Anyone know if the Best Buy on 23rd has the HDMI->DVI adapter?
I only have DVI on my DLP and plan on getting the 8300HD tomorrow morning. It would be really convenient to only have to go to the end of the block to get an adapter.

Originally posted by kristcnj
Just got off the phone with a TWC rep in Pal Park, NJ. Had to be the most ignorant person I've ever spoken with:

Question: Do you have the SA 8300 HD DVR?
Answer: Yes we have HD DVR
Question: OK but do you have the 8300, I've heard they are available
Put on hold....
Answer: We don't have them
Question: Do you even know what I'm talking about? I'm pretty sure you have them...
Answer: We don't have them...click

That stupid ignorant beotch hung up on me. I can't believe it!!!!!!!!


For what it's worth, CSR in Palisades Park told me this morning that the 8300s are not yet available in NJ b/c TWCNYC had discovered some issues with the boxes and wanted to iron them out before distributing them. Given the 8300's availability at other TWC locations this does not seem credible. She estimated it would be a few weeks to a month.

RandyMac,
Interesting observation. If you're right, then it may mean that we should set our "Turn On" stations to an SD channel. But then hmmmm, if you're recording two things at once on different channels and turn the box on, what would happen?

TM

I might just try to swing by 23rd St. after work to see about swapping my 8000 for an 8300. One question: Since my TV has an HDMI input used by my DVD player, I'm going to have to get an HDMI switcher (and a DVI-->HDMI cable) in order to use the DVI output on the player. Do any of you guys have experience with the Dtrovision HDS-21R? It seems to be the most affordable option at this time...

Originally posted by EricScott
Do you have the Mistsu DLP? Don't they have a built in tuner and digital audio out? If they do, are you not getting 5.1 audio through HDMI and through the other digital outs?

Putting that aside, you may find component looks just as good on the Mitsu DLP since the HDMI goes through a digital to analog conversion in the TV. Just a question of whether that conversion happens in the box or the TV.

Curious about the audio issue though. I thought that if the TV can handle DD5.1 then all of the digital outputs send 5.1. Maybe that's not even working.

Eric:
Yes, I have the Mits DLP, but I have it hooked up to a Bose 321 AVR system. I can live with the video component connections, but I am interested in seeing the PQ of the HDMI video. Is there a way for me just get the video signal from the 8300HD and use the optical cabble for audio?


TIA....JL

I’m a happy camper!

I picked up my 8300HD Wednesday evening at Kissena.. The girl behind the glass on the 2nd floor was very cordial. I sat and chatted with her for about 15 minutes waiting for the dude to stroll on up with the Holy Grail. She said I was the second person to come in for it. I think Phil beat me.

One interesting point that she mentioned was that TW is still pushing the 8000HD even though they all know that the box is crap. They have to get rid of all of them first. I guess it’s an inventory issue that they have with SA. If you have difficulty getting one, don’t take no for an answer. Also, to repeat, this office will be closed permanently, tomorrow by noon.

I coincidentally received a response from TWC Public Affairs the same day. This was in response to my DOITT filing several days prior, regarding the multitude of problems with the 8000HD. I firmly believe that my DOITT complaint along with the dozens of other filings by many of you folks had a lot to do with these new 8300’s creeping out this week. It’s a good tool to use. Thanks, Phil, Manatus, and all-- for the help.

Some thoughts on the 8300HD.
I’m hooked up via component. Needless to say, the picture is back to true HD! It’s like having a fine chefs knife re sharpened. The picture is crisp, sharp, perfect, once again. SD looks better than it ever has. Even before I ever had an HD box. I can utilize my set’s picture modes again on SD. The new search feature is terrific. All commands are quicker. Can’t change the colors on the guide anymore- not that it matters, just thought I’d mention it. Last night was the first time in 4 years with HD that I did not have any audio or video drop outs on CSI— this goes for any HD box I ever had. Actually, I haven’t noticed any dropouts. Keeping my fingers crossed. I’m very happy and thankful.



Larry

Just picked up my 8300HD at 23rd street. Box dated 2/3. Seems like they have plenty of both 8300 + 8300HD. Connected HDMI>DVI cable,works fine, full 5.1 sound. First, many thanks to all on this forum who were the first obtainers and figured out what would be necessary to get everything (like the 5.1 audio) to work with the digital outs.
Just too add to all, the new machine is clearly smoother in operation (I have it set to output 480P, 720P, and 1080I, and the transitions when my Aquos changes resolution are way smoother). I will have to watch for a while, but picture and audio stability seems to be much better. Picture quality doesn't strike me as "blow me away better" but I guess I will have to wait for a primo program to confirm this (Hogan's Heroes just wont do it-ahh, but I love Sgt. Schultz-but I digress).

Now a TWC rant-I was going to work at home today, and they were going to deliver me an 8300HD. I have 2 HD DVRs (I still have an 8000HD which I will switch as soon as I am REALLY certain this one is fine!!!), no SD DVRs, yet when I called this morning to confirm the appointment and equipment-lo and behold they were going to replace my 8000SD with an 8300SD!!!
This, after I confirmed the 8300HD TWICE!!! Well, after my "I know it's not your fault, but the people who work there are.... I managed to squeeze out a $15 HD tier refund for the month. Since I was home already, I just grabbed a cab and did it myself. Number 161, serving 155 when I arrived. 5 minutes in and out.

Originally posted by Goanna
Does anyone think it is worth upgradine an Explorer 8000SD to the 8300SD?

Although my 8000SD really hasnt ever given me a problem, I am thinking it might be worth upgrading, as I am guessing the 8300SD also has the archive to tape feature, so you can watch something while archiving something else to tape/dvd.

Also, according to SA, all 8300 boxes in the house will be able to recieve content from one another if you get an 8300 MR (or 8300HD MR) box (who knows when the hell TWC will make that available though, most likely not until there is a newer, better model out for us yearn for , lol). I am not going to hold my breath on gerring that functionality anytime soon, although it would be really cool if it did come our way. I went from the 8000SD to the 8300SD last night.. faster switching of channels, component out also. A lot quieter. The other one sounded as if it was cringing cans...

Originally posted by LL3HD
I’m a happy camper!

Also, to repeat, this office will be closed permanently, tomorrow by noon.

Larry

Larry or anyone else: Is the Kissena office closing at 12:00 noon Friday or Saturday? I got the impression from a previous post that it was Friday.

Also, I am using a TWC SA CC and it appears FOX-HD/705 is very flaky. Looks OK on the 8000HD, but not the CC.

TIA...JL

Saturday.

I picked mine up around noon today. And they weren't going anywhere.

Originally posted by SRFast
Eric:
Yes, I have the Mits DLP, but I have it hooked up to a Bose 321 AVR system. I can live with the video component connections, but I am interested in seeing the PQ of the HDMI video. Is there a way for me just get the video signal from the 8300HD and use the optical cabble for audio?


TIA....JL

AFAIK, the way the box is supposed to work when you connect HDMI, is to handshake with your display to determine if the display can decode 5.1 digital audio. If it can (and I think your Mitsu DLP should be able to given that it has a digital tuner and a digital audio out), then all of the digital audio outputs - including optical, coax and HDMI - should deliver 5.1. If the TV can't decode 5.1, the box goes into 2 Ch audio mode and all of the outputs deliver 2 Ch audio. It's an all or nothing think.

You are fortunate to have a TV that should be capable of decoding 5.1. Now if you are running an optical cable to your Bose and still not getting 5.1 under the setup described above then clearly the box isn't working the way it's supposed to (or your TV isn't handshaking properly). Now that I think of it, given that the Mitsu HDMI isn't truly digital all the way, it's possible that this is where the problem is - the handshake may be messing up and the 8300 may be reverting to 2 ch.

To be clear, have you tried running optical and found that it didn't work? If not, give it a shot, I bet it works fine. Curious to hear your results.

Originally posted by andrewjnyc
I might just try to swing by 23rd St. after work to see about swapping my 8000 for an 8300. One question: Since my TV has an HDMI input used by my DVD player, I'm going to have to get an HDMI switcher (and a DVI-->HDMI cable) in order to use the DVI output on the player. Do any of you guys have experience with the Dtrovision HDS-21R? It seems to be the most affordable option at this time...

First, the 8300 has an HDMI output, not DVI. In which case you would still need the switcher....but that thing is around 200 bucks.
I have a Sony 975V using the HDMI in on my TV and it aint going nowhere. I just hooked up my 8300 via component and it looks great.

Spending 200 bucks on an HDMI switcher seems ridiculous to me.

Manhattan service tech just brought a 8300HD around and removed my 8000HD. He said they're only issued 2/day, so it's not a good way to get the 8300HD. I'd had a long-pending 'ticket' writeup on 8000HD problems.

HD video looks much better than the 8000HD's, but need to record INHD/HDNet test patterns (earlier posts) to see if it at least matches my 3100HD resolution-wise. Quickly noticed the 8300HD doesn't have the faint HD image fog of the 3100HD. (Rarely used the 8000HD due to its fuzzy images, and one CSR earlier said a partial rebate was possible once I received the 8300HD.) Curiously, the tech wouldn't accept my 3100HD for return; TWC wants to incur the cost of a separate visit for that. -- John

Originally posted by HooDSide
First, the 8300 has an HDMI output, not DVI. In which case you would still need the switcher....but that thing is around 200 bucks.
I have a Sony 975V using the HDMI in on my TV and it aint going nowhere. I just hooked up my 8300 via component and it looks great.

Spending 200 bucks on an HDMI switcher seems ridiculous to me.

Wow, I dont't know why I thought it had DVI. So that saves me the cost of a cable if I buy go with the switcher. Maybe I'll try component for now and wait to see what four-port switches go for when the presumably-HDMI-equipped next PlayStation 3 and next-generation Xbox come out (which is when I'll really need one).

Hey, has anyone who's exchanged their 8000 for an 8300 been able to score a free HDMI cable from TWC?

Quick question:

I have a panny plasma 50phd7uy hooked up through componant to the hd8300 box. I have the settings on the box to only 1080i. I keep hearing how everyone is concerned about not being able to pass 480i. When I select all the output formats (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i) on the box and scroll through different channels with different outputs it stutters so I just keep it on 180i and its smooth. I guess my plasma is doing all the conversion. My question is am I loosing any pq by not selecting the other resolutions and keeping just at 1080i?

Maybe they'll postpone SBXXXIX until I get my 8300. "Hey Donovan, chill out for a few days here in lovely Jacksonville. Some dude in NJ is waiting for TWC to stop sucking...

Originally posted by John Mason
Manhattan service tech just brought a 8300HD around and removed my 8000HD. He said they're only issued 2/day, so it's not a good way to get the 8300HD. I'd had a long-pending 'ticket' writeup on 8000HD problems.

HD video looks much better than the 8000HD's, but need to record INHD/HDNet test patterns (earlier posts) to see if it at least matches my 3100HD resolution-wise. Quickly noticed the 8300HD doesn't have the faint HD image fog of the 3100HD. (Rarely used the 8000HD due to its fuzzy images, and one CSR earlier said a partial rebate was possible once I received the 8300HD.) Curiously, the tech wouldn't accept my 3100HD for return; TWC wants to incur the cost of a separate visit for that. -- John

John,

When is the HDNet test pattern on - thought it was Tuesday at 8am but it's not showing up in my IPG. Curious to hear what you have to say about resolution.

im pretty sure the HDNET test pattern is on sat at 7am. maybe its 8am. eitherway, does anyone know how to use it? is there some kind of guide to the test pattern?

Is this office is closing tomorrow (sat) or today (fri) at noon? Permanently, really?

Originally posted by dacaplan
Is this office is closing tomorrow (sat) or today (fri) at noon? Permanently, really?

YES, Saturday, new office will be at the Queens Center Mall:(

Hey, does the 8300 use the same remote as the 8000 (or use the same codes, at least)? I'm hoping I don't have to do a massive reprogramming of my Pronto after I make the switch...

same remote....same codes

Originally posted by dankwonka
im pretty sure the HDNET test pattern is on sat at 7am. maybe its 8am. eitherway, does anyone know how to use it? is there some kind of guide to the test pattern?

You sure you don't mean the InHD pattern on Sat.? Never used that one. But the HDNet pattern has a few different screens that are each on for a few minutes (of course with a DVR you can just pause) and there is a voice that gives you brief instructions. It's pretty similiar to some of the DVE test patterns. If you want to set color you need some sort of color decoder (like the one that comes with DVE). To set black levels and test for blacker than black, there are a bunch of black boxes towards the bottom of the first pattern (IIRC) that get progressively darker from left to right - they all contain numbers as well. If you turn your brightness up quite a bit, you should be able to see the number inside the box all the way on the right. If you can see the number than your connection passes BTB. You want to then lower the brightness to the point where the number blends into the background of that box.

That's about the extent of my knowledge on the test pattern - never quite understood the resolution test which John is very well versed in.

Originally posted by LL3HD
YES, Saturday, new office will be at the Queens Center Mall:( Oh plenty of parking there at $2.50 for the first hour I think.. what a ZOO that is going to be there..:cool:

Originally posted by EricScott

When is the HDNet test pattern on - thought it was Tuesday at 8am but it's not showing up in my IPG. Curious to hear what you have to say about resolution.
Not on my guide for the first time either. Unless the slated "Intro to HDNet" (Tues. am) includes their test patterns, or it's shifted to another time, looks like INHD's 7 am show this Saturday is the only option (if they include resolution wedges or bursts). Naturally, TWC wants its subs measuring the overall quality of its cable system. -- John

EDIT: A technique I've been using for HDNet's rez wedges is outlined a few times in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4664241#post4664241).

Originally posted by frankle1
same remote....same codes GREAT SEARCHING and MUCH better then the 8000. More like TiVo...

Originally posted by John Mason
Not on my guide for the first time either. Unless the slated "Intro to HDNet" (Tues. am) includes their test patterns, or it's shifted to another time, looks like INHD's 7 am show this Saturday is the only option (if they include resolution wedges or bursts). Naturally, TWC wants its subs measuring the overall quality of its cable system. -- John

Weird...if you check their website it's clearly listed as "HDNet Test Patterns"

http://www.hd.net/schedule_sevenday.html

Must be a TW conspiracy. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt given that I am actually happy with my service for the first time in months.

