8mm Forum: Question about DLP Projector S-Video Cable

This is topic Question about DLP Projector S-Video Cable in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 26, 2014, 09:28 AM:

I found an old Toshiba DLP Projector fairly cheap. It has an S-Video input and I want to hook it up to a blu Ray player but the player only has HDMI. Do they make a cable with an S-Video with a HDMI end? I looked on the internet and could not find anything? Is there a way I can hook this up to a blu ray player going thru the S-Video Cable? Right now I have it hooked up to my old VHS/DVD player that has the S-Video input. The picture quality is stunning.

Any advise on the subject would be greatly appreciated! [Confused]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 26, 2014, 09:41 AM:

Hi Roger,

You'll need to convert the signal with a US version of something like this;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005CAMFDI?pc_redir=1405129285&robot_redir=1

Have a look around the internet.

As I suspect you know, you'll only get 480i resolution.

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 26, 2014, 09:52 AM:

Hi Rob,
Thanks for your reply and input. Since the resolution would be only 480i I'm probably better off just running it thru my VHS/DVD player. I might try and find an old DVD player only with a S-Video input. The trouble with them is the laser that reads the disc they go out way too soon.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 26, 2014, 09:56 AM:

http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Composite-S-Video-Converter-DA-HDRC/dp/B 009TC9T7K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I suppose it would let you watch Blu-ray Discs on your projector, but yes it would be limited to Standard definition as only HDMI to HDMI can provide 1080i / p and the projector sounds like it is SD anyway.

Still, I used a DLP with DVD and S-Video for many years with very nice results.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on July 26, 2014, 04:05 PM:

Component can also do do 1080i i think if memory serves me right. Is that right Rob as your knowledge on these matters will far surpass mine?

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 26, 2014, 05:10 PM:

Thats right Andrew. The three RGB component connector will transfer 1080i, but not 1080p which has to have an HDMI connection.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 26, 2014, 05:14 PM:

Yes, Andrew, you are correct. Intact component can actually carry 1080p, but I didn't want to overcomplicate things because in practice, many manufacturers either block component 1080 HD signals due to fear of easier methods of HD piracy, or just don't support it.

In the early days of HD, many displays would happily accept component 720 from HD DVD or Bluray, etc., but these days, although technically possible, the potential complexities make it a rather uncertain and rarely supported option to pursue when HDMI is readily available.

Maybe Roger could confirm the resolution of his projector and any alternative available inputs so that we can be sure he is getting the best results.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on July 27, 2014, 01:39 AM:

Thanks for clarification Paul and of course Rob for his detailed explanation. What a fantastic knowledge base we have within this forum, just superb!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on July 27, 2014, 02:55 AM:

What model projector? It shouldn't be hard to find all the specs and input options online with the model number.

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 27, 2014, 08:53 AM:

Thank you all for your valuable input. Brad the model is a Toshiba
TDP-XP2U. I'm really impressed with the quality of the picture it gives. It has the Texas Instruments Brilliant Technology and as I understand from what I have read on the internet it's the best for picture quality. The colors are really vivid and very clear with a really sharp picture!

I hate to say it and I realize it's a new toy to play with but I'm liking this more than the films. I'm sure in time the fad will eventually wear off and I will go back to viewing my films again. [Smile]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 27, 2014, 09:28 AM:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/projector-specs/toshiba-tdp-xp2u/

Component inputs looking promising.

Posted by Paul Barker (Member # 4318) on July 27, 2014, 10:23 AM:

hello roger. i think you may find that the fad does not wear off. once you experience hd digital projection in your home it is very hard to ignore its advantages. stunning large picture. tremendous sound and being able to watch films as they should be seen. have fun.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on July 27, 2014, 01:06 PM:

Films were not intended to be projected with a digital machine. You're free to prefer digital, but be aware that it is not cinema, it is something else.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on July 27, 2014, 01:31 PM:

Absolutely use the component inputs and set your bluray player's output to 1080i. Ditch that S-video nonsense.

Get yourself an older bluray player that has component outputs. I can personally vouch for the Panasonic DMP-BD30 model as being a good machine with component AND discrete 6 channel outputs.

