Poor picture quality watching NTL through DVD recorder

slysy · 14-06-2006, 12:21

Hi all,

I have an NTL cable box connected to my DVD recorder (Samsung DVD-HR720) via scart. The DVD recorder is then connected to my TV (Samsung LE32R41B) via component. However, when watching NTL television through the DVD recorder box or playing back something recorded from NTL, the picture looks terrible. It looks sort of snowy/fussy, which is especially noticable if I bring up the on-screen menus on the NTL box. However, playback of store purchased DVDs and the DVD recorder's on-screen menu seem to look OK.

If I connect the DVD recorder to the TV via scart or composite, the picture looks OK. Does anyone know what might be causing this problem with component? Perhaps a setting somewhere, or could it be faulty equipment of some sort?

Thanks in advance for any help

Graham M · 14-06-2006, 14:07

Copy Protection maybe? I'm not sure.

spiderplant · 14-06-2006, 19:39

which model ntl box do you have?

Bob · 14-06-2006, 20:03

Well I have exactly the same problem with my Sony DVD Recorder and the 2100 Samsung. Although because the Freeview box I plugged in as well did the same thing, I have a feeling it might be the DVD recorder

slysy · 14-06-2006, 21:15

Thanks for the responses guys. Its a PACE box (not sure of the model number). If anyone else has a similar setup (NTL box > SCART > DVD Recorder > Component > TV) I would be very interested to hear what sort of picture quality you get. Any more suggestions as to what the problem might be also appreciated

Currie · 15-06-2006, 08:43

I have my NTL pace box connected via scart to a Panny85 and output by component to a Sagem LCD and the picture is great. If I remember correctly, I`m at work now, in the Panny output settings, in order to use component out, you have to switch off RGB output on the scart. You can`t use both at the same time. Maybe it`s something similar on the Samsung?

slysy · 15-06-2006, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currie

I have my NTL pace box connected via scart to a Panny85 and output by component to a Sagem LCD and the picture is great. If I remember correctly, I`m at work now, in the Panny output settings, in order to use component out, you have to switch off RGB output on the scart. You can`t use both at the same time. Maybe it`s something similar on the Samsung?

Yes, that is correct. However my recorder is set to component out but I am still getting this problem

Worth suggesting though, thanks.

altis · 15-06-2006, 09:51

If the picture is noisy then I'd guess the signal is comming via the aerial lead somewhere. The STB does not output component video so, if there is no other connection to your TV, something must be doing a convertion somewhere.

slysy · 15-06-2006, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

If the picture is noisy then I'd guess the signal is comming via the aerial lead somewhere. The STB does not output component video so, if there is no other connection to your TV, something must be doing a convertion somewhere.

There are no aerial leads involved. The STB outputs RGB SCART to the DVD recorder, which outputs component to the TV. Are you saying that the conversion from RGB SCART to component via the DVD recorder possibly causes a loss in quality?

I found a post about the same recorder on another forum that sounds similar http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=33515 . Maybe its an issue with this model of recorder?

King Of Fools · 15-06-2006, 10:23

Is your Pace STB set to output in RGB or composite? Maybe changing this might help.

Edit: Looks like you are using RGB - have you tried composite?

altis · 15-06-2006, 11:04

This looks like another clash of cultures.

In Europe we tend to use RGB as the fundamental method of video transmission whilst in America they tend to use component. I could argue that RGB is better but, in practice, there will be little difference. The problem arises when you try to connect equipment designed for different markets. You can get boxes to do the conversion (try Keene Electronics) but this adds expense and degrades picture quality slightly. Far better to ensure the equipment is compatible in the first place.

slysy · 15-06-2006, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Of Fools

Is your Pace STB set to output in RGB or composite? Maybe changing this might help.

Edit: Looks like you are using RGB - have you tried composite?

Yes, I have tried this. I still get the poor picture quality unfortunately.

---------- Post added at 12:34 ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

This looks like another clash of cultures.

In Europe we tend to use RGB as the fundamental method of video transmission whilst in America they tend to use component. I could argue that RGB is better but, in practice, there will be little difference. The problem arises when you try to connect equipment designed for different markets. You can get boxes to do the conversion (try Keene Electronics) but this adds expense and degrades picture quality slightly. Far better to ensure the equipment is compatible in the first place.

I had expected the DVD Recorder to convert from RGB SCART to component at an acceptable quality. This must be possible as Currie has this configuration and no quality issues. In fact I had assumed component would be higher quality as my recorder is capable of progressive scan output (the quality is poor regardless of whether this is enabled or disabled).

spiderplant · 15-06-2006, 16:51

What format are you using on the component, slysy? Do you have any control over it?

I'm guessing that the DVDR isn't good at de-interlacing.

slysy · 15-06-2006, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderplant

What format are you using on the component, slysy? Do you have any control over it?

I'm guessing that the DVDR isn't good at de-interlacing.

Sorry, not sure what you mean

I think that its 50hz and widescreen. I don't think you can toggle between 50/60hz. Was that what you meant?

spiderplant · 15-06-2006, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by slysy

Sorry, not sure what you mean

I think that its 50hz and widescreen. I don't think you can toggle between 50/60hz. Was that what you meant?

Yes, but also whether it's interlaced or progressive, and the number of lines. The SCART input is 50Hz, 576-line interlaced. If the component output is anything else, the DVDR must be doing some conversion.