What have people noticed regarding how far forward the 8300 remembers guide data? Haven't played around with it much but it seems like you can go ahead a week but that the box doens't necessarily remember that you've paged ahead. So if I page ahead one week, check my Scheduled Recordings list (see a weeks worth of recordings) and then come back a day later and check the scheduled recordings list, it only lists a few days. Seems like I have to repage through the guide - just like I did with the 8000. It's definitely faster than the 8000 but not ideal.

Is the Search function tied to this as well? So if the box only remembers 2 or 3 days of guide data, I'm assuming the Search will only capture 2 or 3 days worth of shows.

Just curious what others have noticed.

Has anyone tried to play a recorded program out by the "Record to VCR" option? Are you able to watch another channel or stop it once it starts?

Thanks

I was wondering why I have problems receiving CBS on both my D* Samsung HD recevier (OTA.. not thru satellite) and my Pioneer built in HD receiver OTA.. The rest of my OTA locals seem to come in fine and besides the frequency assignment everything appears fine. The OTA I use is the channelmaster that D* installs with their HD installs. Is CBS that hard to pick up?



here is the info from antennaweb
FOX 199deg 12mi 44freq
CBS 199deg 12.1mi 56freq
ABC 199deg 11.5mi 45freq
NBC 198deg 11.2mi 28freq


TIA

Z

Originally posted by LL3HD
Can’t change the colors on the guide anymore- not that it matters, just thought I’d mention it.

Larry


how could you change colors on the 8000?

Just an FYI,

23rd st. HAS 8300SD for Brooklyn/Queens subscribers. That's right folks, they still DON'T have the 8300HD for Bklyn/Queens, but they do have the 8300SD.

Originally posted by jumbolaya
Quick question:

I have a panny plasma 50phd7uy hooked up through componant to the hd8300 box. I have the settings on the box to only 1080i. I keep hearing how everyone is concerned about not being able to pass 480i. When I select all the output formats (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i) on the box and scroll through different channels with different outputs it stutters so I just keep it on 180i and its smooth. I guess my plasma is doing all the conversion. My question is am I loosing any pq by not selecting the other resolutions and keeping just at 1080i?

If you are going to do this, enable 720p and 1080i so that you receive the HD stations in their native format (720p for Fox, ABC & ESPN). SD programming will then be output as 720p. From my quick test last night doing this, SD look about the same whether the box was outputting it as 480p or 720p.

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
I went from the 8000SD to the 8300SD last night.. faster switching of channels, component out also. A lot quieter. The other one sounded as if it was cringing cans...

Thats good to know. I moved my 8000 into my bedroom when I got the 8000HD. I never noticed how noisy it was until I did that, lol.

Does the 8300SD have the archive to VCR Feature? How about the search feature?

I think I found my first glitch. On the HDMI>DVI input, all 1080i images are shifted about 1 inch to the left. This doesn't happen on 480P or 720P images, nor does in happen for any resolution in component. I can compensate with controls on the TV (Sharp Aquos LC-37G4U), but this means I have to adjust the set every time I switch from 1080i to another resolution-or else watch everything in component (not really a problem-to me there is minimal if any difference between the 2). Anybody else have this quirk?

BIGD86. i have an aquos too (lc-32g4u). i have a belkin HDMI-DVI wire on its way, should arrive early next week. i'll let you know if this is the case.

are you or anyone else having the same problem as i am with SD channels and the black bars in side bar mode? there is the ugly grey bars, then there is these thin black bars before the video? anyone have any solutions?

Originally posted by dankwonka
BIGD86. i have an aquos too (lc-32g4u). i have a belkin HDMI-DVI wire on its way, should arrive early next week. i'll let you know if this is the case.

are you or anyone else having the same problem as i am with SD channels and the black bars in side bar mode? there is the ugly grey bars, then there is these thin black bars before the video? anyone have any solutions?

Yes, I have them too. Though I see it as a good thing. Having the black strip helps with apparent contrast, like masking your projector screen.

Originally posted by dankwonka
BIGD86. i have an aquos too (lc-32g4u). i have a belkin HDMI-DVI wire on its way, should arrive early next week. i'll let you know if this is the case.

are you or anyone else having the same problem as i am with SD channels and the black bars in side bar mode? there is the ugly grey bars, then there is these thin black bars before the video? anyone have any solutions?

I have the aspect ratio set for Standard (4:3), Letterbox 16:9 picture, and do all the stretching with the Aquos. No grey bars.

A bit off topic but - after getting my 8300 I went to Radioshack to pick up a HDMI cable. I was surprised to see that a 6' cable costs $100. I followed a link on here to www.buyextras.com; they have HDMI cables from $15 to $100. What gives? Why is there such a range of prices?? Does it matter? I mean it is a digital signal so I figure as long as it is getting there it should be fine.

Any advice?

Thanks

EricScott noted just above that HDNet still has its 10-minutes of test patterns listed at its site as starting at 8 am Tuesday, its regular time. But the 8300HD program guide shows NYC TWC as carrying "HDNet Intro" most of the morning and early pm. Using the 8300HD's on-screen program guide word-search feature (test pattern) turned up no hits; could have been the wrong search words.

But RCN Cable's on-screen guide shows HDNet's 10-minute patterns slated for Tuesday as usual.

Again, INHD has slated a test pattern show for Saturday starting at 7 am. -- John

I finally swapped the 800HD for the 8300HD at 15:15 today. I tried to pick one up this morning at the Jamaica office, but they said they had not received any. I was going to wait a week or two and try again, but Fox-HD/705 has become flaky on the SA CC, so I decided I needed to get a back up for Sunday in the event the CC problem did not clear up. It took about 60 minutes (travel and wait) and $6.00 for parking, but I have the 8300HD. I am using component video cables and optical digital audio. Everything works fine. I've tried getting rid of the gray side bars using the info from other posts, but WCBS/702 always displays in gray. Any ideas? I am going to try connecting the HDMI at some point, but at this time, it is not a priority.

Thanks to all who offered advice.....JL

SRFast -

702 is broadcast with gray bars for SD programming. It's not your new 8300. I get gray bars using my ATSC tuner as well.

Hope that helps.

CBS likes those grey bars..


Possible issue...

8300 via component. Notice a lack of red various times today. I was getting pretty annoyed, I thought maybe it was a fluke during channel changes, but for 10 minutes straight all the channels just lacked red, all I saw was an incredible amount of green. So I banged on the top of the box(I took The Fonz advice, heyyyy)..and since, it's all good.

Originally posted by pdroth
SRFast -

702 is broadcast with gray bars for SD programming. It's not your new 8300. I get gray bars using my ATSC tuner as well.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, I know. I was hoping the fixes posted in this forum would fix that. Wishful thinking I guess. ;)

Regards....JL

Originally posted by HooDSide
CBS likes those grey bars..


Possible issue...

8300 via component. Notice a lack of red various times today. I was getting pretty annoyed, I thought maybe it was a fluke during channel changes, but for 10 minutes straight all the channels just lacked red, all I saw was an incredible amount of green. So I banged on the top of the box(I took The Fonz advice, heyyyy)..and since, it's all good.

That happend to me with my 8000HD when I first got it. Turned out I just had to make sure all my component cables were firmly pushed in. One of them was a little loose, even though it looked like it was pushed in all the way. Anyway, problem fixed by pushing them in snugly.

Recorded this 12-minute home-theater set-up show today. Big disappointment since they omitted any resolution patterns--all I'm interested in. But probably useful to those wanting to set HD tint/color, contrast/brightness, overscan, convergence, etc.

Curious how HDNet's Tuesday 8 am tune-up segment (with resolution wedges) has disappeared (apparently) from NYC TWC's program menu for next Tuesday, yet remains on RCN Cable's schedule. TWC is partial owner of the INHD system. Found earlier that RCN was providing ~1335 lines of horizontal resolution on my RPTV from HDNet's pattern, while TWC delivered only ~890 lines with the problem-plagued 8000HD, and about 1290 lines with a 3100HD. My new 8300HD is clearly better resolution-wise than the old 8000HD, but then anything should look better than ~890 lines maximum resolvable horizontal detail.

Various cable systems can filter higher resolutions through bandwidth-conserving rate-shaping hardware/software, among other techniques such as too-low bit rates for channels. Maybe someone will rent a Tektronix 5000 or similar spectrum analyzer one of these days and measure delivered resolution fidelity from numerous shows, comparing OTA, DBS, etc. versus cable. -- John

Originally posted by John Mason
Recorded this 12-minute home-theater set-up show today. Big disappointment since they omitted any resolution patterns--all I'm interested in. But probably useful to those wanting to set HD tint/color, contrast/brightness, overscan, convergence, etc.



Just finished going through this as well. I personally think it's much better than HDNet's patterns for setting brightness, contrast, overscan etc. Good instructions as well. Too bad they don't have a resolution pattern - I never understood that one on HDNet anyway.

Can someone tell me how the HD quality of the new 8300HD is compared to the 3250? I already have a TiVo, so I'm not likely to use the DVR function very much. Is it a worthwhile upgrade? I am currently connected via component cables, but could switch to DVI if the 8300 allows native resolution pass-through. Thanks!

Originally posted by robgold
Can someone tell me how the HD quality of the new 8300HD is compared to the 3250? I already have a TiVo, so I'm not likely to use the DVR function very much. Is it a worthwhile upgrade? I am currently connected via component cables, but could switch to DVI if the 8300 allows native resolution pass-through. Thanks!

PQ on the 8300 is better over both component and HDMI/DVI. Also as you pointed out, the 3250 forces you to choose one HD resolution over DVI - the 8300 will pass 480p, 720p and 1080i over HDMI/DVI.

Note though that the 8300 has an HDMI output so if you already have a DVI cable you will need to get an adapter.

Does anyone know if the 8300HD box is available for Manhattan subscribers? I would want to pick it up at the TW office on 23rd Street.
Thanks,

Okay, after all the complaining I (and we've) done about TWC, I have to say their performance the past couple days has been stellar.

Had a tech out last saturday to swap out a faulty 8000hd for another faulty 8000hd. Same old, same old.

I'd made a complaint with the Doitt (or something, can't remember) that had been posted here in this forum. Well Wednesday I got a call from TWC to talk about it, and I asked for an 8300. Didn't really want to go down to 23rd, and the lady on the phone said she hadn't heard they had new units, but would look into it. Yeah, right I thought.

So yesterday I'd pretty much decided to manually swap for an 8300 when I got a voicemail at work from TWC confirming an appointment for today to give me a proper hd dvr. Guy arrived at 830am, 8300 in tow, and installed it with no problems. Didn't even have to brave the "service" center.

Well, after playing with it for a bit (and noticing the HDMI problem with 5.1 audio -- I have a 45 inch Aquos LCD) I got a knock at the door. It was a TWC supervisor stopping by to make sure everything was ok. BIG surprise.

I mentioned the HDMI audio issue to him and showed him what was wrong ... he said he'd bring it to the attention of their programmers. Even showed him how the manual said the box should do it, but the Pioneer software was at fault. He explained that when they made the switch to SA part of the problem was that they had a load of Pioneer boxes in the field, and didn't want the hassle of a massive software update. He admitted they probably should have switched to SA software, and that he'd tell the programmers back at his office to get working on activating the Digital Coax+Optical outs to output 5.1 regardless of the video connection.

Now normally I'd think he was just bs'ing me, but the fact TWC has been so quick to address my concerns this week, a little part of me thinks a software update is coming in the near future. Just a little part, but a part, definately.

I know some people never got replies from filing a complaint, but they've been really attentive to me.

Eric & other gurus:
I am very happy with the 8300HD using the video component & optical digital cables, but I would love to use the HDMI ports of the 8300HD & Mits DLP. I want to use the optical cable to pass the digital audio signal from the 8300HD to the Bose 321. Will connecting a HDMI/HDMI cable allow me to do this? All I want is the video signal to be passed from 8300HD to the DLP.

TIA...JL

nbuubu,
Wow that's shocking that a follow up supervisor showed up. Looks like DOITT complaints really shake things up!

JL,
As has been posted many time - including in direct respose to your repeated question:

IF your TV actually handles a 5.1 audio signal via the HDMI port then YES you can use the optical connection to send 5.1 audio to your Bose set up. If however your TV CANNOT handle 5.1 audio via HDMI then THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WAY TO GET 5.1 AUDIO FROM ANY OTHER DIGITAL AUDIO CONNECTION IF YOU CONNECT THE VIDEO VIA HDMI. Some people have pointed out that your TV set is supposed to be able to handle 5.1 via HDMI. The proof of course will be in the pudding. But you'll know as soon as your Bose tells you whether it's getting 5.1 or 2.0 audio.

Sorry if I sound frustrated at you but you've asked essentially the same question several times in the last 10 pages - and several times it's been answered. I know this thread has been growing like wildfire lately but I can't help but wonder if you've read through it or if you just keep posting the same question w/o reading...

TM

nbuubu --

If you're ever back in touch with the TWCNYC supervisor, you might bring to his attention another function that's available in the SARA software for both the 8000HD and 8300HD but omitted in the Passport versions, the ability to toggle between black and grey sidebars.

I got my 8300 this morning and I'm quite happy with it so far. One thing I'm a liitle concerned by, though, is the apparent lack of a menu option to configure the digital audio output. The PDF manual I downloaded from Scientific Atlanta's site says it should be there on the setting menu, but it ain't. I'd like to make sure Dolby Digital 5.1 is being output, since some programs that seem like they ought to be in DD--like "Gattaca", which was on HBO HD as I write this--are coming up as Pro Logic II according to my reciever. Anyone know what the story is with the menu?

Has anyone had any luck picking up an 8300HD at the Brooklyn location?

Originally posted by andrewjnyc
I got my 8300 this morning and I'm quite happy with it so far. One thing I'm a liitle concerned by, though, is the apparent lack of a menu option to configure the digital audio output. The PDF manual I downloaded from Scientific Atlanta's site says it should be there on the setting menu, but it ain't. I'd like to make sure Dolby Digital 5.1 is being output, since some programs that seem like they ought to be in DD--like "Gattaca", which was on HBO HD as I write this--are coming up as Pro Logic II according to my reciever. Anyone know what the story is with the menu?

Please read the past few days postings here; the 8300HD's DD5.1 issues and solutions have been exhaustively discussed. The documentation from SA for the 8300HD covers only the versions of the DVR that use SA's own SARA operating system, not the Passport Echo software used in our versions of the DVR.

