Hello people I have just recently bought a 40" Sony LCD that displays 768p natively speaking. I also have a Toshiba A-1 HD DVD player and am quite amazed with the picture quality. However, I watch more tv than I do watch dvd and not too happy with the picture quality I am getting when doing so. With that said, is there anything I can do to ascertain better picture quality when watching cable tv? My Pioneer 1015 can take the composite out of the Motorola set-top box and upconvert it to component BUT I tried that with no improvement in picture quality. I even tried to do the same thing with S-video respectively BUT to no avail. Been thinking of upgrading my receiver and am currently looking at the new Onkyo's line-up. The TX-SR705/805 both look rather appealing to me. Would either of these two improve my picture quality when watching cable via the Motorola set-top box? I supposedly have "digital" cable but many channels are still 480i (analog). My goal is to basically get better pq when watching cable tv. My Toshiba A-1 does an incredible job even w/regular dvds. Thus, it would be nice to have that type of pq when watching cable tv. Okay people please help me out as I am still very confused on how to get the results I want. Care to offer me some advice?

You're never gonna get anything close to HD from an 480i source.

Just what are the specific problems with the picture quality? Maybe an external scaler/deinterlacer like a DVDO will improve things, or, if it's mainly "mosquito" noise or other compression artifacts, a good, noise reduction unit like an Algolith Flea or Mosquito can "clean up" the picture. Those things should give you better results than an upscaler built into a receiver of that level of quality.

You can check out the Scaler threads for more info.

You're never gonna get anything close to HD from an 480i source.

Just what are the specific problems with the picture quality? Maybe an external scaler/deinterlacer like a DVDO will improve things, or, if it's mainly "mosquito" noise or other compression artifacts, a good, noise reduction unit like an Algolith Flea or Mosquito can "clean up" the picture. Those things should give you better results than an upscaler built into a receiver of that level of quality.

You can check out the Scaler threads for more info.
Would just like to get a picture as good as what I get when watching even regular dvds on my Toshiba A-1. Heck, I would settle for any kind of improvement. The problem is though my funds are tight..........LOL!!!!!!!!!! Just trying to maximize what I do have as my 40" Sony LCD is not even paid for yet. As far as my picture now when watching cable tv-all I can say is that it sucks. Not nearly as clear as I would like to have. Surely, there is something that could make a dramatic improvement w/o spending a fortune. If not there should be.

Is there any reason why you can't exchange your regular Motorola cable box for an HD one? You won't get HD on all channels, but the ones that are available should improve your viewing.

Is there any reason why you can't exchange your regular Motorola cable box for an HD one? You won't get HD on all channels, but the ones that are available should improve your viewing.
Yeah I can get a Motorola DVR for an extra $15 per/month BUT does not really improve my picture much. I just can NOT see myself paying $15 per/month for something I am not at least buying. I thought if I used the composite or S-vdeo outs on the set-top box I have now that my Pioneer 1015 would be able to improve the pq by upconverting the signal to component. Does anyone here know of a receiver that would at least improve the video quality when watching cable tv??? It really is no big deal to me to run a separate audio cable. As mentioned previously, I am quite happy with the pq when watching dvds on my Toshibs A-1 even when watching regular dvds. When watching HD dvds the picture is even better. I can use the 5.1 analog outs of the A-1 to run to the 5.1 multi-channel inputs of my 1015 in order to get the newer sound fields such as DDTrue HD HDPlus when watching HD DVDs. So other than getting better pq when watching cable tv I really have no need to upgrade my receiver-at least for now. Feel free to offer me some suggestions as it will be much appreciated. :) :)

so the best you can get out of your cable box is s video? I would think it had a component out also. Try not upconverting trhough the 1015. I have the 1014 and it's upconversion is not worth it. You could go straight to the tv with the best out that you cable box provides and let the tv upconvert.

Have you tried using the tuner built into the TV?

On my Panasonic plasma using a Motorola DCT6200 STB, the worst-looking channels are the analog channels. Just out of curiosity I connected the TV's built-in tuner using a splitter in the CATV coax so I can basically A/B between the STB and direct feed.

Much to my surprise, the analog channels look much better (but still not DVD-quality and definitely not HD-quality) using the TV's built-in tuner.

