[Hornet]

I just went out and bought a Mitsubishi 55" Widescreen and a Zenith SAT520 HD converter box, and a nice pair of antennas to pick up the local channels.


My first problem is.....I bought the DVI cable, and it's pretty much a no brainer as to where you plug it in..........but my problem is, all I get through it is sound....no picture. I called Directv and the people there acted like they had never heard of DVI cable......so they had me hook up my system using the Red, Blue, & Green cables that came with the Zenith converter box, then take the red and white wire's and hook them to transmit the sound........all through Componet 1.


My Question is, how do I use the DVI, and what input would I use to pick it up? Ant A didn't work, nor anything else I tired.I loked in my owners manual for the tv, and it looks as if I mi ght need a nother cable called a Monitor Link Control/RS-232....but I didn't see anything about it in my Zenith manual, nor did the guy at the store telll me I need it......and he was pushing everything else under the sun.....so I don't know why he wouldn't have tried to selll me that if I needed it.


Next, I can't get my antennas to pick up any local channels.....and I have no idea why I can't .........do you guys have any suggestions, or things I can look for.........or tell me what I need to do.because I am lost trying to pick up local HD channels.....and I know I do get them, because I already looked them up in my area.


Also.....is there any trick to changing formats, or how each station is being shown on the tv? When I go from watching ESPN(HD), to another normal channel(say FOX), or any local channel.....the picture is pretty bad..worse than your normal difference from HD to regular tv.......do I need to change it from 1080l on the Zen convert to another setting when I change channels?


Thanks for your time and help!!!!

 

[Slarsky]

Hornet,

I would "simplify" your testing...try using the component cables, for now, until you can lock in HDTV signals. Then switch to troubleshooting your DVI connection. The key to picking up locals, at least for me, was to look to the analog channels for ghosting and other reception problems. This will help you pinpoint, without a professional install, the best signal for HDTV. Make sure you are pointing the antenna(s) at the tower - btw, what type of antenna is it? I would find out what the native resolution of your tv is and make sure your Zenith is outputting it...

 

[Hornet]

Thanks for the response and help.........I've got a RCA High Power Amplified TV Antenna......120 VAC, 60HZ to 12VDC, 200mA Wall Adapter.


With the Componet Cables, I am getting ESPN and Discovery, and channels like that in HiDef with no problems........it's just that the other channels are coming in very poorly.........my old 27" tv gave me a better picture........so, that's where my problem really is.........and also the fact that I paid $100.00 dollars for that DVI cable that it looks like I'm not even going to be able to use.........


How would I go about finding out what the native resolution is on my tv anyways?


My TV and the Zenith box both have DVI inputs........which is why it really perplexes, and frustrates me as to why I can't make it work!!!!!!!

 

[SteveK2]

You might get more responses to your question/problem on the HDTV hardware forum.

This doesn't have much to do with local reception issues/questions.

 

[N9EQ]

Hornet,

Did you happen to flip the switch on the back of the Zenith in order to switch the output from Component to DVI? I imagine you did, but just checking.


As far as the inability to receive local channels, it may be an issue of initial set up. Just guessing at this point. It has been a while since I've run through the set up, so I may be imagining things. I will look at my set up later in the day and report back.


Maintain hope. With proper functioning equipment it can be done. I have a Zenith 520 connected to my Samsung HLN-507 through the DVI port. I receive DTV (triple LNB dish) and local HDTV programming via a roof mounted antenna.


Let's work through this.


Scott

 

[Hornet]

I appreciate that man!! I'm all ears, and trust me, I won't be defeated easily when it comes to setting up this system......I'll do what ever it takes to get it right......I actually find it very fun and interesting.


To be honest, I forgot all about that little switch in the back.......I'll try that as soon as I get home.........also, i wonder about my atenna.....I was reading about it on Circuit City's website, and it doesn't say anything about broadcasting in hidef.....but then again, i don't know if that matters or not.......i just noticed that some of the other antennas, even the cheaper ones metnioned hidef........but that was the antennas that the guy at Best Buy recommended......i definitely didn't do as much research on the antenna, as I did on the tv itself........maybe I should have.



Any help and input is GREATLY appreciated!!!!!!!

 

[N9EQ]

Hornet,


Please check your private messages. I sent you some information to start solving these problems.


Since your problem seems to apply more to "HDTV Hardware" than to "Local HDTV Info and Reception", I would suggest we handle this offline or move it to a more appropriate forum.


Scott