Best Cable - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Smackre · 12-17-2005, 05:27 PM

Simple Question. Whats the best cable to go from cable box to a HDTV.

Second question. Im on Satalite. And the distance between the satalite and the cable box is considerable. Im wondering if this can effect my picture quality. Im wondering if i should have the satalite moved. Also does the cable between the satalite and the cable box effect the quality of the picture.

Im getting HD ESPN and im wondering if im going to half to change these things b4 to get good quality.

Willravel · 12-17-2005, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smackre

Simple Question. Whats the best cable to go from cable box to a HDTV.

Second question. Im on Satalite. And the distance between the satalite and the cable box is considerable. Im wondering if this can effect my picture quality. Im wondering if i should have the satalite moved. Also does the cable between the satalite and the cable box effect the quality of the picture.

Im getting HD ESPN and im wondering if im going to half to change these things b4 to get good quality.

I use component for video and fiberoptic for audio. I've never been happier with botht eh picture or the sound. Many also use S-Video for picture.

Move the cable box near the tv, no less than 6 feet. Make sure all your cables are sheilded very well. Gold connecters do make a difference for HDTV, not so much for non HDTV.

Smackre · 12-17-2005, 05:42 PM

the Cable box is close to the TV. The Satalite is not close to the Cable box. Its There is probly at least 150 feet between the cable box and the Satalite.

Willravel · 12-17-2005, 05:48 PM

the stuff they usually put in is good enough.

vanblah · 12-17-2005, 07:14 PM

Do you have composite, component, s-video or coax from the box?

Composite is a single (usually yellow) RCA jack. Component (or RGB) consists of three RCA jacks (red, green, blue). S-video is a single input that looks like a computer connection. Coax looks like cable TV.

Component is the best. S-video is next. It's a toss-up between coax and composite.

Do you have composite, component, s-video or coax on your TV?

Do you have composite, component, s-video or coax from the satellite dish? My guess is coax ... a 150 foot run probably won't matter much if it's coax.

I'm a little confused with what you mean by "cable box". Do you have cable television AND a satellite receiver? Or are you calling the the receiver/decoder a "cable box?"

With s-video you might get a little degradation (attenuation) at 150' ... you can get an s-video signal booster from Radio Shack. I don't know if they actually work.

You can learn a lot if you just Google: composite component svideo

Here's a site to get you started:

http://lyberty.com/encyc/articles/svideo.html

Willravel · 12-17-2005, 07:45 PM

Cable box = satelite reciever. I hope he has an HD dish and reciever, otherwise this is an exercise in futility.

Smackre · 12-17-2005, 10:01 PM

Im getting a HD reciever installed soon. Right now its just a normal receiver. Yes when i said cable box i ment satalite receiver.

The TV has svideo / Component / Composite / HDMI / Coax / one more i think. Its got about 30 of them on the back of it.

It also has something that looks like a vga but when you look at the manual it dont say its a vga. Im not sure what its for.

Right now i have set up on a 5 foot svide cable but i dont know how good quality the cable is. It came with one of my video cards and does not look like anything heavy duty.

I was thinking about just geting Component Monster cables.

The thing im wondering is with the satalite and the reciever at such a great distance will it degrade the image quality. As since its so long of a span i get alot of disconnections. at least 1 a day it seems. I seriously thinking about calling them and telling them i want the satalite moved from the bottom floor to the top of the building so its so much easier to run the lines. Right now we have 2 Coax lines running from the Satalite to the TV's about 150 feet.

I ran the lines my self but they came in and said they was fine. they tested them and stuff.

Mbnfc · 12-17-2005, 11:07 PM

Use HDMI, DVI, or RGB (digital connections). I used to use component cable for my hdtv receiver and after changing to DVI noticed that the channels changed a lot faster. I had my receiver to output 720p and when it was component, I think the analog connection slowed the process going from 1080i or 480p to 720p. The screen would go black for a second until video would show. The DVI cable got rid of this. Also, if you use HDMI you will not need to worry about audio connections. HDMI can handle digital video and audio. www.monoprice.com offers good quality cables and prices

So if your satalite receiver has HDMI, I recommend using it.

Smackre · 12-18-2005, 11:04 PM

Well my TV has HDMI input. but my Satalite receiver does not. but the one i am getting Does. So when i get the HD Receiver i will have HDMI as a option. right now i think im going to get some monster cables and hope for the best.

Another problem i am having. My dvd player died on me. And i have been using my laptops svideo output. well with my new TV its tring to output 4:3 aspect ontop my 16:9 TV. Messes with the image and the image quality aint the best. My laptop had DVI-D port on it. I am wondering if a DVI-D to DHMI cables would make it so i can output 1080i in good quality.

Also i need some suggestions on good DVD players.

Also is there any other solution for recording TV besides DVR? i looked into getting a HD / DVR direct TV box and they wanted 300$ for the Box and the normal HD box is free.

MooseMan3000 · 12-19-2005, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smackre

Also is there any other solution for recording TV besides DVR? i looked into getting a HD / DVR direct TV box and they wanted 300$ for the Box and the normal HD box is free.

