Connecting Sky + HD to component vid and surround sound

[blueg33]

Please help

I am having sky + hd installed on saturday. My tv doesnt have hdmi input but does have component video. Is there a way to connect Sky + to this? Sky reckon all i need is an hdmi to component cable, but my undertsanding is that hdmi is digital and component analogue, so surely the signal will need converting?

Also I have a piorneer surround sound system XV-DV99, what is the best way to connect this?

All in all i need to connect up the following:

Panasonic TX-32PD30 tv - this has 4 scart sockets component video sockets (no audio in sockets on the rear handbook says use scart) I also think one of the scart sockets can carry component vid throughthe scart.

Sky +

Pioneer XV-DV99 surround sound and DVD player

Nintendo WII

(possibly a VCR not that I ever use it)

Some help and advice would be very much appreciated

Thanks

Nick

[headcase]

The TV isnt HD so you dont need to bother with the HDMI - component saga as you wont gain anything, just use the SCART on the HD box and your wasting your money with a HD subscription.

There is no such thing as an HDMI-Component leads (yes i know you can get them on ebay), they are about as real as a Vauxhall - Ferrari conversion spray, as the signals are totally different and need to be converted. But like i already said, you set is SD so your not going to gain anything with it.

I would connect sky to AV1 (set the video output to RGB and 16:9)

DVD cinima to AV2 (in the TV menu set the Qlink to AV2 then the audio out to Monitor)

Wii to AV3 via a scart-phono adapter

If your gunna connect the VCR then plug it into the VCR connector on the sky box.

The TV set does not accept component via any f its SCARTS but what it does do is use the Audio from AV4 (the SCART physically closest to the component input) for the component input, for example you connect up a component cable as normal then to get sound toy have to plug a SCART-Phono adapter with a switch into AV4, set the switch to IN and connect up your Red/White phonos there.

Brings back memories that set

Edited by headcase on Wednesday 28th April 19:29

[blueg33]

headcase said:

The TV isnt HD so you dont need to bother with the HDMI - component saga as you wont gain anything, just use the SCART on the HD box and your wasting your money with a HD subscription.

There is no such thing as an HDMI-Component leads (yes i know you can get them on ebay), they are about as real as a Vauxhall - Ferrari conversion spray, as the signals are totally different and need to be converted. But like i already said, you rest is SD so your not going to gain anything with it.

Surely component via an HDMI to Component converter will give me a better picture than scart?
The HD sky +box is is £10 per month for a year, a sky + box is £60 plus £100 instalation so its cheaper to go sky + HD

I guessed as much about the leads even though sky tech dept said they would work fine.

[headcase]

Its doubtfull it will give you a better picture, your limiting factor is the TV, the SKY box will already downscale its image via the SCART connector and its a lot cheaper than buying black boxes and extra leads then thinking 'Hmmm i dont think its much different'

[blueg33]

The TV can take full component video and it makes a noticeable difference to the picture on the WII thats why I thought it would with sky + HD. Shame the Sky + HD box no longer has component vid outputs

Its a pretty good TV and had the best reviews by some margin 5 years or so ago when I bought it.

Oh well it looks like its scarts - I am not a fan of scart. At least I can use optical to the surround sound

Thanks for the assistance

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 28th April 22:57

[headcase]

blueg33 said:

The TV can take full component video and it makes a noticeable difference to the picture on the WII thats why I thought it would with sky + HD. Shame the Sky + HD box no longer has component vid outputs

Its a pretty good TV and had the best reviews by some margin 5 years or so ago when I bought it.

Oh well it looks like its scarts - I am not a fan of scart. At least I can use optical to the surround sound

Thanks for the assistance

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 28th April 22:57

You should see a massive difference on the Wii (assuming you are using the correct Wii component lead) as the standard lead is composite only and the difference between composite and component is poles apart.
Dont be put off by SCART and all of the negative comments you see here about it, i can guarantee that your set will produce a better SD picture than all of the current HD sets and i bet it also does SD better than some do HD
SCART has the ability to do composite (just like your Wii) and RGB, put it this way if you can tell the difference between SCART RGB and component in a blind test then well i proberbly wouldnt believe you
Make sure you use a decent SCART lead, by that i mean a individualy screened one and not just an expensive one from currys, in the picture settings menu on sky switch between PAL and RGB you should see a noticable difference (make sure its in AV1 on the TV im pretty sure that only AV1 will accept an RGB signal)

[blueg33]

headcase said:

blueg33 said:

The TV can take full component video and it makes a noticeable difference to the picture on the WII thats why I thought it would with sky + HD. Shame the Sky + HD box no longer has component vid outputs

Its a pretty good TV and had the best reviews by some margin 5 years or so ago when I bought it.

Oh well it looks like its scarts - I am not a fan of scart. At least I can use optical to the surround sound

Thanks for the assistance

Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 28th April 22:57

You should see a massive difference on the Wii (assuming you are using the correct Wii component lead) as the standard lead is composite only and the difference between composite and component is poles apart.
Dont be put off by SCART and all of the negative comments you see here about it, i can guarantee that your set will produce a better SD picture than all of the current HD sets and i bet it also does SD better than some do HD
SCART has the ability to do composite (just like your Wii) and RGB, put it this way if you can tell the difference between SCART RGB and component in a blind test then well i proberbly wouldnt believe you
Make sure you use a decent SCART lead, by that i mean a individualy screened one and not just an expensive one from currys, in the picture settings menu on sky switch between PAL and RGB you should see a noticable difference (make sure its in AV1 on the TV im pretty sure that only AV1 will accept an RGB signal)

Thanks thats really useful stuff. I am using screened scarts from Cambridge Audio (I think) they are thicker than my thumb and a PITA to route! Its either AV1 or AV 4 that takes RGB scart, I will check the rubbish handbook!

I do rate the TV the picyure is very good, visitors actually comment on it and it wipes the floor with my JVC flatscreen in the study.