Sky + hd without hdmi connection

PCwiggum

Hi, I just had Sky HD installed today, but my telly doesn't have a HDMI or DVI connection. (Although it says HD ready on the front).

The TV has a component input, scarts, AV input and S-Video input - its a Samsung SlimFit TV. Is it possible to get some adapter/cable to suit this TV and the Sky HD box?

I really only wanted to upgrade for Sky+ capabilities but went for HD because of the offer at the moment for existing customers. As I'm paying a monthly subscription for HD I'd like to see the full benefits but I'd rather not have to upgrade my TV at the moment.

Cheers in advance for any help...

DigiDec

Is there no component output on th HD box?
I know some of the new HD boxes don't, so I don't know what else you can do other than upgrade your tv.

gtg60

PCwiggum wrote: »

Hi, I just had Sky HD installed today, but my telly doesn't have a HDMI or DVI connection. (Although it says HD ready on the front).

Are you sure there is no HDMI/ DVI connection? What is the model number of your TV?

AFAIK only the early Thompson HD boxes had Component out too, there are convertors you can buy but they are over 150 Euro!!

So, your only options (other than changing your TV) if you want a HD signal is to:
A. Buy adapter
B. Buy/ Trade or Swap for a Thompson box (just make sure get one that has had the power supply upgraded)

PCwiggum

DigiDec wrote: »

Is there no component output on th HD box?
I know some of the new HD boxes don't, so I don't know what else you can do other than upgrade your tv.

No component output on the HD box unfortunately.

gtg60 wrote: »

Are you sure there is no HDMI/ DVI connection? What is the model number of your TV?

AFAIK only the early Thompson HD boxes had Component out too, there are convertors you can buy but they are over 150 Euro!!

So, your only options (other than changing your TV) if you want a HD signal is to:
A. Buy adapter
B. Buy/ Trade or Swap for a Thompson box (just make sure get one that has had the power supply upgraded)

The TV model number is WS-32Z308P, and deffinately has no HDMI or DVI connections - I just downloaded the manual to check.

Convertors are a bit steep, I'd rather put that kinda money towards a new TV to be honest - and try and offload the Samsung.

swoofer

I remember this tv its based on the old CRT principle but to take HD signal you have to feed it component. New sky boxes got rid of component to make material more copy proof.

It is easy to get a component to HDMI converter but for obivious reasons it is not easy to get a HDMI to component. An easy solution would be to look on ebay for an old thompson hd box as that had both but again these are popular and may not be cheap, it allows people to have hd at 2 locations.

ring sky threaten with cancelling and they may get you an old box. In fact as you cant get benefit of HD you should save the hd 10 quid etc.

gb--

gtg60

I have a Thompson box that has Component out but the HDMI doesn't work, I'd swap with you if you wanted...

PCwiggum

gtg60 wrote: »

I have a Thompson box that has Component out but the HDMI doesn't work, I'd swap with you if you wanted...

Cheers, I could be interested - how old is your box and is it 160GB? Mine is about 5 hours old.

gtg60

PCwiggum wrote: »

Cheers, I could be interested - how old is your box and is it 160GB? Mine is about 5 hours old.

It's a little older than that, I bought it 8 months ago to use with a FTV card so I could get Channel 4 HD, the guy I bought it off said he had got it new about 6 months before that.

It has a 300GB hard drive like all the Sky HD boxes and like them all 140GB is reserved for Anytime TV so you only get to use 160GB, the hard drive would have had very little use as I was unable to use the Plus facilities with my FTV card.

When the power supply in my main HD box failed I had both power supplies upgraded even though the one in this box was still working perfectly.

PCwiggum

Another question - is the viewing card paired to the box?

swoofer

ring sky first

gb--

gtg60

PCwiggum wrote: »

Another question - is the viewing card paired to the box?

If you get a new box you just ring Sky and get them to pair it for you, done it many a time...

PCwiggum

gtg60 wrote: »

If you get a new box you just ring Sky and get them to pair it for you, done it many a time...

I just spoke to the guy that installed it for me - he has an older box in the shop with the component o/p, and he's going to swap it for me.

Thanks again for all the help and the swap offer - much appreciated.

PCwiggum

I just got my box changed for one with a component o/p, but it doesn't seem to be any better. I can't see any difference between normal and HD broadcasts - in fact if I'm honest I woud say the picture from my scart o/p is marginally better.

I'm pretty sure I have set up everything correctly.

Can someone provide me with a simple checklist I could follow to make sure I am set up correctly?

gtg60

I said it before but I'm very doubtful you will see a huge difference on a 32 Inch CRT TV but try this

Make sure the Component lead is the only one going from the Sky box to the TV, Component is 3 cables, they are Red, Green and Blue in colour, make sure they are connected up correctly.

On the Sky remote press 'Services', 'System Setup', 'Picture Settings' then go down to 'HD Resolution Output' and change it to 1080i, highlight 'Save New Settings' and press select.
That should be it, change it to a HD channel and let us know how you get on.

PCwiggum

gtg60 wrote: »

I said it before but I'm very doubtful you will see a huge difference on a 32 Inch CRT TV but try this

Make sure the Component lead is the only one going from the Sky box to the TV, Component is 3 cables, they are Red, Green and Blue in colour, make sure they are connected up correctly.

On the Sky remote press 'Services', 'System Setup', 'Picture Settings' then go down to 'HD Resolution Output' and change it to 1080i, highlight 'Save New Settings' and press select.
That should be it, change it to a HD channel and let us know how you get on.

The only thing I haven't done is disconnected the SCART between box and TV - I'll try that this evening.

I also rang Sky and they told me I'm probably using an RGB cable instead of a Component cable - I thought these were the same thing? - anyway I bought a new "Component Cable" from Maplins yesterday and absolutely no difference except that my pocket is about €25 lighter.:mad:

PCwiggum

gtg60 wrote: »

Make sure the Component lead is the only one going from the Sky box to the TV,

I also contacted a crowd called TVCABLES.CO.UK and explained the situation - they just sent me this reply...

There is not really such a thing as an RGB cable, Sky are talking rubbish, a
component cable is just 3 coax cables webbed together, 1080i via component
should look far better than scart. If you watch a good live transmission eg
football etc it should look great, make sure you have the output set to
1080i and disconnect the scart lead completely.

So this confirms what you suggest about disconnecting the SCART.

John mac

if your tv is the WS-32Z308P then it has got a HDMI

Here is the help page from samsung.
Pdf of the manual shows hdmi just above component connections.

PCwiggum

John mac wrote: »

if your tv is the WS-32Z308P then it has got a HDMI

Here is the help page from samsung.
Pdf of the manual shows hdmi just above component connections.

There's definately no HDMI on mine - specifications are on this link...

http://www1.dealtime.co.uk/xPF-Samsung-WS32Z308P