Originally posted by anthonymoody
nbuubu,
Wow that's shocking that a follow up supervisor showed up. Looks like DOITT complaints really shake things up!

JL,
As has been posted many time - including in direct respose to your repeated question:

IF your TV actually handles a 5.1 audio signal via the HDMI port then YES you can use the optical connection to send 5.1 audio to your Bose set up. If however your TV CANNOT handle 5.1 audio via HDMI then THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WAY TO GET 5.1 AUDIO FROM ANY OTHER DIGITAL AUDIO CONNECTION IF YOU CONNECT THE VIDEO VIA HDMI. Some people have pointed out that your TV set is supposed to be able to handle 5.1 via HDMI. The proof of course will be in the pudding. But you'll know as soon as your Bose tells you whether it's getting 5.1 or 2.0 audio.

Sorry if I sound frustrated at you but you've asked essentially the same question several times in the last 10 pages - and several times it's been answered. I know this thread has been growing like wildfire lately but I can't help but wonder if you've read through it or if you just keep posting the same question w/o reading...

TM

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but I'm a little confused. If I connect the 3500HD to my Panasonic plasma TH50PHD6's DVI input using a DVI-HDMI converter, then are you saying I cannot use the cable box's optical out to get sound through my receiver? I assume the Panasonic does not handle 5.1 or any other sound, as it is the industrial model with no built in speakers. All of my components' sound outputs (including the cable box) are connected directly to my receiver.

Originally posted by Manatus
Please read the past few days postings here; the 8300HD's DD5.1 issues and solutions have been exhaustively discussed. The documentation from SA for the 8300HD covers only the versions of the DVR that use SA's own SARA operating system, not the Passport Echo software used in our versions of the DVR.

I did a search before I posted and couldn't find anything about the audio menu option--all the posts about the 5.1 issues seemed to deal with HDMI hookups, which I'm not using at this time. That being the case, posting seemed justified. I didn't look for posts about the manual, since it didn't occur to me that it might only cover SARA. I've been doing this sort of thing long enough that I know better than to post without running some searches first.

In any event, it turns out that HBO wasn't broadcasting the movie in DD5.1 after all, which explains that.

Originally posted by anthonymoody

As has been posted many time - including in direct respose to your repeated question:

IF your TV actually handles a 5.1 audio signal via the HDMI port then YES you can use the optical connection to send 5.1 audio to your Bose set up. If however your TV CANNOT handle 5.1 audio via HDMI then THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WAY TO GET 5.1 AUDIO FROM ANY OTHER DIGITAL AUDIO CONNECTION IF YOU CONNECT THE VIDEO VIA HDMI. Some people have pointed out that your TV set is supposed to be able to handle 5.1 via HDMI. The proof of course will be in the pudding. But you'll know as soon as your Bose tells you whether it's getting 5.1 or 2.0 audio.

Sorry if I sound frustrated at you but you've asked essentially the same question several times in the last 10 pages - and several times it's been answered. I know this thread has been growing like wildfire lately but I can't help but wonder if you've read through it or if you just keep posting the same question w/o reading...

TM

Thanks.....JL

As an FYI, I picked up a 8300HD at 23rd Street this afternoon, and it looks like they are starting to run low. Out of curiousity, has anyone used the digital coaxial output? I couln't get mine to work, so I bought an optical cable which works fine. Just wondering if the problem is with the box or my cable.

Thanks,
Kevin

According to antennaweb.org, I should be getting channels 4, 7 and 11 at 116 degrees (1.9 miles away) and channels 2, 5, 9 and 13 from 70 degrees (3.9 miles away).

From the map, it looks like the channels at 116 degrees are at the WTC site and the channels at 70 degrees are at the ESB.

Are the channels that are supposed to be at 116 degrees still coming from somewhere else downtown or have they been moved to ESB?

Thanks!

Originally posted by ElVee
According to antennaweb.org, I should be getting channels 4, 7 and 11 at 116 degrees (1.9 miles away) and channels 2, 5, 9 and 13 from 70 degrees (3.9 miles away).

From the map, it looks like the channels at 116 degrees are at the WTC site and the channels at 70 degrees are at the ESB.

Are the channels that are supposed to be at 116 degrees still coming from somewhere else downtown or have they been moved to ESB?

Thanks!

This thread is deals only with Time Warner Cable of New York City, not over-the-air reception. You'll fine the kind of information you're looking for HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=275729).

Any updates yet with 8300's on Staten Island? Anyone happen to go down to the cabel store today to find out?

The person I have been talking to at DoITT (the guy who originally handled my complaint and forwarded it to TWC) is certain that TWC will contact me to setup an appointment to swap the box for me ASAP. I however, am still skeptical of that, especially since the Staten Island branch just seems to be so far behind everyone else, and the local CSR's and Techs seem to know nothing about the 8300's at all.

Also, just wanted to ask this again, but if anyone got the SD version of the 8300, can you verify that it also has the output to VCR feature enabled? How about the Search? I have been waiting for the VCR output feature since I got my 8000SD over a year ago (It mentions it in the manual, says it will be available in a future software update), but if the software update for it hasnt been sent out yet, I doubt it ever will.

Originally posted by bf18125
As an FYI, I picked up a 8300HD at 23rd Street this afternoon, and it looks like they are starting to run low. Out of curiousity, has anyone used the digital coaxial output? I couln't get mine to work, so I bought an optical cable which works fine. Just wondering if the problem is with the box or my cable.

Thanks,
Kevin

Must be your box. I have an 8300HD from 23rd st and digi coax works fine.

As an FYI, I picked up a 8300HD at 23rd Street this afternoon, and it looks like they are starting to run low. Out of curiousity
They had 4 left as of 3:30 this afternoon.
My coax works fine.

digital coaxial works fine here as well.

This on the 8300..

Is this correct: I set the TV for widescreen and the side picture for stretch. Why does it stretch the HD channels and the SD channels.. Isn't just suppose to stretch the SD channels and leave the HD channels un-stretched? I have it going though a component cable. My TV is set for 16X9 normal.

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
This on the 8300..

Is this correct: I set the TV for widescreen and the side picture for stretch. Why does it stretch the HD channels and the SD channels.. Isn't just suppose to stretch the SD channels and leave the HD channels un-stretched? I have it going though a component cable. My TV is set for 16X9 normal.

It won't stretch the HD channels, only the SD channels. The bars on the side of the HD 4:3 are part of the picture.

Is this normal behavior for the 8300HD?

The digital SD channels are all being decoded as 480p. Only the analog stations (like channel 21) show up as 480i.

The banner doesn't stretch along the whole length of my 16x9 set (either with SD or HD channels).

When I first set up one of my boxes, it veritcally squeezed 16x9 HD channels, and put HORIZONTAL grey bars on the top and bottom of the picture. After a couple of reboots, this "feature" went away.

Originally posted by jasonDono
It won't stretch the HD channels, only the SD channels. The bars on the side of the HD 4:3 are part of the picture.

With the 8300 you can stretch HD channels also. Put an HD channel on and hit the # key. The first screen that comes up should say Normal on the right side of the banner, hit the # again and you can cycle through Zoom, Stretch, Normal. With this feature you can stretch a 4:3 upconvert, but the results are as expected...not very good.

I got my 8300 at 23rd St. yesterday, but I had a really unpleasant experience. I brought my 8000HD and my 8000SD down intending to exchange them both for their respective 8300 versions, but the guy told me that they were out of 8300HDs. This was in the morning -- I was #95. He didn't even want to replace my 8000SD, but I insisited, and after much grumbling he reluctantly complied.

So I got home, checked the forum here and found that people were still getting 8300HDs long after I'd been there!

Needless to say I was ticked off, so I turned around, went back, waited in line for ANOTHER hour... and presto, got my 8300HD. I insisted on talking to a supervisor, but he said all he could offer me was an apology. This despite the fact that the guy who "helped me" in the morning cost me an extra $4 in subway fare and another 2+ hours out of my day. Now, I wouldn't necessarily expect a free month for that, but it seemed like SOMETHING was in order.

But no, I got totally blown off.

That said, the 8300 (both versions) is way nicer than the 8000. The interface is a lot snappier, the Search function is awesome, and with the HD version, switching between video formats is far faster than it used to be.

SD picture quality seems only moderately better (I'd been expecting a radical improvement since the 8000HD was so bad, but it had actually improved somewhat since I first got it, and SD is compressed so badly anyway that maybe there's not much possibility for improvement) and HD seems, at least sometimes, to be a lot sharper, but I'll have to wait for HDNet's test pattern to be sure. I only have a Sony 36XBR400 anyway, so I don't know that I can see all that much detail anyway.

And yes, for whomever asked, coax digital audio out works for me, no problem.

Originally posted by pciav
With the 8300 you can stretch HD channels also. Put an HD channel on and hit the # key. The first screen that comes up should say Normal on the right side of the banner, hit the # again and you can cycle through Zoom, Stretch, Normal. With this feature you can stretch a 4:3 upconvert, but the results are as expected...not very good.

Yes and the box will remember separate Aspect Ratio settings for SD vs. HD channels. For 480p channels I have 4:3 set to Stretch (I then shrink it back to normal with my display to eliminate the gray sidebars). For 720p and 1080i channels I have 4:3 set to Sidebar. Personally I don't like to stretch anything but I want black sidebars.

What's really nice is that my TV also remembers the picture size settings so an HD channel is set to "Wide" and an SD channel is set to 4:3. When I change channels everything works - no adjustments are necessary. On the 8000HD, I used to have to toggle picture size modes on my TV when I went from SD to HD and vice versa - pretty annoying.

does anyone know if the 8300 SD and HD have the same size hard drive? If SD is smaller, might as well only get the HD and hook it up to an SD tv with s-video, ami right?

The 8300 has an 80GB Hard Drive according to SA's website. It does still have SATA though, so you can use an external drive. I dont know if TWC NYC actually has the add on HD's available yet, and I am not sure if you can just use any SATA external HD, or if it needs to be preformated with whatever file system these boxes use (so you have to lease/rent them from cable of course). Anyone know more about that?

You could try doing what you mentioned, but I dont know if they will give you 2 hd boxes. In my office, they made me bring in my receipt for my HDTV and the instruction manual before they let me get an HD box the first time.

So, if they give you a problem with 2 boxes, you might have to make 2 trips if they need proof of two different HDTV sets.

I picked up my 8300 HD from 23rd street yesterday. So far, it seems pretty good, except for the fact that on some channels, in addition to the grey bars, there is a thin black band on both sides of the 4:3 image. I saw someone else posted about this. Does anyone know why this is happening and how to get rid of it?

Originally posted by robgold
Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but I'm a little confused. If I connect the 3500HD to my Panasonic plasma TH50PHD6's DVI input using a DVI-HDMI converter, then are you saying I cannot use the cable box's optical out to get sound through my receiver? I assume the Panasonic does not handle 5.1 or any other sound, as it is the industrial model with no built in speakers. All of my components' sound outputs (including the cable box) are connected directly to my receiver.


No this is not what we're saying. First, we're talking about the 8300HD box when we talk about these audio issues. If you connect HDMI->DVI from the 8300HD->your display you'll be fine. 5.1 audio will come out of the optical/coax digital outputs which you can then feed to your receiver.

TM

Originally posted by anthonymoody
No this is not what we're saying. First, we're talking about the 8300HD box when we talk about these audio issues. If you connect HDMI->DVI from the 8300HD->your display you'll be fine. 5.1 audio will come out of the optical/coax digital outputs which you can then feed to your receiver.

TM If you go: HDMI->DVI->HDMI from the 8300HD->your display you'll be stil be OK with 5.1/ audio?

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
If you go: HDMI->DVI->HDMI from the 8300HD->your display you'll be stil be OK with 5.1/ audio?

No! This has been discussed before. You have to go HDMI>DVI and end it there. If you go back to HDMI, it won't work.

If there is an HDMI "handshake" at all, regardless of how many other connections you try along the way, you will not pass 5.1 (the exception being if the display itself can accept a 5.1 audio signal, which most cannot).

Yeah come on guys I know this thread has been growing quickly of late with the release of the 8300HD but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take the time to READ the last few pages before posting a question like this. These questions/issues have been rehashed to death. I know that the search function doesn't always help to find the specific post with the answer to the question. But reading always works :)

And yes there will always be new questions but please try first to indentify if it's already been asked and answered - as this one has on many occasions in the last bunch of pages. Search first, read second, ask third :)

TM

I do not keep up with the other threads in the 8300, but does anyone know if SATA is enabled (on either Passport or SARA)?

This is the only SATA external hard drive I know of:
http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.ba88f6d7cf664718376049b291346068/?channelpath=/en_us/Products/ATA%20Hard%20Drives/Digital%20Entertainment/QuickView%20Expander

I thought SATA connections were internal, does anyone know of other external SATA drives?

You can look up a press release from Maxtor saying that Time Warner ordered external drives for SA 8300 series to offer the units to subscribers in "select locations".

Curious if anyone was actually offered one?


Originally posted by dkan24
I do not keep up with the other threads in the 8300, but does anyone know if SATA is enabled (on either Passport or SARA)?

This is the only SATA external hard drive I know of:
http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.ba88f6d7cf664718376049b291346068/?channelpath=/en_us/Products/ATA%20Hard%20Drives/Digital%20Entertainment/QuickView%20Expander

I thought SATA connections were internal, does anyone know of other external SATA drives?

I just tuned into the pregame, and from where I'm
sitting there seems to be a problem here. The box is
not processing channel 705 at all. Very pixelated and
jumpy, no sound..I spoke with Time Warner and they
said I was the first person to call with this problem,
so perhaps it's just my connection. How great is this...

Originally posted by HooDSide
I just tuned into the pregame, and from where I'm
sitting there seems to be a problem here. The box is
not processing channel 705 at all. Very pixelated and
jumpy, no sound..I spoke with Time Warner and they
said I was the first person to call with this problem,
so perhaps it's just my connection. How great is this...

No, it's not only you. 705 is horrid in my location as well (Gramercy). Hope it clears up in time for the game.

I'm running HDMI->DVI into my Panny TH-50PHD6U and the picture is very good. I also run component, which is a tad softer (perhaps). Really hard to tell the difference. However, the HDMI handshaking is a bit shaky to say the least, especially if you allow all three resolutions. Sometimes you have to restart the box to get a picture (put a macro in my remote as a workaround for now). It seems to be known issue with SA boxes and should be correctable with a firmware upgrade.

