Lumagen HDQ, SD Channels and 4th genration Pioneer plasmas

[Bryce Curdy]

I have a Pioneer 504HDE. Sky HD is connected via HDMI and set at 1080i. I am pretty convinced SD channels appear significantly worse compared to Sky+. This is a significant problem when you bear in mind that most of my viewing will be SD, at least in the short to medium term. I do not think it is a case of being 'spoiled' by the HD channels.

I've had a good read through these forums this morning. Have I understood the following correctly?

1. Switching the output to Auto will improve the SD picture quality.
2. This will cause a problem when switching between SD and HD channels.

I am thinking about adding a Lumagen HDQ scaler. Will this get round the problem?

[dilsher]

Yes yes and..bleedin yes! Gordon will be posting his testing findings on his first SKY HD Lumagen HDP at my place yesterday. Suffice to say the SD channels look awesome. But mine is also ISFed which makes ALL the difference. Bear this in mind.

[creative-av]

Hi Bryce,

As dilsher says adding a video processor into the equation will make a difference.

However, looking back at previous threads it appears that you can't get 1:1 pixel mapping at native resolution using HDMI on the 504HDE model. You would have to use the VGA port for this.

Steve

[Bryce Curdy]

Thanks guys. What is ISF?

Does anyone know if the scaler solves the problem I've read about where the screen sometimes goes blank changing between SD and HD channels on auto. Apparently reselecting the input on the TV may fix this, but I'd rather not have to bother.

[creative-av]

Hi Bryce,

ISF is having your panel professional calibrated. Someone like Gordon or Piers will come out and calibrate your display to get the very, very bets out of it. They use professional calibration equipment so its a bit more than just adjusting contrast and colour

From one of the previous posts by Liam@Progressive-av, it appears that running 1080i over HDMI does correct the delay you are seeing from switching between HD & SD channels. I'm not too sure if you need the auto setting on or off though.

Steve

[Bryce Curdy]

Thanks Steve.

Can't seem to find that thread or the one about the 1:1 pixel mapping issue. Could you post the links if you have a spare moment.

[LFCRules]

Bryce, had a quick look at Liams old posts, but couldn't find it. Maybe you will have more joy?

[togad]

Bryce -

I've got the 504HDE. You can only get 1:1 pixel mapping through VGA.

I can't comment on the Lumagens, but adding a VP30 (+ABT102) to my set-up made a significant difference in picture quality, and I'm only feeding the 504 with a 720p signal via HDMI (sources are Philips 963 via SDI and a Freeview box). The improvement was so good that I haven't got around to investigating HDMI vs Component vs VGA yet. I keep promising myself I will get around to it one day!

IIRC, there was a suggestion from someone that VGA would not be a good way to go due to the 504 only being able to accept a 60Hz signal this way?

To the best of my recollection though, I don't think anyone here has ever actually tried it - at the time I'm sure there were people claiming that you couldn't get a 1:1 pixel map via VGA, but I used to have a Mac Mini hooked up via VGA (it now goes via the VP30) and it was clearly 1:1 mapped at 1280x768.

(hopefully that might jog someone's memory or at least help with searching earlier posts)

[togad]

Here's the thread where there was detailed discussion about HDE's -

Improving my Pioneer 43" screen picture

I'm just re-reading it now myself.

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

There will not be a way to get around the AUTO hdcp handhsake issue. I believe it's an implimentation problem. Setting the box to always output a single resolution would work. However, the de-interlacing in the HD plus box isnt the best.....so adding a video processor and using hdmi at 1080i for the HD channels and a scart lead to the scaler for the SD channels, is the current best solution for ultimate image qualty from both sources with the SkyPlus HD box.

Gordon

[Bryce Curdy]

Originally Posted by Gordon @ Convergent AV

There will not be a way to get around the AUTO hdcp handhsake issue. I believe it's an implimentation problem. Setting the box to always output a single resolution would work. However, the de-interlacing in the HD plus box isnt the best.....so adding a video processor and using hdmi at 1080i for the HD channels and a scart lead to the scaler for the SD channels, is the current best solution for ultimate image qualty from both sources with the SkyPlus HD box.

Gordon

Thanks Gordon.

Why scart rather than component for SD?

[dilsher]

Originally Posted by Gordon @ Convergent AV

There will not be a way to get around the AUTO hdcp handhsake issue. I believe it's an implimentation problem. Setting the box to always output a single resolution would work. However, the de-interlacing in the HD plus box isnt the best.....so adding a video processor and using hdmi at 1080i for the HD channels and a scart lead to the scaler for the SD channels, is the current best solution for ultimate image qualty from both sources with the SkyPlus HD box.

Gordon

..and my set up is living proof Gordy is bang on the spot again..dont you just hate it when he is always bleedin' right?

[Bryce Curdy]

Hope you're right dilsher. Having my Lumagen HDQ installed later this week!

[Triggaaar]

Originally Posted by Bryce Curdy

Why scart rather than component for SD?

Component is outputting 576p, and refusing to offer an interlaced output. So your video processor will be working with a signal that was poorly de-interlaced by the sky box. Sky's scart output is interlaced though, which when fed to a processor, will give better results with SD.

[Dutch]

The component will output 576i as long as the HDMI isn't connected.

Steve