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Geek Culture / hdmi downscaling

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bitJericho
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Posted: 28th Jan 2011 00:46 Edited at: 28th Jan 2011 00:46
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Hey, I'm looking to setup an HTPC using HDMI but I'm wondering what the quality loss is when it downscales. I'm going to be using an hdmi to rca converter box (because you can't get a good video card with rca out).

I'm wondering if all output is downscaled, even non-bluray playback. Is the image blocky, or just lower resolution. Is it noticeable on a standard TV?

I can't find this info anywhere :S

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Phaelax
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Posted: 29th Jan 2011 02:17 Edited at: 29th Jan 2011 02:20
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Probably because nobody wants to convert hdmi down to composite!

I'm not sure composite video would even get you a 720 resolution, and if it did it certainly wouldn't be progressive.

As for the quality of the downscaling, I'd imagine it largely have to do with the type of converter you're using. No chance on getting a newer TV with hdmi? Or even component at least?


I found a converter on Amazon which claims:
Support output : Support up to UXGA, 720P and 1080i (50/60Hz), the same format as input

I find that hard to believe since my HD and BluRay players both tell me it can't do HD through composoite.

"Only the educated are free" ~Epictetus
"Imagination is more important than knowledge..." ~Einstein
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bitJericho
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Posted: 29th Jan 2011 12:18
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Quote: "As for the quality of the downscaling, I'd imagine it largely have to do with the type of converter you're using. No chance on getting a newer TV with hdmi? Or even component at least?"


Maybe someday

But I'm just upgrading my HTPC and I want to use a little nicer graphics card so things run more smoothly. Problem is, there are none that use RCA out anymore

So I figured since I'm stuck with dvi/hdmi, might as well go all the way and get a converter, and stick in a blu-ray drive.

So that's what I've done, I'll let you know the results in a week or two when everything arrives and is put together.

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Phaelax
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Posted: 29th Jan 2011 12:23
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My gf has her xbox connected with the rca cables, and playing CoD on it really sucks because the graphics look blurry. I connected it with an HDMI cable and the quality was noticeably better.

"Only the educated are free" ~Epictetus
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bitJericho
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Posted: 29th Jan 2011 12:26 Edited at: 29th Jan 2011 12:28
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Quote: "My gf has her xbox connected with the rca cables, and playing CoD on it really sucks because the graphics look blurry. I connected it with an HDMI cable and the quality was noticeably better."


I've only got an old tube tv right now. Eventually, yeah, I want to use HDMI to a 1080p tv This computer should last at least the next 5 years if not longer, so I wanted something up-to-date

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bitJericho
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2011 21:58
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Alright, here's the lowdown.

I got this box:

http://www.amazon.com/HDMl-Composite-S-Video-Converter-Adapter/dp/B0047PDBP0/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1296766437&sr=1-7

When I finally got everything working the picture was in black and white

After checking connections, I checked the converter box and found that pal output was selected. I changed it to ntsc and the color came back, but the screen was all squashed.

I tried a few different resolutions and no help, on the 4:3 resolutions, I had black bars on the left and right side.

From there I installed the ATI catalyst drivers and found I could scale the display to fill the screen. Now my screen looks great and everything works perfectly.

I haven't yet tried blu-ray or dvds, but I suspect they'll be just fine.

Anyways, thought this might be interesting to some.

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