Connecting my HD upconvert DVD Recorder to my tv and cable box
 

Hi,
I have just received a new Samsung R145 DVD recorder with HD
upconversion capability as a gift from my girlfriend. I really want to
make this work with my tv/cable box. Someone please help me to figure
out the best configuration with my current setup:

- Comcast cable box with DVI output.
- Sony HDTV with DVI input.
- Samsung R145 DVD player Recorder with HDMI output for HD
upcoversion.

Currently, I only have one "lossless" cable and it is DVI to DVI. I am
open to buying any list of cables/connectors/splitters or whatever it
takes. My goal is to lose ZERO quality of the video coming out of my
cable box. And improve the quality of DVDs.

I am going to weigh all the options and see if it even makes sense to
have this upconversion capability. Although, she will be really hurt if
i have to return this one. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!
Scott

Connecting my HD upconvert DVD Recorder to my tv and cable box
 

I can't help you with the hookups but ...

I can recommend one thing - don't hurt her feelings and return the DVD
player !
Tell her you love it .

Your future flatpanel TV will have HDMI inputs (I recommend 2 HDMI ports at
a minimum)


Although, she will be really hurt if
i have to return this one. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!
Scott

Connecting my HD upconvert DVD Recorder to my tv and cable box
 

wrote:
Hi,
I have just received a new Samsung R145 DVD recorder with HD
upconversion capability as a gift from my girlfriend. I really want to
make this work with my tv/cable box. Someone please help me to figure
out the best configuration with my current setup:

- Comcast cable box with DVI output.
- Sony HDTV with DVI input.
- Samsung R145 DVD player Recorder with HDMI output for HD
upcoversion.

Currently, I only have one "lossless" cable and it is DVI to DVI. I am
open to buying any list of cables/connectors/splitters or whatever it
takes. My goal is to lose ZERO quality of the video coming out of my
cable box. And improve the quality of DVDs.

I am going to weigh all the options and see if it even makes sense to
have this upconversion capability. Although, she will be really hurt if
i have to return this one. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!
Scott

You'll get the best quality from the DVI (obviously) so you need to
figure out which content you are going to be watching the most, DVD or
Cable. And hook that up to the TV via DVI.
I am assuming you have component inputs on both the recorder and the
TV, and that you have an acceptable form of audio playback (either RCA
to the TV or Digital to a separate receiver) since the DVI doesn't
carry sound.

Personally, I would hook the recorder up to the TV via HDMI-DVI cable
(HDMI into recorder, DVI into TV, obviously). This is a direct digital
conversion and will preserve all of the signal. Of course, sound will
have to be run separately. But that is the case no matter what.

Next, you have to decide whether you want to record the cable channels
or just watch them, and I'm guessing record them or you wouldn't have a
recorder. I would hook the cable box up to the recorder via component
cables (most DVD recorders I have seen have these) and the sound will
have to come in through RCA from the cable box. You shouldn't lose any
(video) quality out of the cable box since component will handle any of
the resolutions that will come through the cable. The only downside
would be if the cable box requires digital to produce a full quality
image (some content providers only allow full signal over digital
connections, i.e. analog HD is downgraded to ED). I doubt this is the
case though since the cable box sounds like it only has a DVI and not
and HDMI output.

So, now you have all video passing through the recorder and sound comes
out of the recorder and into either the TV (through RCA) or a receiver
for digital surround. Set the recorder to component input to watch
cable and your good.

New cable requirements:
1-component cable
1-HDMI to DVI cable, OR
1-DVI to HDMI adapter (probably cheaper than a new cable)
1-RCA audio cable (assuming you have one already for the cable box)

Connecting my HD upconvert DVD Recorder to my tv and cable box
 

Thanks for the response, Doug!
If I am understanding you correctly, i will not lose any video quality
on my HD (or standard for that matter) content from my cable box to the
DVD recorder when connection using component cables. Is that really
true?

As a clarifying point, my cable box is where i am getting my HD
content. My main concern is watching a football game or some other
hi-def programming on live tv and seeing a difference in the video
quality.

I anxiously await your confirmation....this dvd recorder wants out of
its box fast :)

Thanks,
Scott

Connecting my HD upconvert DVD Recorder to my tv and cable box
 

unfortunate update. my dvd recorder does not have component inputs
(only outputs).

It looks like I should try and find a dvd recorder with component
inputs. oh well.

Thanks,
scott