I don't know if this is my problem, or maybe the 1050's. Here's the deal: if I try to connect all my video connections into the 1050 through RCA (hey, I've got an old TV) the signal is degraded. This is especially noticeable through the DVD player and my Satellite. If I just wire with a Y connector, bypassing the 1050, the picture is amazing. On the other hand, I do have to power off my VCR to watch DVDs if I do this.

So here's my question. Has anyone else noticed this degradation of the video signal? Is this a problem on my end, or is it the 1050? I'd be happy to provide more info.

Other than that, I'd say the 1050 is excellent. I would advise the Outlaw's to spiff up the manual with more remote info though. Once I discovered how do the audio punch through trick, I love the remote. Very sweet.

Thanks,
Joe

Most video switchers in receivers of this price range are going to degrade the signal. (I previously had a Denon reciever and it was worse than the Outlaw.) You probably have to pay a few thousand dollars to get video switching that does not degrade the signal.

The reason the Y-Connector gives you such a good picture is that it is a "hard-wire/mechanical" approach.

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Bruce Tiller
WT-46807 Toshiba SD-6200
Outlaw 1050 Receiver
My DVD list

Are you using composite connectors? I use the Outlaw's switching to route both satellite and dvd to my tv, and I don't notice any degradation. But then again, I don't have a HD or high end monitor. I also have only one s-vid imput in my tv, so I need a switch. Most people recommend running your video sources directly to your tv, if you've got enough inputs. JR

Having lived with mine for a while now, I have to be honest and say that my video quality using the 1050 S-Video IN/OUT is not near the quality of routing directly to the TV itself. My colors are more washed out, and the contrast levels are way out of range. I've tried and tried to tweak my TV setting, but it does no good.

I like running everything through the 1050 though because I only have one S Video INPUT on my TV. It makes life much easier for me and my wife (she likes to just hit one Macro button on my Sony AV2000 remote to watch any given show).

My TV was calibrated w/ Video essentials before I used the receiver as a switcher (used to use a manual Sony video switcher)and the picture was looking good. However now it has dropped a notch or two in quality since using the 1050.

By no means am I bashing the 1050, just pointing out that the video images from my 1050 switching are sub par compared to the Sony manual switcher, or direct inputs of a TV.

Alfer

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I also noticed an interesting video problem with the 1050. Since I also only have one S-video input on my TV, I was stoked to use the switching capabilities of the 1050 and finally hook up my satellite S-video. Unfortunately, I noticed when playing DVD's that if there were bright flashes of light, especially in a generally dark picture like a night storm, the picture would actually roll and look like film in a projector. Very strange. By hooking video up direct, the problem went away. So, back to composite video for satellite :-(

Interesting side note, has anybody ever noticed how many movies seem to have night lightning storms?

Owls_Warder~

I noticed the same video problems with the 1050, but it was even worse on my Denon 1600. It's as if there is too much bright video information, and the video switcher cannot handle it.

I also noticed other types of video problems. For example, in Contact, instead of grass gently moving back and forth in the breeze, the grass would appear to be flashing.

Alfer~

The Sony switch gave you a perfect picture because it was a mechanical switcher. Unless the contacts are dirty or something, it should show no signal degradation.

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Bruce Tiller
WT-46807 Toshiba SD-6200
Outlaw 1050 Receiver
Definitive Tech BP2004TL
My DVD list

AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGG!!! I love my 1050 and do not want to send it back but....I've had it 2 weeks and want to use the s-video switching too. I've watched a few movies and I've experienced the exact same thing that others have mentioned. The picture gets crapy and flickers near the upper edge of the monitor. It is 100% repeatable too. That is totally unacceptable for me. If I avoid it, then I can only run one one piece of gear in S-video. I was hoping it was just a problem with my 1050, but now I think it is a common issue. I would've gladly paid more to get acceptable s-video switching. I don't need perfection, but at least make it useable!!! Why even include it when it appears to be WORTHLESS!!!

Maybe I'll try switching brands of video cable and see if that makes any difference.

Other than the S video switching, this 1050 is everything I had hoped for. It is a tremendous value but I don't think I can live without some sort of decent switching. Am I expecting too much out of a $500-600 reciever?

Please excuse me if this has already been addressed elsewhere, but, as a potential buyer of the 1050, I would like to learn a bit more about Outlaw's position on the S-video problem (flickering and rolling during certain video scenarios).

Has Outlaw weighed in on this issue? I am anxious to know whether they see this as an engineering defect to be addressed (on past or future units), or as a shortcoming to be expected in this price range.

As someone who has not made a significant audio equipment purchase since the Nakamichi cassette deck I bought over 16 years ago, and who is a newcomer to the A/V world, I have tried to "do my homework" for my upcoming receiver purchase. In reading literally hundreds of reviews and opinions, I have come to the conclusion that I should be striving for "quality over quantity" which has led me to this receiver.

Like many of you who have already posted, I too have only one S-video connection to my monitor, and the flicker problem seems to be the only hurdle I have not yet come to grips with in the 1050. Any info would be appreciated by this newbie.

Thanks,
Bates

bbb3--

I can offer only two thoughts on this issue. (1) If in doubt, e-mail Outlaw and ask them whatever question you have. This forum is great for a lot of things, but sometimes the best thing is to go straight to the source, and Outlaw has always been good at answering my e-mails when I have questions. (2) Video cables can and sometimes do make a significant difference. I don't think that the problems reported here are purely cable related, but cables can play a factor and possibly make switching-generated problems worse.

I will add that I have had no problems using the video switching on my 1050 (although I did notice a significant improvement when I switched from Monster Cable S-video to BetterCables S-video from DVD to 1050 and 1050 to TV).

I don't think I would ever have thought about the cables exaggerating a minor problem within the 1050. Interesting...

I am using Monster's S-video cables, too. Well, I'll just have to live with a single S-video source (DVD naturally!) since I couldn't make my wife see the reason to upgrade brand new cables :-). Some sacrifices are worth the marital harmony they bring...

If anyone actually hears back with an official answer from Outlaw, please post it here. I'm sure it would be of interest to more people than just me.

Happy viewing!!