Older HDTV, assistance needed

[rdforty2]

This is my first post here, and Ive been trying to find out information on how to actually receive the HD picture I am paying for. If anyone can help me out, it would be greatly appreciated.

I have tried the local electronic shops but the people there are not helpful at all.

Anyway, I have a Mitsubishi Diamond Series VS50803 HD1080 TV. I got married a couple weeks ago and a family friend of my wife gave us this TV. We've been using it for a couple weeks without the HD service because we haven't had time to follow up on everything. Ive gone into RadioShack and the like, but they haven't been able to tell me anything.

The Dish installer said because it is an older TV that I won't get premium quality HD. But there really is no difference at all between the regular and HD picture. I know absolutely nothing about this stuff other than the absolute basics but I would think it should be able to work since it is 1080 capable. I have a flat screen in our room with an HDMI outlet, so everything is good in there. In the living room .... this TV has no HDMI outlet.

Is there a converter I can buy that will allow me to receive HD quality on this TV? Thank you for any help anyone may be able to give.

[Loves2Watch]

What type of input connections are available? HDMI? component (three connections red, green, blue)?

[Bigloww]

I am not sure of the TV's inputs. But I think it has 2 component (red, green and blue) inputs, correct? If so, you should be able to get HD channels by connecting the Dish box to the TV that way and setting the output to 1080i. From a manual I seen, you may need to set the VS 50803's DTV input to HD (Menu 1370)??? Are these settings and connections correct?

By "premium quality" I assume the installer ment you don't have any HDMI inputs.. If that is what he meant he is wrong.. Component will provide the same or very close to the same HD PQ (in most cases). But not sure on your TV's specs, so can't say for sure. So you do have an HD receiver and you do subscribe to HD programming? And you don't see ANY difference between HD and SD channels??? Something is definately wrong then.


Your TV does not have a built in digital ATSC tuner for OTA (antenna), so a converter box will not provide digital/HD reception via antenna. It will only convert the now all digital trasmision from digital back to analog for your ananlog (NTSC) tuner to display.

[rdforty2]

Sorry for the descriptions, as I do not know the correct terms.

On the back of the tv, there are 5 female connections that have red, green, blue, white, and yellow above each connection. Under that, I have a 15 pin connection that looks like one on a computer. There is no HDMI outlet on the TV itself.

On the Dish Network receiver, I have an HDMI outlet and a vertical row of green, blue, and red connections.

My Dish receiver is a Dish VIP612 DVR.

Thank you for the response.

[gwhoughton]

Hi rdfourty2!! Welcome to the Forum!

You are in the right place to get your questions answered~ There are many knowledgeable people here who are more than willing to help you out~

[rdforty2]

Originally Posted by Bigloww

I am not sure of the TV's inputs. But I think it has 2 component (red, green and blue) inputs, correct? If so, you should be able to get HD channels by connecting the Dish box to the TV that way and setting the output to 1080i. From a manual I seen, you may need to set the VS 50803's DTV input to HD (Menu 1370)??? Are these settings and connections correct?

By "premium quality" I assume the installer ment you don't have any HDMI inputs.. If that is what he meant he is wrong.. Component will provide the same or very close to the same HD PQ (in most cases). But not sure on your TV's specs, so can't say for sure. So you do have an HD receiver and you do subscribe to HD programming? And you don't see ANY difference between HD and SD channels??? Something is definately wrong then.


Your TV does not have a built in digital ATSC tuner for OTA (antenna), so a converter box will not provide digital/HD reception via antenna. It will only convert the now all digital trasmision from digital back to analog for your ananlog (NTSC) tuner to display.

Yes you sound like you have a familliarity with the TV. I have the connection, but what type of cable do I need to connect the TV and box? I have changed the input to HD ...

Ive been looking at different things to try and figure this out and see people talking about BNC's to RCA's. But Ive seen so many of them. I have the 5 outlets on the back of the TV(maybe Im wrong, b ut in looking through it I believe these are the BNC's?) but only the three on the TV. Ive seen 3 and 3 connectors, 4 and 4, and 5 and 5.

Something like this ... It wont let me post a link yet. If you search python 5bnc to 5rca you'll see what Im talking about. Those are the connections I need, at least from what I can tell.

If I were to buy something like that, would it be possible to connect the 5 on the back of the TV, and the 3 on the box, while leaving the yellow and white disconnected, since there isn't the connection for them?

Thanks again for your help. This is the first time Ive even had some level of hope in figuring this out.

[rdforty2]

Originally Posted by gwhoughton

Hi rdfourty2!! Welcome to the Forum!

You are in the right place to get your questions answered~ There are many knowledgeable people here who are more than willing to help you out~

Thanks. I really hope so. It seems like the people here are very knowledgeable on the subjects. Much moreso than the people at the electronic stores.

