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Toshiba HD-A3 and Pioneer PDP-5030HD plasma.....

Started by jerfilm • May 2, 2008 • 10 posts
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#1
I have an A3 and I like it. However, as I've lamented before in these forums, I have an early Pioneer 50" plasma with only one component video input. So thats the starting point.

Since I wanted to be able to upconvert SD DVDs to "near HD quality", I wanted to be able to use the HDMI output as I read that the component output will only give me 480i with SDs.

So I bought a box (Box1080) that converts HDMI to component and to RGB. The component output of that box looks pretty good except there seems to be some "ghosting" along the edges of images - especially where dark meets light. (Is that what you call aliasing??). (This effect does not show up when I connect the A3 to a different TV with HDMI inputs - it also doesn't seem to show up when playing SD content.......) Switching to RGB and inputting into the PC input, that problem disappears but I keep getting the feeling that I'm missing part of the picture. When I display "input" on the Pioneer, it sez 640x480 and 59 Hz. Am I getting real "HD" here?

Would I be better off just using the component video and forget about the upconverting of SDs?

Or could I use two different outputs - the HDMI for playback of SD content and the Component video for HD? Or does one of them trump the other and disable it??

Or should I get a different converter box?

Or should I flush the old plasma, which still looks as good as it did the day I bought it?

I'm a confused old fart......

Jerry
#2
LOL...you might try testing the used market to sell your present TV. Plenty of people will not find this limitation to be a problem - they will just hook their old DVD to it via s-video (maybe component) - or have no DVD at all.

Then with the incredible deals available - you may find that the cost difference is very acceptable to get a new Panasonic 50/720 (or maybe 1080). Then you can really enjoy the full benefit of HD video.

The good news - you should only have to swap your bracket and have this up on the wall in minutes!
#3 (edited May 2, 2008)
Since I wanted to be able to upconvert SD DVDs to "near HD quality", I wanted to be able to use the HDMI output as I read that the component output will only give me 480i with SDs.

It will provide 480p and defaulted to that scan rate in my testing when switching from HD DVD at 1080i analog component to DVD.

So I bought a box (Box1080) that converts HDMI to component and to RGB.

Why didn't you get the HD Fury?

When I display "input" on the Pioneer, it sez 640x480 and 59 Hz. Am I getting real "HD" here?

Clearly not and this infers the box is not HDCP compliant defeating your purpose. Since the box has no idea what your display accepts this infers you are getting the same result with component. As for artifacts from your box that is unknown. The reason the HD Fury is listed at this site is because it is HDCP compliant and was intended to be used with demanding CRT data grade projector applications requiring proper design.

HDfury - HDMI to RGBHV adapter, HDCP compliant to 1080p
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8497

The only question is if your VGA input is scan rate limited. What does your owners manual say?
#4
The Owners Manual for the PDP-5030HD sez it is compatible with 7 different resolutions from 640x400 up to 1280x768. And various frequencies that go with the different resolutions. So that should be no problem, right??

Why didn't I get the HDFury? Back when I went googling for a converter, this is the only one that came up.

So, do you think the Fury will work with this setup?

Thanks, Richard

Jerry
#5
Based on what your owners manual states it appears it would work. The catch 22 is your display is not native 1280X720 and the 768 could be a problem. If you could setup a PC for 1280X720 and confirm proper geometry that would be very helpful and also confirm that your scaler will take 720p on this VGA input and scale it for your 1280X768 pixel matrix.

I assume none of this will be a problem based on your recent experience but it is a small risk you should be aware of before spending money.
#6
The PDP-5030HD manual doesn't specify anywhere what resolutions it's compatible with. I know it will work at 720p and 1080i but it predates 1080p considerably, I think. In the specs it only shows the number of pixels at 1280x768.

So am I understanding correctly then, that since the HDFury converts the input to an RBG signal, it doesn't matter if it's fed a 1080p - it will convert it to pixels and even the 5030 can handle that??

Thanks again for being so patient. I've had a hard time understanding why "p" is better than "i" - I have a DVD player that outputs 480i or 480p and whenever I try to use the p, I get these funny line-like artifacts next to any object that's moving at any rate of speed. It's very annoying. You know what causes that??

Jerry
#7
The PDP-5030HD manual doesn't specify anywhere what resolutions it's compatible with.

When I asked you about VGA and PC you had an answer. For Video it supports all NTSC along with component video 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i. The max your display can take is 1080i from ANY source. Your PC VGA appears to be limited to 720p. For your DVD player it sounds like you are describing EE, edge enhancement, and that could be from the player, the display or an adjustment in either one - would take an ISF calibrator to figure out for you.

As an ISF calibrator you are likely taking a hit in performance due to the odd 1280X768 pixel matrix. The best result would require an external scaler that will convert everything to that. Having said that your only issue is DVD and the HD Fury provides an option with the potential land mine provided.
#8
I contacted the folks that sell the HDFury and they confirm your suspicion that it is likely NOT to work given the 1280x768 configuration of the 5030. I guess I'm gonna have to give up the old plasma to our vacation home and loosen up for something new. Thanks again, Richard.
#9
Bear in mind Jerry we are speculating based on experience - until tested it is still speculation. You have made a few statements that point to this working out. If you can figure out a way to get a PC on the VGA at 1280X720 you will get confirmation. An ISF calibrator could do this for you and also have the experience to confirm geometry really remains intact... The issue is will the display convert the vertical 720 to 768 or simply stretch the 720 to 768 in which case what should be squares become slight rectangles. My minimum charge for a quick check is $125.

http://www.isfforum.com/Find-a-Calibrat ... ators.html
#10
I have never run such a test but thinking about all this I came up with, geeeez, 768is only 48 more pixels, 06% and even if it stretches would it be enough to notice?

I the end the real key to all this is what the VGA will do with 1280X720... does that pixel matrix appear in your manual for VGA? I say try to run that test since you seem satisfied with the display and your application otherwise.