A850 - Thoughts and some little queries

[flyin]

When trying to use Internet upgrade in menu it does not return with any message box like it used to ie already upgraded it just doesn't seem to run the command if you now what I mean. Have let it run a good 5 mins to see if anything happens but nothing and have to exit out. Anyone else getting this.

[kenny s]

yeh i tryed when i first set mine up as the last 1 i did required a update but this 1 says allready updated box is a lot faster to i think compaired to the a780

[flyin]

Yes I've attempted upgrade on several occasions and always came back already upgraded.

[kenny s]

well ur fine then 13th Nov 2012 is the latist firmwere

[flyin]

Yup, as above. Interlaced is never as good as progressive. Progressive is always smoother, remember to check that when looking at camcorders and anything else to do with video (including editing).

Basically if you have a show that's 25fps, that means 25 frames per second. With a 720p video you only get 720 vertical lines but each individual frame has the full 720 vertical lines. With 1080i you get 2 separate 540 images alternating. Frame one has 540 lines spaced out over 1080 lines on the screen, frame 2 has the opposite 540 lines spaced out over 1080 lines on the screen.

Due to this, even although the combined resolution is higher, the image is nowhere near as smooth as with 720p.

1080p is a noticeable step up from 720p, 1080i is definitely a step down for me.

In what area is 720p better because I think the 1080i is a sharper picture on the a850 box or am I wrong or is it just that 720 p is better for watching sport or fast action movies please enlighten me as I'm a quality freak. Thank you.

[flyin]

well ur fine then 13th Nov 2012 is the latist firmwere

Thanks but I realise that, what I'm trying to ascertain is why it's not responding as it has done when attempting Internet upgrade.

[kenny s]

720p is the best for tv viewing because thats what hd programming is broadcasted at

[Shady]

720p is the best for tv viewing because thats what hd programming is broadcasted at

who broadcasts at 720p? both sly and vermin output hd channels at 1080i

[Scotster]

In what area is 720p better because I think the 1080i is a sharper picture on the a850 box or am I wrong or is it just that 720 p is better for watching sport or fast action movies please enlighten me as I'm a quality freak. Thank you.

It's all down to personal preference really. The resolution will be sharper, as the total vertical line resolution across 2 frames is higher, but the shared frame rate with 1080i takes away the smoothness. This is very noticeable in fast action/motion pictures/scenes.

I find it difficult to notice the difference between 1080p and 720p so I will always take the quality of the progressive video over the reolution of the 1080i video.

If your TV has intelligent frame creation it can combat the effects of the 1080i limitations. IMO that makes the motion very unnatural though. Having said that even SD images become as sharp as a tack, it really is something to behold if they could get the motion right.

[Scotster]

who broadcasts at 720p? both sly and vermin output hd channels at 1080i

As I understood it virgin channels were 1080p, with the sky versions coming in at 1080i (as that's how they are supplied). The virgin box certainly outputs at 1080p.

Sky, from what I remember, is both 720p and 1080i. (Edit: Although I think that may be the box output options, not sure on the signal).

[Shady]

sorry to tell you, but you understood it wrong mate.

[Scotster]

sorry to tell you, but you understood it wrong mate.

Yeah I just checked it. It's the box outputs that are different. The old virgin boxes had 1080p output (not sure on the tivo) but the signal has always been 1080i.

If the signal is 1080i then it's best to go with that, as 720p isn't going to get a smoother picture when it's based off of a 1080i signal. As well making the most out of the resolution

Glad we got into this now, it'll save me trying to save the 720p option

[cactikid]

did you remove the usb powered hdd also to stop your problems.

[flyin]

Excellent twoing and throwing guys top notch solves many a problem.

[flyin]

Just to interject its seems on my Samsung smart tv when viewing free view high def channels different program's come through on different formats. Room 101 came through on 1080p whilst the show after came through on 1080i, food for thought. Well that's what the info box read.