Shaw HD-PVR question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

goeagles · 04-02-2009, 08:47 AM

I’m wondering if anyone can help… I just upgraded to a Shaw HDPVR and while there is an improvement in picture quality over SD, I’m noticing it isn’t consistent (and as dramatic as it should be, according to my wife). For example watching the basketball game, there times were the clarity was great but other times (usually for short lengths of time) where the picture wasn’t all that great. It’s hard to explain but it reminded me a bit of when you have a slightly loose (coaxial?) cable connection and a hint of fuzziness/static creeps into the picture. Not blatant 'noise' but enough that made me think it wasn't quite right.

It is a 3412 model (I assume refurbished) and connected by an HDMI cable. I've read in other forums that some people have had problems with HDMI cables but most of those forums were old and I’m not sure if that’s still an issue or not.

Does this problem sound familiar to anyone?

Thor · 04-02-2009, 08:49 AM

What TV are you using, and what channels did you see less than impressive quality?

Did you setup your PVR to display 1080 or 720 depending on your TV?

goeagles · 04-02-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

What TV are you using, and what channels did you see less than impressive quality?

Did you setup your PVR to display 1080 or 720 depending on your TV?

We have a 42" Panasonic LCD (1080i). TSN2 was the specific channel I noticed it on last night and also on Discovery but I haven't thoroughly checked out all the channels.

A shaw techie set it up while I was at work so I don't know what he set it to. Is 1080 vs 720 setup in the guide's menu or is there another way to access that option?

Thor · 04-02-2009, 09:04 AM

With the PVR turned off you select on the remote 'setup' and you'll get some options for the unit, just make sure its setup properly 16x9, and of course 1080i.

Without being sure what you mean by image problems its hard to narrow it down, if its intermittent and on more than one channel it could be a cable issue.

Raekwon · 04-02-2009, 09:17 AM

Also remember that some things on the HD channels arn't broadcast in HD. For example the Calgary - Columbus games a couple weeks back. TSN is bad for that.

goeagles · 04-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Yeah it's hard to explain the issue. Thanks though, I'll try that out tonight

ratech · 04-02-2009, 09:29 AM

HDMI is not recommended for Shaw HDPVR

OilKiller · 04-02-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raekwon

Also remember that some things on the HD channels arn't broadcast in HD. For example the Calgary - Columbus games a couple weeks back. TSN is bad for that.

Little OT, but pretty sure that was SportsNet. TSN is HD for hockey 99% of the time. SN is bad for away games. TSN is MILES ahead of SN when it comes to HD hockey.

Rathji · 04-02-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratech

HDMI is not recommended for Shaw HDPVR

I may be wrong on this, but isn't HDMI the only high def output on the 3412? I may be wrong but I am pretty sure that is the model I have. If you are not using a HD output to the TV, whats the point of the HD TV?

Raekwon · 04-02-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Little OT, but pretty sure that was SportsNet. TSN is HD for hockey 99% of the time. SN is bad for away games. TSN is MILES ahead of SN when it comes to HD hockey.

Correct it was sportsnet, my bad

Raekwon · 04-02-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathji

I may be wrong on this, but isn't HDMI the only high def output on the 3412? I may be wrong but I am pretty sure that is the model I have. If you are not using a HD output to the TV, whats the point of the HD TV?

Doesn't it also have component outputs? I use HDMI on mine and had 0 problems after setting up the box/tv.

Rathji · 04-02-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raekwon

Doesn't it also have component outputs? I use HDMI on mine and had 0 problems after setting up the box/tv.

We use HDMI on ours, and have not had any issues like this. I am pretty sure it has component out as well, since we had to wait a bit for our cables to come from Monoprice.

Are component true HD though? My wife handles how we connect the TV etc so I never researched it that much.

Russic · 04-02-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathji

We use HDMI on ours, and have not had any issues like this. I am pretty sure it has component out as well, since we had to wait a bit for our cables to come from Monoprice.

Are component true HD though? My wife handles how we connect the TV etc so I never researched it that much.

I believe the differences are minor. I'm not an expert by any means, but I think the main difference between component and HDMI is that there are multiple connections with component and only a single connection with HDMI.

I have a pvr hooked up via hdmi and an apple TV hooked up with component. The Apple TV looks noticeably better, but I think that's more an issue with the source signal (shaw hd vs. apple hd).

cSpooge · 04-02-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russic

I believe the differences are minor. I'm not an expert by any means, but I think the main difference between component and HDMI is that there are multiple connections with component and only a single connection with HDMI.

I have a pvr hooked up via hdmi and an apple TV hooked up with component. The Apple TV looks noticeably better, but I think that's more an issue with the source signal (shaw hd vs. apple hd).

The biggest difference is that one is a digital signal (HDMI) and one is an analog signal (component).

Russic · 04-02-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cSpooge

The biggest difference is that one is a digital signal (HDMI) and one is an analog signal (component).

I see ... is the quality difference really that noticeable?

Barnes · 04-02-2009, 12:02 PM

May be a dumb question but you were watch ing the TSN2 HD channel, right? 213 I think?

OBCT · 04-02-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russic

I see ... is the quality difference really that noticeable?

No, it's usually not. There are actually instances where component will look better than HDMI. It depends totally on the hardware in the cable box and the TV, and the settings on both. (In other words, do some simple tests and come to a subjective conclusion for your equipment if you're wondering).

Extremely generally speaking, the newer and "better" your equipment is (cable box/gaming console or other source, TV/projector or other display, interconnects) and the higher resolution your intended output, the more likely HDMI will be the superior choice.

Component was designed to theoretically handle 1080p, but it was introduced long before that standard became a reality for general consumption. Analog (component) suffers from gradual signal degradation over distance; for digital (HDMI) it either works or it doesn't (basically).

HDMI was designed specifically for high-definition broadcasts, and the HDMI standard continues to change and evolve as technologies change and evolve. It was designed to be as future-proofed as possible. As more and more sources, displays and other devices are coming well-equipped to maximize the potential of HDMI, it becomes increasingly the "better" choice.

Old Yeller · 04-02-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratech

HDMI is not recommended for Shaw HDPVR

Where the hell did you hear this?

goeagles · 04-02-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnes

May be a dumb question but you were watch ing the TSN2 HD channel, right? 213 I think?

Yep, that's right

Vulcan · 04-02-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratech

HDMI is not recommended for Shaw HDPVR

Where the hell did you hear this?

I've heard this too and not just for Shaw. The problem comes up because HDMI requires a HDCP handshake and some TVs when paired with some receivers have problems with this. It probably works 95% of the time but in order for TV providers to avoid the headache of solving the problem, they just don't officially support the HDMI connection. When a customer complains, they just say, gosh that's terrible, have you tried the component connection.