Ghosting or smearing on SA8300 and Cablevision?

Jason Priestley · 07-16-06, 09:55 PM

I have an SA8300 from cablevision that uses component wires into my denon 4306 and then into my 50" panny 60u plasma. I have noticed that on some HD channels like pbs, hbo, and starz that there is considerable smearing and ghosting on those channels. Its quite annoying. On the other hand channels like fox, abc, nbc and espn and YES look crystal clear. Does anybody else notice this? Is there a way to fix it? Do I have a defective SA8300?

c1courtney · 07-17-06, 02:50 PM

Well you're set I believe is a 720p set. Fox, ABC and ESPN are 720p stations most others are 1080i.

Are you having the SA8300HD output everything at 720p? This is where I'd start, the quality of the conversion from 1080i to 720p can be poor in some equipment (and maybe that's the case with your TV) especially after it's gone analog, which since you're using component cables it has.

I find that the SA8300HD does a fairly good job and converting 1080i to 720p. I've got a 720p DLP, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith on HBO a few weeks back (in OAR no less) was one of the best HD Movies I've ever seen. Note that I go over Component to my HDTV w/ my SA8300HD (HDMI on my DHG-HDD500 and DVI from my HTPC)

Good Luck,
CCourtney

Jason Priestley · 07-18-06, 12:16 AM

What setting is that? I see the option for pass through, upconvert1, upconvert2, and fixed...is that it?

c1courtney · 07-18-06, 11:39 AM

First you'll need to go through the Setup Wizard again.

With box OFF and TV on, press Info and Guide (on box) together. Then you can select the configuration (what video modes potentially can be passed through.) Select 720p and then use Fixed mode through the regular menu.

If your SD shows for some reason look worse go ahead and enable them as 480i and then use Upconvert2.

This is a good reference thread for the box by the way http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post4682052

CCourtney

Jason Priestley · 07-19-06, 12:08 AM

It does seem improved but i'll have to test it more. Thanks for the help. I guess the panny 60u video processor maybe the denon 4306 isn't so good...sigh...

DoubleDAZ · 07-19-06, 12:12 AM

Can you connect the 8300 directly to the TV without the Denon in the mix? This will tell you if the Denon is degrading the PQ.

c1courtney · 07-19-06, 08:24 AM

Dave,

That's a good suggestion for anyone and I should have picked up on it, but the 720p channels being good and the set being 720p set led me down that path.

As a side note I have a Denon AVR3300 and am using the component video switching of it for my main DVR (SA8300HD). I've compared it to the HDMI and I couldn't tell the difference unless I was standing 2' away (Sammy HLP5674W non-wobulated 720p DLP) and I checked it on 1080i and 720p channels w/ pass through, and then everything converted to 720p (Fixed Mode w/ only 720p enabled - which is the mode I ended up using.)

The switching through the receiver is a wife requirement as she only uses the VCR and main DVR so it switches through my AV receiver (more than one remote and she's lost) 2ndary DVR (DHG-HDD500) is HDMI and HTPC is DVI

CCourtney

DoubleDAZ · 07-19-06, 09:23 AM

I'm just trying to help narrow things down. Using AV receivers as video switchers has caused problems in the past, so I though t would be worth a shot to try to eliminate that before swapping boxes and having the same problem with a new box. All connections should be double-checked too.

jagz27 · 02-27-07, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Priestley

I have an SA8300 from cablevision that uses component wires into my denon 4306 and then into my 50" panny 60u plasma. I have noticed that on some HD channels like pbs, hbo, and starz that there is considerable smearing and ghosting on those channels. Its quite annoying. On the other hand channels like fox, abc, nbc and espn and YES look crystal clear. Does anybody else notice this? Is there a way to fix it? Do I have a defective SA8300?

i know this is an old thread, but i was wondering if anybody else has ever experienced the same thing, because I am noticing the same problem on my new cablevision SA8300...

bfdtv · 02-27-07, 08:54 PM

It's possible that Cablevision's compression is responsible for some of what you are seeing. In that case, the alternative would be to get Verizon FiOS, which applies less compression to its HD channels. It's possible the Panasonic's lack of inverse telecine is also part of what you are seeing.

