Possible to hookup with TV & Projector?

[edcwhite]

I just got a new LCD projector which I have setup just below our family room in the basement. In the family room I currently have a 50" HDTV hooked up to the HD8300 via component. Is there any way for me to get the sound and video from my PVR upstairs to work on my projector as well? I am willing to give up HD (and 5.1) upstairs in order to get it on the projector but I do need a working SD capable PVR for the family room. The idea being that I would like to be able to watch the occasional recorded HD show on the big screen while maintaining the upstairs as the primary TV/PVR watching room.

Thanks!

[57]

Since the other outputs on the back of the SA8300HD are active, you could certainly run some cables to the FP. Perhaps even HDMI if your FP takes it? How do you plan to control the SA8300HD though - you'll need an IR extender.

[edcwhite]

Yes my projector has HDMI but my receiver does not so I would still need a way to get audio. So you are saying that both the component and HDMI outputs are active (outputting the same video) at the same time? Would that be the case for the coax digital audio and standard audio outs as well? If this is the case then I think it should work fine. I already have a RF remote so I will be able to control the PVR upstairs sitting on the couch in the basement.

[jlet]

Unfortunately, the SA8300HD HDMI and Component outputs are mutually exclusive (one or the other). However, all the other outputs (including sound) are active at the same time.

[57]

Unfortunately, the SA8300HD HDMI and Component outputs are mutually exclusive (one or the other)

jlet, are you sure? We have heard from some people that they have been able to get both working (could have been Videotron, could have been before the latest firmware), however, the advanced setup wizard has to be set up so that it's compatible with both outputs (for example, some TVs don't accept 480i over HDMI, etc).

No guarantees though, so don't go buying any expensive long cables. If you can temporarily move the FP into the spot where the SA8300HD is, you could give it a try with an inexpensive HDMI cable (under $20 at a computer store and even less online, or purchase from a place with a good return policy)

The analogue audio outputs are also always working so you could have digital audio to one and analogue audio to the other.

Don't count on HDMI audio if you use the DD setting for digital audio - works sometimes, but not all the time.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

[edcwhite]

I ended up getting a 25' component cable and made my own digital coax audio cable. Never bothered to try HDMI because for my needs running just SD upstairs and recorded HD downstairs is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the advice!

[sugarman]

I can switch my TV input between HDMI & component without changing any STB settings. One small hickup, if I choose HDMI audio for the TV I don't get DD to the AVR unless I switch to it. If you're using an AVR only then it doesn't matter, just leave it on DD.

[jlet]

Unfortunately, the SA8300HD HDMI and Component outputs are mutually exclusive (one or the other)...

Originally Posted by 57

jlet, are you sure?

57, Yes, I am sure at least with my setup. My TV has a DVI input, so I use an HDMI-DVI cable and I also use a DVI selector switch. I ran the Setup Wizard again with both video connections (Component then DVI). I have all formats selected (my TV supports all of them on both its DVI and Component inputs). I have the picture format set to "Passthrough/Auto DVI/HDMI". I also did a cold reboot. The behaviour is still the same. The PVR component video output goes black when I select the PVR HDMI output with my DVI switch. The PVR component video becomes active again when I select another DVI input (with my DVI switch).

[57]

Your system may be limited, however, if you read sugarman's post above yours, you'll see that he can switch, so your comment that they are "mutually exclusive" is incorrect. It may not work with your system, but some people have managed to get it to work.

I'm pleased that the OP got his setup to work.

[jlet]

Oh! switching is not a problem. However, I can't get both outputs at the same time (it's one or the other).

[Jake]

I think the confusion is around the fact that once the HDMI cable is connected to a device it disables the component video output. If you have an HDMI switching receiver or switchbox the connection is severed when switched and the component becomes alive again (some switch boxes are known to not completely terminate the signal and are problematic). Before this people were disconnecting and reconnecting the HDMI cable. Also, I have heard that some US providers allow simultaneous HDMI and YPbPr output. They must have different firmware.

I tested the receiver HDMI switching with my 8300HD on Videotron and it worked.

[sugarman]

Originally Posted by Jake

Before this people were disconnecting and reconnecting the HDMI cable. Also, I have heard that some US providers allow simultaneous HDMI and YPbPr output. They must have different firmware.I tested the receiver HDMI switching with my 8300HD on Videotron and it worked.

That's more like what I was thinking since I don't need to unplug cables. So my Toshiba TV could be doing the HDMI disconnect and/or my older 8300 has different firmware that allows this. Wish I had another HD monitor to connect both outputs to see if it would work for me. Makes you wonder why they wouldn't allow both to work simultaneously anyway. OH yea, I forgot.... cause they're cable companies.

[StupidSexyFlanders]

OK, just to be clear - I can run component from the 8300HD to my projector, and HDMI from the 8300HD to my TV, and as long as the TV is off, I can watch my projector, and if the projector is off, I can watch my TV, right?

I don't need simultaneous output from both connections, just one or the other.

I'd like to switch between the projector and the TV without purchasing a switchbox or unplugging any cables. I can't test it because I don't have the TV yet.

Thanks,
SSF

[57]

and as long as the TV is off,

I believe that may not be enough. The signal needs to be "terminated" by a switch or AVR, or the HDMI cable needs to be unplugged. This is probably because the TV in standby is still "seen" by the STB. If the TV is unplugged (total power down), or is the type of TV which "terminates" the signal when in standby, then you're probably OK. (most electronics are not "off" when switched off, but are in standby.) Some TVs have user menu options to save power and perhaps power down the electronics, so it could depend on the make/model of the TV.

[StupidSexyFlanders]

57, I finally bought a TV, an LG 42LC7D.

The 8300HD is connected to the LCD TV with an HDMI cable, and also connected to my Hitachi projector using component cables.

There's no problem switching back and forth between the two, even though the LG does have a standby mode.

So, at least in the case of this particular TV/projector combo, the 8300HD will allow you to use both HDMI and component. I can't speak to simultaneous output of both connections, but they do work independently.

Thanks,
SSF