S-Video to HDMI Converter

98xlt98 · 12-28-2012, 08:40 PM

Recently purchased a 51" plasma TV, can provide up to 1080P. This is my first flatscreen, so I am in the learning mode.

I am receiving channels OTA and from a STB. The OTA gives a very nice looking PQ, from what I am learning, this OTA is HD. Viewing channels from the STB, the PQ is definitely not HD!

The STB only has composite or S-Video (4-pin) output. The new TV has no S-Video input, only component or HDMI. So I am presently using the composite cables.

My local cable company (not a major name) offers HD STB, for $10 per month, per TV.

Would an S-Video to HDMI Converter (or even component) actually improve the PQ compared to my present use of composite cables? The quantity of stations is much greater with the STB.

I have seen some of these converters say they are designed for 720, others for more money go up to 1080.

Looking for advice!!

**rbinck** · 12-28-2012, 09:06 PM

The issue is s-video is standard definition and converting that signal will still be standard definition being sent over HDMI. You will be wasting money on such a converter. Better to spend the money on the STB if you want high definition from your cableco.

stereocraig · 12-29-2012, 03:05 AM

doesn't your new TV have a built in ATSC tuner?

projectsho89 · 12-29-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stereocraig

doesn't your new TV have a built in ATSC tuner?

Bingo!

Unless you purchased a "display-only" plasma set, you don't need a STB for OTA reception.

See the owner's manual.

98xlt98 · 12-29-2012, 08:17 AM

I know I do not need a STB for OTA viewing. The OTA is occurring with a separate coaxial cable from the wall.

I did look at the tvfool site, very interesting info.

Does this TV have a tuner? I am assuming yes, but here is the model number for others that might be able to determine quicker than me. It is a Samsung, PN51E8000GFXZA.

Still would like to know if an S-video converter to HDMI or component would give a noticeable improvement in PQ over my present composite connection?

hoopitup2000 · 12-29-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98xlt98

Still would like to know if an S-video converter to HDMI or component would give a noticeable improvement in PQ over my present composite connection?

Don't waste your money, it will look just as bad either way.(Garbage in/Garbage out) On a screen that size SD will look only OK at best.The only way to make SD look better is to move further away from the screen.

**rbinck** · 12-29-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98xlt98

Still would like to know if an S-video converter to HDMI or component would give a noticeable improvement in PQ over my present composite connection?

See post #2.

jim5506 · 12-29-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98xlt98

Does this TV have a tuner? I am assuming yes, but here is the model number for others that might be able to determine quicker than me. It is a Samsung, PN51E8000GFXZA.

Looking at the Owners Manual it refers to scanning OTA channels and using OTA with PIP so it should have an ota tuner, you must attach an antenna and scan for OTA channels before it can display any.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98xlt98

Still would like to know if an S-video converter to HDMI or component would give a noticeable improvement in PQ over my present composite connection?

NO! probably worse, since conversion is never perfect.

DoctorCAD · 12-29-2012, 11:01 AM

Ok, you are lesrning...first, anything on a cable that comes from a cable company is NOT OTA. OTA means "over the air" and can only be gotten with an antenna, it will be HD at least the national networks .1 channels will be.

If you do a scan of the cable you have today, you MIGHT get some QAM channels in HD. QAM is generally a free service, but do yourself a favor and spend the $10 more for a HD cable box.

jharrison.mfsr · 01-02-2013, 02:58 PM

some may hate, but i like the s-video to HDMI converter option (like this cheap one: http://sewelldirect.com/Composite-an...-Converter.asp

of course, these aren't even close to perfect, but if you have no other option, the upscaling doesn't look too bad. it just can't guess all the missing data lost (so it has to make up more than half).

**rbinck** · 01-02-2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jharrison.mfsr

some may hate, but i like the s-video to HDMI converter option (like this cheap one: http://sewelldirect.com/Composite-an...-Converter.asp

of course, these aren't even close to perfect, but if you have no other option, the upscaling doesn't look too bad. it just can't guess all the missing data lost (so it has to make up more than half).

Not really a matter of hate, but rather trying to explain what comes out is still standard definition. I can't imagine it would look any better than the converter built into the TV.

12-28-2012, 08:40 PM	#1
98xlt98 What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2	S-Video to HDMI Converter Recently purchased a 51" plasma TV, can provide up to 1080P. This is my first flatscreen, so I am in the learning mode. I am receiving channels OTA and from a STB. The OTA gives a very nice looking PQ, from what I am learning, this OTA is HD. Viewing channels from the STB, the PQ is definitely not HD! The STB only has composite or S-Video (4-pin) output. The new TV has no S-Video input, only component or HDMI. So I am presently using the composite cables. My local cable company (not a major name) offers HD STB, for $10 per month, per TV. Would an S-Video to HDMI Converter (or even component) actually improve the PQ compared to my present use of composite cables? The quantity of stations is much greater with the STB. I have seen some of these converters say they are designed for 720, others for more money go up to 1080. Looking for advice!!

12-29-2012, 11:01 AM	#9
DoctorCAD Direct TV Fresh Meat Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,199	Ok, you are lesrning...first, anything on a cable that comes from a cable company is NOT OTA. OTA means "over the air" and can only be gotten with an antenna, it will be HD at least the national networks .1 channels will be. If you do a scan of the cable you have today, you MIGHT get some QAM channels in HD. QAM is generally a free service, but do yourself a favor and spend the $10 more for a HD cable box. __________________ This post is not to be construed as a slam on plasma TV's nor an endorsement of any other TV technology.

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12-28-2012, 09:06 PM	#2
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 15,603	The issue is s-video is standard definition and converting that signal will still be standard definition being sent over HDMI. You will be wasting money on such a converter. Better to spend the money on the STB if you want high definition from your cableco. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

12-29-2012, 03:05 AM	#3
stereocraig High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 129	doesn't your new TV have a built in ATSC tuner?

12-29-2012, 08:17 AM	#5
98xlt98 What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2	I know I do not need a STB for OTA viewing. The OTA is occurring with a separate coaxial cable from the wall. I did look at the tvfool site, very interesting info. Does this TV have a tuner? I am assuming yes, but here is the model number for others that might be able to determine quicker than me. It is a Samsung, PN51E8000GFXZA. Still would like to know if an S-video converter to HDMI or component would give a noticeable improvement in PQ over my present composite connection?

01-02-2013, 02:58 PM	#10
jharrison.mfsr High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 59	some may hate, but i like the s-video to HDMI converter option (like this cheap one: http://sewelldirect.com/Composite-an...-Converter.asp of course, these aren't even close to perfect, but if you have no other option, the upscaling doesn't look too bad. it just can't guess all the missing data lost (so it has to make up more than half).