The most notable issue with the video processing in the 2006 models from Panasonic was their inability to perform inverse telecine on content acquired in 1080p24 but flagged as 1080i60 for broadcast. Because of this, the Panasonics couldn't produce as sharp or as detailed a picture on movies and episodic programs like CSI on CBS, Heroes on NBC, or The Sopranos on HBO when compared to the Pioneer panels. Nor could they produce as sharp or as detailed a picture from a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player set to output 1080i.

[If you didn't output a native 1080i signal to the panel, or didn't use the built-in QAM tuners, but rather configured your HD set-top box and Blu-ray player to convert all output to 720p, then you wouldn't see the same differences.]

The Panasonics do video interlace, but they do not do inverse telecine. Nor will the SA8300HD perform inverse telecine, when set to output 1080i channels as 720p. I discussed this more in another post a few days ago.

jagz27 · 02-28-07, 10:15 AM

actually all the network (abc, cbs, nbc) HD channels look perfect, it's only for Starz, HBO, showtime HD that i see the smearing/ghosting. Also I don't have a panny like the OP. I have a Sharp Aquos. Different tv's, same results, which has me thinking it has something to do with cablevision or maybe the DVR.
I wish I could get FiOS, alas all i can get is AT&T and their crappy DSL service.

bfdtv · 02-28-07, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagz27

actually all the network (abc, cbs, nbc) HD channels look perfect, it's only for Starz, HBO, showtime HD that i see the smearing/ghosting. Also I don't have a panny like the OP. I have a Sharp Aquos. Different tv's, same results, which has me thinking it has something to do with cablevision or maybe the DVR.
I wish I could get FiOS, alas all i can get is AT&T and their crappy DSL service.

If those are the only 1080i channels where you see the problem, then it is almost certainly Cablevision's compression on those channels. For some reason, they compress those a bit more than the others.

jfnatoli · 11-17-09, 12:45 PM

Cablevision HBO Smearing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a Sony Bravia KDLV4100. I currently subscribe to Cablevision and have their HD DVR box hooked up via HDMI cable. Mostly on HBO, I get a smearing effect or motion blur. It can happen in scenes where a subject is walking down the hall. Their faces look like they are smearing. I have had a tech to my house twice, telling me I'm receiving EXCELLENT signal, and have even changed out my HDMI cable and splitter. I've adjusted all settings on my TV including the Cinemotion settings but am still having the same problem. Is this just an issue with Cablevision? I am thinking about going to FIOS to see if it will solve the issue. The only problem with that I'll be hit with about 20 bucks a month in taxes on their bill. My blu-ray looks perfect as well as my XBOX 360. Are the HBO channels on Cablevision just overcompressed? Will moving to FIOS solve my problems?
Thanks!

07-16-06, 09:55 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
Jason Priestley Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 593	Ghosting or smearing on SA8300 and Cablevision? I have an SA8300 from cablevision that uses component wires into my denon 4306 and then into my 50" panny 60u plasma. I have noticed that on some HD channels like pbs, hbo, and starz that there is considerable smearing and ghosting on those channels. Its quite annoying. On the other hand channels like fox, abc, nbc and espn and YES look crystal clear. Does anybody else notice this? Is there a way to fix it? Do I have a defective SA8300?

07-19-06, 12:08 AM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Jason Priestley Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 593	It does seem improved but i'll have to test it more. Thanks for the help. I guess the panny 60u video processor maybe the denon 4306 isn't so good...sigh...

07-19-06, 12:12 AM	#6 \| Link
DoubleDAZ Cox - SARA 1.89.27.1 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Peoria, AZ (75 Ave & T-Bird) Posts: 7,833	Can you connect the 8300 directly to the TV without the Denon in the mix? This will tell you if the Denon is degrading the PQ. __________________ Cheers, Dave

07-19-06, 09:23 AM	#8 \| Link
DoubleDAZ Cox - SARA 1.89.27.1 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Peoria, AZ (75 Ave & T-Bird) Posts: 7,833	I'm just trying to help narrow things down. Using AV receivers as video switchers has caused problems in the past, so I though t would be worth a shot to try to eliminate that before swapping boxes and having the same problem with a new box. All connections should be double-checked too. __________________ Cheers, Dave

