Best SD image on HDTV? pvr-350 s-vid or 6600gt component?

[Hector]

For the last year I have been fighting the pvr-350 battle so I could have the best picture I could on my SD set.

However just recently I got a 47" HD RPTV. Specifically the Panasonic 47x54. It has HDMI and component inputs.

If it matters DirecTv is my primary source.

So now of course my SD picture looks like crap.

My question is this:

Will something like the 6600GT hooked up via component display a better picture than my pvr-350 does (s-video) from the same s-vid source?

Actually I don't think the 350 has that much to do with it since it doesn't degrade the signal in a noticeable way.

The question might be, which would display the best SD image on a HDTV?

satellite stb s-vid ----> HDTV

or

satellite stb s-vid----->pc/6600GT------>HDTV


I am just learning about this but it seems that maybe the picture would benefit because the card up converts (if I am using that term correctly) to a resolution/signal native to HDTV set and therefore look better.

I'd hate to spring $200 for this card and it not do me a bit of good. Of course there's always the '5 will you get 4' chance I misunderstand the problem completely.

Thanks for letting me tap the collective brain trust.

peace . . .

[mdmint]

I don't know the PVR350 answer but just ordered my 6600GT today for component output to Toshiba 55" RP HDTV. The advantage over 350 would be ability to output in true HD modes. (I already am via ATI 9600 w/dongle, but hoping to improve performance with 6600GT, especially fast motion.)

[stanger89]

The answer to your question is "It depends". It depends on how good your TVs deinterlacer/scaler is. For my part, I am very happy with my 6800 via RGBHV to my 46" Mits.

Here's a quiestion for you, do you have a card with DVI output? If so, go grab a DVI-HDMI cable and hook it up to your TV and give it a try. Odds are a 6600 will be better than your current card, but it should give you an idea of what to expect, especially if you give the new nVidia decoders a try.

[Hector]

I knew it wouldn't be simple so thanks for helping me out. I do have an 5200 but no DVI/HDMI cable. I honestly have no idea how good the deinterlacer/descaler is but I can probably get an opinion on the sets thread on AVS.

Is your original source (out of your stb) s-vid?

If so, what looks better. Your s-vid straight into your Mits or pumped through your 6800?

Originally Posted by stanger89

The answer to your question is "It depends". It depends on how good your TVs deinterlacer/scaler is. For my part, I am very happy with my 6800 via RGBHV to my 46" Mits.

Here's a quiestion for you, do you have a card with DVI output? If so, go grab a DVI-HDMI cable and hook it up to your TV and give it a try. Odds are a 6600 will be better than your current card, but it should give you an idea of what to expect, especially if you give the new nVidia decoders a try.

[stanger89]

My source is analog cable, and depending on the channel (some come in better than others) it's either a tossup, or better through the HTPC. I'm somewhat guessing since I don't really watch anything live on that TV. For DVDs it's no contest HTPC all the way. If I were you, I'd pick up a DVI-HDMI cable and try it with your 5200, if it's promising the 6600 would almost certainly be a nice upgrade. You'd probably want the cable for the 6600 anyway (no reason to go component if you've got a DVI input )

[Hector]

My set has just the one HDMI input and I planned on using that for my HD stb. Not that it would hurt to have one of these cables I guess.

So you're saying that on your HDTV DVD's look better through your HTPC than they do s-vid out of the DVD player? I wonder if its logical to assume that this would apply to any good s-vid out signal.

Again I appreciate your help. Hopefully someone with an s-vid source, a HDTV and decent video card will chime in as well.

peace . . .

Originally Posted by stanger89

My source is analog cable, and depending on the channel (some come in better than others) it's either a tossup, or better through the HTPC. I'm somewhat guessing since I don't really watch anything live on that TV. For DVDs it's no contest HTPC all the way. If I were you, I'd pick up a DVI-HDMI cable and try it with your 5200, if it's promising the 6600 would almost certainly be a nice upgrade. You'd probably want the cable for the 6600 anyway (no reason to go component if you've got a DVI input )