SCV HD Set Top Box

[hwchoy]

does anyone know if you  need a real HD TV to use the HD set top box? I have a PDP435 "HD-ready" TV, is it compatible?

[victor]

You can use but can only view 1080i and not 1080p

[hwchoy]

hey victor, 1080i will be resized down to whatever it was native to the TV? I presume SCV is all 1080i?

[hwchoy]

ok so I got hold of the HD box. the good thing is that for 12 mth contract you buy the box for $48.15 but they give you back $40 robinson voucher.

plus, it works with the PDP435 EXCEPT that:

1. if you use RGB input to the TV, the TV knows the encoding and refuses to switch to 4:3 format even for non-HD channels *faint* now everything looks fat except HD contents.

2. if you use video input (yellow connection) the video quality is now crap and you have no program guide etc.

I am not using HDMI because the Pioneer only have one HDMI input and I am reserving that for the DVR. some how the TV reports the format as 1125i Component input, when the set top box is set to 1080i.

[Michael]

I thought you can adjust the TV's ratio with the remote?

[hwchoy]

the ratio control no longer works when the input is from RGB. it automatically switches to whatever is indicated in the source, even when auto sensing is disabled.  wonder what happens when I use HDMI.

[Michael]

I think too old liao...

HDMI... wooo....

[hwchoy]

does any one know if it is standard practice for them to turn on every channel initially (to entice you I suppose) when you sign up? I find that all the channels are enabled, including all the premium channels and sports pacakge.

[victor]

Today I went to starhub road show...the sales guy ask me to wait another 6 mths...a new setup box is under testing now.....many more features....asked me to wait if I can....

[hwchoy]

I was at the road show too. their process total chaos.

anyway managed to solve the screen ratio problem. you have to set the set top box to 576p/i in order for the TV ratio control to work properly. once the box is set to 720/1080 the TV ratio control don't work.

[Denosha]

Eh, 576p/i is not HD already :p Looks like the set-top box is problematic. I'm still waiting for more channels. I don't think just discov and nat geo in HD is worth it. I mean you already get the same programs with the regular channels. We need more content!

[hwchoy]

576p/i when watching regular program, switch to 1080i for HD channels. no problem, what?

[victor]

Eh, 576p/i is not HD already :p Looks like the set-top box is problematic. I'm still waiting for more channels. I don't think just discov and nat geo in HD is worth it. I mean you already get the same programs with the regular channels. We need more content!

Same here...waiting for more content. The new setup box has more interesting features according to the sales guy at the road show...He asked me don't quote him and is a strong hint....so lets wait and see.

[Denosha]

576p/i when watching regular program, switch to 1080i for HD channels. no problem, what?

Oh, u meant 1080i works for the HD channels but not for the normal ones. :p Misunderstood. My bad. Still. It seems rather inconvenient no? Does your DVR have a HDMI pass-thru?

[hwchoy]

1080i works for normal channels too, but then it doesn't enhances anything, so one can switch it to 576i in order for the TV ratio control to work. not convenient but better than watching fat everything! 

Have not bought my DVR but I reconsidering the need, probably a good DVD player rather.