02-27-07, 08:54 PM	#10 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
bfdtv AVS Addicted Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 12,911	It's possible that Cablevision's compression is responsible for some of what you are seeing. In that case, the alternative would be to get Verizon FiOS, which applies less compression to its HD channels. It's possible the Panasonic's lack of inverse telecine is also part of what you are seeing. The most notable issue with the video processing in the 2006 models from Panasonic was their inability to perform inverse telecine on content acquired in 1080p24 but flagged as 1080i60 for broadcast. Because of this, the Panasonics couldn't produce as sharp or as detailed a picture on movies and episodic programs like CSI on CBS, Heroes on NBC, or The Sopranos on HBO when compared to the Pioneer panels. Nor could they produce as sharp or as detailed a picture from a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player set to output 1080i. [If you didn't output a native 1080i signal to the panel, or didn't use the built-in QAM tuners, but rather configured your HD set-top box and Blu-ray player to convert all output to 720p, then you wouldn't see the same differences.] The Panasonics do video interlace, but they do not do inverse telecine. Nor will the SA8300HD perform inverse telecine, when set to output 1080i channels as 720p. I discussed this more in another post a few days ago.

07-17-06, 02:50 PM	#2 \| Link
c1courtney Senior Engineer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,703	Well you're set I believe is a 720p set. Fox, ABC and ESPN are 720p stations most others are 1080i. Are you having the SA8300HD output everything at 720p? This is where I'd start, the quality of the conversion from 1080i to 720p can be poor in some equipment (and maybe that's the case with your TV) especially after it's gone analog, which since you're using component cables it has. I find that the SA8300HD does a fairly good job and converting 1080i to 720p. I've got a 720p DLP, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith on HBO a few weeks back (in OAR no less) was one of the best HD Movies I've ever seen. Note that I go over Component to my HDTV w/ my SA8300HD (HDMI on my DHG-HDD500 and DVI from my HTPC) Good Luck, CCourtney

07-18-06, 12:16 AM	#3 \| Link
Jason Priestley Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 593	What setting is that? I see the option for pass through, upconvert1, upconvert2, and fixed...is that it?

07-18-06, 11:39 AM	#4 \| Link
c1courtney Senior Engineer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,703	First you'll need to go through the Setup Wizard again. With box OFF and TV on, press Info and Guide (on box) together. Then you can select the configuration (what video modes potentially can be passed through.) Select 720p and then use Fixed mode through the regular menu. If your SD shows for some reason look worse go ahead and enable them as 480i and then use Upconvert2. This is a good reference thread for the box by the way http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post4682052 CCourtney

07-19-06, 08:24 AM	#7 \| Link
c1courtney Senior Engineer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,703	Dave, That's a good suggestion for anyone and I should have picked up on it, but the 720p channels being good and the set being 720p set led me down that path. As a side note I have a Denon AVR3300 and am using the component video switching of it for my main DVR (SA8300HD). I've compared it to the HDMI and I couldn't tell the difference unless I was standing 2' away (Sammy HLP5674W non-wobulated 720p DLP) and I checked it on 1080i and 720p channels w/ pass through, and then everything converted to 720p (Fixed Mode w/ only 720p enabled - which is the mode I ended up using.) The switching through the receiver is a wife requirement as she only uses the VCR and main DVR so it switches through my AV receiver (more than one remote and she's lost) 2ndary DVR (DHG-HDD500) is HDMI and HTPC is DVI CCourtney

02-28-07, 10:15 AM	#11 \| Link
jagz27 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 19	actually all the network (abc, cbs, nbc) HD channels look perfect, it's only for Starz, HBO, showtime HD that i see the smearing/ghosting. Also I don't have a panny like the OP. I have a Sharp Aquos. Different tv's, same results, which has me thinking it has something to do with cablevision or maybe the DVR. I wish I could get FiOS, alas all i can get is AT&T and their crappy DSL service.

11-17-09, 12:45 PM	#13 \| Link
jfnatoli New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	Cablevision HBO Smearing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have a Sony Bravia KDLV4100. I currently subscribe to Cablevision and have their HD DVR box hooked up via HDMI cable. Mostly on HBO, I get a smearing effect or motion blur. It can happen in scenes where a subject is walking down the hall. Their faces look like they are smearing. I have had a tech to my house twice, telling me I'm receiving EXCELLENT signal, and have even changed out my HDMI cable and splitter. I've adjusted all settings on my TV including the Cinemotion settings but am still having the same problem. Is this just an issue with Cablevision? I am thinking about going to FIOS to see if it will solve the issue. The only problem with that I'll be hit with about 20 bucks a month in taxes on their bill. My blu-ray looks perfect as well as my XBOX 360. Are the HBO channels on Cablevision just overcompressed? Will moving to FIOS solve my problems? Thanks!