Set up for dvd player

[loverboy]

I have a new DVD Player and the set up option is a little confusing. I would appreciate any help in understanding the following set up options that are available.

SPDIF OUTPUT: I can choose either Raw, PCM or OFF.

Component: either RGB or OFF.

TV type : either PAL, MULTI or NTSC.

Thanks for any explanations as to what the above mean.

[tomd]

"SPDIF" is "Sony/Philips Digital Interface", a digital signal used for transferring audio information between the DVD player and compatable Phillips and Sony TVs. "Raw" is a digital signal, "PCM" is Pulse Code Modulation, "OFF" will transfer audio via an analog signal. If you do not have a Sony or Phillips TV i'd set this to off.

"Component" is component video, where the Red, Green and Blue images are send seperately. These are used in those older video projectors (often seen in pubs) where there are three lights (RGB) all pointing at the same screen. The three coloured images merge to make fully coloured image. Sending these seperately between your DVD player and TV could reduce the loss of picture quality, but only if you TV can accept an RGB signal. Turning this on won't hurt anything, if your TV can't use this signal it'll just ignore it.

Assuming you are in the UK, set your "TV type" to "PAL". This is the type of video signal your tv accepts (ie lines / resolution, etc). Most UK tvs are PAL, although some newer ones are "MULTI" (can accept both types of signal).

[loverboy]

Thanks very much tomd. I do have a Sony TV, but could you just explain a bit more as to whether I should set the SPDIF to RAW or PCM. It is still double dutch to me as to what "digital" signal and "Pulse Code Modulation" means. What governs the setting I should use.

[romko]

unless yopur telly is very new, and has a built in decoder, just set the spdif audio out to off.