[opendtv] Re: source programme quality

Thanks everyone who commented. That about answers everything. I am a bit
surprised to hear that you can get HD out of STB component outputs though.
As I understand it, the HDMI output of my Freeview HD box is blocked if
there is no HDCP connection so I cannot even use a DVI to HDMI adaptor for
non flagged content (I've tried).
Why is it then that in the US where this HDCP system was devised, you can
get the HD through component but here we cannot? And Singapore gets HD
through component and maybe even Australia? Any clues?

Regards
Barry Wilkins


On Mon, Apr 28, 2008 at 5:56 PM, Richard Hollandsworth <holl_ands@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> Video picture quality (PQ) is more than simply the number of
> horizontal and vertical pixels.
> It also involves contrast ratio, deinterleave quality and other factors.
>
> Here is Philips 42FD9954/69C Brochure (note 2003 date):
> http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/4/42fd9954_69c/42fd9954_69c_pss_eng.pdf
> and 2004 CNET review for Philips 42FD9943:
>
> http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/philips-42fd9954/4505-6482_7-20583837.html
> Note the Plasma panel uses the ALiS display technique, which
> illuminates alternate 1080i interleaved frames, thereby avoiding
> the problematic deinterleaving process.  So internally, it's sorta 1080.
>
> Earlier, I provided references to ALiS explanations:
> http://www.freelists.org/archives/opendtv/01-2008/msg00243.html
>
> Although it was "state-of-the-art" 4-5 years ago, it does have
> shortcomings.
> CNET found the Philips was missing 2:3 pull down for 24 fps movies.
>
> And, of course, it only has 1024 vice 1920 horizontal pixels,
> which I don't think is that huge a deal, given our cable boxes don't do
> 1920
> (probably due to upstream reduction to 1280x1080i....e.g. HDLite.)
>
> ======================
> I have a similar 4+ year old Hitachi 42HDT50 42-inch
> 1024x1024 ALiS Plasma, as I described in the post above.
> It's better than any of the many 720p sets I've seen.
> And I can clearly "see" when 1080i programs are being broadcast.
>
> However, the contrast ratio, color accuracy and video processing
> algorithms of modern 1080p@120Hz flat panels are even better.
>
> PS: Excellent source material can look very good, even if only low rez.
> Could be due to higher quality cameras, tighter face shots and
> better MPEG2 encode/decode algorithms to minimize macroblocking.
>
> BTW: In USA, our OTA, Cable & Sat systems support
> 720p & 1080i via both C.V. and HDMI/DVI.
> Several devices have also implemented 1080p via C. V. I/F.
> However, last year, 1080p was BLOCKED from being added
> to the CEA-707.3-D spec update and hence it is not likely to ever
> appear on Blu-Ray/SAT/Cable C.V. interfaces.
> HDMI/DVI (and similar new I/Fs) are ONLY way to convey protected 1080p:
> http://www.cepro.com/article/cea_puts_kibosh_on_1080p_over_component
>
>
> holl_ands
>
> =================================
> *Barry Wilkins <barry.barrywilkins@xxxxxxxxx>* wrote:
>
> Hi Richard,
> I am sorry if any of my previous email was confusing. Firstly, my screen
> is a Philips 42" Plasma model 42FD9954/69C with DVI but no HDMI. It is not
> the screen but the STB that does the down scaling on component output which
> was forced upon the Freeview consortium by the HDCP powers. (If no HDMI
> input with HDCP on the screen then 576i via component output only.)  Do you
> have this restriction there?
>
> I am not saying that the image will not look better on a native 1920 x
> 1080 plasma/LCD if perhaps it was a really "good" screen. It is just that
> the only screen that I have been able to compare mine to that actually does
> use the HDMI input, from the same type STB, running the same demo programme,
> looked markedly inferior. (mainly motion artifacts but lacked general
> clarity) My only explanation for this is that the 42" LCD in question must
> be an inferior model although the pixel size looked fairly fine. The shop I
> viewed this in had no statement of the screen resolution.
> Why am I having such difficulty in viewing the HD content on suitable
> reference screens you might ask? Answer: Because strangely, very few
> retailers of high end screens show much interest in Freeview HD. I tell them
> they must be nuts to turn down a perfect opportunity to demo the capability
> of their high end stock but they look at me lamely and say "Not company
> policy" or "We might when the STBs become available" or some other idiotic
> reason.
> I've been expecting to be blown away by the sheer difference in image
> quality of the latest screen technology coupled to the HD broadcasts but so
> far my screen is pretty much up with the best. My screen does lack high
> contrast ratio compared to the latest models but I do not oversaturate
> colour and keep the brightness at a respectable level.
>
> Barry Wilkins
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 28, 2008 at 2:00 PM, Richard Hollandsworth <
> holl_ands@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > What is manufacturer & model number of your 1024x1024 HDTV???
> > How do you know it downscales 1080i to 576i?
> >
> > holl_ands
> >
> > ==================================
> >
> > *Barry Wilkins <barry.barrywilkins@xxxxxxxxx>* wrote:
> >
> > To complicate this issue is the fact that my screen is only 1024 x 1024
> > 42" with no HDMI. I use the component inputs from the STB which down scales
> > the image to 576i.
> >
> >
> >  ------------------------------
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> >
>
>
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