Motorola set-top box and upconvert it to component BUT I tried that with no improvement in picture quality.With cable HDTV STBs/DVRs, picture quality has a lot to do with the setting on the box. You need to make sure you are outputting SD as 480i. See instructions below:
For Scientific Atlanta STBs/DVRs like the SA8300HD, the instructions differ depending on whether your box uses SARA, Passport, or TWC Navigator software. With SARA, turn the unit off, then press and hold down the info and guide buttons until the setup screen appears; choose Advanced Setup and enable 4:3 480i, 720p, and 1080i; save that change, turn the box back on, and choose Passthrough/AutoDVI/AutoHDMI in Settings -> Settings menu. Pass through, AutoDVI, and AutoHDMI all refer to the same setting, they are just named differently depending on whether you are using component, HDMI, or DVI cables.

With Passport, enter the Settings -> Settings menu and find the output settings; enable native mode with 480i, 720p, and 1080i checked.

For Motorola STBs/DVRs like the DCT641x and DCT341x, turn the box off, press menu, and then enable 4:3 override set to 480i. The output setting should be 720p or 1080. The best setting is one that outputs 720p channels as 720p and 1080i channels as 1080i, but unfortunately, Motorola STBs/DVRs do not offer that option. You've got to convert 720p channels to 1080i or 1080i channels to 720p, neither of which the Motorola STB does well, although you may not see a difference at smaller sizes. The Motorola's 720p output setting is optimal for ABC, FOX, ESPN, ESPN2, A&E, and NGCHD. The 1080i setting is optimal for most other HD channels.If you have a standard, non-HD STB, then obviously those directions do not apply.
Would just like to get a picture as good as what I get when watching even regular dvds on my Toshiba A-1.DVDs are encoded at 720x480 @ 5-10Mbps. Digital cable is generally encoded at 528x480 @ <4Mbps. The sources are not comparable.

Modern HDTVs have fixed panel resolution of 1280x720 or 1920x1080. Because of that, the 528x480 (480x480 in the case of DirecTV/Dish) image must be "zoomed" or "scaled" to to fit the higher resolution. Perhaps at some point you've taken a photo or graphic and resized it to 8-10x its normal size? Your display has to do the same thing.

The video processor in the TV performs this function and not all do it equally well. Some video processors, like those found in the newest Pioneer and NEC plasmas, do this reasonably well. Other video processors, like those found in cheaper LCDs, do a horrific job.

NTSC SD was never meant for viewing at larger sizes, so the larger you go, the worse SD will look. In contrast, high-definition was designed for larger screens; as you go larger, the high-definition picture looks better and better. Local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as cable channels like Comcast Sportsnet and Fox Sportsnet, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, FOOD, MTV, Discovery, Wealth, NGC, HBO, Cinemax, Starz, Showtime, and TMC are already offered in HDTV, with others like CNN, History, SciFi, and the Weather Channel expected to follow later this year.

High-definition channel lineups for different providers can be found here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=4022698&&#post4022698).

Been thinking of upgrading my receiver and am currently looking at the new Onkyo's line-up. The TX-SR705/805 both look rather appealing to me. Would either of these two improve my picture quality when watching cable via the Motorola set-top box?Unfortunately, no. Your Sony already has equal or better processing compared to the Pioneer 1015 and TX-SR705/805. Any receiver that claims "Faroudja" processing is not likely to improve your picture --- that is the type of processing you typically find in $1000 LCDs.

The Onkyo 875 and 950 could significantly improve your SD picture. Those receivers offer Silicon Optix HQV processing, which is a significant improvement over "Faroudja" and the video processors found in most <$5000 TVs. We will have to wait for reviews of those units to know whether Onkyo properly implemented that chip in their design.

As others have said, your first step should be to acquire a HDTV STB or DVR from the cable company. That is the cheapest thing you can do, and it will net the largest improvement in picture quality (with HD channels). While waiting for your cable company to come and install the STB...Does your Sony LCD have a built in QAM tuner? If so, you should try connecting the coax directly to the TV, rather than to the STB. Then perform a channel scan on the Sony. Chances are, you'll be able to tune the HDTV locals (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC), which are generally unencrypted.

Yeah I can get a Motorola DVR for an extra $15 per/month BUT does not really improve my picture much.Does your display accept a CableCARD?

so the best you can get out of your cable box is s video? I would think it had a component out also.

