HD problems

[foddy]

Hi,

I've had a V+ box for a while now - there are so many annoying "features", but two are really driving me nuts. I suspect there's no way round them at the moment, but does anyone know if they'll be fixed in future software releases?

1. The HD setting is 1080i or 720p. It doesn't seem possible to switch depending on the source. The TV does a MUCH better job of upscaling (just look at the menus when set to 1080i!) But, you have to set it to one or the other ...

2. Audio - the audio over HDMI is downmixed stereo. I have no problem with this ... except that the audio over the digital-out is also downmixed. If you want DD (e.g. on BBC HD) then you have to disable the HDMI sound. I watch normal TV through the TV speakers, but sometimes want to use an external amp. There's no way to do this without going through the menus each time! This makes no sense at all - who would be connecting an external amp, but wanting downmixed stereo?

Does anyone know if there are work-arounds for these problems, or if they are planned to be fixed?

Thanks.

P.S. Yes, it is a full-HD 1920x1080 resolution screen.

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by foddy

1. The HD setting is 1080i or 720p. It doesn't seem possible to switch depending on the source. The TV does a MUCH better job of upscaling (just look at the menus when set to 1080i!) But, you have to set it to one or the other ...

I'm pretty sure all HD content is 1080i at the moment. But there may be an auto option added one day.

Originally Posted by foddy

2. Audio - the audio over HDMI is downmixed stereo. I have no problem with this ... except that the audio over the digital-out is also downmixed. If you want DD (e.g. on BBC HD) then you have to disable the HDMI sound. I watch normal TV through the TV speakers, but sometimes want to use an external amp. There's no way to do this without going through the menus each time! This makes no sense at all

Your TV is telling the V+ to downmix. It would output DD over HDMI if the TV could handle it. The HDMI override option tells the V+ to ignore what the TV says.

Does your TV have phono audio inputs that you can use together with HDMI? The V+ phonos still output stereo when HDMI override is on, so that might be a solution.

Originally Posted by foddy

who would be connecting an external amp, but wanting downmixed stereo?

I would. Not everyone has a 5.1 amp.

[foddy]

Thanks for the response.

Originally Posted by spiderplant

Your TV is telling the V+ to downmix. It would output DD over HDMI if the TV could handle it. The HDMI override option tells the V+ to ignore what the TV says.

It's a little frustrating as it seems (to me anyway) unlikely that people with HDMI-connected televisions would be using the digital-audio out to the same device.

Does your TV have phono audio inputs that you can use together with HDMI? The V+ phonos still output stereo when HDMI override is on, so that might be a solution.

I don't think that'd work - they're separate inputs, and I don't want to be splicing cables. I suspect one answer might be to get a HDMI switching box, but I really don't need one.

I would. Not everyone has a 5.1 amp.

Fair point, but people without 5.1 can use the analogue outputs! ;-)

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by foddy

I don't think that'd work - they're separate inputs, and I don't want to be splicing cables.

Try it. No splicing is required, just separate phono leads.