for what it's worth,

I've seen my 6208 connected to my Tosh 65" widescreen RPTV through both DVI and Component and the box's conversion of Analog channels is definitely lacking (either way)

this is clearly some kind of A-D domain conversion problem in the box, irrespective of the TV's fine-tuning of grey-scale calibration etc... it's only noticeable on the analog channels

FYI my TV's component input was ISF calibrated against my Sony DVD player about 18 months ago - not the DVI input specifically - although I think (to my eye) the general appearance is about as good as the component right now (and the less domain changes the picture signal/data has to go through between equipment, the better I must assume)

but hey, like you say, if something looks better to you one way rather than another, that's really the only person you have to convince! that's a good thing!

m

The reason I brought this up was that me and a lot of others complained about the quality of analog signals through the 6208. i found that using a straight DVI connection seemed to clean up the signal alot. It was just my "Impression" as the Forum title suggests. I realize that. My comments were not directed at one individual. You'll note that "kramdens" preferred component connections and I was trying to explain why there were differences. I realize you were only trying to help the others with the PQ issues.

Most times when people say that one connection is better than another (etc) it's usually because of the setup of that particular input vs the other input's setup.

This is exactly my experience. The first time a compared component vs DVI on my Sharp LC37G4U LCD flat panel, the difference was huge...with component looking MUCH better (this was with an upconverting DVD player). After tweaking with AVIA on both inputs (2 hours work), both inputs looked great, both looked better than before, and DVI was the slight winner (better color intensity and saturation, sharper detail, less noise, improved black level and contrast).

I'm running my Tosh 34HFX83 off of DVI and the SD channels look awful just like they do on the component inputs. The difference on HD channels between the two inputs is very minimal at best on my TV.

I recently attempted to connect my 6208 to my hdtv to no effect. I get a black screen indefinitely. I tried output (via power off, menu) of 1080i, 420i, and 420p from the dct, and get the same black screen with all of them. Of note, the setup screen does display differently when there is a cable plugged into the DVI port (DVI/YPbPr with both, YPbPr with no DVI cable connected). I'm not certain that the problem doesn't lie with the dct or with the dvi input on the hdtv.

I spoke with the local Shaw "support" in Saskatoon and was told that DVI is disabled on the 6208s with no plans to enable them. I say "support" because the person on the other end was quite obviously clueless - when I asked about the DVI connection he had no idea what that was until I'd been on hold a few minutes while he asked someone else. I have them connected via composite now, but if it is enabled, I'd like to have the option of using DVI and choosing which of the two I prefer.

I wouldn't expect, as seems to be the case, that Shaw would have different firmware/software for the 6208s in different areas. Has anyone else been told that the DVI connector is disabled, or had issue with the DVI connector on their 6208? Or alternatively, any suggestion for checking if the DVI connector on the dct (or the hdtv) are not causing my problem?

Thank you in advance for any responses or input.

I have them connected via composite now, but if it is enabled, I'd like to have the option of using DVI and choosing which of the two I prefer.


I hope you meant component and not composite as HD is only available with a three cable component connection or a DVI cable connection

I hope you meant component and not composite as HD is only available with a three cable component connection or a DVI cable connection

Indeed I do. My bad.

edit below
Had I read the faqs more thoroughly before posting though I would already have the answer. As noted in the shaw hdtv offerings faq, the dvi port is not yet enabled on the 5100 or 6200.

djpete- I tried that save one option as discussed on the previous page. Except that the next day, (today) the show didn't tape at all. I have it set for mon-friday, save one, plus save till I delete.
It recorded monday, but not tuesday.
Anyone knows how this whole save option works?

Had I read the faqs more thoroughly before posting though I would already have the answer. As noted in the shaw hdtv offerings faq, the dvi port is not yet enabled on the 5100 or 6200.

swe135,
from what you said, you have a 6208
and here in Calgary, the 6208 DVI port is working just fine for SD and HD content... maybe SK is dealing out an older f/w version???

I'm looking at connecting my 6208 to my Pioneer Plasma here in Edmonton. Can someone confirm that DVI is enabled in Edmonton? I'm assuming it is since Magic says it works in Calgary.