Well, you could always tape it.

Heh.

In other words, no. DVR is the way to go, because it intelligently manages your recordings. You could hook up to your computer via tuner or capture card, but after getting a good external card for your laptop, as well as the cables for a good connection, and good software, you've already spent more than you would on the HD DVR.

What I don't understand is how you're willing to spend $40+ on Monster Cables that you'll only be using until your new receiver arrives, but you're not willing to pay $300 for the DVR. Just forego the cables until your new receiver arrives, and bite the bullet on the DVR.

Smackre · 12-19-2005, 06:23 AM

Because i know i can use those cables on other stuff. I will most likely just buy the DVR HD. I wonder if i can buy the box off ebay and use it? Im not sure how directv handles this type of thing. Do they require you to use there box?

12-17-2005, 05:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Smackre Addict	Best Cable Simple Question. Whats the best cable to go from cable box to a HDTV. Second question. Im on Satalite. And the distance between the satalite and the cable box is considerable. Im wondering if this can effect my picture quality. Im wondering if i should have the satalite moved. Also does the cable between the satalite and the cable box effect the quality of the picture. Im getting HD ESPN and im wondering if im going to half to change these things b4 to get good quality. __________________ Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800

12-17-2005, 05:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Smackre Addict	the Cable box is close to the TV. The Satalite is not close to the Cable box. Its There is probly at least 150 feet between the cable box and the Satalite. __________________ Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800

12-17-2005, 10:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
Smackre Addict	Im getting a HD reciever installed soon. Right now its just a normal receiver. Yes when i said cable box i ment satalite receiver. The TV has svideo / Component / Composite / HDMI / Coax / one more i think. Its got about 30 of them on the back of it. It also has something that looks like a vga but when you look at the manual it dont say its a vga. Im not sure what its for. Right now i have set up on a 5 foot svide cable but i dont know how good quality the cable is. It came with one of my video cards and does not look like anything heavy duty. I was thinking about just geting Component Monster cables. The thing im wondering is with the satalite and the reciever at such a great distance will it degrade the image quality. As since its so long of a span i get alot of disconnections. at least 1 a day it seems. I seriously thinking about calling them and telling them i want the satalite moved from the bottom floor to the top of the building so its so much easier to run the lines. Right now we have 2 Coax lines running from the Satalite to the TV's about 150 feet. I ran the lines my self but they came in and said they was fine. they tested them and stuff. __________________ Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800

12-18-2005, 11:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Smackre Addict	Well my TV has HDMI input. but my Satalite receiver does not. but the one i am getting Does. So when i get the HD Receiver i will have HDMI as a option. right now i think im going to get some monster cables and hope for the best. Another problem i am having. My dvd player died on me. And i have been using my laptops svideo output. well with my new TV its tring to output 4:3 aspect ontop my 16:9 TV. Messes with the image and the image quality aint the best. My laptop had DVI-D port on it. I am wondering if a DVI-D to DHMI cables would make it so i can output 1080i in good quality. Also i need some suggestions on good DVD players. Also is there any other solution for recording TV besides DVR? i looked into getting a HD / DVR direct TV box and they wanted 300$ for the Box and the normal HD box is free. __________________ Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800

12-19-2005, 06:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
Smackre Addict	Because i know i can use those cables on other stuff. I will most likely just buy the DVR HD. I wonder if i can buy the box off ebay and use it? Im not sure how directv handles this type of thing. Do they require you to use there box? __________________ Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800

12-17-2005, 05:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	the stuff they usually put in is good enough.

12-17-2005, 07:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
vanblah Junkie	Do you have composite, component, s-video or coax from the box? Composite is a single (usually yellow) RCA jack. Component (or RGB) consists of three RCA jacks (red, green, blue). S-video is a single input that looks like a computer connection. Coax looks like cable TV. Component is the best. S-video is next. It's a toss-up between coax and composite. Do you have composite, component, s-video or coax on your TV? Do you have composite, component, s-video or coax from the satellite dish? My guess is coax ... a 150 foot run probably won't matter much if it's coax. I'm a little confused with what you mean by "cable box". Do you have cable television AND a satellite receiver? Or are you calling the the receiver/decoder a "cable box?" With s-video you might get a little degradation (attenuation) at 150' ... you can get an s-video signal booster from Radio Shack. I don't know if they actually work. You can learn a lot if you just Google: composite component svideo Here's a site to get you started: http://lyberty.com/encyc/articles/svideo.html

12-17-2005, 07:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Cable box = satelite reciever. I hope he has an HD dish and reciever, otherwise this is an exercise in futility.

12-17-2005, 11:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mbnfc Upright	Use HDMI, DVI, or RGB (digital connections). I used to use component cable for my hdtv receiver and after changing to DVI noticed that the channels changed a lot faster. I had my receiver to output 720p and when it was component, I think the analog connection slowed the process going from 1080i or 480p to 720p. The screen would go black for a second until video would show. The DVI cable got rid of this. Also, if you use HDMI you will not need to worry about audio connections. HDMI can handle digital video and audio. www.monoprice.com offers good quality cables and prices So if your satalite receiver has HDMI, I recommend using it.