Thread: VantageHD: Where to buy, analog outputs?

Hello,
I was wondering if there was any place in the U.S. to buy the Vantage HD1100S other than Rick's...

Also, has anyone used the analog, SD outputs on this unit for HD signals?
Any problems doing this? Clearly, the Coolsat has analog interference on the analogs when DVB-S2 is received, the Pansat doesn't downconvert 720p correctly (you get only 240p not 480i at the output), and I've heard the AZbox has a vastly wrong black level.

Anything about the analog outputs on the Vantage? Also, does it have a simple RCA composite output, an S-Video output, or neither (ie is only the Scart the only standard-def output)? And if Scart, can you get S-Video out of the Scart with the proper adaptor?

Thanks!
--Gary

Originally Posted by gdavisloop

Hello,
I was wondering if there was any place in the U.S. to buy the Vantage HD1100S other than Rick's...

Not that I know of. Rick is the only game in town, so to speak.

Originally Posted by gdavisloop

Also, has anyone used the analog, SD outputs on this unit for HD signals?
Any problems doing this? Clearly, the Coolsat has analog interference on the analogs when DVB-S2 is received, the Pansat doesn't downconvert 720p correctly (you get only 240p not 480i at the output), and I've heard the AZbox has a vastly wrong black level.

I JUST started using the SD outputs to a CRT TV, but I am using the SCART adaptor that Rick provided with the receiver. it has a S-video out, but I do not know if its active. You mentioning the 240p issue got me to thinking, I was watching LPB on amc 21 last night and the picture was letterboxed but seemed like it was shifted high on the screen. So it may indeed have the issue of which you speak.

Originally Posted by gdavisloop

Anything about the analog outputs on the Vantage? Also, does it have a simple RCA composite output, an S-Video output, or neither (ie is only the Scart the only standard-def output)? And if Scart, can you get S-Video out of the Scart with the proper adaptor?

Thanks!
--Gary

Looks like to me to get analog SCART is your only choice, unless you use component. I was floored to see the TV I have now has a component input, I didn't think any tube-type 4:3 TV had it....but this one does...

As an aside, and this is NOT an indictment, JUST an observation...if you aren't happy with the PQ of the Azbox, FTA might not be for you....my Azbox has the best PQ of all the receivers I have on average.

Good luck on your decision Gary, my opinion of the Vantage isn't very high, its slow, clunky, hard to use, its slow, has confusing menus, its slow, channel changing speed is positively glacial, its slow, most of the newer firmwares break the AC3 for us in the US, its slow...get the idea?

Vantage seems not to care about our market, I know it isn't the biggest in the world, but come on, if it couldn't blind scan S2 it'd be gone from my cabinet in a Louisiana second.

Keith

Originally Posted by gdavisloop

Hello,
I was wondering if there was any place in the U.S. to buy the Vantage HD1100S other than Rick's...

Also, has anyone used the analog, SD outputs on this unit for HD signals?
Any problems doing this? Clearly, the Coolsat has analog interference on the analogs when DVB-S2 is received, the Pansat doesn't downconvert 720p correctly (you get only 240p not 480i at the output), and I've heard the AZbox has a vastly wrong black level.

Anything about the analog outputs on the Vantage? Also, does it have a simple RCA composite output, an S-Video output, or neither (ie is only the Scart the only standard-def output)? And if Scart, can you get S-Video out of the Scart with the proper adaptor?

Thanks!
--Gary

1. Rick's is the only place that I've found.

2. I just attached to the s-video jack on the SCART adaptor, and it looked terrible, so I went into video settings and selected s-video instead of YPBR, and it looks just fine. Clearly component output and s-video out are mutually exclusive. I don't have any problem with the AZbox black level, so I must be watching the wrong stuff, or maybe I'm just not that picky ( probably both... ).

3. Rick shipped a SCART adaptor with each Vantage when I bought mine, I'd guess he still does.

My advice is NOT to get a Vantage except for the purpose of blindscanning DVB-S2 feeds. The AZbox is a much more satisfying receiver. If perfection is your desire, my advice is not to buy anything. I rank my HD receivers:
1. Azbox
2. CS8000
3. Vantage 1100S

To me, the Vantage 1100s is not a receiver, it's more like a tool - a Blind Scanner.
It's on the same level as my Telemann Sat Meter, which I love.

I'm just looking to get NBC and ABC without problems.
I guess you guys are saying, if I don't like the four HD-FTA receivers I already have, I won't like the Vantage much either ;-)
-thanks
--Gary

if I don't like the four HD-FTA receivers I already have,

What do you already have, and what problems are you having?

I've tried a few Pansat 9200HD's, they have very unreliable reception on DVB-S2 channels (strobing, flashback, etc) and don't downconvert 720p correctly (ABC, NASA). Coolsat 8000 has analog interference on the analog outputs when getting DVB-S2, but it works well for NASA-HD (it does 720P correctly). Viewsat 9000 doesn't seem to get DVB-S2 at all. --Gary

What about a new HDMI TV?

Originally Posted by Lak7

What about a new HDMI TV?

I was thinking the same thing, Tim, but I'm shy !!