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1080i and 720p on explorer 4642HDC box
I recently replaced my 720P HDTV with a 1080P model. I know Cox doesn't broadcast channels in 1080P so I have my Explorer 4642HDC box set to select either 1080i or 720P as my output format. Under this setup 720P HD stations (ie ABC) come in as 720P and 1080i HD stations (ie NBC) come in as 1080i. This gives an excellent picture for both formats.
Here's my question. If a non HD station like HBO channel 203 or Flix channel 360 is broadcasting in 480i or 480p, converting the signal to 1080i looks best on my 1080P TV. However, no matter what I've tried on my 4642 box those channels always come in as 720P and not 1080i. It's as if the box makes 720P the default for non HD 480i and 480P channels. Is there any way to set 1080i as the default for 480i and 480P stations. I know I can set the box to output every channel in 1080i, but then on sports channels that use 720P like ESPN, the 1080i doesn't look as good as 720P. Thanks...
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Bruce
Honored Contributor III
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5.7K Messages
The up-converters in most cable and satellite boxes are universally terrible. Therefore, I set the output format of my Cisco Explorer 4642HDC to only 480i...that way, my Panasonic TC-P50ST50 will up-convert everything.
Although the images on my TV are obviously 1080i...like most of us, I can tell the difference between 480 and 1020...if I press the Info button on my remote control, it'll say 480i, which isn't correct. I think my TV grabs the info from the cable box before up-converting the signal. Who knows?
You'd have to test which of your up-converters is better: TV vs. cable box. It's hard to test without a test screen because the image constantly changes on the TV. I used the scrolling credits after a movie to test my converters, which was black letters on a white background. This tested the vibrancy of the letters as well as the color transitioning from black to white.
- Start watching an HD source.
- Set the output format on your 4642HDC to only 480i and your HDTV will up-convert the signal.
- Then set the output format on your 4642HDC to only 1080i to prevent your HDTV from up-converting the signal.
- Switch back-and-forth to judge.
- Which is better?
Why don't you watch HBO on the HD channels?
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bill618
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Thanks Bruce, I will try setting the box to 480i only and see what happens. I have the Panasonic TC-P50UTP50 and I assume it will up-convert like your P50STP50 model does. I do watch the the HBO HD channels 1200 and 1201 on Cox here in Phoenix, but sometimes they have shows on their 4-5 non HD channels (202-211) that I want to watch. Here's the other thing. It seems like ESPN, Fox, Fox sports and the other sports channels that broadcast in 720P seem a tad better letting the cable box send 720P to my Panasonic rather than setting the box to 1080i only, but they're both (720P and 1080i) very good for sports. When I try the 480i only I will make sure there's basketball or hockey on ESPN or Fox sports to see how they look. Thanks again...
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