Hi,
Before I start please note that I am a complete newbie so apologies for dumb questions!
I have an old Panasonic TH-42PWD6 which just the PC input. I don't have any cards in any of the slots at all.
I would like to use the TV with standard Sky (cable) box or a HD box and connect DVD player etc.. So I am looking for recommendations on cards/blades I need. Cost is a factor here its an old TV and there is not a lot of point paying few hundred for parts.
FYI I am based in Ireland. Anyone know if Panasonic will ship parts to Ireland / UK or if there is a UK parts company I should contact?
Firstly how do I know which plasma series I have, as I see that newer boards cannot retrofit into previous plasma series. I assume the WD6 refers to series 6? I ask because I seen a post where they say that all models in the 6-7-8-9 series were 720p models. And so there is no advantage in picture quality in going digital vs. component for non-1080p models. Is this correct?
COMPONENT:
Can I use the component RCA board input - for either sky box or dvd not exactly sure what connections are on this?
Again I have seen posts mention : BNC Component Video Terminal Board, a RCA Component Video Terminal Board or a Composite / Component Video Terminal Board? Which do I need and where would you recommend I get these?
Anyone got a part number that is compatible for my model or where I can check this? Panasonic's online model search didn't recognize my model ??
I have seen recommendations for this device HDfury HDfury. From what I see it connects to RGB display and then performs HDCP decryption and HDMI to RGB conversion.
Can I use this any limits or recommendations?
Do I just connect this to a component input?
HDMI:
Some users have recommended HDMi cards/blades part model TY-FB8HM.
Is there any benefit in using these (if there is no picture quality advantage based on comment above) or would it still help just for connecting some newer devices to the TV?
Some posts have said that the TY-FB8HM was/ is discontinued ... ask for part #TXNHA10ZYS instead. But when I check online Parts Ordering I only see the TY-FB8HM - but I cant order it online
Anyone got experience on this or other suggestions?
DVI:
Similarly I have read that to get real HD, the DVI board is the best option, with an HDMI-DVI cable, that it will accept 1080i at 60Hz from games consoles and BR discs.
But equally I have read that Xbox (and maybe other devices) do not like the conversion from HDMI to DVI, and would only work at a resolution of 1280x720, once it detected the input as a DVI conversion ???
The TY-42TM6D DVI terminal board is listed as available Parts Ordering . But I think has to be ordered by phone when I try verify availability online nothing happens.
Is the DVI video only? If so what do I do about audio any suggestions or do I need to purchase surround sound
Is DVI input Sky(cable) HD compatible, - in previous thread (few years ago) they said that it does not accept 50Hz signals at HD resolutions. So won't work with HDMi-DMI conversion?
Finally If I want to connect a few devices eg. DVD, Sky (cable box), should I get few different cards e.g. Component+HDMI or would you recommend 1 card and some type of hub/switch .
As I said all basic questions hopefully someone out there can help!
Thanks
Before I start please note that I am a complete newbie so apologies for dumb questions!
I have an old Panasonic TH-42PWD6 which just the PC input. I don't have any cards in any of the slots at all.
I would like to use the TV with standard Sky (cable) box or a HD box and connect DVD player etc.. So I am looking for recommendations on cards/blades I need. Cost is a factor here its an old TV and there is not a lot of point paying few hundred for parts.
FYI I am based in Ireland. Anyone know if Panasonic will ship parts to Ireland / UK or if there is a UK parts company I should contact?
Firstly how do I know which plasma series I have, as I see that newer boards cannot retrofit into previous plasma series. I assume the WD6 refers to series 6? I ask because I seen a post where they say that all models in the 6-7-8-9 series were 720p models. And so there is no advantage in picture quality in going digital vs. component for non-1080p models. Is this correct?
COMPONENT:
Can I use the component RCA board input - for either sky box or dvd not exactly sure what connections are on this?
Again I have seen posts mention : BNC Component Video Terminal Board, a RCA Component Video Terminal Board or a Composite / Component Video Terminal Board? Which do I need and where would you recommend I get these?
Anyone got a part number that is compatible for my model or where I can check this? Panasonic's online model search didn't recognize my model ??
I have seen recommendations for this device HDfury HDfury. From what I see it connects to RGB display and then performs HDCP decryption and HDMI to RGB conversion.
Can I use this any limits or recommendations?
Do I just connect this to a component input?
HDMI:
Some users have recommended HDMi cards/blades part model TY-FB8HM.
Is there any benefit in using these (if there is no picture quality advantage based on comment above) or would it still help just for connecting some newer devices to the TV?
Some posts have said that the TY-FB8HM was/ is discontinued ... ask for part #TXNHA10ZYS instead. But when I check online Parts Ordering I only see the TY-FB8HM - but I cant order it online
Anyone got experience on this or other suggestions?
DVI:
Similarly I have read that to get real HD, the DVI board is the best option, with an HDMI-DVI cable, that it will accept 1080i at 60Hz from games consoles and BR discs.
But equally I have read that Xbox (and maybe other devices) do not like the conversion from HDMI to DVI, and would only work at a resolution of 1280x720, once it detected the input as a DVI conversion ???
The TY-42TM6D DVI terminal board is listed as available Parts Ordering . But I think has to be ordered by phone when I try verify availability online nothing happens.
Is the DVI video only? If so what do I do about audio any suggestions or do I need to purchase surround sound
Is DVI input Sky(cable) HD compatible, - in previous thread (few years ago) they said that it does not accept 50Hz signals at HD resolutions. So won't work with HDMi-DMI conversion?
Finally If I want to connect a few devices eg. DVD, Sky (cable box), should I get few different cards e.g. Component+HDMI or would you recommend 1 card and some type of hub/switch .
As I said all basic questions hopefully someone out there can help!
Thanks