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I have seen posted on several differant threads about differant outputs from the 811. I would like to prose a few observations.

While the 811 has all four outputs I question the validity of anyone using composite or S-Vhs. You can only output 480i max using these outputs. No HD at all. You might get your set to use its line doubler for an up-converted resolution but you can not pass the true HD signal thru (I am not even sure you can pass a true 480P using these outputs).

Composite is the worst possible output for any HDTV no matter what signal you watch. The video signal is passed on amn anlog cable with no seperation of the signal properties at all. Run this into your HDTV and you will get the worst possible picture. You are giving your set the worst signal to try and improve--falls way too short of providing enough information for todays HD sets. I have found that on most HD sets this input will usually give you a picuture that lacks greatly in colour definition and in black definition--result-a darker picture.

S-vhs at least seperates luminace and chromance but is not much better than composite. On an analog set these last two signals look good but on an HD set once again there is not enough info to allow your line doubler to do much. There will be a ton of artifacts that will make your viewing pleasure take a dive.

Componet is where you can start sending a HD signal. Not only that but with the seperation of the differant drives (red, blue and green) along with seperate passage of chrom and lum (with each colour) you get alot more info even on SD product that will allow your HD set to do a better job of improving the picture with far less error and artifact.

DVI is the dog. Digital passage with complete seperation of the entire video signal to the HD set. Here is where you will get your best possible signal-- especially with HD. If you skip the analog conversion that takes place with componet than the picture that you are going to get with your HD set is the best that can be delivered. With SD you will also get the best possible picture. However, the differance between componet and DVI with SD on some sets is so minimal that most will not see a differance--but there is a differance.

Now onto the DVI darkness issue. I have a Pioneer Elite 630HD. This set has two DVI inputs and I have put both to use. Just recently I had the set calibrated and the calibration went well but afterwards the picture was darker than I was used to. I contacted a well know ISF calibrator on the west coast and he explained the with the new DVI sets that there is an internal (not for the common user) menu for DVI settings in the Pioneers (and with other manufacturers). Even though you calibrate through the normal routines you also have to enter into the DVI service menu in order to calibrate those inputs. He stated that most new sets do have that internal DVI settings and that when set properly the outcome would almost always be darker then the viewer was used to. The new Mits has the best system for adjusting this for the average Joe (it is in the user menu).

In addition to this, many of the new up-conversion DVD players (I have the Samsung 931HD) have a dark picture thru the DVI port. In fact with the new DVI-HDMI inputs there seems to be a bug in the blacker than black video as the new input does not seem to be passing this. Also, the new players seem to be having a problem passing this. The result is a loss of definition and many users complaining that the picture is too dark. Most of the complaints are directed at the DVI (HDMI) inputs. The componet is usually okay but you can only upconvert on most units thru the DVI.

My short conclusion is that the 811 does have a dark video problem with the DVI and the latest p266 has made an improvement (small but noticable) in the SD and HD outputs thru the DVI. (I was able to watch CSI last night without having to jack up the black settings).

I believe that there is still a problem in the way differant manufacturers are setting up and handling DVI for their differant product lines. There seems to not be any uniformity in how DVI is being implemented. This might explain why some here see an improvement in their picture from E* thru the 811 and others do not. I think that with the last download those who do not see any improvement should try and adjust their black and white settings and see if they can affect more change than before the latest download.

I fear that this is a problem that E* may not be able to resolve for everyone. I think they are trying but since DVI implementation by the manufacturers is not uniform I personally do not see how E* is going to win. Jack up the dark settings too much and some of us will start seeing washed out pictures while others see a positive improvement. Don't jack it up enough and most will complain of too dark an output. How do you win in this situation?