Component (RGB) HDTV Query

[MAV13]

Hi all.

I have an Arcam AVR 300 operating as the hub of my home cinema set-up. A DV79 feeds into the amp through component cables (RGB + Sync). Sound is via a digital coax cable. The video output from the amp is also RGB + Sync going into a CRT TV. I appreciate that the DV79 isn't high def (despite the HDMI socket) but the image on an old Goodmans TV is surprisingly good!

At some time in the future I will be looking towards HDTV and will buy a decent LCD panel. Next step would be a SKY HD set-top-box or similar. Can I throw out a few questions for clarity? I'm sure there are many owners of AVR300s that would be interested in this.

* I'm under the impression that component (or RGB) cables are capable of carrying HD signals (up to 1080p). Am I right?

* Is copyright protection something to be concerned about? It seems that, reading between the lines, the big hardware/software guys are 'crowbaring in' the HDMI technology in order to control the piracy issue. Will I be able to view protected content through the system I currently have in place, say, if I get a Blu-ray player further down the line?

* If all is well and component cables can carry the HDTV signals from the SKY STB (or any source) will the AVR300 pass through this HD content (ie will the AVR300 act as a passive 'switch' and not affect the data)?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Regards, MAV13

[Dankeech]

Originally Posted by MAV13

Hi all.

I have an Arcam AVR 300 operating as the hub of my home cinema set-up. A DV79 feeds into the amp through component cables (RGB + Sync). Sound is via a digital coax cable. The video output from the amp is also RGB + Sync going into a CRT TV. I appreciate that the DV79 isn't high def (despite the HDMI socket) but the image on an old Goodmans TV is surprisingly good!

At some time in the future I will be looking towards HDTV and will buy a decent LCD panel. Next step would be a SKY HD set-top-box or similar. Can I throw out a few questions for clarity? I'm sure there are many owners of AVR300s that would be interested in this.

* I'm under the impression that component (or RGB) cables are capable of carrying HD signals (up to 1080p). Am I right?

* Is copyright protection something to be concerned about? It seems that, reading between the lines, the big hardware/software guys are 'crowbaring in' the HDMI technology in order to control the piracy issue. Will I be able to view protected content through the system I currently have in place, say, if I get a Blu-ray player further down the line?

* If all is well and component cables can carry the HDTV signals from the SKY STB (or any source) will the AVR300 pass through this HD content (ie will the AVR300 act as a passive 'switch' and not affect the data)?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Regards, MAV13

Hi Mav,
Component can take at least 1080i. As for the P, I don't know. I can tell you that the Component switching on the AVR250 is fine with HD, and I'd assume the AVR300 works fine too (Check with someone else to be sure anyway).
Perhaps further down the line you may be forced with the new technology to adopt HDMI, but if your upgrade right now is purely to futureproof, it may well be worth hanging on til you're forced to make that decision when the HD market is more mature and HDMI-Amps have progressed and the prices have come down somewhat.
The AVR350 to my knowledge will take 1080(not sure if I or P, but assume P) through HDMI and will pass through the audio signal, but not process it. You'd still need to use the analogue multi-channel in from a device that decodes HD Audio, or take the input through optical or coax (therefore missing out on Hi-Def audio formats.)

Instinct tells me a SKy HD box with component out will work fine running through component on the AVR300 and then out to your TV with at least a 1080i signal. You should seek confirmation of this from someone more knowledgeable, so hopefully someone will be along soon.

Dan

[CharlieUSA]

Yes, good quality component video cables will pass 1080p. Good luck finding content at that resolution, however. The HDMI/copyright protection issue is, of course, the elephant in the living room for everyone, consumers and industry folks alike. None of the studios has down-rez'd their releases...yet. But, in my opinion, that day is coming. In the meantime, enjoy your all-analog system. Frankly, I'd hang onto that setup until you're forced to do otherwise. The one limiting factor--not upscaling standard DVDs--is apparently not an issue for you, so hey, let the rest of the world muck around in the digital dirt while you enjoy a reliable, stable and predictable method of video delivery.

[MAV13]

Thanks Charlie and Dan.

