For anyone who bought a first generation 803 series 4:3 set from Mitsubishi and has been wondering if there is a way to migrate towards TRUE HD without having to buy a new set or pay $300 for the RGB-CV10 or $999 for the Promise Module:
You can get HDTV with a $15 cable and any receiver with an RGB output. I bought a Samsung DTV 360 reciever to test with. Connected to the BNC inputs on the Mits with a simple RGB to BNC cable. Set the receiver to output 1080i only via RGB, and set the 50803 to HD on the DTV port through the service menu (I believe the command is Menu; 1-3-7-0 and select DTV and cycle from AUTO to HD).
Worked like a charm. HD OTA and DirecTV on my Gen1 HD set in all its 1080i glory. Saw one issue of concern in that there appeared to be a color 'flutter' occasionally where faces got a magenta cast only momentarily etc., but didn't have chance to play around long enough to determine if it was the reciever, cables, settings, or a real compatibility (sync) concern.
I'll post once the final install is complete (I'm returning the Sam-360 since DTV is bringing out a new reciever with my upgrade and OTA antenna).
I know others in this forum have commented on this issue in the past, but it's near-impossible to find FIRM confirmation that this will work anywhere on the web. SO, here it is.
It's a shame that Mitsubishi won't tell customers of this possibility, but would rather gouge you for the RGBCV10 at $300. As I said, it's nearly impossible to find data on this issue ANYWHERE.
PS> I have the Mitsubishi HD-1080 off-air receiver and have been using it for months because I thought it was the only way to get HD into my set. I was able to reconnect it after this test, revert the DTV input to AUTO, and get HD with it no problem, so it would appear that the TEST did not damage or permanently alter the set in any way. HOWEVER, it's important to note that the 803 series presents a TRUE 1080i image (black bars top and bottom) in the center of the screen, which means that prolonged HD viewing will AGE the phosphors in those areas faster than the top/bottom borders resulting in a visible 'burn-in' line during 4:3 viewing.
Hope this helps someone!
You can get HDTV with a $15 cable and any receiver with an RGB output. I bought a Samsung DTV 360 reciever to test with. Connected to the BNC inputs on the Mits with a simple RGB to BNC cable. Set the receiver to output 1080i only via RGB, and set the 50803 to HD on the DTV port through the service menu (I believe the command is Menu; 1-3-7-0 and select DTV and cycle from AUTO to HD).
Worked like a charm. HD OTA and DirecTV on my Gen1 HD set in all its 1080i glory. Saw one issue of concern in that there appeared to be a color 'flutter' occasionally where faces got a magenta cast only momentarily etc., but didn't have chance to play around long enough to determine if it was the reciever, cables, settings, or a real compatibility (sync) concern.
I'll post once the final install is complete (I'm returning the Sam-360 since DTV is bringing out a new reciever with my upgrade and OTA antenna).
I know others in this forum have commented on this issue in the past, but it's near-impossible to find FIRM confirmation that this will work anywhere on the web. SO, here it is.
It's a shame that Mitsubishi won't tell customers of this possibility, but would rather gouge you for the RGBCV10 at $300. As I said, it's nearly impossible to find data on this issue ANYWHERE.
PS> I have the Mitsubishi HD-1080 off-air receiver and have been using it for months because I thought it was the only way to get HD into my set. I was able to reconnect it after this test, revert the DTV input to AUTO, and get HD with it no problem, so it would appear that the TEST did not damage or permanently alter the set in any way. HOWEVER, it's important to note that the 803 series presents a TRUE 1080i image (black bars top and bottom) in the center of the screen, which means that prolonged HD viewing will AGE the phosphors in those areas faster than the top/bottom borders resulting in a visible 'burn-in' line during 4:3 viewing.
Hope this helps someone!
