I'm now using a Scientific Atlanta HD DVR cable box and an HDMI cable for output. The settings on the onscreen menu say that I cannot change the output resolution when using an HDMI cable so for the SD channels this defaults to 480.

Is it possible that I would see a better picture if I use composite cables and reset output resolution to 1080?

(I have a Pioneer PDP 5080 (720 resolution)

Thank you.

Are you getting the proper output from your cable box for high definition channels? I'm surprised the box will not scale your SD content to 1080i over HDMI.

Anyway, I would not worry too much about upconverting your SD channels. I highly doubt that such scaling in the cable box will improve the picture quality.

For the HD channels yes the setting switches to 1080 so those are okay but I swear with my other box (just exchanged today for one with DVR option) the resolution was much better on the SD channels.

The only reason I am trying to make this work with HDMI is because I get a buzzing sound on the volume when I use the component cables.

Yes, its strange it even says point blank in the menu item for output resolution that I cannot change this setting if using a HDMI cable. I assume it is auto detecting it and just transmitting it. The resolution on the SD channels is okay but I think I'm going to have to switch to see if I notice the difference which I think there was previously.

For the HD channels yes the setting switches to 1080 so those are okay but I swear with my other box (just exchanged today for one with DVR option) the resolution was much better on the SD channels.

The only reason I am trying to make this work with HDMI is because I get a buzzing sound on the volume when I use the component cables.

Yes, its strange it even says point blank in the menu item for output resolution that I cannot change this setting if using a HDMI cable. I assume it is auto detecting it and just transmitting it. The resolution on the SD channels is okay but I think I'm going to have to switch to see if I notice the difference which I think there was previously.

From what I've read elsewhere, the SA8300HD/C DVR will only pass the native signal if you are using HDMI - so you can not use your DVR to upconvert SD/480i - I notice the same thing on my SA8300HDC because I use HDMI as well - if I try to change the output resolution it tells me I can't because I'm using HDMI.

The only way you will know if using component is "better" is to somehow compare what your cable DVR does for doing the upconverting of 480i to 1080i vs what your Pioneer can do.

I would think that your Pio would do the better job of upconverting.

But - you may want to experiment yourself and then let us all know what you found out! :D

Erik

For the HD channels yes the setting switches to 1080 so those are okay but I swear with my other box (just exchanged today for one with DVR option) the resolution was much better on the SD channels.

It might be that the analog to digital conversion is worse in your new box. In this case, switching to component cables might help.

The only reason I am trying to make this work with HDMI is because I get a buzzing sound on the volume when I use the component cables.

Does the buzzing come from the speakers or from the pane itself? Is the buzzing low or high frequency?

Yes, its strange it even says point blank in the menu item for output resolution that I cannot change this setting if using a HDMI cable. I assume it is auto detecting it and just transmitting it. The resolution on the SD channels is okay but I think I'm going to have to switch to see if I notice the difference which I think there was previously.

I would think that this is the optimal setup for your display, i.e. having the cable box pass the signal through without upscaling. However, if you noticed a drop in quality, by all means try the component video output.

Thanks for the comments. Well, I switched to the component cables and its definitely better with the pioneer doing the conversion so I would highly recommend that. On both my Samsung box (previous) and this current Scientific Atlanta box (both HD) it was better with the component cables. The difference is noticeable on the SD channels but of course the cables allow me to change the output resolution to 1080 on the cable box so still a little unclear to me whether its the improved output from the cable box that you can do with the component cables (because when using HDMI cables it doesn't allow me to change it and it uses 480 for SD) or if its something to do with the Pioneer conversion. Regardless, it worked better for me on both boxes and I would suggest others try it.

The sound buzzing is not nearly as bad with this box. It's coming from the Pioneer panel speaker since that's the only speaker I have hooked up. It's much better with this box.

Of course, now this stinking DVR won't let me record because it says its FULL when I hit record, even though when I go to the DVR saved programs it's "0% Full" Damn time warner refurbished crap they recycle.

You're having some issues which I haven't heard of before. You might want to post in the owners thread to see if anyone is having a similar experience.

Thanks for the comments. Well, I switched to the component cables and its definitely better with the pioneer doing the conversion so I would highly recommend that. On both my Samsung box (previous) and this current Scientific Atlanta box (both HD) it was better with the component cables. The difference is noticeable on the SD channels but of course the cables allow me to change the output resolution to 1080 on the cable box so still a little unclear to me whether its the improved output from the cable box that you can do with the component cables (because when using HDMI cables it doesn't allow me to change it and it uses 480 for SD) or if its something to do with the Pioneer conversion. Regardless, it worked better for me on both boxes and I would suggest others try it.

The sound buzzing is not nearly as bad with this box. It's coming from the Pioneer panel speaker since that's the only speaker I have hooked up. It's much better with this box.

Of course, now this stinking DVR won't let me record because it says its FULL when I hit record, even though when I go to the DVR saved programs it's "0% Full" Damn time warner refurbished crap they recycle.

Ok, still a bit early, still having my morning coffee - a bit confused here.

You said that the Pio seems to be doing a better job of upconversion than your SA DVR, but then you said that SD looks better because you can change the SA to output 1080(i) over component.

What is your current setup for the SA? Pass thru over component to the Pioneer or upconvert to 1080i?

Thanks,
Erik