Up converting Receivers & CC

[talljak]

I am looking at getting the Sony STR-DN1000 Receiver which says it up converts video signals when putting HDMI & Component through it first before going to the TV.
My question is can this up converting be turned off like it can on my DVD player? Or is it always on

There are times I need to be able to display Closed Captioning and with up converting turned on my DVD player this is no longer an option. I do not want to buy this receiver just to find out I can no longer show CC.

I have always had a Sony receiver and I have been very happy about the sound but its time for an upgrade so I can plug in more peripherals.

[57]

1. There should be an option to turn off upconversion in the AVR.

2. Most AVRs do not upconvert HDMI input signals, only analogue inputs. (by upconvert I mean change 480i to 1080p for example). Read the specs carefully to see what it does.

3. When I got my Denon, I found that it defaulted to upconversion, but could easily turn it off for each input. Don't know whether it's "global" for the Sony or by input. It may also depend on the model.

[talljak]

It says
Composite Video Conversion From Composite to Component, HDMI

Component Video Conversion From Component Video to HDMI

I guess that means its converting signals but not "UP" converting.
Misleading advertising.

Thanks for clearing that up

[eljay]

According to the SonyStyle.com website:

Up Scaling : Analog->Component/HDMI (1080i)

See also pg. 33, 34, 79 and 80 of the owner's manual, available here. Among other things, you'll find the following:

Resolution (Converting video signals)
Lets you convert the resolution of analog video input signals.
•DIRECT
Lets you output analog video input signals without conversion.
• AUTO
• 480/576i
• 480/576p
•720p
• 1080i
For details, see “In the video input/output conversion table classified by the menu settings” (page 80).
Tip
You can also press RESOLUTION repeatedly to convert analog video input signals. Each time you press the button, the resolution of the output signals will be changed.

[57]

There's a difference between transcoding (converting composite or component video to HDMI for example) and upconversion (480i to 1080i), although very few AVRs call it by the appropriate name.

I'm not sure if CC (VBI information) is "kept" during the transcoding - probably - I'll have to give it a try on my TV using my VCR as a signal someday... Of course TVs can't CC HD signals from the inputs and some TVs can't even CC HDMI signals, even if they're 480i... I even encountered one older TV that wouldn't CC component video signals.

[talljak]

Thanks for your help guys.
Yea the CC companies need to upgrade to HD & Digital, but thats for an other thread.

Looks like I will go with the STR-DN1000 for my Birthday

[57]

Most HD programming has CC, it's just that because TVs can't CC the (HD) signal, the sending device must do the CC. For example, the Rogers Ontario STB will do the CC for all channels - HD and SD, while I believe the Shaw Motorola STBs do the CC on HD only, via a menu selection. I haven't found the need to do CC with my BDs yet, but I assume that BD players do the CC?

[talljak]

On my BD player CC will not work, have to use subtitles set to English.
Seems most BD disc's I buy now say subtitles for the hearing impaired instead of CC

[57]

Thanks for that info. I assume that this accomplishes the same thing for you.

[talljak]

From the manual

To display Closed Caption
Set “Resolution” to “DIRECT” in the Video Settings menu when receiving a signal that supports Closed Captions.

So at least I know there is the option for it.

I much prefer the look of CC over subtitles but I guess beggars can not be choosers. If I could choose it would be to not have to turn off my moto PVR just to turn on or off CC haha

Since it seems CC is being faded out for subtitles in movies, maybe tv will follow suite one day.