Sky+ - grainy picture :(

[Jay]

I've just had Sky+ installed and I'm getting a slightly grainy picture from it. Some channels are worse than others. It's watchable, but ... annoying. I've ensured I'm using the TV SCART output socket and set the box to output RGB. Is this normal? Should I get Sky back out?

At my old place (I've just moved), freeview via an outdoor aerial gave a brilliant picture on my 32" Sony Bravia. I don't have an outdoor aerial now so I'm kind of stuck with Sky.

[Ivanho]

I presume you have tried another scart cable ?, and made sure that the connections are securely plugged in. You can change the contrast output level, so try thant and see if it makes a difference. Are you using a CRT or LCD ?

[Jay]

Hi, thanks for your help. I have an LCD. I'll try another SCART cable and report back, but I can't see it making much difference. I've been fiddling with contrast and sharpness and so on to the point of obsession and it's still grainy.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Was that brilliant picture from a standalone Freeview box or from the internal tuner?

I'd guess that your RGB/AV1 input is as **** as the one on my Samsung - I don't use that input at all as a result.

[Jay]

Was that brilliant picture from a standalone Freeview box or from the internal tuner?

Internal tuner.

I've tried a different SCART cable and the picture is the same. Could it be the signal quality coming from the dish or would that only cause that weird blocky breaking up effect?

The dish we have up was already there when we moved in and there are two sets of leads coming off it - ie into two different rooms. Could this have something to do with it? ie - if someone's done a dodgy DIY splitter job? The engineer didn't even look at the dish.

[Dirty Sanchez]

Signal from dish is digital so the picture will work or it won't, no inbetween.

Your problem is your RGB input I'd say(as I'd guessed).

You'll probably be able to confirm this by looking over at avforums, I'd guess the solutions suggested will be

1. Get a HD box (HDMI and Component output) - If from Sky it'll cost you the £10 a month on top of the cost of the box, if from elsewhere it'll work as a Sky+ box
2. Get an RGB to Component/VGA converter, probably from JB
3. If you have a DVD recorder connect your Sky Box to the DVD via RGB, DVD to TV via component. This is how I have my Wii connected - gives a cracking picture.

[Dirty Sanchez]

If you are not happy with the install get Sky back, part of the install should have included a check of the dish and possible replacement of the LNB. Not sure if there are any new Sky+ boxes that have component/HDMI output, I know some were being trialled.

[Adrock]

Sorry to hijack this but just a small question. Where would one purchase a sky hd box? I'm interested in the thing giving me a HDMI output for normal sky +.

Wont be an amazing picture upgrade, I understand. But its better than nothing.

[davidcotton]

Ebay I spose would be a good place to start.

[Jay]

2. Get an RGB to Component/VGA converter, probably from JB

Sorry, but who or what is JB?

3. If you have a DVD recorder connect your Sky Box to the DVD via RGB, DVD to TV via component. This is how I have my Wii connected - gives a cracking picture.

I don't have one currently. I wonder if this is an option worth considering. How much would a decent DVD recorder outputting component cost me? Could I get one to output to HDMI? It's the only socket I have left.

Thanks for all your help btw. Really appreciated.

[Psyduck]

I wouldn't buy an HD box unless you're getting sky HD. For SD stuff your output options are 576p or 1080i.
with 576p the sky box does the deinterlacing so it doesn't look quite as good as a sky+ box using RGB output (IMO)
with 1080i it looks fine but the sky box stretches 4:3 channels to 16:9 e.g. paramount comedy, sky sports news
I use the 576p option and it's only a minor difference but I'd be gutted if I'd paid £200+ and it ended up worse...

[Dirty Sanchez]

Sorry, but who or what is JB?


I don't have one currently. I wonder if this is an option worth considering. How much would a decent DVD recorder outputting component cost me? Could I get one to output to HDMI? It's the only socket I have left.

Thanks for all your help btw. Really appreciated.

Sorry, JS = http://www.js-technology.com/
No idea on the DVD thing really, I've got a Panasonic EH50 (I think), I'd imagine most recorders would do this pass thru thing

[Rick]

Its because the Sky picture quality is crap. I did a back to back test in my property with sky and cable. I found the Sky picture a blurry vaseline like mess and the cable picture spot on.

[Salsa Party Animal]

If it wasn't for sky sports I wouldn't bother with sky.