Zenith DVB318: What are you using: DVI or Component?

[MGSolid]

Just wanted to see what connection everyone was using for this player. I would be really interested on the responses to this poll. Thanks!

1. DVI
2. Component

[dannypanny]

component,thats the reason I jumped on this player.My TV does not have DVI.Good idea on the poll MGSOLID.

[Evil4blue]

Component

The DVI is occupied by my HD D* STB.

[rcbtaw]

Sony XBR TV has no DVI input but does have two component inputs.

[MGSolid]

Originally posted by dannypanny
component,thats the reason I jumped on this player.My TV does not have DVI.Good idea on the poll MGSOLID.

Evil4Blue gave me the idea :) Thanks again. The reason I started this poll is because I am not sure which one to use. I have the DVI free along with my component. I don't really think I will be using the DVI input for HDTV anytime soon but if a deal is offered from Direct TV or Dish (on an HD receiver with DVI), then I might.

[rcavictor1956]

Component and it is awesome!!! :cool:

[Q of BanditZ]

DVI to an HD CRT, until I am given substantial reason to change.

Nice thread and poll ideas, btw! :)

[rcavictor1956]

Originally posted by Q of BanditZ
DVI to an HD CRT, until I am given substantial reason to change.

Nice thread and poll ideas, btw! :)

Hey Q....down to your south in Cincinnati!!! :cool:

[Q of BanditZ]

Originally posted by rcavictor1956
Hey Q....down to your south in Cincinnati!!! :cool:

How are those Cicada bugs treating you?

The paper makes it sounds like the Biblical plaugue of locusts is about to come down on us! :p

Again, thanks for the thread MGSolid! :)

[rcavictor1956]

Originally posted by Q of BanditZ
How are those Cicada bugs treating you?

The paper makes it sounds like the Biblical plaugue of locusts is about to come down on us! :p

Again, thanks for the thread MGSolid! :)

Not bothering me too much. Had to pick a couple off of my garage door yesterday morning. Very easy to catch from behind by their wings.


I bet the majority of people buying this player are utilizing the component connection. :) :cool:

[rnapz]

This is probably a stupid question but I want to buy this player and haven't found anyone who carries it. Could someone please point me to where this player might be available? Also, I cannot find on their website any verbiage on the DVI output. Has this been officially confirmed? Thansk for the help.

Ramon

[Q of BanditZ]

Amazon is accepting pre-orders. Two Internet retailers, Gochnauer's and Wild West Electronics, carry it.

Best Buy and Circuit City are expected to carry it anytime now.

Click the link in my sig for more info! :)

www.zenithservice.com will allow you to download PDF's of the manual for this unit and other Zenith products.


And WOW! 28/6 Component vs. DVI?!!?!?

You people are making me wonder... ;)

[MGSolid]

Originally posted by Q of BanditZ
Amazon is accepting pre-orders. Two Internet retailers, Gochnauer's and Wild West Electronics, carry it.

Best Buy and Circuit City are expected to carry it anytime now.

Click the link in my sig for more info! :)

www.zenithservice.com will allow you to download PDF's of the manual for this unit and other Zenith products.


And WOW! 28/6 Component vs. DVI?!!?!?

You people are making me wonder... ;)



I was wondering about that also! I guess some people that have DVI are using it for their HDTV receiver. Plus I think there are quite a few people here that only have component as an option for their HDTV connection. I could be wrong though:)

[Orlando]

Have not received mine yet. Ordered it last week. But when it shows it will be component.

[Q of BanditZ]

Because the Zenith c32v37 is notorious now for showing a scrolling left to right vertical line at 1080i via component...I have to stick with DVI come hell or high water.

[mikemorel]

I'm reserving DVI for the HD Tivo...The player looks great on component.

[daFlave]

DVI (...and I'm lovin' it!)

For some reasons I still don't understand my JVC AV-48WP74 shows a lot of scaling lines via 1080i component output. DVI 1080i shows white crush but better colors.:D

[Vanderlow]

Interesting poll, tried to talk my friend who's got a $4500 plasma ( I think Pioneer) into getting one, but he let his Rotel dealer friend talk him into buying a Rotel along with a Rotel 1067 receiver ($1650 for both).

[MGSolid]

Count me in for DVI. I just ordered a new DVI cable from Pacific Cable so I should be ready to go by the end of the week. I don't have a DVI HD box yet and probably won't until my next bigger tv:). I figure I can always move it to component later if I need to.

[JediMaster_Windo]

Originally posted by MGSolid
I was wondering about that also! I guess some people that have DVI are using it for their HDTV receiver. Plus I think there are quite a few people here that only have component as an option for their HDTV connection. I could be wrong though:)

Yeah and the cost of buying a DVI switch box for another $200-$400 and another 2 quality DVI cables for another $200 makes a $70 set of componet cables seem like a bargin if the PQ isn't all that much lower.

Or at least that's what I'm telling myself went I get this DVD or the Samsung.