Overall, I'm happy. Looking forward to the resolution patterns on Tuesday to get some actual evidence if HDMI is indeed better than component.

705 is crystal clear with no dropouts here in Midtown East.

Originally posted by DJ Frustration
705 is crystal clear with no dropouts here in Midtown East.

I'm back as well. Looking great.

Like many of you have posted yesterday (Saturday) I went to the 23rd Street office around 10:15 am to get an 8300HD. I had an extra Pioneer box that I decided to exchange so that I could keep my 8000HD just in case the 8300HD was DOA (given my own past experiences and ones posted on this site I tend to be a bit cautious giving up equipment that is working for me). I was number 108 and I was in and out within 10 minutes. The only problem was that the clerk gave me the wrong remote which I did not realize until I returned home (good thing I kept my 8000HD so the remote was not an issue).

I wanted the 8300HD for the HDMI output, the much discussed improved PQ quality and the better operational qualities (faster response time, quiter etc). The TV for this box is Pioneer 4340HD that I have in my bedroom. The unit has two HDMI inputs and one is free for the STB (the other is for Denon DVD-3910).

I have been using a 8000HD successfully. Most people on this forum complain about it, but I have had good success. The first one I used was awful and had to be returned. This one was good and only hung a few times in the six months that I have been using it. The PQ quality on both SD and HD was very good (especially HD) despite what many folks have said. The hookup to the Pioneer is via component cables to a Denon 3805.

I hooked up the 8300HD via HDMI (monster cable) directly to the Pioneer HDMI input. I used the optical digital audio out to the my Denon 3910. The box booted up and was running within a few minutes.

The then proceeded to set my TV video properties to accept HDMI input. Once this was done, I saw a picture on the plasma. At first, the picture did not look very good, so I switched to TNT HD (710). The unit display said 1080i. What I saw annoyed the heck out of me. The PQ was quite bad. It looked as if there was a haze over the entire display. I tried to play around with the settings on mt TV, but it did not get much better. Botton line is that it was so bad that I deemed it unacceptable.

I switched the setup to the way I had my 8000HD connected, i.e. component cables. I disconnected the HDMI cable to ensure that it would not be used. Using component cables the PQ was a bit better, but not much. Again, I played around with the TV setttings and was able to make it acceptable.

Despite what many have said about the PQ quality of the 8300HD over the 8000HD I can only suggest that it must be somewhat box dependent. The PQ quality of the 8300HD via HDMI is horrific compared to either 8300 HD or 8000HD component .

I am wondering if I just got a bad box and whether I should go back and get a new one. I can honestly say that except for PQ quality, the 8300HD is far superior to the 8000HD.

I am wondering whether or not others have had similar problems to what I have experienced.

In addition, I am thinking about getting an iScan HD+ and wonder whether or not anyone has any experience with it in conjunction with the Time Warner signal and the 8300HD.

The PQ on my two 8300HD's I picked up yesterday are comparable to my 3250, which are all better then the 3100 I had a while ago. I never had an 8000HD, so I can't comment. I haven't used HDMI, only component. No "haze" in either of the units.

I have a 3250 hooked up to my other Pioneer plasma (50 inch PDP-505HD) via component and the HD picture is much better than either the 8000HD or the 8300HD on the Pioneer 4340HD. This is odd because the PQ quality of my 4340HD is definitely better than my 4+ year old 505HD. This seems to imply that the 8300HD that I picked up yesterday has some problems. I find it odd that the quality of these boxes is so inconsistent. Perhaps the QA at either SA or TWC is lacking.

FYI...just came back from 23rd Street at 8 a.m. and there are no 8300HD boxes. The TWC worker pushed hard for me to take an 8000HD. He said that they had gotten truckloads of the 8000HDs in early this morning.

Man they should've refused shipment on those :)

TM

PS - bad news if the supply is truly gone...hopefully more will arrive shortly

Originally posted by orbeyonde
does anyone know if the 8300 SD and HD have the same size hard drive? If SD is smaller, might as well only get the HD and hook it up to an SD tv with s-video, ami right?

The 8300HD has a 160GB Maxtor.

Couple things....

First off, TW CS is full of it regarding 705...i called, and she said the same thing to me...."no one's called regarding this issue" such bull......so i watched half the superbowl in sd, which sucked, then i tried to switch back to 705, which has been giving me troubles for weeks, and it was perfectly fine!!! wtf...guess enough people called in during the bowl that they fixed something! hopefully it'll stay that way now....

My real question is:

I use the coax out to go to second tv in my bedroom. I was using component cable to my main tv and everything was working fine. then i upgraded to digital connection DVI/HDMI. and now my second tv won't work unless my main tv is on and when the main is off, the box gives me a display that says my tv is not hdcmp compliant or whatever.....why does it work fine w/ component or when the tv's on, but not when i switch it off?

anyone else come across this or find a workaround?

FYI: Superbowl looked great in Elmhurst, Queens. Had a total of 2 minor hiccups which lasted 3 seconds at most.

When its connected using an all digital connection like DVI or HDMI it probably disables the RF output. At least thats what I would think.

Does Composite out still work when you connect using DVI/HDMI?

Spent more time viewing 1080i from my 8300HD over the weekend. It replaced my 8000HD last Friday, and TWC, since the tech refused to take my 3100HD, too, is using its boosted 2005 fees to pay for a special 3100HD pickup.

Watched INHD's Imax marathon a lot and concluded the 8300HD must be close to my DCT6208 with RCN Cable, which delivers ~1335 lines of resolvable horizontal details into my CRT RPTV via YPbPr, versus ~1290 lines with the fogged-images 3100HD or appalling 890 lines with the 8000HD.

Relay-click sound with 8300HDs?Does anyone hear periodic 'clicks' from their converters? It's what you might hear when a scheduled timer event, such as a recording, begins. Heard it often with my 3100HD, now unplugged for pickup. Getting it now with the 8300HD (several per day), with no timer event slated when it occurs. Does NYC TWC survey what subscribers are watching for marketing purposes by reading out the current/past channels stored in memory and visible via the diagnostics menu? -- John

Originally posted by Goanna
When its connected using an all digital connection like DVI or HDMI it probably disables the RF output. At least thats what I would think.

Does Composite out still work when you connect using DVI/HDMI?

I'm gonna play around tonight and hook up the compoents w/ the digital and see what happens......maybe i'll try the composite out too, and try to run it through the vcr....we'll see....

any other ideas!!??

picked up the 8300 on Sat morning.
picture is fantasic.
I have 1 problem - I have a widescreen plasma so under settings I chose widescreen TV then the stretch 4:3 picture option, but when i pick this option it stretches both my HD and SD channels.
Shouldn't it only stretch 4:3 and leave the HD channel alone?
at least 1 other person in this forum reported this problem. others have said that this does not happen to them.
Do i have a bad box?

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
NO THEY WILL NOT LET YOU DO THAT.. I tried.. They said they only work in Manhattan right now... Which makes no sense to me. I have to figure that they keep or do not want slated equipment for each borough scattered about.:confused:

It may have something to do with the fact that in the pre-Time Warner world Brooklyn and Queens were serviced by BQ Cable, a different company and separate system than the cable service in Manhattan. Maybe there are still some technical differences...

Originally posted by timewaster
picked up the 8300 on Sat morning.
picture is fantasic.
I have 1 problem - I have a widescreen plasma so under settings I chose widescreen TV then the stretch 4:3 picture option, but when i pick this option it stretches both my HD and SD channels.
Shouldn't it only stretch 4:3 and leave the HD channel alone?
at least 1 other person in this forum reported this problem. others have said that this does not happen to them.
Do i have a bad box? Use the # button and you can change the picture when you are watching an HD station. It happened to me and this fixes it. Never mind the settings thing. Leave the TV set for 16X9. Both your 4X3 and 16X9 will be fine.

Does anybody else have any experiences today at 23rd St. to report. I was just getting ready to go there, but if they have on boxes, I'll stay home.

-barry

HDMI and 480i

After a post here saying that analog channels show 480i instead of 480p on the front of the 8300, I switched to channel 21 and as reported it was output as 480i over HDMI. Why digital tier channels will only be output at 480p is a mystery to me.

FYI...For those using HDMI to DVI if you come change to an analog channel and have 480i enabled in your setup, you will get a blank screen for that channel and hear the audio only.

Originally posted by BigBlueBong
I'm gonna play around tonight and hook up the compoents w/ the digital and see what happens......maybe i'll try the composite out too, and try to run it through the vcr....we'll see....

any other ideas!!??

I think this is what's happening.

When you have the HDMI connection hooked up, the box and the TV will need to "handshake" on a regular basis. If the TV is turned off, the handshake fails, and the "HDCP not supported" messages is displayed on ALL outputs.

I have the same problem, being hooked up both Component and HDMI. If I restart my TV, I get the message on both outputs. Only way to fix is to hit the power button on the 8300HD remote control. That seems to force to box to "re-handshake" and all is good again.

Went to 23rd St. this morning, no 8300HDs were delivered today according to the rep. Have talked to a csr before I went, obviously she had no clue. Surprise, surprise.

Anyone else have the 5.1 audio problem with a TV that accepts digital audio?

I've got a hitachi 42hdt51 that can decode digital audio (it does it fine from an OTA antenna), but using hdmi with the 8300HD, I get the same problem that's been reported here with sets that can't decode digital audio.

I would think that the Hitachi would indicate that it is digital audio ready when communicating with the 8300HD via the HDMI cable, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The only thing I can think of is that there's a catch-22 with the way the two sets interact -- the Hitachi does not give you menu options for adjusting the digital audio unless it detects it, but the 8300HD does not send out digital audio unless it detects that the set has it. Could it be that the Hitachi does not indicate it's digital audio ready?

Anyone have any ideas?

Originally posted by pciav
HDMI and 480i

After a post here saying that analog channels show 480i instead of 480p on the front of the 8300, I switched to channel 21 and as reported it was output as 480i over HDMI. Why digital tier channels will only be output at 480p is a mystery to me.

FYI...For those using HDMI to DVI if you come change to an analog channel and have 480i enabled in your setup, you will get a blank screen for that channel and hear the audio only.
As the TWC insider confirmed a while back, and you can observe in diagnostic mode, 21 and a few other locals remain analog (switched) within the digitized channels. Believe 25 is another. Must be related to the 480i/480p/HDMI thing (no A/D converter in that circuit block?). -- John

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
Use the # button and you can change the picture when you are watching an HD station. It happened to me and this fixes it. Never mind the settings thing. Leave the TV set for 16X9. Both your 4X3 and 16X9 will be fine.

Thanks!
will try that when i get home.

So who can we talk to in order to find out how we can purchase an external sata drive that is supported by the 8300?
Don't want to call those idiot customer service people.

Picked up my 8300HD on saturday morning.
The HD quality seems comparable to my previous 3250HD. My TV only has DVI so I picked up a DVI->HDMI adapter at the BB on 6th ave. It works great and I get 5.1 sound via the coax out.

But, as an earlier poster stated, the DVI->HDMI doesn't seem to work if you use a DVI switcher. All I get are HDCP handshake errors.

A small price to pay for DVR functionality. :)

Brooklyn 8300's at 23rd st? 5th Ave Brooklyn? Queen's Center Mall?

Originally posted by pciav
HDMI and 480i

After a post here saying that analog channels show 480i instead of 480p on the front of the 8300, I switched to channel 21 and as reported it was output as 480i over HDMI. Why digital tier channels will only be output at 480p is a mystery to me.

FYI...For those using HDMI to DVI if you come change to an analog channel and have 480i enabled in your setup, you will get a blank screen for that channel and hear the audio only.

Was hoping someone would try that out. Doesn't really make sense that an SD channel, whether its "digital" or analog would be converted to 480p.

Not a big deal for me since I'm using HDMI to DVI, whiich doesn't support 480i anyway. And even if I went HDMI to HDMI my Samsung won't accept 480i over HDMI. So looks like 480i just isn't happening for me. Fortunately SD at 480p looks pretty damn good.

Box performed flawlessly during the Superbowl on 705. Was recording the SD version on 5 as well. Maybe had one or two audio stutters and no video dropouts. Very impressed.

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
Use the # button and you can change the picture when you are watching an HD station. It happened to me and this fixes it. Never mind the settings thing. Leave the TV set for 16X9. Both your 4X3 and 16X9 will be fine.

Timewaster,

Not sure I totally agree with this recommendation. I have found that the 8300 will remember separate Aspect Ratio settings (from the menus) for 480p (SD) vs. 720p/1080i (HD) but only if you change the settings in the menus.

The Aspect Ratio settings in the menus have two options to set - the first is your TV Type, which should always be 16:9 as Patrick pointed out. But the second setting (the 4:3 setting) you may want to vary depending on what you are watching. If you set this option in the menus while you are tuned to an SD channel (to 4:3 Stretch for example) and then switch to an HD channel and set it to "4:3 Sidebar" (the non-stretch setting) and then go back to the SD channel, it should still say "4:3 Stretch" in the settings menus.

However, if you hit the # button, which I did a few times by accident this weekend, I'm pretty sure it affects the 4:3 setting for ALL channels. So it may look fine on the channel you are on, but if you switch from SD to HD or vice versa you will have to reset it.

Not sure how this changes if you have different output formats enabled than I do - I have 480p, 720p and 1080i enabled and I'm connected over HDMI/DVI to a Samsung DLP.

Would be curious if someone else could verify this behavior because I was surprised (pleasantly) that the box did this.

Originally posted by EricScott
Timewaster,

Not sure I totally agree with this recommendation. I have found that the 8300 will remember separate Aspect Ratio settings (from the menus) for 480p (SD) vs. 720p/1080i (HD) but only if you change the settings in the menus.

The Aspect Ratio settings in the menus have two options to set - the first is your TV Type, which should always be 16:9 as Patrick pointed out. But the second setting (the 4:3 setting) you may want to vary depending on what you are watching. If you set this option in the menus while you are tuned to an SD channel (to 4:3 Stretch for example) and then switch to an HD channel and set it to "4:3 Sidebar" (the non-stretch setting) and then go back to the SD channel, it should still say "4:3 Stretch" in the settings menus.