If he has just a standard definition STB, it might max out at S-video. My old SA Explorer 2000 was like that. Which is why I dumped it for an HD box when I got an HDTV (first got a Pioneer 3510 or some such, then an SA 3250HD.)

so the best you can get out of your cable box is s video? I would think it had a component out also. Try not upconverting trhough the 1015. I have the 1014 and it's upconversion is not worth it. You could go straight to the tv with the best out that you cable box provides and let the tv upconvert.
No component at all. It is either direct RF connect, composite, OR S-video. The DVR has both component and HDMI connection BUT it did NOT improve my pq much at all. On a few channels it did but heck I can get my locals in HD reception w/o the need for a DVR. I do not record much or have any need to pause live tv so the DVR is useless to me. I know it sucks being me doesn't it?.................LOL!!! :eek: :eek:

Have you tried using the tuner built into the TV?

On my Panasonic plasma using a Motorola DCT6200 STB, the worst-looking channels are the analog channels. Just out of curiosity I connected the TV's built-in tuner using a splitter in the CATV coax so I can basically A/B between the STB and direct feed.

Much to my surprise, the analog channels look much better (but still not DVD-quality and definitely not HD-quality) using the TV's built-in tuner.
Yes, I can get most of the major local networks with a hd picture but I watch a lot of cable tv. My favs are National Geographic, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and etc. which I can only get from the Motorrola set-top box OR direct RF connection.

With cable HDTV STBs/DVRs, picture quality has a lot to do with the setting on the box. You need to make sure you are outputting SD as 480i. See instructions below:
If you have a standard, non-HD STB, then obviously those directions do not apply.
DVDs are encoded at 720x480 @ 5-10Mbps. Digital cable is generally encoded at 528x480 @ <4Mbps. The sources are not comparable.

Modern HDTVs have fixed panel resolution of 1280x720 or 1920x1080. Because of that, the 528x480 (480x480 in the case of DirecTV/Dish) image must be "zoomed" or "scaled" to to fit the higher resolution. Perhaps at some point you've taken a photo or graphic and resized it to 8-10x its normal size? Your display has to do the same thing.

The video processor in the TV performs this function and not all do it equally well. Some video processors, like those found in the newest Pioneer and NEC plasmas, do this reasonably well. Other video processors, like those found in cheaper LCDs, do a horrific job.

NTSC SD was never meant for viewing at larger sizes, so the larger you go, the worse SD will look. In contrast, high-definition was designed for larger screens; as you go larger, the high-definition picture looks better and better. Local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as cable channels like Comcast Sportsnet and Fox Sportsnet, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, FOOD, MTV, Discovery, Wealth, NGC, HBO, Cinemax, Starz, Showtime, and TMC are already offered in HDTV, with others like CNN, History, SciFi, and the Weather Channel expected to follow later this year.

High-definition channel lineups for different providers can be found here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=4022698&&#post4022698).

Unfortunately, no. Your Sony already has equal or better processing compared to the Pioneer 1015 and TX-SR705/805. Any receiver that claims "Faroudja" processing is not likely to improve your picture --- that is the type of processing you typically find in $1000 LCDs.

The Onkyo 875 and 950 could significantly improve your SD picture. Those receivers offer Silicon Optix HQV processing, which is a significant improvement over "Faroudja" and the video processors found in most <$5000 TVs. We will have to wait for reviews of those units to know whether Onkyo properly implemented that chip in their design.

As others have said, your first step should be to acquire a HDTV STB or DVR from the cable company. That is the cheapest thing you can do, and it will net the largest improvement in picture quality (with HD channels). While waiting for your cable company to come and install the STB...Does your Sony LCD have a built in QAM tuner? If so, you should try connecting the coax directly to the TV, rather than to the STB. Then perform a channel scan on the Sony. Chances are, you'll be able to tune the HDTV locals (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC), which are generally unencrypted.
The Model # for the Sony I have is the 40S2010 and it says it has a QAM tuner. I have connected my cable directly via the RF and there was no improvement in my pq at all. So, the QAM tuner does NOT help me at all. What good is a QAM tuner anyways? I mean what is it supposed to do for me?

