[Malachy]

There is a fairly active thread about HTPCs and the DVI interfaces on the two new Panny models--the commercial 6UY and the consumer PA2OU. Communication from others about DVI seems to have petered out with some indication of problems, especially with the V1 DVD player that outputs DVI, but virtually nothing yet on DVI from STBs. Is it only the HTPC and the V1 DVD folks who have tried using the DVI on either of the new Pannys? Would love to hear from those who have tried successfully or unsuccessfully to use STBs to output DVI to either of the new Pannys.

 

[cabber]

I've been using DVI input on my PA20U since Day 1 and have had zero issues. In fact, I switched around from component to DVI a few days to see the difference and DVI, IMO, produces a much better picture. It seems like this display really likes the digital feed from the DVI on my Sony STB. One note is that 720p is not handled on the PA20U and this prevents me from even being able to switch to it on my STB.

 

[Malachy]

Thanks for the feedback Cabber! Are you routing ordinary Dtv signals via DVI or just HD signals? Is DVI better for both? Did you happen to try using the Composite input for ordinary Dtv as some here have suggested? The claim is that it is much better than via component or S video, tho settings need to be tweeked.


Hope we hear from many others.

 

[sdossick]

I'm using DVI with my PA20UP from the Samsung T160 Directv decoder. HD stations look amazing, and SD channels look just _good_, but I've not played with the picture settings much (only had the unit two days


I am going to try the composite output tonight to see if the results for SD look better. They're certainly watchable now but it would be great to improve the PQ a bit. I'm finding myself flipping over to the HD channels during commercials and stuff, just because the pictures there look so amazing.

 

[Arnie D]

HD material on mine looks incredible using the DVI. SD material through the DVI looks just okay. SD material looks better(good actually) using composite rather than the DVI, but I'm still playing around with all this. I have a Samsung TS-160 STB, but I'll be getting the new Sony HD300 as soon as it comes out. From what I've read, and from talking to some friends, the consensus seems to be that the PQ is just a little better on HD material with the current Sony HD200 over the Samsung, but substantially better on SD material.

 

[wpwj40e]

Browsing through several forums across the internet has resulted in me finding about 10 different (recent) issues with the Zenith 520 DVI connection. It does not appear that the monitor or display has ANYTHING to do with it. All are reporting an offset of 3in or so when receiving a 1080 signal via DVI.


This was on the following:

Mitsubishi(various models)

Pioneer - Aurora Cards - various rev's

Panasonic- Consumer & Commerical 2003 models

Samsung DLP (43/56)


Given that there are not a plethora of DVI equiped monitors and an even lesser amount of folks using DTV STB's connected to these. 10 DIFFERENT reported issues that are identical with the same box(no information as to which firmware release ) and different monitors, would lead one to beleive that it is the STB(Zenith) that is the culprit here and not the display.


***************, DVDTALK, Our Own Forum, DVD Thater are some of the ones I used to find this.


Thanks

Therese

 

[jfklennon]

I have the samsung stb using DVI to my panasonic 42pa for ota/sd/hdtv via rooftop antenna & directv, everything looks very good, I did try the composite for SD, but it's really not worth the trouble switching between the two for a slightly better looking sd pic.

 

[Malachy]

Therese deserves our thanks for researching other forums for reports of trouble with the DVI on the new Pannys. I too have come across several recent posts here on the AVS forum about trouble with the Zenith 520 STB, but there are also now some posts which suggest the problem may be much more widespread. It may well be a Panasonic problem.


One of our AVS posters (Cabber) noted today that with the Sony 200 STB feeding his Panny2OU over the air 4x3 material via DVI the image shifts way to the left, but image is fine with 1080i. However, another poster (Swee)says that his 4x3 via the Zenith 520 is centered, but 1080i is way off to the left on his Panny PA2OU. And another poster (JBA87) says that his Panny 6UY fed 1080i via the Pioneer 3510HD STB shifts the image to the left. Panasonic tells him the problem must be with the Pioneer STB.


It begins to sound as if there are major DVI compatability problems that may call into question the wisdom of purchasing the PA2OU with its built in DVI and limited ability to move the image on the screen. At least with the 6UY we can simply not buy the DVI card/board until it is clear that the bugs are worked out.


Also note that in the latest Perfect Vision there is an interesting review of the new Gateway and Visio plasmas by Randy Tomlinson. In it he notes that it is a big mistake to buy a display that "locks you out" of being able to adjust brightness, contrast etc. when receiving DVI input. "Any of the new displays that 'locks you out' of these controls will sometimes (depending on DVI source compatability) give you a picture via DVI that's simply not good enough to watch, without having to fix it." As an example he notes that the Zenith 520 works beautifully with the Sony SBR plasma via DVI but the same Zenith box produces a very poor image on the Visio via DVI and there is no way to adjust it. He also has some interesting observations about the Bravo D1 DVD which is lousy with the Visio (made by the same company that makes the D1) but works great with the Gateway. A question, do either of the new Pannys "lock you out" of making picture adjustments when in the DVI mode?

 

[AnthonyM]

I have the same problem with my pa2ou and TWC HD box (Pioneer 3510). In talking with the HD department at TWC they indicated it was a problem with the Pioneer STB. By the way, you can adjust the picture settings when using DVI with the Pioneer HD box and the pa2ou.

 

[wpwj40e]

On another forum, under a similar issue. Geometry problems with Zenith 520 DVI -


JFerg - From Zenith had the following comment:


"In every report case to Zenith (since SW 1.04.00), it has been determined that the Display was "at fault" and usually corrected by an update to the display."


Haven't decided yet whether I am going to go DVI - REALLY want someon else to do so with the Panny and report stellar results so I can justify my $200 card


Therese

 

[jeepman]

Quote:

Originally posted by wpwj40e On another forum, under a similar issue. Geometry problems with Zenith 520 DVI - JFerg - From Zenith had the following comment: "In every report case to Zenith (since SW 1.04.00), it has been determined that the Display was "at fault" and usually corrected by an update to the display." Haven't decided yet whether I am going to go DVI - REALLY want someon else to do so with the Panny and report stellar results so I can justify my $200 card Therese

Tell me about it. I may go with a second DVI card if Time Warner in Austin (Round Rock) upgrades to an HD box with DVI (Pioneer 3150HD please) so I can still have my HTPC via DVI, which I will actually run my VCR through, and another DVI for the HD box, and rounding it out with component to VGA cable for my standalone player.