However, if you hit the # button, which I did a few times by accident this weekend, I'm pretty sure it affects the 4:3 setting for ALL channels. So it may look fine on the channel you are on, but if you switch from SD to HD or vice versa you will have to reset it.

Worked for me and I did it more then once. It did remember the two different settings and DID NOT affect the both SD and HD channels.

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
Worked for me and I did it more then once. It did remember the two different settings and DID NOT affect the both SD and HD channels.

Weird. I tried it like 4 times and every time it kept resetting the other one.

Originally posted by EricScott
Weird. I tried it like 4 times and every time it kept resetting the other one. how is it set in your settings" If all seems OK do a reboot.. Just looked at it again and teh SD are stretched like I want and the HD are not..

The 10-minute test patterns, including resolution measurement wedges, are now listed for 8 am Tuesday, HDNet's usual time. Perhaps the earlier "HDNet Intro" listing mentioned above, spanning the entire morning, was just a preliminary covering title. Nice to have the patterns on 8000HD/8300HD hard drives to check convergence, contrast, tint, etc. One technique for resolution measurements in within this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4664241#post4664241). A search of the hardware forum and its archives (HDNet and test) turns up numerous threads on using other pattern features. -- John

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
how is it set in your settings" If all seems OK do a reboot.. Just looked at it again and teh SD are stretched like I want and the HD are not..

I set SD to stretch (which I then shrink back down with my Samsung's pic size options to replace the gray bars with black bars) and HD to 4:3 sidbar. Then I have my Samsung set to "4:3" for SD and "Wide" for HD.

A few problems I'm having with the 8300--I don't think this is a problem with the box, I think it's a problem with the user, me! :confused:

Anyway, when I set the box up this weekend, I followed the instructions and tried the "Info/Guide" thing, where you press the 2 buttons simultaneously in order for the box to bring up the "HDTV Set up Wizard" thing. Nothing happened. I tried again tonight and still nothing. Everything seems to be working ok, but obviously not ideal. SD looks poor, HD looks good but not "wow" good, and I'm constantly having to adjust the picture by stretching, etc.

Also, on the Scientific Atlanta web site, the user guide for the 8300 says to select picture mode for normal viewing, I should go to the General Settings mode by pressing "Settings" twice. Pressing "Settings" twice doesn't do anything.

Any clue as to what I could be doing wrong?

Originally posted by bofnyc
Any clue as to what I could be doing wrong?

Bofnyc --

The only thing that you're doing wrong is trusting TWCNYC to have given you a manual that has anything to do with your 8300HD. Apart from the basic cable connection diagrams, it doesn't. Our boxes use the Passport Echo software operating system, for which there are no manuals. The manuals distributed by TWCNYC are the standard Scientific Atlanta ones for software that has never been used in NYC. The same goes for anything you read at SA's web site -- most of it is inapplicable for us (no "Set-up Wizard" has ever trod the streets of NYC).

You should find enough accurate information about how to configure your 8300HD by reading the past 10 days' postings here and by exploring the "Settings" options on your own. If you are inclined to lodge a complaint against TWCNYC for negligence or deceit, do a forum-search for "DoITT" and proceed accordingly.

Good luck -- the 8300HD is a great little box.

Relay-click sound with 8300HDs?Does anyone hear periodic 'clicks' from their converters? It's what you might hear when a scheduled timer event, such as a recording, begins. Heard it often with my 3100HD, now unplugged for pickup. Getting it now with the 8300HD (several per day),
You mean the sound of a disk drive seeking? I get it constantly, even with the power off.

Originally posted by bofnyc
A few problems I'm having with the 8300--I don't think this is a problem with the box, I think it's a problem with the user, me! :confused:

Anyway, when I set the box up this weekend, I followed the instructions and tried the "Info/Guide" thing, where you press the 2 buttons simultaneously in order for the box to bring up the "HDTV Set up Wizard" thing. Nothing happened. I tried again tonight and still nothing. Everything seems to be working ok, but obviously not ideal. SD looks poor, HD looks good but not "wow" good, and I'm constantly having to adjust the picture by stretching, etc.

Also, on the Scientific Atlanta web site, the user guide for the 8300 says to select picture mode for normal viewing, I should go to the General Settings mode by pressing "Settings" twice. Pressing "Settings" twice doesn't do anything.

Any clue as to what I could be doing wrong?

When you are pressing buttons on your remote, is the CBL button lighting up, or is one of the other buttons? I have a feeling your remote is on AUX or DVD, because that is the only time the settings menu would not come up when pressing the settings button. So, just press the CBL button on your remote, and then try the settings button, or whatever else you need to try.

Does anyone know if the 8300HD does closed captions? The 8000SD doesn't, but my old 3100HD does.

Does anyone know if the 8300HD does closed captions? The 8000SD doesn't, but my old 3100HD does.

The 8000HD does, I am pretty sure my 8000SD did as well, but I will have to double check. I would assume the 8300HD would as well. Just press settings once, and on that menu, its a simple yes/no option that says "Display closed captions."

If anybody checks on availability of the 8300HD at 23rd St. on Tuesday morning, please post your findings.

Thx,
-barry

I arrived at 23rd St. at 3:00, waited until well after 4, after asking one of the CS people if they had the 8300HD and being told yes. The rep I drew told me that there were no more...when he noticed that I was going to complain rather loudly, he double-checked and found that, indeed, they had gotten a shipment. I have been happily setting it up and enjoying it since. My suspicion is that you will not have trouble getting a box Tuesday morning; they seem to receive dozens of boxes (I DID notice that people who didn't specifically ASK for the 8300 were given 8000's...)

It's obviously a better-made, more robust piece of equipment than the 8000. So far, I have NOTHING to complain about (except now I have to get a DVD recorder to archive stuff, now that the materials are worth saving - no more audio dropouts and MINIMAL video pixellation - and we can archive without having to manipulate the PIP window every half hour!!)

In answer to your question, I would take the risk of going to 23rd Street because even if they happened to be out in the morning it's very likely that more boxes will appear by the time you arrive.

Jay Gould

Originally posted by John Mason
Relay-click sound with 8300HDs? Does anyone hear periodic 'clicks' from their converters? It's what you might hear when a scheduled timer event, such as a recording, begins. Heard it often with my 3100HD, now unplugged for pickup. Getting it now with the 8300HD (several per day).
Originally posted by work permit
You mean the sound of a disk drive seeking? I get it constantly, even with the power off.
No, it's exactly the same sound I was getting with the 3100HD (no hard disc): a soft click, clearly audible within the room. Also got it with the 3100HD power off. -- John

Originally posted by bofnyc
A few problems I'm having with the 8300--I don't think this is a problem with the box, I think it's a problem with the user, me! :confused:

Anyway, when I set the box up this weekend, I followed the instructions and tried the "Info/Guide" thing, where you press the 2 buttons simultaneously in order for the box to bring up the "HDTV Set up Wizard" thing. Nothing happened. I tried again tonight and still nothing. Everything seems to be working ok, but obviously not ideal. SD looks poor, HD looks good but not "wow" good, and I'm constantly having to adjust the picture by stretching, etc.

Also, on the Scientific Atlanta web site, the user guide for the 8300 says to select picture mode for normal viewing, I should go to the General Settings mode by pressing "Settings" twice. Pressing "Settings" twice doesn't do anything.

Any clue as to what I could be doing wrong?
Did the same thing last Saturday, also studying the 8000HD/8300HD/TWC/Passport sticky note in the HD recorders forum, and even calling TWC about the format setup procedure. (A CSR, likely in Canada, told me I needed a manual for my set, then hung up!) Finally, delved into the remote control SETTING/MORE SETTINGs option by accident and quickly set the right parameters.

Images look very good on my CRT RPTV using a 480p setting for SD (YPbPr) and 1080i for the H/DTV. (Also plugged in an S-video option, used at times for superior RPTV 4:3-to-16:9 stretching, but with S-video's weaker color bandwidth (http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=1605115#post1605115).) Keep in mind when you zoom/stretch images they're typically degraded because of the scaling operation and the fact fewer pixels may occupy the image area. -- John

Originally posted by BigBlueBong
I'm gonna play around tonight and hook up the compoents w/ the digital and see what happens......maybe i'll try the composite out too, and try to run it through the vcr....we'll see....

any other ideas!!??

I played around a little last night, trying to get the coax out to work while the 8300 was hooked up to my main tv via hdmi/dvi.....and.....couldn't get it to work.....tried turning off the box and restarting, but the only thing that worked was just removing the cable.

I also tried hooking up the component cables at the same time to see if that would overide the hdcmp compliance thing, but that didn't do anything......so now i'm just back to straight component again, no digital :-(

Has anyone gotten both HDMI & component or s-video working at the same time.
I can get HDMI->DVI working fine to my TV with digital audio via coax. But if I have component or s-video plugged in as well I immediately get the 'Your TV doesn't support HDCP' message.

Is this what everyone else is seeing? My old 3250 didn't allow DVI+component, but it did allow DVI+s-video. I'd love to get that working again.

Originally posted by vlapietra
Has anyone gotten both HDMI & component or s-video working at the same time.
I can get HDMI->DVI working fine to my TV with digital audio via coax. But if I have component or s-video plugged in as well I immediately get the 'Your TV doesn't support HDCP' message.

Is this what everyone else is seeing? My old 3250 didn't allow DVI+component, but it did allow DVI+s-video. I'd love to get that working again.

I'm running HDMI and Component at the same time. I think the criteria is that your TV has to keep the HDMI connection alive with regular handshakes. If your TV turns off the HDMI port when it's not being used, the box goes into "Your TV doesn't support HDCP" mode on all outputs. Try PIP on your TV and see if you can have them both active.

Originally posted by vlapietra
Has anyone gotten both HDMI & component or s-video working at the same time.
I can get HDMI->DVI working fine to my TV with digital audio via coax. But if I have component or s-video plugged in as well I immediately get the 'Your TV doesn't support HDCP' message.

Is this what everyone else is seeing? My old 3250 didn't allow DVI+component, but it did allow DVI+s-video. I'd love to get that working again.

Did you happen to try Composite?

If these boxes have the "Archive to VCR" feature enabled, then it is realy stupid that it would turn off the S-Video. Unless, maybe it comes back on if you use the Archive to VCR feature? Did you try that?

That is a feature I am very interested in. If anyone has fooled around with it, and the analog outputs, please let me know how it works. Thanks!

Forgive me if this O/T. Can anyone comment on the difference in quality in what TWC offers versus Cablevision I/O. If I understand correctly, I could get either out here in Brooklyn.

Thanks,

Dan

Just hooked up my 8300, and generally happy with it, though I find the PQ using the component out is still inferior to cable card. Hoping that HDMI connection will improve things.

Where can I get an HDMI-HDMI cable in Manhattan at a reasonable price? Monoprice.com has them for around $12, but their service is awful (two orders, with wrong cables shipped both times). I refuse to get suckered into a $100 cable at BB.

Just got back from TWC/NYC @ 23rd St.

The most incredible customer service expereince- In/out in less than 10 mins!!!!

As of 1 PM 2/8, they had a stack of 8300HD of at least 10 units.

I literally walked in, got my number, and before I could sit down, my number was called! I had called ahead to indicate my intentions to swap out my Pio HD box for the 8300HD DVR.

I handed in my old box and remote, and after about 5 mins, of looking at the computer, the CSR was ready to give me my new DVR.

I requested nicely for the 8300HD; she initally gave me the SD box, but I reminded her I wanted the HD model. She went over, and got me the correct box. In /out; very pleasant CSR; no hassles or issues!!!

OBTW: BB@ 23rd St is OUT of the HDMI/DVI Adapter (Make sure you get the MALE to FEMALE one)

CC on the UWS does not have it, only the HDMI/DVI cables. I'm going to check BB on the UES now.

Originally posted by csundbom
I'm running HDMI and Component at the same time. I think the criteria is that your TV has to keep the HDMI connection alive with regular handshakes. If your TV turns off the HDMI port when it's not being used, the box goes into "Your TV doesn't support HDCP" mode on all outputs. Try PIP on your TV and see if you can have them both active.
Does your TV have HDMI, or are you using an HDMI->DVI adapter.
I'll have to check again, but even if the TV input is set to DVI and working fine, the HDCP message will pop up on the DVI input as soon as I plug in the component cables. I don't even have to change the TV input to see the message. :(

I doubt you could get either probably just one or the other.

To answer your question though, Cablevision's SD channels are mostly analog and inferior in PQ to TWC's. Cablevisions HD channel linup is different to TWC's. They have more premium channels (e.g. StarzHD) and they don't charge extra for an HD tier (they carry INHD and ESPN-HD at no extra charge). TWC cable has both the INHD channels, the HDNET channels and ESPN-HD in an extra cost tier. They also have Discovery-HD at no extra cost.

The only DVRs offered by Cablevision are the 8300SD and 8300HD so no chance of being stuck with an 8000. Unfortunately they run the Scientific Atlanta DVR software which really sucks. TWC uses Pioneer's software which is much better.

Originally posted by margoba
If anybody checks on availability of the 8300HD at 23rd St. on Tuesday morning, please post your findings.

Thx,
-barry


Got my 8300HD this morning at 23rd Street (Tuesday) at about 9:00 a.m. No lines and no hassle. The rep had to look for them, but with some help, she found one.

Good luck.

Alan

Originally posted by vlapietra
Does your TV have HDMI, or are you using an HDMI->DVI adapter.
I'll have to check again, but even if the TV input is set to DVI and working fine, the HDCP message will pop up on the DVI input as soon as I plug in the component cables. I don't even have to change the TV input to see the message. :(

No, I'm using a HDMI to DVI adapter. Works fine with both component and DVI cables from the box into the set at the same time.

I, too, am using HDMI to DVI cable. Once, a few days ago, I had this message pop up - unfortunately I cannot remember the exact circumstances, but it hasn't returned. As a test, I tried copying a live TV show to VCR, and then turning off the TV set (not the cable box). I only let it run this way for a couple of minutes, but it worked fine - no HDMI error message.

-barry

Originally posted by ADGrant
I doubt you could get either probably just one or the other.

To answer your question though, Cablevision's SD channels are mostly analog and inferior in PQ to TWC's. Cablevisions HD channel linup is different to TWC's. They have more premium channels (e.g. StarzHD) and they don't charge extra for an HD tier (they carry INHD and ESPN-HD at no extra charge). TWC cable has both the INHD channels, the HDNET channels and ESPN-HD in an extra cost tier. They also have Discovery-HD at no extra cost.

