Why am I getting a bad picture when I hook my DVD player to the HD television via component cables?

Question

I am trying to figure this out for my parents. They have a Toshiba HDTV television set, and I have been trying to get them a better picture. They have always used S-video. And while it looks good, I know that component cables deliver a MUCH better picture (this, at least, has always been my experience). The problem is that when I DO hook up the component cables, the picture is MUCH worse than with S-video. I've checked it multiple times, and I've even tried two different DVD players. And I know the component cables are good because I JUST bought them, and they are heavy duty ones. But just to eliminate any doubt, I had tried a different set of component cables prior to this new set I bought. The S-video picture is a good, clear picture. But when I hook up the component cables, the picture gets VERY grainy and just looks rough. It doesn't make any sense. Like I said, I've used component hookups for years on my own stuff, so I know it's good. I just can't figure it out. Help!

Answer 1

Make sure that you have a PROGRESSIVE scan DVD player, and that progressive scan is ENABLED, an older DVD player will not look as good. Component cables are better than S-video. The next connections are DVI then HDMI connection, coming to the market soon HDMI-3.

Answer 2

This is actually a very easy fix. You only hooked up your DVD players video output. Component is only VIDEO. Connecting your dvd player with the reg green and blue cables will give you great picture but you need additional cables for sound. Assuming that you don't have surround sound (true dolby digital surround) all you have to do is run two rca cables from the white and red audio outputs (stereo) on the back of your dvd player into the red and white audio inputs located by the component cables you already plugged in to your tv.You can use any rca cables but if you have a pair of red and white audio cables thats what you need. It may sound a little crazy but you need all five cables to enjoy your connection. I understand your confusion because with the old composite cables you had yellow (picture) and white and red (sound) but with component you need the reg green and blue just to get the video. If you had a DVD player with an HDMI output all you need is one cable from your dvd player to your tv to carry EVERYTHING. Unfortunately with your connection, you're going to have a chunky stack of cables but thats how you get the sound.

Answer 3

Here are some troubleshooting suggestions
a) Connect the Green cable all by itself (Luma) on both the DVD and the TV. Do you see a clean black/white signal on the TV?
If no, can you connect another device (set-top) in that port? If all look bad, then it is a TV problem. If at least one looks OK, proceed with color

Put one color cable at a time and see where that roughness appears. It is quite possible that one of the components ports in the TV is bad
b) Make sure that TV and DVD have matching "blacks"
Many TVs assume that 480i input is 7.5 IRE, but some DVD players output 480i at 0 IRE (or could be the reverse). If blacks don't match, either blacks look washed out or you lose a lot of detail. In any case, check if your TV and DVD have such setings as "black on/off" and make sure they match. If in doubt, put the DVD in progressive out, then both TV and DVD usually default to 0 IRE.

Answer 4

Using component video cables will bring a better picture in to your set, but if the format of the incoming picture is different than the settings on your set, it may not be obvious!

Check the screen size that you are using: 1080,780, or 480

You should be able to gain access to this adjustment on your controller.

Also check the media to insure that you are sending HDTV compatible images.

If not you'll still see a screen, but if your using a setting on your set for HDTV broadcast, the picture will be undesirable.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

the dvd player and your tv may not be compatible. make do with the s video.