A question about progressive playback

Hi,

I have an Onkyo DVD player with progressive scan (27MHz/10bit video
DAC if that helps). I have ordered a 34" multi-system Philips Pixel
Plus TV (34PT9420) with progressive input (480p/1080i NTSC, 576p PAL),
which should be with me some time next week.

I anticipate that there will not be much problem with playing DVDs.
But I tried looking into various FAQs and posts, and could not find an
answer to the following question(s) regarding playing VCDs:

- What would be the best mode to play a PAL VCD?

- Will the VCD quality be any better if I use the progressive output
from the DVD player with the progressive input of the TV?

- Will the choice of component/composite connections matter in this
case?

- Should I stick to Pixel Plus (which is available only for interlaced
inputs)?

Greatly appreciate your inputs.

Thanks a lot for your attention,
Niranjan

Niranjan R. Pedanekar

"Niranjan R. Pedanekar" <> wrote in message
news: om...

> - What would be the best mode to play a PAL VCD?

Considering the lack of resolution of a VCD disc the question is pretty much
redundant, any connection will give you roughly the same video quality.
BTW, it's just a thought, but how about trying the different options once
you get the TV and see which one you like best?

--
Italo

Italo

"Italo" <> wrote in message news:<40a138cb$0$24919$. au>...
> "Niranjan R. Pedanekar" <> wrote in message
> news: om...
>
> > - What would be the best mode to play a PAL VCD?
>
> Considering the lack of resolution of a VCD disc the question is pretty much
> redundant, any connection will give you roughly the same video quality.
> BTW, it's just a thought, but how about trying the different options once
> you get the TV and see which one you like best?

Thanks for the reply, Italo.

In fact, I am thinking of making a sort of a 'Design of Experiments'
(DOE) with the following serving as inputs:

1. Input source (DVD, VCD, cable - being in India, I do not have an
access to a full-fledged satellite service yet)
2. Connections (RF, Composite, S-Video, Component)
3. TV options (with/without Pixel Plus, with/without Active control,
100 Hz, etc)
4. DVD player playback (progressive Vs non-progressive)

I will prepare the first-cut design soon and post it here. There could
be redundant cases which can be let out, as per the opinion of
experts/users. Then I will proceed to conduct these experiments after
calibrating my display and audio. Eventually, if all goes well, I will
post the results on the group!

Sounds exciting, doesn't it? )

Thanks,
Niranjan

Niranjan R. Pedanekar

"Niranjan R. Pedanekar" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> "Italo" <> wrote in message
news:<40a138cb$0$24919$. au>...
> > "Niranjan R. Pedanekar" <> wrote in message
> > news: om...
> >
> > > - What would be the best mode to play a PAL VCD?
> >
> > Considering the lack of resolution of a VCD disc the question is pretty
much
> > redundant, any connection will give you roughly the same video quality.
> > BTW, it's just a thought, but how about trying the different options
once
> > you get the TV and see which one you like best?
>
> Thanks for the reply, Italo.
>
> In fact, I am thinking of making a sort of a 'Design of Experiments'
> (DOE) with the following serving as inputs:
>
> 1. Input source (DVD, VCD, cable - being in India, I do not have an
> access to a full-fledged satellite service yet)
> 2. Connections (RF, Composite, S-Video, Component)
> 3. TV options (with/without Pixel Plus, with/without Active control,
> 100 Hz, etc)
> 4. DVD player playback (progressive Vs non-progressive)
>
> I will prepare the first-cut design soon and post it here. There could
> be redundant cases which can be let out, as per the opinion of
> experts/users. Then I will proceed to conduct these experiments after
> calibrating my display and audio. Eventually, if all goes well, I will
> post the results on the group!
>
> Sounds exciting, doesn't it? )

Not really..most of us here already know what the results will be given past
experience...

Biz

"Niranjan R. Pedanekar" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> Hi,
>
> I have an Onkyo DVD player with progressive scan (27MHz/10bit video
> DAC if that helps). I have ordered a 34" multi-system Philips Pixel
> Plus TV (34PT9420) with progressive input (480p/1080i NTSC, 576p PAL),
> which should be with me some time next week.
>
> I anticipate that there will not be much problem with playing DVDs.
> But I tried looking into various FAQs and posts, and could not find an
> answer to the following question(s) regarding playing VCDs:
>
> - What would be the best mode to play a PAL VCD?

You may not have the choice to use component video with VCD. Unless the
Onkyo says it will play VCD on the Component video output, you may be
limited to DVD only.

>
> - Will the VCD quality be any better if I use the progressive output
> from the DVD player with the progressive input of the TV?

Perhaps, but remember VCD is about the same quality as VHS in SLP mode. You
may not notice any difference at all, if it even works.

>
> - Will the choice of component/composite connections matter in this
> case?

Probably not. Repeat after me:

For analog signals,
Component is better than S-Video,
S-Video is better than composite,
composite is better than RF

>
> - Should I stick to Pixel Plus (which is available only for interlaced
> inputs)?

Can't say for sure, but it will probably be better in most cases.

>
> Greatly appreciate your inputs.
>
> Thanks a lot for your attention,
> Niranjan

Brad Houser

Brad Houser wrote:

>> - What would be the best mode to play a PAL VCD?
>
>You may not have the choice to use component video with VCD. Unless the
>Onkyo says it will play VCD on the Component video output, you may be
>limited to DVD only.

That doesn't make any sense...any player should stream the video out the
same way, regardless of the source disc. The only prerequisite is that
the player must be able to read VCD discs.

Even my old Pioneer will play VCD, SVCD, and DVD through component,
S-Video, or composite.

>Perhaps, but remember VCD is about the same quality as VHS in SLP mode. You
>may not notice any difference at all, if it even works.

I think you should know that VCD is equal to VHS in SP mode, not SLP
(which is the longer speed). Not to mention that VCD doesn't wear out
like VHS tapes, which is why I've copied several movies and shows off
VHS onto VCD.

Bill

Tried out a lot of combinations. Here are the conclusions:

1. Works decently with cable (that too RF!) to increase the picture
quality. Works very well with good and stong transmission (even
football games).

2. For DVDs, Pixel Plus looks better (to me) than progressive scan.

3. For VCDs, progressive scan of the DVD player looks clearly better
than Pixel Plus (which produces a lot of artifacts).

4. Not much change in S-video and component inputs using Pixel Plus.

5. Progressive input has only component connection (and RGB, which I
have not tried).

Am very happy with the 34" Pixel Plus TV.

Thanks all for your inputs,
Niranjan

Niranjan R. Pedanekar