The only DVRs offered by Cablevision are the 8300SD and 8300HD so no chance of being stuck with an 8000. Unfortunately they run the Scientific Atlanta DVR software which really sucks. TWC uses Pioneer's software which is much better. This is great info -- thanks. I can definitely get Cablevision I/O, and the Time Warner Cable site claims I can get their cable service in my zip (11225). I'll make some calls to verify and to compare price -- thanks! Dan

Thanks to all who provided availability info. I went in to 23rd St. in Manhattan this afternoon (Tuesday) and picked up an 8300HD with no trouble. They didn't have lots of them, but seemed to have enough (maybe 10 or so).

-barry

Now that a week has passed since the surprise release of the 8300, what have the Queens residents done to get the new box?

I work in Manhattan so I could go to 23rd St but if they only have Manhattan boxes then should I go to Queens Center? Or better yet - does anyone know about Woodside?

Thanks. I have an HDMI port that needs to be plugged badly. :)

Its funny. As much as I want world peace, am I the only one disappointed that they ran images of a summit as opposed to an HD test on HDNet today?
Thanks for all the great updates, otherwise. This page is fantastic.

Originally posted by pdroth
Now that a week has passed since the surprise release of the 8300, what have the Queens residents done to get the new box?

I work in Manhattan so I could go to 23rd St but if they only have Manhattan boxes then should I go to Queens Center? Or better yet - does anyone know about Woodside?

Thanks. I have an HDMI port that needs to be plugged badly. :) I got mine in Flushing last week.. now they have moved to the Queens center... Also if you use HDMI port on your TV the optical output will cut off from what I have heard.

Still no 8300 in NJ which is also part of TWC/NYC. Regoddamndiculous...

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
Also if you use HDMI port on your TV the optical output will cut off from what I have heard.

You heard wrong. The optical audio will not be cut off (but it will be stereo instead of DD 5.1 if the TV can't decode DD 5.1).

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
I got mine in Flushing last week.. now they have moved to the Queens center... Also if you use HDMI port on your TV the optical output will cut off from what I have heard.

Thanks - I don't use the optical output so this won't be a problem. My motivation right now is to free up my component HD input for my DVD player and to have a DVR that's relatively free from random reboots and audio dropouts.

I guess I'll head over to Queens Center one evening.

Any updates to Staten Island Availability yet? I still havent heard from TWC about setting up an install appointment, and I was assured I would be because of my complaint to DoITT! :rolleyes:

I have an appointment for Saturday for a tech to come out. But we all know thats a crap shot.

I am thinking about going to the store tomorrow. I am in Queens. Is Queens Center open yet? Or do we still go to Flushing? And what time do they close?

Cheers

Originally posted by DjPiLL
I have an appointment for Saturday for a tech to come out. But we all know thats a crap shot.

I am thinking about going to the store tomorrow. I am in Queens. Is Queens Center open yet? Or do we still go to Flushing? And what time do they close?

Cheers They have moved to Queens Center 7 PM from what I had heard...

Originally posted by Mattdoc
Its funny. As much as I want world peace, am I the only one disappointed that they ran images of a summit as opposed to an HD test on HDNet today?

Similar thoughts when my 10-minute 8 am HDNet recording started: HD images of people milling about outside the peace conference. Next week, hopefully, the usual patterns. -- John

Originally posted by csundbom
I'm running HDMI and Component at the same time. I think the criteria is that your TV has to keep the HDMI connection alive with regular handshakes. If your TV turns off the HDMI port when it's not being used, the box goes into "Your TV doesn't support HDCP" mode on all outputs. Try PIP on your TV and see if you can have them both active.

Does this also apply if I use HDMI to DVI via an adapter? I want to run the 8300HD to my TV via a DVI adapter, and also run S-Video from the box to TiVo. Can anyone confirm if that is possible? How about using the component and S-Video outputs simultaneously? Thanks!

Originally posted by robgold
Does this also apply if I use HDMI to DVI via an adapter? I want to run the 8300HD to my TV via a DVI adapter, and also run S-Video from the box to TiVo. Can anyone confirm if that is possible? How about using the component and S-Video outputs simultaneously? Thanks!

I think it all depends on the display. Some are better at keeping the HDCP protocol alive than others. My display forgets about HDCP as soon as you turn it off or change input. Some people are reporting success with their sets, even when the TV is turned off.

However, there should never be an issue running component and s-video as the same time.

Since we are seeing different behaviors depending on display, the only way to find out is by trial and error. Best of luck.

One really nice feature of the new software on the 8300 is comparable to "View Upcoming Episodes" on Tivo. If you tune to something in the IPG (in the regular Time mode) and then hit "C" for "Search", by default the box lists the currently selected title and you can then see additional episodes. Really useful if you tune into something midway and want to record it later. Would be nice if you could do this directly from the Scheduled recordings list but still nice to have it.

Very nice catch Eric -- I wonder if there are any other useful shortcuts like that one that we haven't noticed, and aren't in the manual (since, to the best of my knowledge, there's no manual).

Originally posted by EricScott
One really nice feature of the new software on the 8300 is comparable to "View Upcoming Episodes" on Tivo. If you tune to something in the IPG (in the regular Time mode) and then hit "C" for "Search", by default the box lists the currently selected title and you can then see additional episodes. Really useful if you tune into something midway and want to record it later. Would be nice if you could do this directly from the Scheduled recordings list but still nice to have it.

They had this on the 8000 as well. Hitting C would bring up the program's title that you were currently watching.


But the 8300 search ability is much, much better than the 8000. I love how it eliminates letters as it goes along!

Originally posted by Manatus
You heard wrong. The optical audio will not be cut off (but it will be stereo instead of DD 5.1 if the TV can't decode DD 5.1). OK.. still not good.. My TV has HDMI and does not decode 5.1 and I want and need optical to work. Stupid way to configure the box. There must n=be some setting or there should be some setting to turn it on while using the HDMI connection. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
OK.. still not good.. My TV has HDMI and does not decode 5.1 and I want and need optical to work. Stupid way to configure the box. There must n=be some setting or there should be some setting to turn it on while using the HDMI connection. :rolleyes:

Sounds like with the SARA software, there is. But the Pioneer software doesnt seem to address the issue. You will probably have to wait for a future software update. Knowing TWC, by the time an update to address that is available, a new model box will probably be out anyway.

Originally posted by Goanna
Sounds like with the SARA software, there is. But the Pioneer software doesnt seem to address the issue. You will probably have to wait for a future software update. Knowing TWC, by the time an update to address that is available, a new model box will probably be out anyway. I would not be surprised. You would think when they build these things they put a little thought into them, or who beta tests them... Oh I forgot we are the Beta testers..:D

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
I would not be surprised. You would think when they build these things they put a little thought into them, or who beta tests them... Oh I forgot we are the Beta testers..:D

If you really want to mess with the folks at TWC and cost them for their ineptitude, you could talk to a CSR and ask why you can't just change the settings the way it's described in the manual that comes with the box. You could probably even threaten to file a DOITT complaint if they don't either provide accurate documentation or provide all the features outlined in the documentation they've provided...
-JMP

Originally posted by jmp_nyc
If you really want to mess with the folks at TWC and cost them for their ineptitude, you could talk to a CSR and ask why you can't just change the settings the way it's described in the manual that comes with the box. You could probably even threaten to file a DOITT complaint if they don't either provide accurate documentation or provide all the features outlined in the documentation they've provided...
-JMP You got documentation? LOL wow... You were better off then me.

I have an Aquos 26GA5U and I just got the 8300HD last night at Queens Center Mall (I am a Brooklyn resident). Very little wait and office is open until 9PM, which is sweet.

Anyway, I have a question. I was viewing HDTV channels (over component) and I was getting gray bars, except for DiscoveryHD and Tonight Show HD(704). I had the Pioneer box before and it seems like I was getting ShowtimeHD without bars, now it has bars. I have the set configured for 16:9 Widescreen, then 4:3 sidebars, I have all outputs enabled (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i). With regular SD channels (over S-video) I can use the Aquos smart stretch to fill the screen (which is far superior to the built-in 8300HD 4:3 zoom or 4:3 stretch). When I am viewing channels (SD or HD) using the component out, the only option I have on the Aquos is "Stretch", which is enabled by default, and it doesn't even do anything because the 8300's settings override it. Does anyone know how to enable Aquos smart stretch when viewing component video (it might be the same for HDMI, but I haven't tested)? Also, does the 8300HD give me more gray bars then the Pioneer HD (non-dvr) box, or was that just a random programming issue? Finally, I am getting the black lines on the sides when I view SD channels over component with 8300HD, what's up with that?

Thanks,

Dave

I got my SA8300HD this morning, February 9, from the 23rd Street location. 5 minutes.

Last night I had the 8300 set to record a program at 8:00 pm. When I got home, I tried to watch it. It was present on my recorded programs list. But, when I pressed play, I was sent back to the original (live) channel. Looking closer, I noticed that the box had recorded the show from "8:00 - 8:00". No show.

Has this happened to anyone else? Can I now not trust this box for important recordings???

Any word on new HD channels. Anyone have a summary of channels we're missing these days. Does any cale system have ESPN2HD yet? I need something new to complain about. Unfortunatley, my TV has DVI so I can't join in all the HDMI-DVI-HDMI conversations.

Has anyone tried HDMI-DVI-HDMI-DVI-HDMI-DVI-HDMI-DVI-HDMI? Does that work? ;)

Drew

Originally posted by drew138
[B]Any word on new HD channels.

Just a few quickies that come to mind:
Starz! HD
Cinemax HD
The Movie Channel HD

All pay channels, yes, but I'm already paying for some of the Multiplex channels for those networks and would love the nice HD Widescreen content they offer. Yes, I'm thankful for HBO-HD & Sho-HD, but still. I mean, Cinemax is OWNED by Time Warner -- I can't believe we don't even get that!

Plus Universal HD (plays HD content from all of the Universal-owned networks), which is a freebie....

Can anyone confirm if the Queens Center location is open on Saturday? Hours?

I hope to have viewed everything that I've recorded to date by then and look forward to finally swapping out this POS.

Have they increased the capacity on the 8300HD over the 8000HD?
usually by mid-week on my play list, i get messages that it will delete them within 2-3 days because i record so much HD stuff.
I have not gotten this since I've picked up the 8300HD on Sat.
I'm wishfully thinking that it is because the 8300HD has a bigger HD.

Originally posted by scott_bernstein
Just a few quickies that come to mind:
Starz! HD
Cinemax HD
The Movie Channel HD

All pay channels, yes, but I'm already paying for some of the Multiplex channels for those networks and would love the nice HD Widescreen content they offer. Yes, I'm thankful for HBO-HD & Sho-HD, but still. I mean, Cinemax is OWNED by Time Warner -- I can't believe we don't even get that!

Plus Universal HD (plays HD content from all of the Universal-owned networks), which is a freebie....

Yeah, Universal HD would be great, they will be airing Stargate in HD soon (Me = SciFi Nerd :D).

I would even like to see UPN and WPIX in HD. I would hate to have to buy an OTA receiver just to get those, since I have an HD monitor, not an HDTV. I asked a CSR about that about a week ago. She said that they had UPN HD for a while, but they dropped it, and she wasnt sure why. WPIX on the other hand, she had no idea when it would be available.

Originally posted by pdroth
Can anyone confirm if the Queens Center location is open on Saturday? Hours?

Monday thru Saturday: 10 AM - 9 PM
Sunday: 11 AM - 6 PM

Is anyone having weird audio problems on 704 (West Wing)?

Originally posted by joe newbie
Is anyone having weird audio problems on 704 (West Wing)?

Yes, like I'm only getting the surrounds in my stereo mix. I'm actually watching OTA, must be a local station issue. Maybe I'll just go watch on regular TV.

Originally posted by joe newbie
Is anyone having weird audio problems on 704 (West Wing)?

Yes, no dialog; sounds like they're all underwater

Originally posted by kwokpot
Yes, no dialog; sounds like they're all underwater

sound fixed, pic is screwed up now

HDMI -->DVI issue: I have Toshiba 42HDX83 RP and used to have the Pioneer HD STB (for which I bought a DVI Monster cable worked GREAT!!) Got 8000HD (too many box reboots from TW which crapped out my TiVo recordings); DVI no work (but we knew that...) Got 8300HD with its HDMI; got adapter (Monster) for $30; connected it up and NO SOAP. First tried it with component cables still connected and got warning message about not HDCP compliant (the 42HDX83 is supposed to be); then disconnected component and got...NOTHING. Box had "on" symbol when powered on but no access to channel change, no sound through A/V receiver (coax digital). Rebooted box and sound came through for a few minutes (display read 1080i/HDTV) and then the sound stopped and the box reverted to "on" symbol, no pic no sound.

The question: is there something evil in the Male HDMI/Female DVI -->Male/Male DVI cable combination, some incompatibility between SA and Toshiba equipment or what? I believe Toshiba has somewhat better D/A converter than SA's and would like to get the connection to work. Am I "dead in the water" or is there a pulse somewhere?

Any word on when we might see ESPN2 HD, or any other HD channel for that matter?

I'm probably not going to be of much help here, but I am using a HDMI to DVI cable from my 8300HD to my Sony KF42-WE610, and it works fine. I have simultaneously hooked up component (also to TV), composite (to DVDR), and coax (to VCR), and all seems to be working. I got the HDCP warning message once, but it went away and has not returned.

Sorry I cannot offer any real help, but I thought it might be useful to know that this setup is working somewhere.

-barry

Originally posted by ljaygould
HDMI -->DVI issue: I have Toshiba 42HDX83 RP and used to have the Pioneer HD STB (for which I bought a DVI Monster cable worked GREAT!!) Got 8000HD (too many box reboots from TW which crapped out my TiVo recordings); DVI no work (but we knew that...) Got 8300HD with its HDMI; got adapter (Monster) for $30; connected it up and NO SOAP. First tried it with component cables still connected and got warning message about not HDCP compliant (the 42HDX83 is supposed to be); then disconnected component and got...NOTHING. Box had "on" symbol when powered on but no access to channel change, no sound through A/V receiver (coax digital). Rebooted box and sound came through for a few minutes (display read 1080i/HDTV) and then the sound stopped and the box reverted to "on" symbol, no pic no sound.

