Vizio blu-ray player question - help! - Blu-ray Forum

cawgijoe · 11-24-2009, 12:02 PM

I'm thinking about picking up a Vizio blu-ray player on Black Friday. What I want to know is if this player is capable of sending video via component to the TV and audio via HDMI to a receiver to take advantage of the latest audio codecs?

I tried contacting Vizio through e-mail and I don't think they really understood my question.

The reason for doing this is for older TV's without HDMI inputs.

I know the PS3 does this, as well as some other players, but does anyone know if the Vizio player(s) can do this for sure?

RBBrittain · 11-24-2009, 02:03 PM

You don't specify a model number, but I assume it's the VBR100; according to Vizio's website, the VBR110 is still "coming soon". The VBR100 manual says on page 26: "If an HDMI cable is connected to the HDMI jack, the component jacks are limited to 480i." So the answer is no, unless your TV isn't HD. (If so, get an HDTV with HDMI inputs.)

Even on players that can do what you want (i.e., PS3), the component output is limited to no higher than 1080i due to the studios' demands for HDCP, which usually requires HDMI (in some cases DVI-HDCP or possibly DisplayPort); though the studios haven't implemented it yet (and keep putting it off), they have the capability of forcing the maximum non-HDCP resolution on future BDs to 540p (effectively 480p or DVD quality). If that's OK with you, get a PS3.

If not, your best option is to buy an HDFury2 from either the official seller (includes power supply) or Monoprice (power supply sold separately), along with the Vizio player and additional HDMI cables (definitely from Monoprice). You'll run HDMI from Vizio to AVR, then from there to the HDFury2; its short component extender connects directly to your TV. (The original HDFury won't do component; the HDFury3 isn't out yet and may be overkill for you. Don't extend the component cables; the output is intentionally weak to discourage copying--that's mainly why the HDCP gods are OK with it.) The HDFury2 alone may be beyond your budget for now, but you'll need it down the road with your non-HDMI TV.

cawgijoe · 11-24-2009, 03:08 PM

Thanks for the great detailed feedback!

I was thinking of buying this for someone else as a gift.

My situation is along those same lines, but I've worked around the issue for now until I spring for a new set probably next year.

I have a Sony XBR800 34" CRT that I bought eight years ago. The TV is 1080i. It has a DVI input which I'm currently using with my Directv HR20 hi-def box....HDMI to DVI cable.Works great.

Then I bought my PS3. I wanted to go to my Pioneer Elite receiver, VSX-01 (switching center) for both components, HDMI to DVI cable to the TV from the receiver.......the HR20 worked fine, the PS3 would not display a picture.

After many calls to Sony, I gave up. The TV is HDCP compliant according to Sony and should work, but does not and they can't figure it out.

So I went from the PS3 to the TV via component and it's been great. The PS3's HDMI output goes to my receiver for the latest audio codecs.

So, I'm ok for now.

11-24-2009, 12:02 PM	#1
cawgijoe Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Trading Score:1	Vizio blu-ray player question - help! I'm thinking about picking up a Vizio blu-ray player on Black Friday. What I want to know is if this player is capable of sending video via component to the TV and audio via HDMI to a receiver to take advantage of the latest audio codecs? I tried contacting Vizio through e-mail and I don't think they really understood my question. The reason for doing this is for older TV's without HDMI inputs. I know the PS3 does this, as well as some other players, but does anyone know if the Vizio player(s) can do this for sure?

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11-24-2009, 02:03 PM	#2
RBBrittain Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Little Rock, AR 4K collection:751 Blu-ray collection:1842 DVD collection:91 MA collection:989 Digital collection:349 iTunes collection:56 Prime collection:5 Trading Score:6	You don't specify a model number, but I assume it's the VBR100; according to Vizio's website, the VBR110 is still "coming soon". The VBR100 manual says on page 26: "If an HDMI cable is connected to the HDMI jack, the component jacks are limited to 480i." So the answer is no, unless your TV isn't HD. (If so, get an HDTV with HDMI inputs.) Even on players that can do what you want (i.e., PS3), the component output is limited to no higher than 1080i due to the studios' demands for HDCP, which usually requires HDMI (in some cases DVI-HDCP or possibly DisplayPort); though the studios haven't implemented it yet (and keep putting it off), they have the capability of forcing the maximum non-HDCP resolution on future BDs to 540p (effectively 480p or DVD quality). If that's OK with you, get a PS3. If not, your best option is to buy an HDFury2 from either the official seller (includes power supply) or Monoprice (power supply sold separately), along with the Vizio player and additional HDMI cables (definitely from Monoprice). You'll run HDMI from Vizio to AVR, then from there to the HDFury2; its short component extender connects directly to your TV. (The original HDFury won't do component; the HDFury3 isn't out yet and may be overkill for you. Don't extend the component cables; the output is intentionally weak to discourage copying--that's mainly why the HDCP gods are OK with it.) The HDFury2 alone may be beyond your budget for now, but you'll need it down the road with your non-HDMI TV.

11-24-2009, 03:08 PM	#3
cawgijoe Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Trading Score:1	Thanks for the great detailed feedback! I was thinking of buying this for someone else as a gift. My situation is along those same lines, but I've worked around the issue for now until I spring for a new set probably next year. I have a Sony XBR800 34" CRT that I bought eight years ago. The TV is 1080i. It has a DVI input which I'm currently using with my Directv HR20 hi-def box....HDMI to DVI cable.Works great. Then I bought my PS3. I wanted to go to my Pioneer Elite receiver, VSX-01 (switching center) for both components, HDMI to DVI cable to the TV from the receiver.......the HR20 worked fine, the PS3 would not display a picture. After many calls to Sony, I gave up. The TV is HDCP compliant according to Sony and should work, but does not and they can't figure it out. So I went from the PS3 to the TV via component and it's been great. The PS3's HDMI output goes to my receiver for the latest audio codecs. So, I'm ok for now.

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