Here is a current ebay unit for sale for $70.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 27, 2014, 01:43 PM:

Congrats on setting up the digital projector Roger. I have had digital for 10 years now and I never get tired of watching one of the tens of thousands of DVD and Blu Ray titles projected on a big screen, with great picture and sound, all in the dark like the real cinema. It has opened up a whole new vista of film enjoyment for me and my family, and I could not live without it - simply the best investment I ever made. Anyone with a digital projector will tell you that there is no comparison with a big flat panel TV, which IMO is still like watching TV.
Unfortunately though you have been bitten by the cine bug, and even though it may go into remission for a while, the urge to scratch some reel film will eventually come back. [Smile]

I have found though that the cine bug will live quite happily with the digi bug. [Smile]

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 27, 2014, 03:16 PM:

Thanks Brad for the heads up on the blu ray player on ebay. Does that accommodate regular DVD though?

And Paul I did not mean this to happen my wife and I were out riding our bikes and stumbled upon a yard sale. The guy had two of them the other one was LCD and he hooked both up and the DLP was the winner hands down. So it was an accident waiting to happen I guess? One positive thing that came out of it all is I now have more money in my pocket to spend on the DVDS. Film was getting kinda expensive!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on July 27, 2014, 03:22 PM:

Yes it will play bluray or dvd.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on July 27, 2014, 03:52 PM:

Roger,we have all made the transition to Digital projection at one stage or another, I even sold almost every film I owned once because I thought I had seen the light in the advent of a certain Sharp XVZ1E ha ha.

Nowadays it is has all gone full circle for me. I love my HD perfect screenings, but it has to be said, that once you have fell in love with film and film projectors once, it never leaves you. It is very much like a drug or smoking in that you simply HAVE to re-visit it one day once it is in your system or dna!

Enjoy your screenings Roger in whatever format you choose but don't be at all surprised if in the future, you like them in all different ways! lol.

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 27, 2014, 05:14 PM:

Thanks Andrew and Brad I just bought the blu ray Panasonic on ebay you recommended. Looks like its exactly what I have been looking for. Has great reviews and many features.
Thanks again.
Roger [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 27, 2014, 08:15 PM:

Roger, I hope you decide to keep cine in at least one of your many hats, but even if you do now go 100% digital I hope you will still continue to visit and post here and keep in touch on this forum. Whether you know it or not, you have made many unseen friends here, and I include myself, so we all hope you don't now do one of your disappearing tricks! [Smile]

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 27, 2014, 10:04 PM:

No worries Paul I'm not getting out of film because it's in your blood and thanks for your kind words and the feeling is certainly mutual.

I would never consider leaving the film forum because I have made many great friends here and everyone is really
friendly and always so helpful in sharing and I consider you all family now. So the only thing that is going to disappear is my bunny.

[Smile]

Posted by Pete Richards (Member # 2203) on July 28, 2014, 05:29 AM:

That projector has a resolution of 1024 x 768,so if your BD player can output to that scale, then you will get a reasonable image via component cables.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on July 28, 2014, 05:56 AM:

Much better than that of an S video feed, that's for sure!

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 28, 2014, 07:27 AM:

Ok I may be in trouble here because on the back of the projector for Component inputs there is an S-Video, 1 yellow marked Video RCA Jack, and audio in & audio out but they are not RCA jacks but both are 3.5mm mini jacks. So now what do I need to do then get a splitter for the sound now? Or from my stereo RCA jacks do I just run them directly to the Blu Ray Player and avoid the audio in & audio out on the projector?

Also on the Panasonic DMP-BD30 model blu ray on the back has the audio out two rca jacks front & surround to choose from which of the two should I use then? Also it has a sub woofer input so would it be worth adding a sub woofer?

Any advise on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Roger [Confused]

[ July 28, 2014, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: Roger Shunk ]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 28, 2014, 11:03 AM:

Roger, the audio doesn't need to go anywhere near the projector, just use whatever audio out you are using from your player straight to your amplifier.

Let's sort your video out first;

The component input should be three round sockets coloured blue, green and red and labelled as component input.

A Bluray player or DVD player with component output has three similar sockets labeled component out.

You'll need a specific component video lead to connect them.

The yellow socket is composite video, which is the lowest form of video and should be ignored.

Sounds like there isn't component input on your projector which is odd as it is on the specifications

Maybe it is located elsewhere on the projector body??

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 28, 2014, 11:51 AM:

Hi Rob,
Thank you for your reply.
All there is on the back of the projector is an S-Video which is what I'm using now. 1 yellow RCA jack for Video & for audio in & audio out 3.5mm jacks. There are also 3 pin type computer jacks & one of them is blue. And that's it nothing else anywhere on this unit. It looks like I will have to use either the S-Video or the one yellow RCA Jack for video.