The question: is there something evil in the Male HDMI/Female DVI -->Male/Male DVI cable combination, some incompatibility between SA and Toshiba equipment or what? I believe Toshiba has somewhat better D/A converter than SA's and would like to get the connection to work. Am I "dead in the water" or is there a pulse somewhere?

Amazing how zippy the monkey over at NBC can't remember to turn the center channel on for the HD broadcast. It was really fun watching the show and only hearing dialogue on the half of the show they showed in SD. Dopes.

Hey can anyone please confirm to me the button press sequence to make the 8300HD output ONLY 480p? You guys were so kind as to do this for me for the 8000HD and I'd like to swap mine out. But my HD PJ isn't quite set up yet so I'll have to use it with my 480p (only) widescreen set.

TIA,
TM

Maybe Zippy the monkey can do it for you. He must be a daily hire and free to do outside consulting work.

Just hooked up the 8300HD via component:

1. No problem getting rid of the thin black bars using the different 4:3 settings for HD and SD recommended here in the forum. Works perfectly.

2. 5.1 audio is excellent.

3. However - the PQ is definitely worse than my 3510. DiscoveryHD, which I always use as my test, has a lot of video noise in the background. I lowered the sharpness setting and this helped a tiny bit. The word "haze" doesn't quite describe it but it is not the crystal clear, looking through glass picture that I got with the 3510. Has anyone else experienced this? Could it just be a bad box?

Thoughts? I really want the dvr capability but not at the cost of having a worse picture.

Originally posted by LisaM
Just hooked up the 8300HD via component:

1. No problem getting rid of the thin black bars using the different 4:3 settings for HD and SD recommended here in the forum. Works perfectly.

2. 5.1 audio is excellent.

3. However - the PQ is definitely worse than my 3510. DiscoveryHD, which I always use as my test, has a lot of video noise in the background. I lowered the sharpness setting and this helped a tiny bit. The word "haze" doesn't quite describe it but it is not the crystal clear, looking through glass picture that I got with the 3510. Has anyone else experienced this? Could it just be a bad box?

Thoughts? I really want the dvr capability but not at the cost of having a worse picture.

Try to calibrate the black level. I've noticed that the output was much "hotter" than my old box, so lowering brightness was a must to elimiate noise in dark areas. Record the INHD and/or HDNet test patterns och see if you can get it calibrated correctly.

Thanks, Carl, I will give it a shot.

I am so used to DiscoveryHD looking drop-dead on the 3510 that it is disconcerting to see it looking less than terrific.

I'll play with it for a few days and see if it improves. If not, I will swap it for another 8300 with the hope that it was a bad box.

I swapped my 3510 for a 3250 to resolve some non-PQ issues.
I felt the PQ of the 3510 was better than the 3250. I think the PQ of the HD8300 is about the same as the 3250 (i.e. not as good as the 3510).

All that being said, I don't think the difference is enough to warrant giving up the DVR functionality.

Would someone with an 8300HD please check the "Settings" menu and see if the box does closed captions?

Thanks.

Originally posted by rgrossman
Would someone with an 8300HD please check the "Settings" menu and see if the box does closed captions?

Thanks.

It does.

Originally posted by LisaM
1. No problem getting rid of the thin black bars using the different 4:3 settings for HD and SD recommended here in the forum. Works perfectly.


Just got my 8300HD. Could someone please go over the settings necessary to get rid of the thin black bars for SD?

Thanks.
Alan

Alan: I started on an HD channel and set the settings to 16:9 widescreen and 4:3 sidebar. Then I switched to an SD channel and set them to 16:9 widescreen and 4:3 stretch. When you change channels, the box figures out if you are on an HD or SD channel and adjusts appropriately.

Originally posted by LisaM
Alan: I started on an HD channel and set the settings to 16:9 widescreen and 4:3 sidebar. Then I switched to an SD channel and set them to 16:9 widescreen and 4:3 stretch. When you change channels, the box figures out if you are on an HD or SD channel and adjusts appropriately.

I see. Does that setting stretch (distort) all 4:3 SD channel to fill the entire 16:9 display? I don't want stretch mode. I just want to get rid of the thin black bars. Of course, what I really want is an option to change the grey bars to black bars.

Thanks.
Alan

Some of you I am sure know this already, but for those who do not, the reason they use Grey bars instead of Black is because the black is much harder on the set and has a higher chance of Burn In then Grey does. If you notice, some HD channels are even broadcasting the commercials with the grey sidebars (CBS I know is). The other channels use Black sidebars still on the commercials.

Gotcha. This stretches the 4:3 picture to fill the full screen, which is how I would have my family watch SD on the 3510 to avoid burn-in.

I don't think you can change the gray bars to black.

Originally posted by AlanMFriedman
I see. Does that setting stretch (distort) all 4:3 SD channel to fill the entire 16:9 display? I don't want stretch mode. I just want to get rid of the thin black bars. Of course, what I really want is an option to change the grey bars to black bars.

Thanks.
Alan

Only way to eliminate the black bars (and this only works on certain displays) is to do what Lisa said, to set 4:3 to "Stretch" while on an SD channel - this WILL stetch the image to fit the entire screen (which I don't like either. Then if your display has a 4:3 or equivalent picture size mode for 480p (since SD on the 8300 is most likely to be converted to 480p over HDMI or component), turn that on, and hopefully the display will insert black bars on the sides (some may insert gray bars, in which case your are SOL). Of course this means you are stetching and then shrinking the image but I have been doing this for a while on a few different HD boxes and haven't noticed any PQ degredation (granted it's an SD channels so it doesn't look perfect anyway).

Originally posted by LisaM
Gotcha. This stretches the 4:3 picture to fill the full screen, which is how I would have my family watch SD on the 3510 to avoid burn-in.

I don't think you can change the gray bars to black.

Thanks to everyone for clearing that up so quickly. My issue with the grey bars in 4:3 is that I like being able to control the degree of black/grey in the side bars to get the right balance of burn-in protection without going too grey. Since my Panny plasma allows me to make such adjustments to the side bars on a 4:3 image, I just hoped that for SD channels, the cable box would not output its own sidebars.

Thanks again.
Alan

Originally posted by LL3HD
Rich,

As manatus already answered, yes, however, I’m pretty sure that the CC only works with SD exclusively, not HD channels.

Larry

After seeing your response, I configured my 8300HD to display CC and then tuned to both the SD and HD TNT channels (3 and 710), which were showing a NYPD Blue rerun. CC is displayed on both channels. I believe it's the case, though, that some HD programs lack CC, but that has nothing to do with the 8300HD.

Originally posted by drew138
.

Has anyone tried HDMI-DVI-HDMI-DVI-HDMI-DVI-HDMI-DVI-HDMI? Does that work? ;)

Drew

Sounds like a hand shakin’ orgy. :D

Any word on the 8300HD SATA output; is it active? Has anyone tried to export their recorded HD material to an external SATA Hard Drive yet? This seems to be a very worthwhile feature...

:confused:

Originally posted by illdefined
how could you change colors on the 8000?

On the 8000, in the settings menu, there was a choice for color schemes. This was for the guide backgrounds and menu screens etc. No big deal but you could color coordinate the guide to your viewing room. No can do with the 8300. For those that have those new plasmas with the rear "accent" lighting, that must have looked pretty cool. But, hey, that’s the least of my concerns.

Larry

Originally posted by Manatus
After seeing your response, I configured my 8300HD to display CC and then tuned to both the SD and HD TNT channels (3 and 710), which were showing a NYPD Blue rerun. CC is displayed on both channels. I believe it's the case, though, that some HD programs lack CC, but that has nothing to do with the 8300HD.

Thanks again. That's the same as I'm getting on my 3100HD now. But my 8000SD doesn't do captions at all--I have to rely on my TV's CC facility, which doesn't work on its component inputs.

So now I know I won't need an S-Video connection for the 8300HD.

Since last night's West Wing had some horrible audio problems, can someone point me in a direction (by private message) of a ********** site where I might find it.

Thanks!

Did anyone else notice that Law & Order last night was sent to us in glorious SD on the HD channel? No widescreen...no explanation...no HD. Unusual.

Originally posted by ljaygould
Did anyone else notice that Law & Order last night was sent to us in glorious SD on the HD channel? No widescreen...no explanation...no HD. Unusual.

Not so unusual for NBC...

Can anyone from the experience posters summarize the essential 8300 suggestions or provide post #s for them?

First of all, as a new HDTV user, I'd like to thank the members of this board who posted about the 8300HD: letting me know that it had an HDMI connection, that it worked well, and that there were some TWC offices that had them. This helped me decide to buy my first HDTV (and made sure to get one with HDMI), and helped me devise the best strategy for getting the new DVR from TWC. (BTW, after getting conflicting information from the TWC phone reps, I miraculously got a work order # that allowed me to swap my old 8000SD for the 8300HD at the TWC office in Flushing that just closed.)

There's just one problem I've encountered so far: sometimes when I change channels (not the HD channels), all but the bottom of the picture is blacked out, as if there was a shadow from one of the DVR menus. If I then actually use one of the menus (e.g., "List"), and then exit the menu, the picture becomes normal.

Any ideas on what's going on and how I can fix this?

Originally posted by ILW
First of all, as a new HDTV user, I'd like to thank the members of this board who posted about the 8300HD: letting me know that it had an HDMI connection, that it worked well, and that there were some TWC offices that had them. This helped me decide to buy my first HDTV (and made sure to get one with HDMI), and helped me devise the best strategy for getting the new DVR from TWC. (BTW, after getting conflicting information from the TWC phone reps, I miraculously got a work order # that allowed me to swap my old 8000SD for the 8300HD at the TWC office in Flushing that just closed.)

There's just one problem I've encountered so far: sometimes when I change channels (not the HD channels), all but the bottom of the picture is blacked out, as if there was a shadow from one of the DVR menus. If I then actually use one of the menus (e.g., "List"), and then exit the menu, the picture becomes normal.

Any ideas on what's going on and how I can fix this? Why did you need a work order from the zombo TWC reps I just went down and they swapped it out with no problem..

Also try a reboot.. sometimes they can work miracles. :)

LisaM,

I also notice the HD PQ of the 8300HD isn't quite as good as the Pioneer box. I just hooked it up tonight, then put on channel 21 to watch BBC World News and was quite pleased that the SD PQ has improved. Afterward I changed to 706 and thought the picture was not quite as sharp as I can remember. Then I put on 721 and the "looking out of the window" feeling is definitely not there anymore.

I use component connection since my old pio 5030 does not have DVI or HDMI. I'll be glad to hear what adjustments you can make to improve the PQ.

anyone notice anything wrong with last nights showing of joey? was it really grainy? i know nbc has been having HD issues, but it looked pretty grainy and im trying to figure out if its my tv or the 8300 or the programming.

Has anyone had any luck picking up an 8300HD in Brooklyn or has anyone seen the box for the 718 @ 23rd? I really don't want to have to go Queens...

TIA,
dpc

Leegousa,

I noticed that the 8300HD really messed with my calibration. I took Carl's suggestion and turned down the brightness a few notches. I also turned down the color a bit because faces were suddenly sunburned. (I haven't had time to play with Avia so I did this quickly by eye.) This helped a little bit.

Interestingly, I noticed that the PQ for the HD channels seemed to improve a bit over time. When I installed the dvr on Thursday morning, 706 really did not look good. Not only was the WOW feeling gone but there was video noise in the background. By the time I watched CSI, the PQ was better. Still not as great as with the 3510 but better. Has anyone else found that the PQ has improved as the box has broken in?

I am going to continue to play with it and see if I can get closer to the WOW/looking out of the window feeling that I had previously. At some point, I might swap it for another box in case the box is at fault but it may just be that the 8300 is not capable of the PQ of the 3510. I have never had an HD DVR before (held off on the 8000 due to the horrible reviews) and I may have to trade off the improved PQ of the 3510 for the ability to timeshift HD.

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
Why did you need a work order from the zombo TWC reps I just went down and they swapped it out with no problem..

Also try a reboot.. sometimes they can work miracles. :)


Thanks, a reboot cleared the problem.

The reason I got a work order # is that some of the TWC phone reps told me I wouldn't be able to swap an SD box for an HD box unless I got a service call or unless I could prove that I had an HDTV (mine hadn't been delivered yet). Thus, getting the work order # from a more friendly phone rep was some insurance that the people at the service center would give me the HD box without any hassle, since they could look up the work order on their computers.

Originally posted by LisaM
I noticed that the 8300HD really messed with my calibration....
Interestingly, I noticed that the PQ for the HD channels seemed to improve a bit over time. When I installed the dvr on Thursday morning, 706 really did not look good. Not only was the WOW feeling gone but there was video noise in the background. By the time I watched CSI, the PQ was better. Still not as great as with the 3510 but better. Has anyone else found that the PQ has improved as the box has broken in?

Something like that, gradual image improvement, seemed to happen with my former TWC 8000HD. But after A-Bing images with my RCN Cable 6208 converter, then measuring test patterns, I concluded it was a form of 'wishful thinking' (mental image modifications) after awaiting the 8000HD so long. While my 8300HD now seems to match the wow factor of the RCN converter, the differing cable systems complicates comparisons. Mentioned in another post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5162828#post5162828) today a hope that next week's HDNet patterns might generate some comparisons. -- John

anyone's cable not working?
Mine went out around 8 PM yesterday and it is still out.
At first, I thought it was my new 8300, but when I hooked the cable directly into my tv, i was not getting a signal either.
Called TW and they told me it was an outage in my area.
I live in union square.
Anybody around that area?

I'm on 11th St. near Union Square and mine was working last night through midnight.

I'm over in Stuy Town, and everything has been fine.

!

anyone notice anything wrong with last nights showing of JOEY? was it really grainy? i know nbc has been having HD issues, but it looked pretty grainy and im trying to figure out if its my tv or the 8300 or the programming.

In the high end audio world, particularly speakers, sales reps will tell you to allow for a break-in period. I always thought even if that is real, the differences will be small. As John Mason said, sometimes our eagerness/memories play tricks on us. I just had the pioneer box changed, so I have a fresher memory of how the HD PQ used to be. I think for folks with bigger screens the differnce should be more obvious. I'll not be surprised if the resolute test does confirm this.

Or may be after a few weeks (or beers), everything will look gorgeous.

