Watch HD Recordings on Non-HD TV? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

grover11 · 2012-04-12, 09:47 AM

Can you hookup a Portal to a non-hd tv and watch HD recordings?

57 · 2012-04-12, 09:55 AM

Probably. Here's a link - different provider, but the answer is the same:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...89#post1400589

One person mentioned that you need to set it for 480i, but I don't think that's necessary unless you have component video connections on the TV (pretty rare), as the RF-coax, composite and S-video connections are SD by default.

dabell · 2012-04-12, 10:29 AM

I can confirm - yes you can.

PhotoJim · 2012-04-12, 10:44 AM

Yes, quite true, the SD outputs should, of course, be SD by default.

However, if you do have component video inputs on your TV, you'll get an even better picture. In this case you absolutely must set the video output to 480i.

Also, bear in mind that the recordings will be in 16:9 format (even if they are a 4:3 show, they will be 4:3 with sidebars so 16:9 net). This means you'll have black bars on the top and bottom of the screen so that it properly fits your screen. I didn't mind this, but on a very small SD television it might be somewhat annoying. I personally preferred getting the extra programming width rather than cropping it to fit the screen.

grover11 · 2012-04-12, 11:10 AM

Thanks for the answers!

This just may help me convince the wife to get on board with upgrading to the Gateway/Portal setup.

2012-04-12, 09:47 AM	#1
grover11 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 17	Watch HD Recordings on Non-HD TV? Can you hookup a Portal to a non-hd tv and watch HD recordings?

2012-04-12, 09:55 AM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,302	Probably. Here's a link - different provider, but the answer is the same: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...89#post1400589 One person mentioned that you need to set it for 480i, but I don't think that's necessary unless you have component video connections on the TV (pretty rare), as the RF-coax, composite and S-video connections are SD by default. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2012-04-12, 11:10 AM	#5
grover11 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 17	Thanks Thanks for the answers! This just may help me convince the wife to get on board with upgrading to the Gateway/Portal setup.

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2012-04-12, 10:29 AM	#3
dabell Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sooke,BC Posts: 622	I can confirm - yes you can.

2012-04-12, 10:44 AM	#4
PhotoJim Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Regina, SK, CA Posts: 618	Yes, quite true, the SD outputs should, of course, be SD by default. However, if you do have component video inputs on your TV, you'll get an even better picture. In this case you absolutely must set the video output to 480i. Also, bear in mind that the recordings will be in 16:9 format (even if they are a 4:3 show, they will be 4:3 with sidebars so 16:9 net). This means you'll have black bars on the top and bottom of the screen so that it properly fits your screen. I didn't mind this, but on a very small SD television it might be somewhat annoying. I personally preferred getting the extra programming width rather than cropping it to fit the screen.