Setting Tv For Hdmi Input

[Mr-H]

I recently have tried HD television - it might be just me (or my telly), but I can't see what the fuss is about. Then I found this site http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/skyhd.html which suggests that for HD tv "You need to set the TV so that it's viewing via the HDMI socket (not via SCART or aerial)". I don't know if my installer did this or not, so I want to confirm it either way if I can, but I cannot find 'the book' for the tv. It is a Sony Bravia 40" - I just wondered if anyone could help please, and point me in the right direction?

[Buenchico]

>>>You need to set the TV so that it's viewing via the HDMI socket (not via SCART or aerial)

That only applies if you're feeding a signal from an external device, such as Freeview HD set-top box, a Sky HD box or a Blu-Ray player. If so, you only need to check that the cable from the device is feeding into an HDMI socket (which looks like this http://bt.custhelp.com/rnt/rnw/img/enduser/vision_hdmi_socket.jpg ) and not a Scart socket (which looks like this http://www.cvpoxford.co.uk/img/SCART.socket.png ). Then, as long as you're actually seeing a picture, you must be using the correct setting.

If you're not feeding a signal from an external device, the information you quote is completely irrelevant.

[Mr-H]

You seem to suggest that this switch-over is automatic - that HDMI overrides SCART. I do have the HDMI cable plugged into both TV and external source. My TV has 2 SCART inputs - I unplugged them and lost picture, although the HDMI cable is in. Therefore it seems NOT to be automatic, and that I need to do some switching within the TV.

[Zacs-Master]

You should have a button on your remote marked 'source' this should bring up a menu on the TV. Scroll down to HDMI 1 (or 2, or whichever you've plugged the cable into) and the picture should appear.

[Buenchico]

I was assuming that any external device would only be connected by EITHER an HDMI cable OR a Scart one. I hadn't allowed for the possibility that (as it seems) you might have BOTH plugged in!

You need to locate the 'Source' button on your TV's remote control. It might be labelled 'Src' or have a rectangle with an arrow pointing into it but there are also loads of other possibilities! If you can find it, press it and then scroll down to 'HDMI' and press the main 'OK' button.

If you can't find the 'Source' button, please provide the exact model of your TV set (which will be something like KDL40EX503U or KDL40Z4500U) so that I can try to locate the manual for it online. (The model number should be on the back of the set).

[Zacs-Master]

Snap.

[VHG]

I cant see anywhere what your source is.

Having a HD TV in itself wont give you a HD picture.

You need to feed a HD SOURCE into the TV for it to show a HD picture.

That source can be:

- a Freeview HD box (where only some channels are HD). This may also already be built into your TV.

- a Sky box, but only if you are paying £10 extra a month for HD (and watching a HD channel).

- a Virgin box on a HD channel

- a Blu Ray player with a Blu Ray disk in it.

If you are just watching a "normal" (non HD) channel then even if you have a HDMI lead it wont be showing you a HD picture.

[Buenchico]

VHG:
The link in Mr-H's post suggests that it's Sky HD involved here. (I didn't spot that myself until after posting).

Mr-H:
As VHG states, you'll only see any major difference when viewing an HD channel (not a normal SD one), although using an HDMI connection [instead of a Scart one] may still provide a slightly better picture (and sound quality) anyway because the information is passed digitally rather than by an analogue method.

[VHG]

>>>The link in Mr-H's post suggests that it's Sky HD involved here

Ah yes, did not notice that.

However you can have a Sky HD box but still not be paying Sky extra to watch the HD channels.

Mr-H are you paying Sky an extra £10 for the HD channels?

Also notice there are two levels of HD, one called 720 and the other 1080. This refers to the number of lines on your TV.

If your TV is only 720 lines then you will not se the "best" HD.

To see HD the best HD you need a TV with 1080 lines.

[Mr-H]

OK - Yes. I am watching via a Sky+HD box, using an HD ready television. No, I am not paying the extra £10 per month to Sky. I am watcing BBC 1 on channels 101 (non HD) and 141 (HD) - both are non-subscription (i.e. free channels as far as I know). TV Model no. is KDL-40D3500. I have downloaded the User Manual for this model and it says .............
No - whilst writing this I have discovered where I was going wrong and its sorted now. There was a switch inside one of the menus which I had missed. I was simply stopping at AV1 - SAT, and not looking beyond it to AV4 - HDMI1. Highlighting and now using this shows that "1080i" is being used. Thanks for all your help and advice guys, I think I am sorted now. Certainly the SCARTs have now been (temporarily) unplugged but I am still watching MotD! I say temporarily because I have still to suss out the CD player connection and those to the upstairs teles!!