FYI: I just picked up an 8300 from 23rd st. It looked like they had a good stock of them.

So, now I am realizing what everyone has been talking about regarding the HDMI port. I figured it wouldn't be a problem, as I have a HDMI to DVI cable from my old Tivo setup. So this box has no DVI? Now I understand the dilemma.

So, without having to go through the 186 pages of this thread again (can we move to a new one please?), can someone summarize how to effectively get 5.1 out of the box while still using the HDMI port?

Thanks!

Yes, a summary by a senior poster is much needed.



Originally posted by joshsaul
FYI: I just picked up an 8300 from 23rd st. It looked like they had a good stock of them.

So, now I am realizing what everyone has been talking about regarding the HDMI port. I figured it wouldn't be a problem, as I have a HDMI to DVI cable from my old Tivo setup. So this box has no DVI? Now I understand the dilemma.

So, without having to go through the 186 pages of this thread again (can we move to a new one please?), can someone summarize how to effectively get 5.1 out of the box while still using the HDMI port?

Thanks!

Originally posted by joshsaul


So, without having to go through the 186 pages of this thread again (can we move to a new one please?), can someone summarize how to effectively get 5.1 out of the box while still using the HDMI port?

Thanks!

The problem and its solutions are discussed in the few pages that followed the debut of the 8300HD on Feb. 1. The only configuration in which DD 5.1 is disabled is when the 8300's HDMI port is connected to an HDMI-equipped display that lacks the ability to decode DD 5.1.

Originally posted by Manatus
The problem and its solutions are discussed in the few pages that followed the debut of the 8300HD on Feb. 1. The only configuration in which DD 5.1 is disabled is when the 8300's HDMI port is connected to an HDMI-equipped display that lacks the ability to decode DD 5.1. What if you use a HDMI>DVI cable>HDMI ? :confused:

As far as the 5.1 problem, what do I do if I want to split the audio out of the 8300 and just use the HDMI for video? I don't even know if my display has an audio out, so I need some way to go from the 8300 into my Sony on either optical or coax.

Originally posted by joshsaul
I decided to create a new topic just for the 8300 discussion, let's see if it helps.

As far as the 5.1 problem, what do I do if I want to split the audio out of the 8300 and just use the HDMI for video? I don't even know if my display has an audio out, so I need some way to go from the 8300 into my Sony on either optical or coax.

That, like your original question, has been repeatedly answered here, and you do a disservice to your fellow forumers by littering this thread with needless questions. Do a little reading -- you might learn something.

Sorry, this thread just seems a bit cumbersome. It's not quite a thread, but about 10 conversations mixed together. Too bad we can't create a forum for more specific discussion.

Originally posted by joshsaul
As far as the 5.1 problem, what do I do if I want to split the audio out of the 8300 and just use the HDMI for video? I don't even know if my display has an audio out, so I need some way to go from the 8300 into my Sony on either optical or coax. From what I have read here you can not. Once you use the HDMI>HDMI the optical output on the receiver ceases to work. The analog RCA jacks do work. Again I have not tried this.. It is on one of the pages back there ..

Originally posted by ljaygould HDMI -->DVI issue: I have Toshiba 42HDX83 RP and used to have the Pioneer HD STB (for which I bought a DVI Monster cable worked GREAT!!) Got 8000HD (too many box reboots from TW which crapped out my TiVo recordings); DVI no work (but we knew that...) Got 8300HD with its HDMI; got adapter (Monster) for $30; connected it up and NO SOAP. First tried it with component cables still connected and got warning message about not HDCP compliant (the 42HDX83 is supposed to be); then disconnected component and got...NOTHING. Box had "on" symbol when powered on but no access to channel change, no sound through A/V receiver (coax digital). Rebooted box and sound came through for a few minutes (display read 1080i/HDTV) and then the sound stopped and the box reverted to "on" symbol, no pic no sound. The question: is there something evil in the Male HDMI/Female DVI -->Male/Male DVI cable combination, some incompatibility between SA and Toshiba equipment or what? I believe Toshiba has somewhat better D/A converter than SA's and would like to get the connection to work. Am I "dead in the water" or is there a pulse somewhere?

I hope I'm not being too much of a pest (re-quoting myself) BUT I'm wondering if anyone can make suggestions to me (beyond "I got it working that way"). First of all, while I know that my DVI cable worked with the old Pioneer STB, I have no basis to conclude that the HDMI-->DVI adapter is working properly, or - since it apparently includes some circuitry - may in some way be incompatible with my setup. Any takers? I'm still using component and would REALLY like my D/A conversion to take place in the Toshiba TV rather than the SciAtl STB, which means getting the HDMI-->DVI working. Perhaps I need a direct cable rather than using cable + adapter...anyone have any advice?

Originally posted by Megahurts
Maybe Zippy the monkey can do it for you. He must be a daily hire and free to do outside consulting work.

I checked with zippy but he was busy in remedial "turn on the center channel switch" class. But let me rephrase my Q more specifically. I have a set that *only* takes 480p via component. When you first connect the (8000HD/8300HD) box it is not set to output 480p so there's no way for me to walk through the menus to enable 480p and disable all other output resolutions b/c I can't see any picture. So I know how to do it in principle - what I need to know is the exact button sequence to do it 'blind'. I know the sequence for the 8000HD (someone gave it to me). If it's exactly the same on the 8300HD then no problem. If not then I'm SOL. But I don't want to swap the box until I know the sequence for sure.

And since I'm already littering the thread :) let me (re)sum up the audio situation:

If you go HDMI->HDMI (or HDMI->DVI->HDMI) into a set that does NOT handle 5.1 audio over HDMI (which is most sets on the market including some that *claim* to be able to do this) then ALL digital audio outputs (both optical and coax) output 2.0 channel audio. Currently THERE IS NO WAY AROUND THIS IF YOU WIND UP WITH HDMI INTO YOUR SET. And to be specific, THE AUDIO OUTPUTS WILL WORK, but will only output 2.0 channels this way.

HOWEVER if you go HDMI->DVI you're fine...you'll get 5.1 digital audio from optical and/or coax.

ALSO, if you go component out you're also fine...you'll get 5.1 digital audio from optical and/or coax.

The problem is that the OS in our boxes (Passport) does not have a menu selection to 'force' 5.1 audio from the digital audio outputs as does the OS in other systems' boxes (SARA, which otherwise blows so be happy we have Passport).

TM

ljaygould,
I can't directly answer your question but one other suggestion is to try different power on sequences b/t your STB and display. There's a front PJ on the market (can't remember which) that MUST be turned on before the source device for it to do a proper HDCP handshake. Maybe your set is the same?
TM

Anthony,

I am not 100% sure, but I could swear when hooking up the 8300 all formats were active, not just set to 1080i like in the past. I believe this is that way because they fixed the SD, HD output on the 8300 to active at the same time.

If nobody else can confirm this, PM me, you can call me and I will walk you through the key sequence or at the very least write the keystrokes down. I should be exactly the same as the 8000 since the menu has not changed.

Originally posted by pciav
Anthony,

I am not 100% sure, but I could swear when hooking up the 8300 all formats were active, not just set to 1080i like in the past. I believe this is that way because they fixed the SD, HD output on the 8300 to active at the same time.

If nobody else can confirm this, PM me, you can call me and I will walk you through the key sequence or at the very least write the keystrokes down. I should be exactly the same as the 8000 since the menu has not changed.

My imperfect recollection differs -- I believe that the default setting was 1080i ONLY.

Originally posted by ljaygould
First of all, while I know that my DVI cable worked with the old Pioneer STB, I have no basis to conclude that the HDMI-->DVI adapter is working properly, or - since it apparently includes some circuitry - may in some way be incompatible with my setup. Any takers? I'm still using component and would REALLY like my D/A conversion to take place in the Toshiba TV rather than the SciAtl STB, which means getting the HDMI-->DVI working. Perhaps I need a direct cable rather than using cable + adapter...anyone have any advice? [/B]

My HDMI to DVI cable has no circuitry. You could just pick one up (mine cost $16 at www.svideo.com) and see if the cable makes a difference.

-barry

Originally posted by joshsaul
Sorry, this thread just seems a bit cumbersome. It's not quite a thread, but about 10 conversations mixed together. Too bad we can't create a forum for more specific discussion.

For more specific discussion, you can refer to the HDTV Recorder forum and look at the SA8300 (for Passport software) thread.

Originally posted by pciav
I am not 100% sure, but I could swear when hooking up the 8300 all formats were active, not just set to 1080i like in the past. I believe this is that way because they fixed the SD, HD output on the 8300 to active at the same time.

I can confirm that when I got my 8300HD all output formats were active. 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i.

Thanks Vinny. That is what I remember also. I also remember that it is was preset to 4:3 with 16:9 letterbox.

TM,

You should be in good shape. PM if you need blind man assistance :D

I got my 8300 last weekend and have three questions. (Since the idiots who answer the phone at TWC know nothing about this box maybe someone can help me...

Is there a way to see how much time you have remaining for recordings?

Is the external SATA connector active? Can you hook up another drive? The manual says yes, TWC says no. Has anyone successfully done this?

Some of my scheduled recordings don;t record. For example I have the series manager set to record Nightline on Chan 707 every night. but it won;t record no matter what setting I use. Other shows record just fine but not Nightline or Charlie Rose on 13. last night I deleted both scheduled recordings and set them up again. This time the box did record but it recorded Chan 1 (NY-1) for a while then quit...annoying!

Has anyone had any problems displaying 720p with an 8300?

I have mine connected via HDMI into a Panasonic TH-50PX20U and I am getting 480p and 1080i, but all the 720p stations are a black screen. Audio is still working though.

Thanks.

For those interested, I picked up an 8300HD tonight at the Brooklyn office. I was told they have more in stock.

Originally posted by vinnyl
For those interested, I picked up an 8300HD tonight at the Brooklyn office. I was told they have more in stock.
That's good to know, maybe they'll show up in Staten Island soon as well.

joshsaul

The model number of the Panasonic plasma you gave indicates that it is the consumer version.

As far as I know, the consumer version does not accept 720P via any input. It will display a 720P signal ONLY via cablecard or the use of the internal ASTC over the air tuner.

It you force the 8300 to output only 1080i, this should solve your issue.

Good luck,
-Pete

For those too lazy to go back a few pages and read, here is the post for your questions regarding 5.1 output when using an HDMI video cable:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5114285#post5114285

And here is the crux of the matter:

It seems that if you plug in an HDMI-HDMI cable, the box talks to the TV and finds out if it can accept 5.1 or not. If it can't (and most displays can't) the 8300 automatically outputs 2 Ch on ALL outputs and on Passport there is no way to override this through the settings menus (so the part in the manual about an option to fix the problem does not apply to us). By using an HDMI-DVI cable, the box never actually talks to the TV (at least the audio doesn't), no audio gets to the TV and the box just outputs 5.1 through the normal digital outputs.

So until TWC decides to enable 5.1 in the service menu when using an HDMI cable, then 5.1 output is not going to work ON ANY OUTPUT when using HDMI.

End of story...for now.

I just had a tech swap out my 8000 for an 8300 (can't believe he actually brought it). LOL

So far so good. Box is MUCH faster and more responsive.

Originally posted by DjPiLL
I just had a tech swap out my 8000 for an 8300 (can't believe he actually brought it). LOL

So far so good. Box is MUCH faster and more responsive.

GREAT! Now get ready to enjoy your GLORIOUS 2-Channel audio when watching via HDMI.

LOL.

Originally posted by Rieper
GREAT! Now get ready to enjoy your GLORIOUS 2-Channel audio when watching via HDMI.

LOL.


I am connecting using component cables and optical out. Does this affect me?

Originally posted by DjPiLL
I am connecting using component cables and optical out. Does this affect me?

No, Only HDMI to HDMI connections will disable 5.1 output.

HDMI to DVI, or Component Hookup will NOT disable it. So you should be fine.

Originally posted by DjPiLL
I am connecting using component cables and optical out. Does this affect me?

Nah, I'm just assuming you wanted 8300HD for its HDMI output. But its a lot better box than the 8000HD. You should be fine.

Just me ranting because TWC screwed up again for its HighDef customers.

:mad:

I have a Pioneer 50" Plasma... so no HDMI for me. Hell I can't even use my current DVI port for the cable because that DVI port on my plasma can only display a computer resolution (not TV).

I just recalibrated my Samsung HLP using the InHD tune up test patterns on the 8300 (connected HDMI/DVI). Surprisingly, after running through the test patterns, I ended up setting my "Brightness" to 30 (out of 100) and the "Contrast" to 70 (out of 100). Keep in mind, on most inputs I set the Contrast to around 90 and the Brightness to 50 or less, so a 30 setting isn't totally insane but seems kind of low.

I previously had Brightness at 45 and Contrast at 85 and it looked good but assuming the test patterns are accurate those settings are definitely too high.

Has anyone else had to really turn their brightness down, esp. if using test patterns?

For all you neophytes othere (like me): I went to BestBuy to get an HDMI > DVI converter (I already had the DVI cable) to hook up to my new 8300. The clerk told me that there was no such thing and that I had to buy the hybrid cable for $120. I asked to speak to a manager and he told me the same thing. Circuit City had the converter for $30.

I swapped the box in brooklyn: took one HD & one SD. The rep looked pissed and told me not to "tell my friends".

I think going the trouble ticket route is smart, as she claimed TW does not want to swap "working" boxes.


Originally posted by John Mason
Something like that, gradual image improvement, seemed to happen with my former TWC 8000HD. But after A-Bing images with my RCN Cable 6208 converter, then measuring test patterns, I concluded it was a form of 'wishful thinking' (mental image modifications) after awaiting the 8000HD so long. While my 8300HD now seems to match the wow factor of the RCN converter, the differing cable systems complicates comparisons. Mentioned in another post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5162828#post5162828) today a hope that next week's HDNet patterns might generate some comparisons. -- John

I just ordered mine from these guys http://www.bluejeanscable.com/, screw bestbuy.

Hey what happened to HD-TNT? Did they move it to another channel?:confused:

The last channel I have for it was 87-2. That stopped working about 4 days ago.

TNT HD is channel 710 for me, and its working fine.

Originally posted by Goanna
TNT HD is channel 710 for me, and its working fine.

I know, I'm on direct connect without a cable box. Your box mapped the channels for you automatically.

Anybody else know where the channel went?