[wblynch]

Originally posted by Jedi_Master_Wind
...makes a $70 set of componet cables seem like a bargin if the PQ isn't all that much lower.

Or at least that's what I'm telling myself went I get this DVD or the Samsung.

I don't think you'll have the luxury of the choice if you buy Samsung. It's been clearly revealed that the Samsung will not be upscaling to 1080i over component connections.

[dawei213]

DVI right here...gotta free up one of the component for my PS2.

[WFarms]

Using Upconverted Component->KD transcoder->VGA->Sony VPH1272. Very nice pic quality with No issuses (no green push, etc.) although I did adjust blanking and RGB center on the Sony. It is a very cost effective add. Will now sell my Quadscan EliteHD on eBay.

[johnnyv5]

I have one connected via component to my CRT RPTV, and the other one is connected to DVI on my Plasma.

[MPresseau]

I've read that the PQ is actually better via component (no white/black crush as seen via DVI). Curiously, no one has mentioned this so far. Is the white/black crush no longer an issue via DVI?

[Evil-Rage]

I suppose the more appropriate question may be:

'For those of you who have an available DVI connection, and an available component connection, which one did you choose to use?'

I understand plenty of people have a DVI connection occupied by a STB, and I suppose there are also plenty of people who are using DVI because their component inputs are all in use.

Personally, I'd like to know which connection is the 'preferred' method, as opposed to the one that isn't yet in use :p

[drjlo]

Originally posted by Evil-Rage
I suppose the more appropriate question may be:

'For those of you who have an available DVI connection, and an available component connection, which one did you choose to use?'

I understand plenty of people have a DVI connection occupied by a STB, and I suppose there are also plenty of people who are using DVI because their component inputs are all in use.

Personally, I'd like to know which connection is the 'preferred' method, as opposed to the one that isn't yet in use :p

Well, let me put it this way. My GWIII only has one DVI, which is occupied by HD satellite receiver, so I bought the Zenith to use the component 1080i.

After doing some A-B comparisons with component vs. DVI with same scenes, I do see some white crush over DVI with scenes with sunlight. However, there is enough improvement in picture definition, color solidity, less background noise with DVI, that now I use DVI for Zenith. And yes, I have to unplug and plug DVI cables between satellite and DVD player when I want to watch DVD's. No way I'm paying 2-3X the price of the zenith of a DVI switcher, especially ones that don't even switch audio.

[wsmithjr]

I was just looking at Zenith's website and it doesn't say anything about a DVI connection, just component? I was looking at the DVB318. Seems weird their site would be wrong unless I missed something. Checked it twice, though......

Warren

[stevemilleresq]

My Philips 55pp9701 RPTV does not have DVI, so it's component for me. My DVB318 came today so I'll be connecting it tonight... My comparison will be from a sony dvp ns700s to the zenith. It'l be interesting.

[Eddie Horton]

Component to a Sony KP51WS510. Had to do a little adjustment to the green, but after that, everything looks great. Watched part I of the digitally remastered Godfather trilogy a few nights ago. Looks great.

[GreenEggs]

I use 1080i component to my Samy 43" DLP, mainly because I use the DVI for D* Network satellite HD 811 receiver and it seems too expensive for a DVI switcher and I guess they don't switch the audio(?) so I don't think I'd want one anyway.

[bruman]

unless there is a new godfather trilogy out there I wouldnt expect much from it. to me it looked like &^%$.

[DPowers]

Component

[tbb73]

Components here... that's why I bought this player!

[Figgie]

COmponents here

And more specifically

DVB318 components -> Petr Transcoder -> RGBHC 5 bnc out to -> BarcoGraphic 801 projector @ 1080i :)

[Trent]

Originally posted by MGSolid
Count me in for DVI. I just ordered a new DVI cable from Pacific Cable so I should be ready to go by the end of the week. I don't have a DVI HD box yet and probably won't until my next bigger tv:). I figure I can always move it to component later if I need to.

I'm running DVI until I finally get an HD box, then I'll switch to component.

I can't see the DVI white crush unless I'm looking at a test pattern on a calibration DVD anyhow.

[Trent]

Originally posted by wsmithjr
I was just looking at Zenith's website and it doesn't say anything about a DVI connection, just component? I was looking at the DVB318. Seems weird their site would be wrong unless I missed something. Checked it twice, though......

Warren

Regardless of what is says, there is most certainly a DVI output.

[curt_s]

Component at 1080i to HT1100.

Curt

[mdcsoft]

I have a Toshiba TLP-MT7 LCD projector with a native 1280x720 panel and only component input. I would love to demo one of these DVD players and compare it to my Toshiba 480p player. Any advice on where to find one I can demo at home? Or do I just order it from Amazon and hope for the best?

[kevlo9]

I use DVI. I tested both and DVI looks better to me(ALOT sharper). I have mine hooked to an HD CRT display.

[MattAM4]

I was thinking of getting a DVI -> HDMI Cable for the 318, and using straight DVI -> DVI for my HD Cable Box for my Sammy DLP. Does this sound reasonable?