Does your display accept a CableCARD?
No as far as I can tell it does not accept a cable card.

If he has just a standard definition STB, it might max out at S-video. My old SA Explorer 2000 was like that. Which is why I dumped it for an HD box when I got an HDTV (first got a Pioneer 3510 or some such, then an SA 3250HD.)
Well it does max out at S-video. The funny thing is it says Dolby Digital on the front and I can NOT find a model # anywheres. My local cable company claims it is their "new" box. With that being said then why did my cable company's DVR not improve my pq much either? This stuff is so confusing. :confused: :confused: BTW, my local cable company is Insight Communications. Is there anybody here that is with Insight too???

Well it does max out at S-video. The funny thing is it says Dolby Digital on the front and I can NOT find a model # anywheres. My local cable company claims it is their "new" box. With that being said then why did my cable company's DVR not improve my pq much either?

Your current box is a standard definition box. If it were HD capable, it would have at least component outputs and probably DVI or HDMI outputs. So you're getting standard definition signals on an HDTV, which results in what you see now. (The Dolby Digital is only for audio. It doesn't mean it's an HD box.)

Same with DVR, really. That just means it has a harddrive built in, not whether it can do HD or not.

I looked on Insight's website, and I couldn't see what equipment they use. DVRs can come in HD or standard def flavors, so that doesn't help much without knowing what boxes they offer.

The Model # for the Sony I have is the 40S2010 and it says it has a QAM tuner. I have connected my cable directly via the RF and there was no improvement in my pq at all. So, the QAM tuner does NOT help me at all. What good is a QAM tuner anyways? I mean what is it supposed to do for me?The benefit of the QAM tuner is that it lets you access the DTV/HDTV versions of your locals, with most cable systems.

With the QAM tuner, locals will be found on unintuitive channel numbers like 87-3, 92-4, and 102-1. When you get the HDTV STB/DVR from the cable company, it remaps these channels to more intuitive numbers, such as 200, 201, and 202.

Note that most of the high-definition content on the local networks is offered during primetime, i.e. 8-11pm.

Yes, I can get most of the major local networks with a hd picture but I watch a lot of cable tv. My favs are National Geographic, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and etc. which I can only get from the Motorrola set-top box OR direct RF connection.Encrypted channels like National Geographic and Discovery require the set-top box (or a CableCard, but your TV doesn't have that). Discovery and National Geographic are both available in HDTV versions, but you can't receive them without the HDTV STB/DVR from the cable company. Your existing SD DVR with s-video will not receive those hcannels. You need to request the HDTV STB/DVR with HDMI from the cable company. Until you do, nothing will improve.

High-definition channel lineups for different providers can be found here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=4022698&&#post4022698).

The benefit of the QAM tuner is that it lets you access the DTV/HDTV versions of your locals, with most cable systems.

With the QAM tuner, locals will be found on unintuitive channel numbers like 87-3, 92-4, and 102-1. When you get the HDTV STB/DVR from the cable company, it remaps these channels to more intuitive numbers, such as 200, 201, and 202.

Note that most of the high-definition content on the local networks is offered during primetime, i.e. 8-11pm.

Encrypted channels like National Geographic and Discovery require the set-top box (or a CableCard, but your TV doesn't have that). Discovery and National Geographic are both available in HDTV versions, but you can't receive them without the HDTV STB/DVR from the cable company. Your existing SD DVR with s-video will not receive those hcannels. You need to request the HDTV STB/DVR with HDMI from the cable company. Until you do, nothing will improve.

High-definition channel lineups for different providers can be found here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=4022698&&#post4022698).
Thanks for the info. Just looks like I am just SOL as always. :eek: :eek: Oh well, I tried.

The benefit of the QAM tuner is that it lets you access the DTV/HDTV versions of your locals, with most cable systems.

With the QAM tuner, locals will be found on unintuitive channel numbers like 87-3, 92-4, and 102-1. When you get the HDTV STB/DVR from the cable company, it remaps these channels to more intuitive numbers, such as 200, 201, and 202.

Note that most of the high-definition content on the local networks is offered during primetime, i.e. 8-11pm.

