Olevia 337H - Love it, but I got a problem..

[zp130]

I got this TV a few days ago and, while it's been a lot of fun, it's also been a royal pain trying to get everything hooked up properly. My setup is as follows:

Comcast digital cable - No HD cable in my area, which stinks, but I'm seeing a shrink for it..

Toshiba SD-393SU2 DVD/VCR - Has S-video, composite and component out.

Olevia 337H - HDMI, S-Video, composite and component inputs.

PS2 - Love me some Madden 07!

My connections are as follows:

cable > cable box > coax into the SD-393SU2 (PS2 composite in to SD-393SU2) > composite out to TV.

Now, I can get everything to show up using composite, but when I try using component, I get no signal at all. Nada! When I hook the PS2 up to the TV's component in, I get a greyscale picture, which tells me that the TV is "listening" on component like it should be. Which in turn, tells me the problem is that the SD-393SU2 isn't broadcasting properly on component. I called Toshiba and was told I probably have a defective unit. Fortunately, I have 2 of the SD-393SU2's, so I could try the one from my den on it. I hooked it up and.............. nada. So, that tells me that either:

a - My TV can't understand what the SD-393SU2 is saying

b - My TV can't hear what the SD-393SU2 is saying

c - The SD-393SU2 isn't saying anything..

Any advice folks? I'm close to buying a new VCR/DVD to try and fix this problem. This is my first HDTV, so any advice is welcome.

EDIT: Sorry, this ended up in the wrong forum. Feel free to move it. :stuckthum

[57U]

You need to connect each component DIRECTLY to the TV with the best possible connection available on both components. Connections for video and audio are separate. You cannot go "through" other components to see/hear the appropriate picture/sound.

See the following HdTV FAQs.

- Cables & Connections
- How to connect a VCR/DVD Recorder and Cable STB
- What you need to do to your new HDTV.
- Motorola STBs (Or Tips for SA STBs if you have SA)

[zp130]

I appreciate the reply, and what you are saying, but that still doesn't explain why I can't get SOMETHING from my component out. Even if the quality isn't ideal, I'd expect some sort of signal. Any thoughts on that problem? I'm heading for those FAQs right now, thanks =)

[abeas]

Have you changed your settings in PS2 for component? Turn it on without a game loaded and go to the settings menu I think it is. Under the component output, make sure it is set to Y/PR/PB and NOT RGB. I had this problem a few years ago, and until you change that setting, it will not work correctly.

[zp130]

The PS2 hasn't given me any problems. It connects via composite without a hitch. I can go into the SD-393SU2 or directly into the TV with equal ease. I was unaware that the PS2 COULD do component.. I'll have to look into that after I get this other hiccup figured out.

btw, after work today, I'm planning to stop by Walmart and pick up a DVD recorder that has an HDMI out. That should eliminate the problem, though I'd still like to figure out why it won't work.

Also, my cable box has no output options for me except composite (it has a coax out, but the 337H has no tuner..).. So, I'm picking up a new cable box (a dual tuner DVR model to be exact) tomorrow.. It has HDMI, component, s-video and composite outs.. So, that'll expand my options a lot.. I'll then have the STB on the S-video (it isn't HD, so s-video isn't going to hurt anything, cuz HDMI is overkill), the DVD-R on the HDMI and the PS2 on the composite. That should cover everything and eliminate going through one thing with another..

whew!

[57U]

So, I'm picking up a new cable box (a dual tuner DVR model to be exact) tomorrow.. It has HDMI, component, s-video and composite outs.. So, that'll expand my options a lot.. I'll then have the STB on the S-video (it isn't HD...These statements are contradictory. The STB is HD if it's a dual tuner DVR with HDMI, like the Motorola 6416 or 3416, etc. There are no HDMI (or component video) outputs on SD Cable STBs.

[zp130]

As I said in my original post, my area (aka, the boonies) has no HD yet. However, my cable company has a DVR that has the outputs I listed. HDMI, included. If the HD signal was present, it'd get it.. But it simply isn't here. Meaning, the box CAN do HD, if I had HD to feed it.. So, since the cable going in isn't HD, the signal coming out is going to be no better on HDMI than it is on S-Video.. Garbage in, garbage out.. Make better sense? btw, I'm told the box should be a "Motorola 6412 series 3".. You probably know the capabilities better than I do..

abeas, I looked up the PS2 component stuff you were talking about. WOW, I didn't know it had that option. I've never had a reason to look for it, but that's great to know. I'm gonna pick up the cable tonight also. Thanks for the tip! =)


:thankyou3

[57U]

Sorry, forgot about the no HD in your area comment in your first post. I was confused the "it isn't HD..." comment thinking it related to the STB, not the connection. Have fun. Looks like you're getting things sorted out.

[zp130]

yeah, finally.. It's been a royal headache. I still can't figure out why the VCR/DVD can't broadcast on the component outs. Makes no sense. Toshiba was at a loss and even offered to replace both my units.

[kahanabob]

This may not apply but on a lot of cable boxes you can only use one out-put. If you use HDMI out of the cable box it disables the other out-put's.

[zp130]

I tried the VCR/DVD both ways, 3 actually.. Composite out only, component out only and both together, nada every time.

But, it's a moot point now. I got the DVR today and it is running component in (had it going S-video in, but the PQ was terrible. Realized later that the cable signal was just having a bad day, cuz component was just as bad and the non-hdtv in the house has bad PQ today too.. Gonna go back to s-video when I get the PS2 component cable.), the new DVD-R is running HDMI in (WOW! Cars looks amazing.. Even my wife liked it lol) and the PS2 is running composite in. All 3 are working just as you'd expect. Not a second of grief using the component in with the DVR. Must have just been that VCR/DVD model. Today was the first happy day my new tv has given me, and I loved it.. I'm bummed over hot having the HD option for my cable, but I'm not gonna die without it. As I siad, my cable is having some problems today, but not every channel. Just the channels 100 or less are all snowy. Above that, it's crystal clear. HBO, Showtime, Starz and all those are fantastic and exactly what I was hoping for.

I'd like to thank everyone for their advice and for this wonderful forum. The FAQ forum in paticular is a wonderful resource and I've learned a great deal already. I look forward to learning even more =)