New Panasonic 42px500U + Brighthouse

[vidoprof]

So I just bought the 42px500U (yeah I know the 600U is coming but I wanted it now) :)

Well my question is this: How do I find what my cable box is putting out to the TV(720p or 1080i)? I hear about people changing between sports (using 720p I think because it does better with motion), and 1080i (because it's better for non action).

I also can't adjust the TV (Full, Just, Zoom) at all except using the DVR Box from the cable company either.

My other question is:

Might be a total newb question but bare with me. I have all these inputs. I have a DVD player with can do component and S-video, my cable box (which can do component, HDMI, or s video). So Do I hook up the DVD player using BOTH component AND S-video PLUS hook up the cable box using HDMI, component, and S-video? (the reason I ask is that some people get better reception from different sources using different cables). Does that make any sense?


Thanks
Ryan

[Phaid]

To see what the current source resolution is, it the "recall" button (rightmost button just above the channel/volume wheel).

Due to the processor on Panasonic plasmas, 720p will display with less resolution than 480p even, so I would leave it at 1080i always.

These plasmas don't allow setting the Aspect (Full/Just/Zoom/4:3) on sources at higher than 480p.

Hook up your cable box using HDMI and your DVD player using component. There is no benefit to using inferior connections. No DVD player will ever look as good on S-Video as on Component. Likewise, if your cable box supports HDMI, you will get a better picture using that.

[vidoprof]

Sweet thanks man for the response. That helps alot. So 1080i it is always.

Sounds good to me. Although WHY can't you switch FULL/Just/.... if the source is higher than 480p?

I am just curious about the picture quality because HD looks SSWWEEETT, but SD not so much.

Should I get a cable card ALSO and use that for SD channels? It's only like $2 extra and I watch enough SD to justify it. IF the SD PQ is THAT much better.


Ryan

[Phaid]

You can't set the aspect ratio of sources higher than 480p because those are always broadcast in 16:9 ratio. When you see a 4:3 picture (a picture with black bars on the sides) being broadcast in HD (720p or 1080i), the black bars are part of the picture itself.

I'm not sure that a cable card would make any difference on SD channels. However, a cable card would probably give you a better picture in HD channels, so you might want to get one for that.

[vidoprof]

Well I just called Brighthouse and they don't make a cable card for my tv. What can I do about that? Can I order a card from somewhere and put it in?

I will start another thread about that.

Thanks though

Ryan

[Shad0wz]

[QUOTE=Phaid]
Due to the processor on Panasonic plasmas, 720p will display with less resolution than 480p even, so I would leave it at 1080i always.
[/QUOTE]

Okay thats misleading, that is still being debated, I know people with the 42 inch saying there is no way the picture is lower res than 480p...

I know with my 50 inch, 720 is indistinguishable from 1080i... now could very well have something to do with the fact that its native resolution is 720p (1366X768) so it does not use the scalar...

[Shad0wz]

I would also set 480i, 720p and 1080i to pass through for your STB, let your TV's scalar do the job, the scalars in STB's are CRAPOLA!

[RicheyPoor]

[QUOTE=Shad0wz]Okay thats misleading, that is still being debated, I know people with the 42 inch saying there is no way the picture is lower res than 480p...

I know with my 50 inch, 720 is indistinguishable from 1080i... now could very well have something to do with the fact that its native resolution is 720p (1366X768) so it does not use the scalar...[/QUOTE]Before I ever heard about that review I tried both settings on my 50PX500U and found inputting 1080i was sharper than 720p. As for SD, the built in tuner is far superior to most STB's, especially for analog SD. Try it both ways, it may pay to split your signal so that you can use either tuner (that's what I do).
Good luck, enjoy your set!

[Phaid]

[QUOTE=Shad0wz]Okay thats misleading, that is still being debated, I know people with the 42 inch saying there is no way the picture is lower res than 480p...

I know with my 50 inch, 720 is indistinguishable from 1080i... now could very well have something to do with the fact that its native resolution is 720p (1366X768) so it does not use the scalar...[/QUOTE]

I don't agree that it's debatable. I have a 42", I've compared 720p and 480p with the exact same source material, and there is no arguing that 480p is sharper. 720p is not hideous or unwatchable or anything like that, but it definitely has lower vertical resolution than 480p.

None of the Panasonic plasmas have a native resolution at 720p, they all have to scale 720p sources. Native 720p is 1280x720. The 50" are 1366x768, the 42" are 1024x768, and the 37" are 1024x720.

Keep in mind that last year's models couldn't accept 720p sources at all. The 720p support for the 2005 models was probably only added because a lot of reviews complained about the lack of 720p support, and I seriously doubt that the scaler or firmware in the 50" models is substantially different from the 42" models.

Either way though, it's possible that the 50" don't have the reduced PPH issue that the 42" do, I've never seen a lab test of one and I don't have one myself. But there is no question that the 42" have reduced resolution at 720p compared to 480p.

[vidoprof]

[QUOTE=Shad0wz]I would also set 480i, 720p and 1080i to pass through for your STB, let your TV's scalar do the job, the scalars in STB's are CRAPOLA![/QUOTE]

Ok So how do I do that?


RichyPoor,

How would I split the cable (it's already split ONCE for the cable modem and STB, should I split it again?) How would I use both ?


Thanks

Ryan

[RicheyPoor]

[QUOTE=vidoprof]Ok So how do I do that?


RichyPoor,

How would I split the cable (it's already split ONCE for the cable modem and STB, should I split it again?) How would I use both ?


Thanks

Ryan[/QUOTE] You can pick up a three-way splitter almost anywhere but before you do, just unplug the cable from the input of the STB and run it directly to the TV. If the SD looks better get the splitter, if not then your SD is as good as it will get unless your cable company can improve the signal. If it's better you will have to switch the TV's input for the appropriate source (built-in tuner for SD or STB for HD).

Edit:
I just had another thought. If your signal quality is borderline splitters can cause a noticeable degradation. I'd try removing ALL splitters (including the one for the modem) and run the cable directly to the TV as a test. If this looks good put the modem splitter back in and check the SD again, if still good try the third splitter; if not get an amplified splitter or contact your cable company.