Are tvs truely 16x9 or 4:3?

[mls]

Originally posted by stanger89

FWIW, I'm a firm believer in running the highest scan rate you can (for CRTs) or the native resolution (for digitals) to minimize the number of places the video is messed with. And since PCs are horrible at outputting 480i (probably even via component) I advise running at least 480p, and 720p, 960i, or 1080i if possible.

Think we're pretty much in agreement there, although I'm not so sure about always going for the highest scan rate for a CRT (that might be a bit iffy depending).

I do hope broderp found something helpful out of all this and also hope he hasn't fried his tv messing around with things (since that is possible with some tv's with the wrong scan settings and we haven't seen anything posted here from him during our long discussion of things).

I know I've learned a LOT from you in our discussion. I almost feel that the amount of info you posted in this thread might be worth one of the mods to point to as some part of the FAQ or something since others trying to set up HDTV's might also find it VERY useful.

[stanger89]

Originally posted by mls
Think we're pretty much in agreement there, although I'm not so sure about always going for the highest scan rate for a CRT (that might be a bit iffy depending).

Perhaps I didn't word that well, to clarify, I advise running the highest scan rate or resolution your TV is designed for. For example:

You have a TV that does 480i, 480p, and 1080i, my advice would be to run at 1080i.

Going beyond the design of your TV is not something I'd suggest.

[broderp]

Gee, so many comments on my behalf! Sorry I've been away for a while.

Stranger89, you seemed to cover most of it very well, and thanks for the guide. I printed it out, and will be reading it for some tweaking tonight.

MLS,

WHAT STRANGER89 SAID!! (he covered it very well!!

Of course the clearer the image you start with, the better. DVD, especially anamorphic ones, look awesome in 960i, with no wasted scan lines top and bottom, based on a 1.78:1 ratio that is.

I'll try the 960i resolutions, but don't hold out much hope, as the set has to be fed a 480i signal to upconvert it, I'm not sure the circuitry will just "PASS" a 960i signal.....would be wonderfull if it did!

fyi, mls, MY SONY is one of the first GEN HI-SCAN sets that originally sold for over $3500, I manuvered and schemed and got a local store to price match the internet and then because they didn't have it in stock, and I had a written price (reciept) too it to their competitors and got an additional percentage off, so I wound up paying about $2200 for it, which still isn't CHEAP!! (You made is sound like it was an old trinitron set or something!

[Catman]

I plan to put my ATI 9600 pro in my PVR. It uses the 350 card and right now I am using the S-Vidio out (what a nightmare).

This will allow me to use the Component Out of the ATI card. My TV, a Mitts, does not do 3 - 2 pull down well.

Question: what decoder software will produce a good picture via the component out puts so I get a good picture. What is the best approach?

Also, if using Sage TV and not Sage Recorder, is there a real simple way to record video, say from a VCR to the Sage, Haup combination, say without using the Live tV grid? In other words, start the VCR and start recording on the Sage/

[stanger89]

Originally posted by Catman
I plan to put my ATI 9600 pro in my PVR. It uses the 350 card and right now I am using the S-Vidio out (what a nightmare).

This will allow me to use the Component Out of the ATI card. My TV, a Mitts, does not do 3 - 2 pull down well.

Question: what decoder software will produce a good picture via the component out puts so I get a good picture. What is the best approach?

Sonic Cineplayer works well for me, but I suspect the moment nVDVD 4 is available I'll jump to that.

Also, if using Sage TV and not Sage Recorder, is there a real simple way to record video, say from a VCR to the Sage, Haup combination, say without using the Live tV grid? In other words, start the VCR and start recording on the Sage/

AFIAK, there's not a really good way to do that. However since you have a 350, you should be able to use the Hauppauge WinTV2000 app which would work relatively well for that.

[Catman]

Thanks Stanger89 for the help. I'll try it