Encrypted channels like National Geographic and Discovery require the set-top box (or a CableCard, but your TV doesn't have that). Discovery and National Geographic are both available in HDTV versions, but you can't receive them without the HDTV STB/DVR from the cable company. Your existing SD DVR with s-video will not receive those hcannels. You need to request the HDTV STB/DVR with HDMI from the cable company. Until you do, nothing will improve.

High-definition channel lineups for different providers can be found here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=4022698&&#post4022698).
Thanks for all the info. Have managed to learn a few things.

Thanks for the info. Just looks like I am just SOL as always. :eek: :eek: Oh well, I tried.

I wouldn't go so far and say you were SOL. I saw on the website of your cable company that they do offer HDTV boxes of some sort (and I'm not talking about the DVR boxes.)

I don't know if they charge more for it or not (and you'll have to decide for yourself if it is worth it if they do, but it won't hurt to call them and ask.) But I do think it'll at least give a boost to the PQ of at least some of your viewing.

I wouldn't go so far and say you were SOL. I saw on the website of your cable company that they do offer HDTV boxes of some sort (and I'm not talking about the DVR boxes.)

I don't know if they charge more for it or not (and you'll have to decide for yourself if it is worth it if they do, but it won't hurt to call them and ask.) But I do think it'll at least give a boost to the PQ of at least some of your viewing.
Yeah Insight does have a Motorola DVR which is what I was referring to when mentioning they charge $15 extra a month. You can also order the "HD Pack" for even more money that will improve the picture somewhat. However, the improvement is nothing like I get when watching dvds via my Toshiba A-1-not even close. Therfore, I suppose Insight does NOT truly offer High Definition per se. The Motorola DVR will upconvert the resolution some but it is NOT worth the extra $15 per month imho. I can get the major networks already in HD w/o even having cable. This includes CBS, NBC, ABC, and etc. In order to get Animal Planet, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and etc. I have to oder cable tv AND if I want it in true HD I have to have the Motorola DVR and subscribe to the "HD Pack" which costs even more. In other words, I am for the most part SOL.

I think you mentioned you can receive your locals OTA?

If so, have you considered DirecTV? The HDTV quality on DirecTV's channels probably isn't as good, but you don't get any other HDTV channels on Insight anyway, with the service you've got. I don't know if DirecTV offers locals in your area or not, but even if they don't, DirecTV STBs and DVRs will seamlessly integrate OTA DTV/HDTV locals from an antenna into your guide with the satellite channels.

I think you mentioned you can receive your locals OTA?

If so, have you considered DirecTV? The HDTV quality on DirecTV's channels probably isn't as good, but you don't get any other HDTV channels on Insight anyway, with the service you've got. I don't know if DirecTV offers locals in your area or not, but even if they don't, DirecTV STBs and DVRs will seamlessly integrate OTA DTV/HDTV locals from an antenna into your guide with the satellite channels.
Direct TV does offer locals BUT they also require you to commit to their service for at least a year. Personally, I do not like that. What if I do not like the service? Also, a neighbor close by has Direct TV and claims every single time it rains the picture becomes fuzzy. Unfortunately, it seems to rain here a lot and more so as time goes on. Lots of storms, tornados, and etc. is becoming more the norm rather than the exception. Just can NOT see myself paying for a service that goes out on a regular basis-especially one that requires a (1) year commitment. At least my cable is more reliable and is not so prone to go out because of rainy weather. Oh well, guess this is just how things are.

Direct TV does offer locals BUT they also require you to commit to their service for at least a year. Personally, I do not like that. What if I do not like the service? Also, a neighbor close by has Direct TV and claims every single time it rains the picture becomes fuzzy. Unfortunately, it seems to rain here a lot and more so as time goes on. Lots of storms, tornados, and etc. is becoming more the norm rather than the exception. Just can NOT see myself paying for a service that goes out on a regular basis-especially one that requires a (1) year commitment. At least my cable is more reliable and is not so prone to go out because of rainy weather. Oh well, guess this is just how things are.Your cable may be more reliable, but it doesn't sound like you receive much quality content to watch.

Some dealers may sell a larger dish at a premium to reduce rainfade. Last time I looked, they didn't sell such a dish with support for the newer Ka satellites, but that may have changed.

If the commitment is still like it was some time ago, you have 30 days to cancel service before being stuck with the commitment. The commitment is the price you pay for the free installation and subsidized equipment, which is often provided as significantly less than cost.