I may just have to invest in another DLP Projector that has HDMI connection.

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on July 28, 2014, 12:59 PM:

This page
http://www.cnet.com/products/toshiba-tdp-xp2u-dlp-projector/specs/
shows that it does not have Component Video inputs.

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 28, 2014, 01:19 PM:

Hello Martin,
Thanks for researching this from me. So which input should I use then for the best results the S-Video or the one RCA Video jack?

Thnaks,
Roger

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 28, 2014, 01:25 PM:

Well, not to worry; just enjoy your DVDs on the projector for now.

But stick to the S-Video input as it is much better than the yellow composite input; basically it carries the luma (black & white part of the image) and chroma (the colour part) separately which results in much better image quality than composite.

Enjoy!

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 28, 2014, 01:51 PM:

Ok Rob will do and thank you very much for all your help on the subject.

All The Best!
Roger [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 28, 2014, 02:02 PM:

Roger the progression of picture quality from worst to best is as follows:

RCA cOMPOSITE CONNECTOR (yELLOW). Don't use at all, alright for VHS Tapes.

S-Video Connector. SD connector, fine for DVD

Component connector 3- RCA Connectors RED, GREEN, BLUE. used for 720P HD and 1080i HD

HDMI CONNECTOR, must be used for 1080p HD (Blue Ray)

The projector is connected up for video only. The red and black AUDIO should go directly from the player to your stereo amplifier.

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 28, 2014, 03:57 PM:

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the clarification and I have one question for you? I just purchased a Blu Ray Player with a HDMI input and it also has the S-Video input. My projector does not have the HDMI input only the S-Video input which is what I'm using now. So if I play a blue ray disc is it going to be any better in picture quality than a regular DVD disc? No use wasting my money on renting Blue Ray or purchasing Blue Ray if no difference.
Thanks again,
Roger

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on July 28, 2014, 04:19 PM:

Resolution wise, no difference.

But you may find that bluray versions have had more recent remastering than older DVD versions of the same movie, so will look better for that reason.

And you will be future proofing for when you do go fully HD!

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 28, 2014, 04:24 PM:

Ok Rob thanks!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 28, 2014, 04:54 PM:

Roger, my first projector was a Panasonic AE700, which is a 720p projector. I used it for years with DVD'S and was very happy with it. Then a few years ago I went and purchased a Panasonic Blu Ray player and connected it up with an S Video connector. Even though the projector could only go to 720p, I noticed a big difference in picture quality over the standard definition DVD.
Then when I purchased my present Panny AE4000 1080p projector I got an even bigger jump in picture quality. So I think you may well see a significantly better picture with Blu rAY, even though your projector does not go up to 1080p.
I would second what Rob has said about recommending that you buy blu ray discs of titles you want to own. I think that in very short order you will probably be using full 1080p equipment.

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on July 28, 2014, 05:11 PM:

Hi Paul,
I will probably invest in a better projector someday down the road that will accommodate HDMI but for now this being my very first projector it will be more that sufficient and meet my needs.

I just bought a Panasonic blue ray off ebay that brad recommended model DMP-BD30K so I'm anxious to try a Blu Ray to see any difference.

Thanks,
Roger

Posted by Ken Finch (Member # 2768) on August 10, 2014, 01:49 PM:

Roger, my advice is to stick with your current projector until the lamp gives out. That will be the time to purchase a new one as from my experience it is not worth purchasing a new lamp. New projectors will be full high definition, or even 4G, 3D, and possibly with LED lighting and at decereasingly lower prices. You will probably find the cost of a replacement lamp for your Toshiba just not bothering with. Just another example of the "throw away " society we live in!. Icidentally the LCD machines have advanced tremendously in the last couple of years particularly with regard to the contrast specs. Ken Finch.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 10, 2014, 03:44 PM:

I totally agree with Ken regarding lamp replacement. Ten years ago I purchased a Panny AE400, and when the time came to replace the lamp 3 years ago (It was still working, just dim at 4,000hours) I decided to spring for a new 1080p projector, because it was just not worth sinking $400.00 into a new lamp for that projector when picture quality was so much improved on the current LCD projectors.
The current generation of HD LCD projectors are at least as good as the DLP projectors.

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on August 10, 2014, 10:44 PM:

OK guys thanks for your input good to know!

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