Wouldn't want to go through the trouble of getting an expensive DVI to HDMI cable only to have to return it without knowing if it's the DCT box, the cable itself or the TV that won't work.

pcouture, I have not heard of anybody, except for the post above, that has a 6208 with a DVI output that was not enabled. But YMMV. I'm in Vancouver and bought it from A&B Sound and its working fine over DVI with my 34HFX83.

Thanks for that Icemann.

How do your analog channels look over DVI?

Any improvement compared to Component?

There might be an improvement over Component but not much. In reality, the channel 3 output or the S-Video output look better on the analog SD channels than the DVI or component.

Does someone know for certain whether the 6208's DVI output is HDCP "protected"? I have a projector with an DVI input that is NOT HDCP-enabled, so it will only accept signals from a couple of DVD players on the market that are also non HDCP DVI (e.g. Bravo D2, Momitsu V880). I don't want to go buy an expensive 25 foot DVI cable just to find out whether I'll get a picture or not!

(Perhaps that's the problem swe135 was having?)

Does someone know for certain whether the 6208's DVI output is HDCP "protected"?

Mine is for sure. I know that the TV did not work for a few seconds, and something about HDCP protection came up. Also when I am running on DVI, and I go into the test menu (power off then press select quickly) the HDCP is enabled.

Dave

Mine is as well.

Thanks guys. Although now I'm disappointed. But if component is close in PQ, depending on who's opinion you're reading, I'll live without DVI to my pj until I'm ready to upgrade to a HDCP capable display (around the time we can watch Blue-Ray discs on 1080p displays, oh yeah!)

I'm going to have to hook up my DCT 2000 to my plasma because I swear the analog channels looked better on my TV with that box than they do with the 6208. If that is the case, and if I can't expect the DVI to make a significant difference on those channels, I think I will grab an extra DCT 2500 box from the store. At $149, it is cheaper than the cost of the DVI cable and it would allow me to enjoy analog and digital channels on my TV while my 6208 records, almost as if I had a 6412 with dual tuners - without the bigger hard drive.

Gesundheit, I can tell you that PQ in digital and HD through component is GREAT. I am sitting in front of my TV right now watching CSI:NY and I would have a hard time believing that DVI could make this better.

I'll still have to give that DVI a shot sometime and see if there's any visible difference to the PureDrive "all-digital" technology Pioneer pushes so much. Looks good on paper, but the question is: will my eyes see a difference?

Does someone know for certain whether the 6208's DVI output is HDCP "protected"? I have a projector with an DVI input that is NOT HDCP-enabled, so it will only accept signals from a couple of DVD players on the market that are also non HDCP DVI (e.g. Bravo D2, Momitsu V880). I don't want to go buy an expensive 25 foot DVI cable just to find out whether I'll get a picture or not!

(Perhaps that's the problem swe135 was having?)

I thought about that too, but having double (and triple) checked the tv specs, it claims DVI/HDCP. The tv is a panasonic ct-34wx53 (http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/television/tau/ct-34wx53.asp) , and the technical specs (http://www.panasonic.ca/English/audiovideo/television/tau/specs3.asp) say that the digital interface is DVI/HDCP.

While viewing 305 (HDNBC in Saskatoon), powering down and from the diagnostics, d11, page 2 says:
DVI Port
Device connected: yes
Repeater: no
Video Xmission: active
Hdcp enabled: no
Video constrained: no
Output format: 1920x1080I
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Maybe I'm misunderstanding something with the technology, or the diagnostics screen, but this seems to suggest that a dvi cable between the dct and the tv -should- work? Or does the Hdcp enabled: mean that the device connected isn't hdcp enabled rather than hdcp isn't enabled on the dct itself? Or maybe something with the box or the tv is borked? Although composite picture quality is definitely satisfactory, if something is broke I should probably get that addressed during warranty periods.

I do appreciate input provided thusfar, and any more that anyone may have.

I'm looking at connecting my 6208 to my Pioneer Plasma here in Edmonton. Can someone confirm that DVI is enabled in Edmonton? I'm assuming it is since Magic says it works in Calgary.

Wouldn't want to go through the trouble of getting an expensive DVI to HDMI cable only to have to return it without knowing if it's the DCT box, the cable itself or the TV that won't work.



I am using DVI in Edmonton. Go to Compusmart or by on line.