Pixellation / Macroblocking

[57]

Originally Posted by SpinalTap

So are you saying the max resolution on component is only 400 lines?

No, I said composite and that's what I meant.

Component video, DVI and HDMI are all "HD capable" connections. See the Digital Home FAQ on "Cables & connections".

I have no idea why the macroblocking would be less on component video, I can certainly see it just fine when it occurs using my component video connection...

Perhaps it's due to the way your inputs are (not) calibrated - see the Digital Home FAQ "DVI/HDMI Information" which discusses the fact that different inputs have different calibration. If DVI gives you a "sharper" image, that would excacerbate any macroblocking.

See also the Digital Home FAQ "What you need to do to your new HDTV", as a proper setup can minimize macroblocking.

http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/f...splay.php?f=30

[Glen68]

Originally Posted by tdti1

Over compression, the more channels they add the worst the PQ will get, for the best HD and SD you can get a big dish:
http://satellitetheater.com/C-Band%20World.htm

Or try to fix the crap bell is feeding you look into something like this:
http://www.algolith.com/index.php?id=mosquito_hdmi
http://www.algolith.com/index.php?id=dragonfly

Has anyone tried these products

[57]

BUDs certainly work, but not many people have the room. There's a fair bit to learn regarding BUD equipment, subscriptions, etc. but yeah, they work. BUDs themselves are almost free these days.

The other "crap fixers" are $3k. Doubt many people have them.

[s21477]

Interesting stuff.....

Just one question about this pixelation. If the signal we're getting is digital, shouldn't the picture be either perfect (relatively) or not there at all unlike an analogue signal that would have various stages of degradation?

Sorta like a digital cell phone vs analogue? The digital phone has either full reception or it cuts out completely, whereas an analogue phone has lots of static.

So back to pixelation, if my above statements are true, the signal strength wouldn't affect this pixelation, and that it would be the source data and not the quality of transmission?

[AndreH]

Being digital, it will end up partially there in a different way. Only what is received can be decoded, which results in a garbled blocky image.

On a cell phone, you will hear a garbled sound too.

What I notice with my decoders is that when I record an HD program with the PVR, I almost always get the first few seconds garbled when I play it back. Not a big deal since it only lasts 2-3 seconds, but it's fairly consistent.

[Crispy]

AndreH,

I get the same crap too on my 9200. Kinda makes me wonder why I pay the extra $10 for the HD channels.

Maybe sell the 9200, build a HTPC, buy two SD receivers and get HD OTA. Bet I still get a good picture scaling SD with an HTPC.

Bell's signal lately just blows dead bears. I see the same crap on Treehouse as well which is an SD channel.

Update:

I just fired off an e-mail to ExpressVU

Hi,

I placed a call to the call centre on Dec. 31st to complain at macroblocking or pixellation occuring on my 9200 receiver.

The macroblobking is not signal related as I have already confirmed this. It is also not my receiver as other people are having the same issues.

I believe that the source of the macro blocking stems from ExpressVU's pver compression of the MPEG2 stream due to the recent addtion of HD channels and are near your bandwidth limits.

As a HD subscriber paying an additional $10 premium for these channels I find it unnacceptable and demand a resolution or else you can give me the HD package free of charge until a resolution is found.

HD subscribers are generally technical people who will notice degradation in picture quality.

HD channels on ExpressVU are inferior to the same channels I get off air with an antenna and do not pay for.

In the end it seems your nickname CompressVU is earned.

Please respond with a solution and not a canned response.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXX

Crispy

[57]

Originally Posted by s21477

If the signal we're getting is digital, shouldn't the picture be either perfect (relatively) or not there at all unlike an analogue signal that would have various stages of degradation?

You are correct in that signal strength (above a certain point) doesn't affect PQ. You either "have" the signal or you don't. However, there is a narrow range where you can get pixellation or a "barely there" signal.

Please don't confuse pixellation and macroblocking - see the Digital Home FAQ on "Acronyms and Definitions".