Thread: using HDMI from HD STB to SD Plasma

yes , I believe your Standard definition Plasma TV will display TV channels via HDMI input , but I believe it has to be HDMI 1.3a compliant.

I found this on a DTV Forum

QUOTE :
Thought I'd share my experience with replacing the HDMI cable between my Samsung HD Tuner and Panasonic SD plasma. They've been connected by a Conexa HDMI cable for over 2 years with no problem. I was fiddling with a HTPC and ended up damaging one of the ends of the cable.

No problem I thought, just by a cheapy form Target, they all perform the same, so I read. I got one with 1.3b specs. Connected it and no picture. Got a replacement. Works fine with the TV. Connected my HTPC: Vista doesn't pick up the plasma. Switch OFF the plasma, Vista picks up the panel. Took cable back, got another one, same deal. Got a refund. Bought a Phillips HDMI cable 1.3b spec, for $50, same issue with Vista detecting the panel: yes when the panel is OFF, no when the panel is ON, AND the picture is green through the tuner, like no red signal is getting through. OK now we have a compatibility issue: newer revisions of HDMI cabling may not like my plasma, I reasoned. Took the Phillips back, bought the cheapest and thinnest HDMI cable I could find in Big W. EVERYTHING works. Tuner, HTPC and laptop, all pick up the plasma, picture is great. This cable is only 1.3 a compliant.

It seems that the newer standards of HDMI cabling may not be backwards compatible with all equipment out there, so those that have an older TV that relies on an external tuner, you might need the older ie cheaper spec cable.

The Standard definition in your television is referring to the tuner in it. It can only pick up SD transmissions, hence the need for your HD set top box.

So far so good.

Your TV can display several scan rates. 1080i is just below full HD of 1080p. Your set top box should be able to be set at the equivalent scan rate, ie 1080i, for your TV.

Again no prob.

The difference between your Tv and a full HD display, (forget the tuner), is that your display will only show a resolution of around 1360x768 or so. A full HD display will have a resolution of 1920x1080, obviously producing a better picture, assuming you have a full HD source.

cheers
Nick