Dumping cable to go with dish...

[PGPfan]

Start here and here and read, read, read!

-PGPfan

[qhplar]

Thanks!

[jprine01]

Not sure if I missed it, but I seen a few posts about DP34 vs DP44 multiswitch. One is Dish+ the other is Dish+ Pro, the difference is the DP44 switch can support dual tuner boxes on a single connection. So if you use dual tuner boxes you want the DP44.

[briands]

Later this month (I hope), I'll be adding one of the Hauppauge HD-PVR devices to my current lineup which includes an R5000 VIP211 and three VIP211s using Svideo. I primarily watch on my HD extender on a 16x9 display. I'd like to maximize the quality and minimize the aspect ratio switching.

For the R5000, there is no aspect ratio adjustment since it captures the stream directly and playback on "source" is the best.

For the Svideo capture it is a little more confusing. The VIP211 has an aspect ratio feature (pressing page down), but it seems to be geared toward 4x3 display devices. This feature only works on HD channels allowing normal or zoom. I was hoping this was an anamorpic stretch to gain resolution in place of the black bars, but it seems instead to be a constant ratio zoom to eliminate letter box bars (though it also works well for 4x3 within the 16x9). So, I assume leaving this in Normal is the best option, correct? As far as playback aspect ratio, these files need a constant stretch in both directions to fill the screen. This does not seem to be an option in the extender. Any suggestions?


For the coming HD-PVR, it might get more confusing since there are settings in the VIP211 both in the setup menu (resolution 480i - 1080i and aspect 4x3#1, 4x3#2 and 16:9) as well as using the page up button which has 5 modes for HD channels (Normal, stretch, partial zoom, zoom and gray bar). I assume the best option will be 1080i 16:9 and Normal, but we'll have to see.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by briands

So, I assume leaving this in Normal is the best option, correct?

Unless you want the edges cut off, yes.

As far as playback aspect ratio, these files need a constant stretch in both directions to fill the screen. This does not seem to be an option in the extender. Any suggestions?

I thought Zoom B did that.

For the coming HD-PVR, it might get more confusing since there are settings in the VIP211 both in the setup menu (resolution 480i - 1080i and aspect 4x3#1, 4x3#2 and 16:9) as well as using the page up button which has 5 modes for HD channels (Normal, stretch, partial zoom, zoom and gray bar). I assume the best option will be 1080i 16:9 and Normal, but we'll have to see.

Well, 99% of the (HD) channels on Dish are 1080i AFIAK, all HD channels are 16:9, so provided you want to record, you'll want the box set to 1080i, 16:9, and presumably "Normal" stretch.

[steingra]

I found this thread and am going to see if I can find an option in my 811 receiver to disable this update/screensaver feature. But in disabling that setting in a DISH receiver, can you tell me how it gets updated?

Do I just turn it off once in a while...and then it updates itself when it reboots or can it update when power is off???

it messes up my sagetv by having it go into a sleep mode.