Our assumptions seem the same.

I do feel that HDMI etc is being 'pushed' onto the general public at the moment (just speak to an 'advisor' in Comet or Dixons eg). The merits of current options aren't mentioned are they?

If an Arcam expert can confirm our speculations on AVR 300 performance I would be grateful

[scgf]

I have Sky Digital HD and an HD-DVD player both connected to my Arcam AVR300 using component cables.

Prior to this I used a good quality component switching box.

There is no difference between the dedicated switch box and the Arcam - both give me an excellent HD picture on my plasma monitor.

I don't have 1080p though, both my HD sources do 1080i.

The Arcam AVR300 makes it really easy to switch between sources and it is very configurable. A decent multi-device remote like the Logitech Harmony makes it even better.

[CharlieUSA]

The June issue of "Home Theater" Magazine (U.S. version) reports that the encryption code for Blu-ray and HD DVD (that is, AACS) has been partially hacked, which can only make the studios more nervous about releasing HD content, and make the whole digital issue even more uncertain. Stay tuned...

[Seldom]

Mav,
I have stumbled into a similar predicament. I have just recently purchased a Playstation3 and was bursting at the seams to get it setup with 1080i through my Arcam AVR300. After carefully connecting everything up and choosing the 1080i resolution from the PS3, I was presented with a blank screen on my TV. I dropped the resolution down until I could see a picture and was a little startled to find it was a meagre 480p.

After a couple of e-mails to Arcam support (really great guys by the way) I was told the following:

"Using the HQ Video inputs the AVR-300 does have a wide bandwidth for the line-doubled signal for PAL & NTSC. So for the PS/3 I am told that that the Component cables on the HQ Video will pass the high-resolution signal to the TV you have.

There is no upscaling of the resolution on the DV79 it will play the DVD as it is. The AVR-300 is tied to the PAL & NTSC standards, but should replay the high resolution you have- effectively pass it through the HQ output."

This leads me to beleive that it is possible to pass 1080i/p through teh AVR300, but unfortunately I have since found out that my TV is lying about being able to handle 1080i or 720p resolution (it is an early HD Ready standard) from the PS3.

Until I get round to upgrading to something that really is Full HD, I dont think I will be able to prove definitively if it can or not.

Either way, I cannot fault the Arcam duo of the DV79 and AVR300 in their performance for picture and sound quality.

Regards,

Tim

Arcam AVR300
Arcam DV79
Samsung SP42Q2 (NOT1080i compatible!)
PS3
B&W XT4 Fronts
B&W XTC Centre
B&W FPM4 Rears
Velodyne SPL1200 Sub

[Crustyloafer]

Why not try connecting the PS3 directly to the TV via component, that way you will be able to tell whether it is the TV or the AVR300 which is causing the problem.

[scgf]

You can, of course, upscale DVDs via component - as long as there is not some form of 'flag' put on by the film company/distributors/whatever to stop you doing it. Most commercial DVDs have this flag - goodness knows why - but it is fairly easy to work round. If you backup your DVD to a DVDR then the backup will upscale fine through component. Whether it is worth doing (or even legal) I'm not sure.

[Dankeech]

My understanding of the legality is that backing up films, for whatever reason is illegal, unless someone has accurate info online showing otherwise.

Frustrating it is though, as I've had 3 copies of Leftfield's Leftism and at least 2 of Massive Attack's Mezanine album and more..

Dan.

[SimonTSM]

Originally Posted by Dankeech

My understanding of the legality is that backing up films, for whatever reason is illegal, unless someone has accurate info online showing otherwise.

In the UK you can make up to one backup onto one form of medium. It must not be distributed and always remains the property of the license holder (the person that bough the CD/DVD).

It's a bit of a grey area at the moment, for example, copying a song or movie onto your iPod. You have the original, a copy on your computer, and then another copy on your iPod. That's one more copy than the law allows.

If you see an MPAA or RIAA warning saying you cannot copy the disc and you are in the UK, ignore it. They are not legal authorities in the UK. Audio in the UK come under MCPS, unsure about video as I only work in the audio industry.