[Q of BanditZ]

^^ Not sure how to answer that without more specific information. Does your TV have an HDMI input? I don't understand the reason for involving HDMI at all otherwise. Please clarify.

[Q of BanditZ]

Would anyone mind firing me off some real easy examples of some films that have obvious white crush scenes via DVI on the Zenith 318?

[kevlo9]

[quote]Would anyone mind firing me off some real easy examples of some films that have obvious white crush scenes via DVI on the Zenith 318?[/quate]

Rounders (not the new special edition), the bare bones version.

Also I was having problems ZOOMING the T2 EXTREME EDITION dvd? It's the only disc that I've noticed problems with...wierd.

[berzerk]

Bestbuy.com has this player available.

Just search for DVB318 at their website.

Mine will be in today, i know it's a little pricey compared to what people say they've gotten it for, but it's in stock.

[Chris Gerhard]

Originally posted by berzerk
Bestbuy.com has this player available.

Just search for DVB318 at their website.

Mine will be in today, i know it's a little pricey compared to what people say they've gotten it for, but it's in stock.

Welcome to the avsforum. If you are going to use it with component video connections, you will want the firmware to be the older version. If DVI, then it will likely come with the best firmware. I am using DVI and new firmware and I am generally happy. The thread at the top of the forum here will cover most everything you will want to know about this player. Good luck.

Chris

[ClarkeBar]

Component here...first at 1080i but now seem happy with 720P. Getting jittery picture with 1080i (not noticeable on playback...only pause) and pause/still/step with 720P shows more artifacts but during playback is equivalent in PQ to 1080i.

[Chris Gerhard]

I moved my DVB318 and now use component. It works fine and the biggest benefit for me is having an additional connection option with the players that upconvert over component.

Chris

[kiwi2000]

ClarkeBar wrote;
Component here...first at 1080i but now seem happy with 720P.
___________________________________________________________

Does this player have the ability to change between 720 and 1080 then? How would I know if I had the old or new firmware to use the upconverting feature with component connections?

I do not see an adjustable switch between 720 and 1080 on the zenith materials.

[Chris Gerhard]

[QUOTE=kiwi2000]ClarkeBar wrote;
Component here...first at 1080i but now seem happy with 720P.
___________________________________________________________

Does this player have the ability to change between 720 and 1080 then? How would I know if I had the old or new firmware to use the upconverting feature with component connections?

I do not see an adjustable switch between 720 and 1080 on the zenith materials.[/QUOTE]

It is on the front of the player. The disc needs to be stopped. I believe 1080i is much better than 720p, so much that I used the player in 1080i mode when used with a 720p projector. I recently hooked it up to my 1080i display.

Chris

[kiwi2000]

Chris

Did you notice a marked improvement over a standard DVD player with component outputs to the projector with the 720 or 1080 activated?
Did you notice a difference between the component and DVI upconversions to the projector?

[Chris Gerhard]

[QUOTE=kiwi2000]Chris

Did you notice a marked improvement over a standard DVD player with component outputs to the projector with the 720 or 1080 activated?
Did you notice a difference between the component and DVI upconversions to the projector?[/QUOTE]

Yes, I definitely like upscaling. It is a very subtle improvement for me, not earthshaking and certainly doesn't make a DVD look like HDTV but I find the improvement worthwhile. This DVD upscaling thing is a very display and individual dependent happening. Some think it is useless but many like it. I like the Samsung DVD-HD950 and DVD-HD941 better than the DVB318 for component upscaling now. I slightly prefer the DVB318 with new firmware over DVI at 1080i compared to component with old firmware.

Chris

[ClarkeBar]

Kiwi,

Sorry for the delay but I see Chris handled the question.

I agree about the effects of upconversion being hit or miss depending on display...and viewer acuity. I view DVDs on a 42" Zenith ED plasma and would recommend you use something like the all-time favorite "Finding Nemo" to see for yourself. In the opening sequence...after the barracuda attack and the first finding of Nemo...the swirling currents in the water, the darkish segments near the ocean bottom and the demarcations from one area of water to another show the upconversion changes rather well, even though appearing subtle on my 480P panel.

FYI, I couldn't get any proper calibration settings using the 318 DVI output into my set HDMI input, whether using a single cable or an HDMI adapter with DVI cable. A good example of the problem was the Moonlight shining through the water at the start of the title roll at the beginning of "Nemo" right after the above sequence. Through component it looks exactly as it should...with DVI/HDMI it always appeared only as ghost-like flickers, no matter what calibration settings were used for Contrast/Brightness/Color Saturation, etc. I have all but given up trying to utilize the digital connection for DVD play which is why I backdated the 318 firmware for component upconversion.

I use the ED's HDMI input with a HD DVR and get a brighter and sharper picture but still dicey in terms of screen anomalies, especially with lesser material like the overly compressed Movie channels.

With my experience, I guess I just prefer component...but I tip my hat to those who get satisfactory results using DVI/HDMI. Sometimes it's all in the equipment symbiosis (including cables) and tech. implementation.