HDTV and Tivo connections

Now that OpenBand finally offers HDTV decoders and service, I have a hook-up dilemma that I was hoping some of the HDTV/Tivo "veterans" out there could help me with.

As far as I can tell, the best way to send an HD signal through the Tivo box is via S-video which, of course, is no better than 4th in quality (behind DVI, HDMI, and component).

This is my current Tivo configuration:
HD decoder S-video output -- Tivo S-video input -- Tivo S-video output -- HDTV S-video input

This will allow me to use Tivo for everyday (non-HD) use.

However, I also ran a DVI cable direct from my HD decoder to my HDTV. When I want to watch HD programming, I will abandon Tivo and use this direct connection.

Does this make sense to everyone? Is there a better way to do it? Thanks.

 

To clarify:

It is not possible to route HD video via S-video, nor is it possible to route external HD video into the Tivo.

What you are describing is routing down-converted and resized HD video via S-video.

HD video must always travel via RGB, Component, DVI or HDMI connections. If it is in the form of S-video, it is no longer HD. This distinction goes way beyond quality, it is a completely different type of signal.

Your description makes is appear that you are using your equipment to the best of it's capability. I'm not really sure what you need help with.

 

Thanks for the clarification, sasha. I am just trying to get the highest possible quality video signal from my HDTV receiver to my TV, through my Tivo box. The problem lies in the fact that Tivo only supports the following means for transferring a video signal: standad 75 ohm coax, RCA video, and S-video. Which of these should I use to provide the best video signal to my TV? Thanks.

 

Sounds fine to me as well... that's the best quality you'll get out of the SD TiVo.

Does openband have firewire ports activated on their boxes?

 

I neglected to include firewire in my list of HD transport types above. Of course firewire can pass HD.

I have no idea if openband has firewire ports activated on their boxes though as I am not an openband client. It would be great if they did as it would allow their users to have HD recording and offloading options that I must assume they do not otherwise have with the current lack of an HD PVR.

 

So, I'll guess this means you don't have an HD TIVO machine? Is there such a thing? I know the DirectTV Sat box for HD and TiVo is...is there a stand alone HD TiVo box?

Dawne

 

This is straight off tivo's web site at http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv451619.htm?

So no there is no standalone version

 

Dish Network offers an excellent HD PVR:
http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/products/receivers/hd/index.shtml
I have the DVR 921 and it works great. It can record up
to 21 hours of HD content and 180 hours of SD.

Mitsubishi offers stand alone HD recorders:
http://mitsubi****v.com/other/category.asp?id=3
I believe that JVC and several others also offer HD recorders.

Skins Fan

EDIT: my link to Mitsubishi is broken because there is apparently
a bad word contained in the combination of Mitsubishi and TV and
it was automatically edited by this bulletin board system. URL
should be Mitsubishi TV.com without the space.

 

Hmmm...small glitch in the auto-editing there. Sorry about that...

I just dropped a chunk for a new system, but it's amazing...I know you have Openband, so it may not be advantageous to go with DirectTV (or Dish) and or to replace some of the equipment.

The DirectTv HD/Tivo receiver works perfect. It has HDMI output as well as component. With an HDMI Monster cable, the reception is incredible. We also had the HD antenna installed in the attic - and well, the local stations via broadcast HD are INFINITELY better than the satellite feed of those same stations - and the digital sound is so much better via antenna (which just seems so backwards to me).

Advantage of the DTV HD receiver is that it will show both the Sat and Ant channels in the channel guide - so that's pretty nice.

Along with the new HD DVD (via DVI connect) the system is pretty awesome. I can't believe I can see the divots in the grass during football games. And the Discovery Channel HD is unbelieveable.....

Dawne

 

*drool* HD TiVo.... Wish it wasn't $1k for the receiver or I'd get one too!! Glad to hear you like it... definately wanna get one when price lowers a bit! Wish it had DVI outputs though I've got a projector from a few years ago before HDMI was going strong. *sigh*

 

There's always component output (ugh...did I say that?)

Funny how quickly things change eh? Only a short while ago component was the way to go....

Receiver is pricey - and you don't really have any choice - you get the Hughes one. It's the only one on the market, hence no competition, hence big price tag.



Dawne

 

We've done A/B comparisons with analog component/HDMI. As long as you have a quality source connected to a quality display, with proper cabling, there is no discernable difference. None whatsoever.

For projector applications, the analog connection is preferable, IMO, as the cabling is simpler to custom terminate and lends itself to longer, concealed runs. Don't let that issue stop you from using and appreciating HDTV. Contrary to the buzz you hear in the media (and the entertainment industry's wishes), analog RGB and YRB signals will be with us for many years to come. Indeed, the use of HDMI as an interconnection standard is limiting in terms of distance, switching and distribution. It has yet to stand the test of time.

 

But don't they have the ability to turn off/downsize unencrypted outputs like the component/firewire/standard DVI? I would hate to invest all that money and them have them disable that feature. Regardless, I still want to try it, perhaps when it gets down to the $500 price point... =) Until then, I'll stick to OTA HDTV via my HTPC.

 

Regarding "down-rezzing" the component outputs: My understanding is that, per the FCC, (I don't have the link handy), this is NOT allowed. AFAIK, if the source is 720P or 1080i, then HD needs to be output on the analog ports. If I find the link, I'll repost it.

I totally agree with you about using OTA HDTV via HTPC as being the best way to go even though that thought is alien to most folks in this country. I have 2 PCs with MyHD cards on my network. The key to making this work is having a hardwired Ethernet connection at your entertainment equipment rack and having a display that is PC friendly, i.e., with a VGA or DVI input. (Why ANYONE would buy an expensive HDTV without this basic capability is beyond me, but that's another story...)

OTA DTV and HDTV is all I use for TV services. I use Netflix for everything else. Timeshifting OTA makes all the difference....

 

The Dish 921 is an HDTV Tivo with DVI output for $549.
http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/products/receivers/hd/index.shtml

 

A small nit-pick. The DISH DVR service is not Tivo. It's their own thing. My father had non-HD Dish DVR at first and eventually switched to DirecTV with Tivo because the interface was much better.

--Joy

 

I guess it depends on what is more important to you. Do you sit on your couch and want to look at a pretty user interface? Or do you want to see pretty, <and timeshifted> HDTV?

If you are a Dish user and you want to timeshift HDTV, I think the choice is pretty clear.

 

Yep... switch to DirecTV and get the HD TiVo I've been with Dish for years and I've always been unhappy with their hardware. I'll be making the switch back to DirecTV soon (with TiVo).

__________________________________________________________
Some software money can't buy. For everything else there's Micros~1

 

I don't use either DBS service myself, so I'm not partial. All I have time for is free OTA HDTV, timeshifted of course.....

Still haven't watched 4 hours of the 24 premiere episodes from Sun and Mon yet, nor last Sundays DH and BL...

cheers and enjoy your HDTV....

 

New HDMI limitation that was recently brought to my attention, lack of 5.1 support!!

http://news.designtechnica.com/talkback45_page1.html

This is only an issue for those of you who might have a relatively new receiver with HDMI switching and breakaway, but anyway, I found this tidbit rather amusing since some folks seem to think that HDMI is the be-all and end-all. As I said, beware of growing pains...

The work around obviously, is to run a coax or toslink directly to your receiver.