[Bigloww]

Doing a little searching on the web for info on that TV is very scarce. The reason being is that model TV is like 12-13years old. That is like very 1st generation HD shit. I can't find the specs on the TV or what type of component connections they are. I remember hearing some expensive funky digital addon box/converter being required for some of the very old 1080i Mitsu RPCRT's. But can't remember what exactly they were required for or if your TV qualifies. I will see what info I can find.

Here are a couple confusing links I found about your TV.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums...hp/t-4688.html

Mistubishi 50803 HDTV Upgrade: It works!

If this is the case, I say later days to HD on the set. Sport was saying you can get a simple BNC to RGB cable and it works fine.. Others say no so no clue what is going on here..


Are the BNC connections the only 1 you have... Like the pic below???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BNC_connector

Or do you also have a component input like this??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video

If only BNC, that is some old school shit... If so, you can try the cable solution and see if that works since a cable will only rund $15-$20.. If not, see if you can get a box very cheap on e-bay.. An I mean very cheap..

[rdforty2]

It has 5 of the BNC connections, with red blue green white and yellow above each connection.

It looks like the BNC is the only connection that will run to the actual box and connect. I have the red green and blue there.

I figured it was older than dirt, but its free. Funds are somewhat low at the moment after paying for the wedding, the house, and the things we need for the house. A new flat screen was on my list of needs, but I didn't win that battle lol. It's not that big of a deal yet ... Really only need it once football starts, so Ive got some time. By that time we'll be able to get a new TV. If we can get this one to work though, it would be awesome.

I have seen some of the writeups by the poster sport, but I get confused with all the different names and letters and boxes, etc. This isn't my area of expertise at all. Thanks for your help, it really has helped.

[Bigloww]

Originally Posted by rdforty2

It has 5 of the BNC connections, with red blue green white and yellow above each connection.

It looks like the BNC is the only connection that will run to the actual box and connect. I have the red green and blue there.

I figured it was older than dirt, but its free. Funds are somewhat low at the moment after paying for the wedding, the house, and the things we need for the house. A new flat screen was on my list of needs, but I didn't win that battle lol. It's not that big of a deal yet ... Really only need it once football starts, so Ive got some time. By that time we'll be able to get a new TV. If we can get this one to work though, it would be awesome.

I have seen some of the writeups by the poster sport, but I get confused with all the different names and letters and boxes, etc. This isn't my area of expertise at all. Thanks for your help, it really has helped.

Well, if your TV does not have component video like I described and only the BMC connections, you don't have much choice.. Here is the RGB-CV10 converter box on e-bay. Toss in a $40 or $50 bid and see what happens. I would not go much if any higher than that. It comes with the cable needed as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MITSUBISHI-ADAPT...3A1%7C294%3A50

How is the DTV box connected now? Composite (single yellow RCA) or S-video. If you can't get a solution soon, I would cancel HD service. Without the HD RGB/component connection, all you are getting is SD.. Good luck.

[rdforty2]

It is connected now through the composite.

Thanks for your help. Also thanks for taking the time to look up things to explain them and look at ebay for that box. I really appreciate it.

Might just cancel and hold out for a flat screen in a month or two.

Thanks again, you're the first person to actually give me helpful information.

[Nevada_MO_Guy]

Originally Posted by rdforty2

Under that, I have a 15 pin connection that looks like one on a computer.

Would a VGA to Component cable work?

[garys]

It is also possible the 15 pin input could be a Dvi input. Radio Shack would have a HDMI to Dvi convert cable (although you would need to use separate rca cables to run the audio to.

[Bigloww]

Originally Posted by garys

It is also possible the 15 pin input could be a Dvi input. Radio Shack would have a HDMI to Dvi convert cable (although you would need to use separate rca cables to run the audio to.

Since the TV is like 12 years old and does not even have component inputs, I highly doubt it is DVI. But good to point out.

If there is a 15 pin connection, it is most likely VGA. But would probably need a converter of some type. A strait VGA to component cables only work in limited applications from what I have seen (like some projectors). I have not seen anyone make mention of that as an option, so don't think it works..

If the TV's PQ is still good, I would toss a bid on that box. The starting bid is only $25, so give it a $27 bid and see what goes from there. He is just trying to get rid of it or trash it most likely. That thing went for like $1000 or some wacked out shit when it came out 12 years ago..

[gwhoughton]

I have had good luck with this place:

http://www.pchcables.com/

You can see the various categories of cables along the left side...

I looked, and I think they do have RCA to BNC cables~

Also, I believe you can call them or email them and they might be able to put the custom component cable together for you.

At any rate, go with a "cheap" solution initially, so that if it doesn't work, you haven't invested too much for nothing...

Good luck!