Alright, I have a big problem, maybe.
When using HDMI on my new upconversion DVD player, the image looks HORRIBLE. It looks almost as bad as picking up an image on an old TV with rabbit ears. Everything is very very pixelated. It looks better on my old SDTV with composite hookups.
Here is my set up:
30" LG Direct view 1080i
Panasonic DVD-S52S Upconversion DVD Player
The cable I am using is a Sony 8-foot HDMI cable model number DLC-HM24T that I bought for $50 at target. Just search it in google because it won't let me post a link

The DVD player I have has near perfect reviews on circuitcity site
I have reasons to believe it is the cable.
I have tried every image option on both the DVD player and TV.

The only thing I could get out of the DVD player was that the transfer rate from the DVDplayer to the TV was jumping between 4mbps-5mbps.

I thought sony cables should have been good. Any suggestions on what the problem is? I have tried many DVDs by the way both burned and storebought.

Alright, I have a big problem, maybe.
When using HDMI on my new upconversion DVD player, the image looks HORRIBLE. It looks almost as bad as picking up an image on an old TV with rabbit ears. Everything is very very pixelated. It looks better on my old SDTV with composite hookups.
Here is my set up:
30" LG Direct view 1080i
Panasonic DVD-S52S Upconversion DVD Player
The cable I am using is a Sony 8-foot HDMI cable model number DLC-HM24T that I bought for $50 at target. Just search it in google because it won't let me post a link

The DVD player I have has near perfect reviews on circuitcity site
I have reasons to believe it is the cable.
I have tried every image option on both the DVD player and TV.

The only thing I could get out of the DVD player was that the transfer rate from the DVDplayer to the TV was jumping between 4mbps-5mbps.

I thought sony cables should have been good. Any suggestions on what the problem is? I have tried many DVDs by the way both burned and storebought.
If it is the cable it actually must be completely faulty, HDMI cables are all the same when it comes to performance. You need to check it out with another cable, one from Walmart will do, although best prices for good quality cables are monoprice and bluejeans cable, they are sponsors of this forum by the way.

what else could it possibly be?

I would guess a setup problem on the tv or player.

I don't own the player but it a look at the user's manual indicates there under the Setup Menu, is an HDMI tab, in which Video Output must be set to On to enable the HDMI output. In the Onscreen Menu, the Video Output Mode should be set to 720p or 1080i for upconversion. I would turn off the HD Picture Enhancer.

well, I am going to return the sony cable to target and get something a little better... but definately not a monster cable.
If that doesn't work, it could be the setup.

I tried almost every combination though and it still is really bad.

A standard symptom of a bad digital interface cable is "sparkles". If you don't have something you would define as "sparkles", then it is probably not a cable problem. If it is a cable problem, then it is because it is faulty, not because it didn't cost enough. IMHO, $50 is already too much for an 8ft hdmi cable.

see... I'm still very new to digital and HDTV.... I've had my head burried in the pc and mac world for too long. It is hard to describe the video interference I am getting. It is like if everything is fuzzy. is there an example of what sparkles are?

Is the HDMI cable the ONLY cable between your player and tv? If you also have component cables connected, are you SURE that you are selecting the correct input for you tv because the player also outputs 480 on component when upconverting on HDMI?

yup, HDMI is the only cable in it. it is running 1080i, and I also check to make sure under an option that gives you information like what it is running in.

I really hope a new cable will fix it. I have watched so far Scrubs season one, Lost, Pearl Harbor, Snakes on a Plane, and Star Wars return of the jedi... and they all look like crap. Other people with my TV say HDMI works fine in reviews for my tV. the dvd player also got very good reviews at circuit city.

It seems to have some pixelation but a lot of it is video noise.

also the only thing i have not messed with is the PCM levels... because i do not understand them.

If you swap hdmi cables, post your results. While your at it, you might consider connecting component cables between the tv and player for comparison. BTW, your set very likely upconverts 480i inputs to 1080i for display.

Got some nice $70 cables from belkin and the same thing. My next step is to return the DVD player and try something else.

Component looks horrible too.
I know it is not the TV because when i play xbox360 with component cables it looks BEAUTIFUL.

could it be the HDMI in the tv?? what is making it go awry...

well I got a new philips upconversion DVD player.... still looks very bad. Great... :confused: :(

should I try the LG upconversion DVD player?? maybe it will get along well with my LG tv

Maybe you don't have progressive scan on? That could make the picture look grainy.

I am pretty sure it is on.
My tv is a direct view, so does it support progressive scan?

