Upconvert 1 vs. Upconvert 2

[Newbie]

Can someone explain the difference between upconvert 1 and upconvert 2?Which one do you have it set at and why? Thanks.

[UhHuh]

Can someone explain the difference between upconvert 1 and upconvert 2?Which one do you have it set at and why? Thanks.

It depends. This setting does nothing when using an HDMI connection. Auto DVI/HDMI is the same as "Pass Through."

Upconvert means the DVR takes one definition and (up)converts it to another simulated HD format.

For 480p Upconvert 1 outputs 480p
For 720p Upconvert 1 outputs 1080i
For 1080i Upconvert 1 outputs 1080i

For 480i Upconvert 2 outputs 480p
For 720p Upconvert 2 outputs 720p
For 1080i Upconvert 2 outputs 720p

Pass-through doesn't alter the definition. Should you want to change settings regularly, use the General Settings and set it to "Fixed". Then use the Quick Settings menu to choose desired output. Choosing "Fixed" allows using the Quick Settings menu. The Quick Settings menu setting retains the setting you last picked from the quick settings menu until you change it again.

These settings changes can be effective but only in limited ways. They are worth a try for SD content that looks icky. But no matter what you do, 480i SD can't be improved very much when compared to 720p or 1080i.

Just as a comment that might fit what you are fiddling with, I've ceased watching shows I used to watch religiously because they are in 480i and look icky when upconverted. OTA HDTV with an antenna is superior to what I receive from BHN too. The pay-for neworks better get some HD content up on the air soon or I won't need cable TV anymore. This isn't a threat nor is it BHN's fault. But I hope the networks realize it's cheaper to keep subs than get them.

The setting I use is Auto DVI/HDMI with a $6.95 HDMI cable from monoprice.com.

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[FTBoomerIII]

So I have an old Mitsubishi 1080i rear projection. Since most channels broadcast in 720p should I watch, Fox and CBS for example, in Up-1?

BTW, no DVI or HDMI ( I told you it was old)

[UhHuh]

So I have an old Mitsubishi 1080i rear projection. Since most channels broadcast in 720p should I watch, Fox and CBS for example, in Up-1?

BTW, no DVI or HDMI ( I told you it was old)

It depends on how it looks. Well duh :). Here is an example of when I change from Auto DVI/HDMI to fixed and force an "upconvert."

FitTV CardioBlast Cathe Friedrich (lots of movement so it is sports-like). LCD HDTV so I will do worse with movement than other types anyway.

I assume this content started in life as a 480p DVD. I'm guessing it is 480i before BHN touches it. Nevertheless, the auto upconversion to 1080i when using the Auto DVI/HDMI setting is horrible. The auto upconversion to 480p results in 480p stretched. This is unacceptable. If I wanted to watch short stubby aerobics (the stretch distortion) I would get a big mirror.

So
General Settings | Picture Format | Fixed
Quick Settings | Picture Format | 480p Wide

The # button on the remote allows
Zoom 1 480p
Zoom 2 480p
Normal 480p <-- I choose this

On the HDTV I receive pillarbox and it looks better to me.

This is over the HDMI cable. There may be a more elegant way to achieve this improvement but I have not found it. This is the constant irritation of BHN cable for me. Others may not have trouble.

BHN may be doing the best they can offer. But I get real tired of the above remote control antics. Again, that is why I'm thinking of OTA for HDTV, and Internet downloads of the rest of my viewing (some free some paid) and no BHN Cable TV.

If I wasn't a tiny bit ahead of the game by cobbling a bunch of crap together on Windows MCE to auto d/l network content and podcasts and VGA over to the HDTV, I think I would be in line at the Apple Store for Apple TV and then in line at the BHN store turning in my 8300HD.

If I go Vista before BHN improves I'll pull the plug on cable to justify the Vista cost.