I need help (S-Video)

[Doug Mohr]

I need some help here. I have finally gotten the wife to appreciate the wonders of HD (Mostly because of the Olympics).

Now I am trying to get approval for a 2nd HD setup but am running into a bit of resistance. We have a "nice" 32" non-HD TV that is less than two years old. Trying to justify replacing that with a HD model is proving difficult. She is sold on the digital picture and the quality of audio over OTA Analog, but feels the picture quality on the existing TV is good enough.

Is there a Set Top box that will give me a downgraded S-Video out to run the existing TV on? Otherwise, where could I get a price quote for a YPrPb to S-Video adapter without them falling off the chair laughing?

If I can show her that it will cost close to what replacing the TV with a Hi-Def monitor would, I'll be golden.

Thanks!

Doug

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by Doug Mohr
Is there a Set Top box that will give me a downgraded S-Video out to run the existing TV on?

Thanks!

Doug

Don't they all do that?  

I know the S-Video is live on my Samsung SIR-T151  You could probably pick one of those up on Ebay for $100  Much cheaper than buying a digital TV.  Perhaps you could run the S-Video from your current setup to the analog TV.  Just get a long cable.  Check to make sure it outputs when the HD is being output before you buy the long cord.

Good luck.

[Doug Mohr]

Originally posted by StarvingForHDTV
Don't they all do that?  

I know the S-Video is live on my Samsung SIR-T151  You could probably pick one of those up on Ebay for $100  Much cheaper than buying a digital TV.  Perhaps you could run the S-Video from your current setup to the analog TV.  Just get a long cable.  Check to make sure it outputs when the HD is being output before you buy the long cord.

Good luck.

I have never physically seen a set top box. I use a PC with MyHD card in my current setup that outputs in component.

I'll check out the SIR-T151.

Thanks!

Doug

[borghe]

pretty much any HD box from the last 3 years(?) can output a 480i signal. just buy the one that fits best with your budget.

beware if you are buying used D* receivers though. All of them will work as OTA only tuners, but some of them need an access card to work. Not a subscribed or even valid access card, but at least a D* access card stuck in the slot. If you buy one of those off of ebay for cheap but it doesn't come with an access card, you might not be able to pull in OTA channels. If you can get a new or deactivated access card with it you would be fine though. Don't remember the receiver models though.

[Doug Mohr]

Originally posted by borghe
pretty much any HD box from the last 3 years(?) can output a 480i signal. just buy the one that fits best with your budget.

beware if you are buying used D* receivers though. All of them will work as OTA only tuners, but some of them need an access card to work. Not a subscribed or even valid access card, but at least a D* access card stuck in the slot. If you buy one of those off of ebay for cheap but it doesn't come with an access card, you might not be able to pull in OTA channels. If you can get a new or deactivated access card with it you would be fine though. Don't remember the receiver models though.

Thanks for the warning. I will look closely at everything I shop for.

Doug

[StarvingForHDTV]

They now have a category on Ebay for HDTV set top boxes:

http://electronics.listings.ebay.com/Televisions_HDTV-Receivers-Tuners_W0QQfromZR11QQsacategoryZ61396QQsocmdZListingItemListQQsocolumnlayoutZ3QQsocustoverrideZ1

Maybe do a quick search on the AVS Forum for any model # you are considering.  Some have bugs that you may want to avoid.  The SIR-T151 that I have is over $100 these days, but still fairly reasonable.  I thought it would be cheaper by now.  I know this model to be generally bug free.  I searched for the lowest priced OTA only set tops when I bought mine, and it was the best value for the bug free models.  Things may have changed since then.  I recommend using the AVS Forum as a resource for all electronics purchases.

Good luck.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php?s=

[tazman]

My Integra will do it.  But that's probably a little pricier than what you would be wanting to spend.

All of them will work as OTA only tuners, but some of them need an access card to work. Not a subscribed or even valid access card, but at least a D* access card stuck in the slot.

If that's truly the case then all you need to do is to trip the switch at the back of the card slot in the receiver, and old credit card, your Pick&Save Advantage card.  Anything the size of a credit card will do.