Improving Virgin picture quality?
Discussion
Got an LG 42PQ6000 plasma set, and picture quality through the Wii/PS3 is absolutely fantastic. However the Virgin standard def picture is decidedly rough (uneven colours), even with a better quality scart cable.
So wondering about going for a V+ HD box. I know that they don't have many HD channels apart from those that the beeb offer, but would piping their standard def image through a HDMI cable improve the SD image at all?
So wondering about going for a V+ HD box. I know that they don't have many HD channels apart from those that the beeb offer, but would piping their standard def image through a HDMI cable improve the SD image at all?
Setting the RGB/Composite was the first thing I did on setting up the Virgin box - always set to RGB.
Thats good that it upscales the SD picture. As we were thinking of going from the L to XL TV package, will probably only have to pay for the V+ box and no additional monthly subs for the package.
Thats good that it upscales the SD picture. As we were thinking of going from the L to XL TV package, will probably only have to pay for the V+ box and no additional monthly subs for the package.
cjs said:
The V+ box does up-scale the SD picture, I notice an improvement over the Freeview picture on my Panasonic Plasma.
One thing to check on your set up, have you set the output of your V box to RGB rather than PAL or Composite?
If you're connected via HDMI then setting to RGB makes no difference, it only affects the SCART output (and is the reason why I almost returned my V+ box within a few hours of installation).One thing to check on your set up, have you set the output of your V box to RGB rather than PAL or Composite?
The HDMI port outputs a converted composite signal regardless. I know this because I connected my V+ box via HDMI and SCART at the same time and switched between the two (and then got somewhat annoyed that they chose, when RGB was available, to output the inferior quality signal over HDMI).
shoggoth1 said:
cjs said:
The V+ box does up-scale the SD picture, I notice an improvement over the Freeview picture on my Panasonic Plasma.
One thing to check on your set up, have you set the output of your V box to RGB rather than PAL or Composite?
If you're connected via HDMI then setting to RGB makes no difference, it only affects the SCART output (and is the reason why I almost returned my V+ box within a few hours of installation).One thing to check on your set up, have you set the output of your V box to RGB rather than PAL or Composite?
The HDMI port outputs a converted composite signal regardless. I know this because I connected my V+ box via HDMI and SCART at the same time and switched between the two (and then got somewhat annoyed that they chose, when RGB was available, to output the inferior quality signal over HDMI).
Still, going for a V+ box would get us away from the incredibly crappy iPlayer.
clonmult said:
shoggoth1 said:
cjs said:
The V+ box does up-scale the SD picture, I notice an improvement over the Freeview picture on my Panasonic Plasma.
One thing to check on your set up, have you set the output of your V box to RGB rather than PAL or Composite?
If you're connected via HDMI then setting to RGB makes no difference, it only affects the SCART output (and is the reason why I almost returned my V+ box within a few hours of installation).One thing to check on your set up, have you set the output of your V box to RGB rather than PAL or Composite?
The HDMI port outputs a converted composite signal regardless. I know this because I connected my V+ box via HDMI and SCART at the same time and switched between the two (and then got somewhat annoyed that they chose, when RGB was available, to output the inferior quality signal over HDMI).
Still, going for a V+ box would get us away from the incredibly crappy iPlayer.
V+ Box also has a component RGB (YUV) output, I have not tried this as I connect via HDMI, I will have a go at connecting this up later today as a bit of an experiment, I'll let you know what happens.
Don't get me wrong - the picture quality is not bad as such. I just got a little annoyed that I was effectively paying them more money for slightly inferior quality most of the time (apart from the odd occasions when there was something on BBC HD that I wanted to watch). I had the standard 'V' box before.
The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
shoggoth1 said:
Don't get me wrong - the picture quality is not bad as such. I just got a little annoyed that I was effectively paying them more money for slightly inferior quality most of the time (apart from the odd occasions when there was something on BBC HD that I wanted to watch). I had the standard 'V' box before.
The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
Sorry a bit confused. Are you saying you found the RGB Scart picture is better than the up-scaled HDMI Picture?The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
cjs said:
shoggoth1 said:
Don't get me wrong - the picture quality is not bad as such. I just got a little annoyed that I was effectively paying them more money for slightly inferior quality most of the time (apart from the odd occasions when there was something on BBC HD that I wanted to watch). I had the standard 'V' box before.
The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
Sorry a bit confused. Are you saying you found the RGB Scart picture is better than the up-scaled HDMI Picture?The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
shoggoth1 said:
cjs said:
shoggoth1 said:
Don't get me wrong - the picture quality is not bad as such. I just got a little annoyed that I was effectively paying them more money for slightly inferior quality most of the time (apart from the odd occasions when there was something on BBC HD that I wanted to watch). I had the standard 'V' box before.
The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
Sorry a bit confused. Are you saying you found the RGB Scart picture is better than the up-scaled HDMI Picture?The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
Its just odd, as the signal is coming in via digital means, and to "just" convert the composite signal for HDMI seems utterly ludicrous. But then the whole Virgin setup is close on ludicrous at times ....
shoggoth1 said:
cjs said:
shoggoth1 said:
Don't get me wrong - the picture quality is not bad as such. I just got a little annoyed that I was effectively paying them more money for slightly inferior quality most of the time (apart from the odd occasions when there was something on BBC HD that I wanted to watch). I had the standard 'V' box before.
The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
Sorry a bit confused. Are you saying you found the RGB Scart picture is better than the up-scaled HDMI Picture?The RGB signal is a lot sharper than the composite one, but it's only really noticable when you're daft enough (like me) to compare them side by side and then with 'text images', like the on screen TV guide. Normal viewing I doubt you'd notice - it's not something that bothers me (after my initial hissy fit).
clonmult said:
Are you sure thats what they do - have you seen it written somewhere?
Not seen anything written, empirical data. I ran HDMI and SCART side by side and it is the standard composite output over HDMI. I seen it with my own eyes I tells ya.clonmult said:
Its just odd, as the signal is coming in via digital means, and to "just" convert the composite signal for HDMI seems utterly ludicrous. But then the whole Virgin setup is close on ludicrous at times ....
Yes, you see now why I almost had phone in hand a couple of hours after installation to demand that they come and remove it forthwith. It does seem rather daft.cjs said:
Surely, if that is the case, you would be better off running on Scart RGB rather than HDMI?
If you want the best SD picture quality and can be bothered then yes, use SCART/RGB (and optical TOSlink for audio). Use HDMI on the odd occasion there is something you want to watch on BBC HD (the only HD channel you currently get with Virgin).But, as previously stated, at normal viewing distances, watching normal telly I doubt you'll notice to be honest.
Right, disregard what I've said. I decided to do a bit research.
Clonmult, I found your post on avforums about this and the first response states that you can get better picture quality by setting the V+ box to output 720 rather than 1080 - I've just tried this and my on screen display 'fuzziness' is dramatically improved - now at least as good as SCART/RGB. Thanks for that.
If anyone else is interested:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/virgin-media/991812...
Clonmult, I found your post on avforums about this and the first response states that you can get better picture quality by setting the V+ box to output 720 rather than 1080 - I've just tried this and my on screen display 'fuzziness' is dramatically improved - now at least as good as SCART/RGB. Thanks for that.
If anyone else is interested:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/virgin-media/991812...
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