Hello all...some questions...closing in on a 990/7700 purchase...

- does anyone have experience switching DirecTV (HR10-250), with other sources thru the 990 via component into a panasonic TH50PHD8UK, or other plasma panels? I already have a run of RGBHV cable in the wall, (to the future TV location), but no DVI or HDMI, and I'd rather not mess with the drywall, so component's my preference for now.

- anyone have any recommendations for DVD players that play nicely with the 990 in a setup like this?

- anyone care to comment on running the video directly to the panel instead of through the 990? Pros / cons?

I'm sure I'll have more questions before taking the plunge, but this forum is great, I'm sure there's nowhere better to find the answers!!

Cheers,
Joe.

Hi Joe
I think the answer to one of your questions...lies somewhere in your living room...
Have you compared the two connections on your display ?
Do it ! Have some friends over and compare...
Do YOU or ANYONE there notice a difference ?

I only have one DVI source(computer) for now...
and for switching purposes(my computer kept shutting off my secondary display when not in use)..I have bypassed my 1070...and ran my DVI straight to my projector...
Movies look awesome through my 480p dvd player(component)...
but...
from the computer(movies at720p)...OUCH !!!
(or off-air HDTV at 1080i) AYOYE!!!
that picture is crisp and clean....
I'M pretty sure your panasonic display will give you that answer...

Now...take that plunge...order those beasts...
and get ready for bliss...

I've recently seen a pace HD cable box's component output switched through a 990 to a Panasonic plasma with very nice results.

If you're staying with component output, you might look at the Denon players. They've got a solid reputation for good video performance (although I think the bottom level of their line ends up pretty stripped down).

The 990's video switching has been quite transparent in my system (32" CRT HDTV with a variety of 480p and 1080i sources). It's very convenient to route the video that way since it automates the process of changing inputs so thoroughly. You'll need at least one video connection to the plasma anyway for access to the 990's menus, and it simplifies the wiring to let everything go through that one cable.

You know where to find us if you have more questions.

Thanks guys!

Unfortunately I can't compare the connections on the display yet...because it hasn't been delivered yet! I just ordered it a week ago...should be here soon... :-)

I'm kinda jumping into the whole high(er) end Audio / Video thing with both feet - been procrastinating over it - and only reading the forums - for waaaayyyy too long.

I'll definitely check out the Denon DVD players, and it's good to know that the video switching is pretty transparent - thanks.

So I think from what I've read that there is no way to switch the DVI inputs to the component output? Even for non HDCP source? This is purely a convenience thing, not trying to circumvent the protection. Is this correct?

Thanks again.

Joe.

You are correct about the DVI/component switching being isolated from each other.

Upgrading is fun. Let us know if you hit any snags (or if you don't, for that matter).

I have a new panny 50PX60U using the cable box component via the 990, picture quality is equal to running direct, which I first did. Using a Pioneer dvd, 2 yrs old (can't remember model #), again 990 works well with this. Run it all through the 990 and enjoy Joe.

Awesome - thanks for the reply - I'm glad everything works well with the panny - I can't wait for the display to arrive, and hopefully by then I'll have pulled the trigger on the 990...

gonk - one followup - I'm a bit confused about the video connection for on screen menus...I think I read in another post that the menus don't work over component. Is this true? I know they don't work over DVI. Or is it that they just don't work over HD on the component...I'm sure this is an easy one... :rolleyes:

Menus will work just fine over component. The little pop-up messages (volume changes, input changes, surround mode changes) do not appear over component inputs, however.

OK great. I thought none of the menus would work...I'm pretty sure I can live without the popups! Are most of these popup messages reflected in the display on the 990 anyway?

Joe.

They are reflected on the display, which is where I prefer them (when I had a system with all s-video switching through my Model 950, I had those pop-ups disabled).