but I'm not sure. Is it a setting on the TV set or something else?

This has nothing to with setting the display. All STBs can be set for a specific output scan rate and you want 720P. That means all signals regardless of their native resoltuion or scan rate will be converted by the STB to 720P. Again, for some reason the STB does a better job.