I can not believ composite video looks better than HDMI.... I really want this HDMI to work.

well took the DVD player and HDMI cable of mine to best buy and hooked it up on TVs there and it was fine, so I scheduled a best buy service technician to come out to my house. I guess the TV is the last possible thing that could be messed up.

Thank you for all of your help :)

well took the DVD player and HDMI cable of mine to best buy and hooked it up on TVs there and it was fine, so I scheduled a best buy service technician to come out to my house. I guess the TV is the last possible thing that could be messed up.

Thank you for all of your help :)

I'm having the exact same issue with my Samsung LNS4051 LCD and my up-conversion DVD player from Sony DVP-NS75H

p=9597301#post9597301

I too would like to know if all HDMI ports in LCD TV's can't handle HDMI signals...

I own two direct view HDTV and have found HDMI PQ poor on several upconverting players. I now have a Zenith dvb318 and I am using component cables and the PQ is great.
What is funny is that on my Directv HD feeds HDMI looks better but on the non HD channels, component looks the best.

I have the same LG TV, just get yourself a progressive player and hook it up via component, the TV will upscale the feed to 1080i for display, you don't need a player to upscale it for you.

As for the cables, as these guys recommended, more expensive doesn't mean better when it comes to HDMI, I use a monoprice DVI to HDMI cable on this set to hook up my Directv box and it works great, cable cost me around $15 with shipping. I do see the same thing as theroys88 though, get more macroblocking on my SD channels using HDMI vs component for my STB.

I have the same LG TV, just get yourself a progressive player and hook it up via component, the TV will upscale the feed to 1080i for display, you don't need a player to upscale it for you.

As for the cables, as these guys recommended, more expensive doesn't mean better when it comes to HDMI, I use a monoprice DVI to HDMI cable on this set to hook up my Directv box and it works great, cable cost me around $15 with shipping. I do see the same thing as theroys88 though, get more macroblocking on my SD channels using HDMI vs component for my STB.

Thanks for your observation... I would like to use my HDMI input, but it seems like there are very few up-converting player out there actually work well with HDMI - which is a shame, because I feel lilke it's such a waste that I can't get the highest PQ using HDMI (until I at least shell out a lot of $$ for a true HD player). Maybe I will just stick to DVD over component and let my Sammy upscale the pic.

HDMI doesn't always offer better PQ then component, just a different way of getting the signal from point A to point B.

With DVD's, they are encoded at 480i, an up converting player can improve them some but it can't work miracles, as you noted, if you want HD playback, get an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player. In most cases the TV is going to do the best job of upscaling to it's native resolution.

HDMI doesn't always offer better PQ then component, just a different way of getting the signal from point A to point B.

In most cases the TV is going to do the best job of upscaling to it's native resolution.
I fear I must disagree with you on both of those points.

In the first case, you are talking about a digital transport vs. an analog transport.

In the second case, you are comparing a lowest-bid, profit-margin target integrated scaler in a TV to [insert external upsampling device here]. Also a rather unsound statement.

I fear I must disagree with you on both of those points.

In the first case, you are talking about a digital transport vs. an analog transport.

In the second case, you are comparing a lowest-bid, profit-margin target integrated scaler in a TV to [insert external upsampling device here]. Also a rather unsound statement.

Actually, his first statement is quite true. Especially for Directview and Rear-projection CRT displays.

You're welcome to your opinion, give me some facts to back up your claims and I'd be happy to agree with you. In the mean time...

1) Why does it being digital make it better? There are mixed results posted all over this forum when it comes to using HDMI/DVI vs component, it comes down to the source and display device and their electronics. Being digital doesn't automatically make it better.

2) I'll take the scaler in my $2800 and $850 TVs over the scaler in a $90 DVD player any day... Yes there are high end scalers out there that can do a better job then what's in my sets, I think it's safe to say at this price, this player and most of your low cost upconverting players don't contain a high end scaler.

To finish your statement - "In the second case, you are comparing a lowest-bid, profit-margin target integrated scaler in a TV to lowest-bid, profit-margin target integrated scaler in a DVD player...."

2) I'll take the scaler in my $2800 and $850 TVs over the scaler in a $90 DVD player any day... Yes there are high end scalers out there that can do a better job then what's in my sets, I think it's safe to say at this price, this player and most of your low cost upconverting players don't contain a high end scaler.
So what is your offered solution? Output from the DVD player with an RCA cable, S-Video, Component or HDMI?

Depends on your options and the type of player, if both component and HDMI are both available on the player, try them both and use what looks best for your particular set up. If you have an up converting player, compare the upconverion done in the player vs the scaler in your TV also.