Progressive Scan - how good is it?

[Foebane]

I'm about to buy this TV tomorrow:

Buy Alba 16in HD Ready Digital LCD TV. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

And I would like to use the component video connectors for the progressive scan feature of my DVD player.

What I'd like to know is, how well does the progressive part work in reducing flicker, and what problems would it have on, say, video sources like BBC comedies from the 80s and so forth?

Also, I don't have the component video leads, but they seem to be the same type that connect to audio/composite connectors, whatever they're called. I should be able to use those, right? And I don't care if they're not "gold-plated" and all that fluff, I doubt it really matters.

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, but I've only got a few hours to get responses.

[danmc_82]

On a 16inch screen I probably wouldnt even notice if progressive scan was on. It does reduce flicker in screens ive seen 32inch and above. You cant use composite cables as component, you need a dedicated pair of cables. Dont need to be expensive, £10 should do it for 1mtr

[Foebane]

So progressive scan really isn't worth it, but just stick to RGB SCART? Also, how are the cables different to phono leads, as PS cables seem to be?

[danmc_82]

Originally Posted by Foebane

So progressive scan really isn't worth it, but just stick to RGB SCART? Also, how are the cables different to phono leads, as PS cables seem to be?

If you go with RGB scart you wont get progressive scan. Its not for me to say whether its worth it or not, try and find out if you notice any difference. Composite leads dont have the band width to carry a progressive scan signal, you'll need component for that. The cables that come with the PS are composite leads which produce a poor picture.

[Foebane]

Originally Posted by danmc_82

The cables that come with the PS are composite leads which produce a poor picture.

Um, I meant PS as in Progressive Scan, not PlayStation.

[danmc_82]

Originally Posted by Foebane

Um, I meant PS as in Progressive Scan, not PlayStation.

Oh sorry I hope my answer was enough for you?

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by danmc_82

If you go with RGB scart you wont get progressive scan. Its not for me to say whether its worth it or not, try and find out if you notice any difference. Composite leads dont have the band width to carry a progressive scan signal, you'll need component for that. The cables that come with the PS are composite leads which produce a poor picture.

If the LCD panel is progressive, then the TV will turn every signal regardless of type to progressive scan and the resolution of the panel. Even RGB Scart (576i - 768p with that TV).

If the signal is already PS, then it skips the deinterlacing bit and just upscales/downscales to the right resolution.

[Bill Hicks]

Progressive scan on a 16" screen!
Don't make me laugh

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by Bill Hicks

Progressive scan on a 16" screen!
Don't make me laugh

With helpful answers like that you should make lots of friends on this forum

[Indecisive Jay]

Originally Posted by Foebane

What I'd like to know is, how well does the progressive part work in reducing flicker,

Lcds don't suffer from flicker in the traditional sense say a crt would.

[loz]

Originally Posted by Indecisive Jay

Lcds don't suffer from flicker in the traditional sense say a crt would.

This is true, but I have seen definite improvements in the PQ switching PS on in the DVD player (connected by component) - a more stable, less noisy image.

However, long time since I have done that as everything is HDMI now...

[Indecisive Jay]

Originally Posted by loz

This is true, but I have seen definite improvements in the PQ switching PS on in the DVD player (connected by component) - a more stable, less noisy image.

However, long time since I have done that as everything is HDMI now...

Component is better than scart so it would definitely produce a better image.

And as with all progressive displays, it is better to feed them a progressive signal as opposed to letting the display handle it as many lower end displays have poor de-interlacing.

[loz]

Originally Posted by Indecisive Jay

Component is better than scart so it would definitely produce a better image.

And as with all progressive displays, it is better to feed them a progressive signal as opposed to letting the display handle it as many lower end displays have poor de-interlacing.

I wasn't talking about Scart vs Component though.

I was talking about PS vs non-PS, both using Component.

[Indecisive Jay]

Originally Posted by loz

I wasn't talking about Scart vs Component though.

I was talking about PS vs non-PS, both using Component.

Ah right again as you say there will be an improvement in picture quality as progressive displays deal with progressive signals best unless they have a very good de-interlacer.

[Mr Incredible]

Originally Posted by Indecisive Jay

Component is better than scart so it would definitely produce a better image.

And as with all progressive displays, it is better to feed them a progressive signal as opposed to letting the display handle it as many lower end displays have poor de-interlacing.

Just to put my pedant's hat on for a moment, component is a signal type, scart is a connection type and can carry one or more of the following signals: RGB, composite, s-video, and component (although component over Scart connection is rare), as well as sound.

Component can be both progressive scan and interlaced, whereas RGB is only interlaced. On an interlaced basis on SD material, RGB is better than component in "theory", but in practice there's nothing between them, but component can support higher resolutions than the 576i (?) that is supported on RGB.

On a 16" screen however, you won't see any difference between component over 3 cables and RGB over a scart connection.