I have no digital out setting. The only option related to audio is fixed or variable output. No fancy DD/HDMI etc.

In any case I got an S97 to utilise my HDMI input, and am content with component output from the 8300.

Has anyone tried using the 8300 box like a normal cable box and connecting a TiVo or Replay to it? I would love to use my Replay for the SD and the 8300 for the HD.

I've also started noticing glitches in my recordings. Even on recordings of analog channels. Is this a known issue? Do I need a new box?

Just got my 8300 HD Multi-room here in Miami via Atlantic Broadband today. Running SARA, don't know the version number. My TV through component can handle 480p, 720p or 1080i. I have the "pass-though" option set. When tuning to a SD channel the box sets it self to 480p. This however stretches the picture to fill the screen. If I hit the * button it goes to 1080i zoom then 1080i zoom 2 and then back to 480p. When I had the box set to 1080i fixed the SD channels were in 1080i, but not stretched. Is there a way to tell the 8300 to change 480i to 1080i NOT 480p?

BTW my TV is a Sampo 34" CRT HDTV. Thanks!

Originally posted by Pradeep
I have an 8000HD in the bedroom, and for some reason in the middle of the night, maybe around 2am, the hard drive will spin up for a few mins. Then it winds back down. (Box is off).

As for the 8300HD, it's in the living room. It doesn't have a noisy fan like the Replay, but if you were for example recording two shows, whilst playing back a third recording, the hard drive does make a fair bit of thrashing noise. A shirpy noise. Assuming it doesn't wind up in the middle of the night, or have a recording scheduled for then, it should be OK.

If you connect via HDMI->HDMI cable, chances are that you will no longer have Dolby Digital audio output, only prologic. It's controlled by a setting in the 8300HD, not many of us have that setting available (as far as I know only the Canadians).

How are you able to get a third recording because for some reason I'm only allowed to do 2 on mine and have tried setting up a third recording but I get an error message.

Sorry I should have been clearer. Playing back a third previously recorded show.

Oh ok thanks for clearing that up would have drove me nuts all night knowing my reciever should be recording three things at once but can't

Also does anyone else have an 8300 without any firewire slots but is able to transfer their recordings on to their pc?

How would you do that? Only possiblity I could think of would be via the SATA port and external drive, but I'm sure it's going to be encrypted to the hilt. Of course SD video is another matter.

Well i have the SATA port but no external drive only internal. Im trying to find out either way its my first time trying to transfer video to a pc. SD or HD either one is fine to know for the moment.

Well SD you could just record from the S-vid output into the video in of your videocard if you have one.

Supposedly any data recorded to a SATA drive will have to be played back through the 8300, though there may be other SATA-enabled playback devices at some point. For now, I think you are stuck with SD through the S-Video/Audio (or A/V) ports. Unfortunately, I believe that will also capture any button presses, etc., you make while recording. The better solution would be to capture a recording using the "Record To VCR' option with your capture card hooked up in place of a VCR, to the Output2 A/V connections.

DoubleDAZ:

You raise a very interesting question about time slots used for different programs on the same channel. With my previous 8000HD, I never got a recording for the "wrong" program. If the time slot had something different scheduled, it did not record. So far, I think the 8300HD is operating the same way, but I'll keep a watch on it.

Petteri:

You are the first person I've seen with the 8300MR model. Have you seen the 8300HD and can you tell us if the MR is physically any different? There has been some speculation that the boxes are different, but some feel the 8300HD can be "upgraded" to the MR model with a software update.

Have you been able to use the MR to pass a signal to another SA digital box or are you using it as a stand alone DVR?

TIA

How does the MR capability work? Does it use the existing cable co-ax wiring in the house to route video to another digital STB? I hope they got the pause in one location, resume in another worked out.

Originally posted by Pradeep
How does the MR capability work? Does it use the existing cable co-ax wiring in the house to route video to another digital STB?

Yes. It also involves the installation of a filter where the coax enters the residence to prevent the MR signal from exiting the residence.

Originally posted by AlbanyHDTV
I'm still looking for anyone who has had success hooking this DVR up via the HDMI to a Toshiba 57H83 (or any Toshiba) DVI port.

Anyone....?

I have had no luck.
I had my HD DVR install on 11/19. All works, save for the HDMI
connection.
I have a Toshiba HDTV Model 26HL83 LCD. Previously I had my 4200HD
Box hooked up via DVI ("Monster" brand) cable connection. The
connection was always a bit quirky. Whenever I first turned on the
TV I would get a message that appeared momentarily on the screen to
the effect that the TV did not support HDCP and to use the PrPbY
component connections, but then the picture would kick in and
everything was fine.

I purchased a DVI to HDMI adapter (also "Monster" brand). However,
when this is hooked up to the 8300HD, the message which used to
appear momentarily with the 4200HD box is now permanent. No video,
just the message. My Toshiba Owner's Manual claims that the TV's
DVI-in terminal is designed to accept HDCP from "EIA/CEA-861-
compliant consumer electronic devices...."

In the meantime, I have had to switch to component cables.

Any suggestions?

I have the same problem with my new Phillips Cineos. The message just stays on the screen. I purchased a high end DVI to HDMI adapter from Ram Electronics. Anyone else having the same issues with the 8300HD?

I have not seen the other flavors of the 8300HD. I am using it as a stand-alone DVR although I do have another cable box in the house. Atlantic Broadband made no mention at all about the multi-room feature. I havn't looked into that feature at all.

I still don't know how to "un-stretch" the 480p signal. I'm now guessing that it may be my TV that just assumes that a 480p signal is wide screen.

Petteri:

Displays handle 480p in the same way as 720p/1080i. This means your display has locked the picture anamorphicallly. Try 480i instead.

Jim:

Thats the problem, my set cannot display 480i over the component input. The picture was fine at 1080i though. My Sampo will only do 480p, 720p or 1080i via the HD compnent input. The pass though is great, but if I could add one feature it would be to manually set via the remote the output format.

Originally posted by Jim Boden
DoubleDAZ:

You raise a very interesting question about time slots used for different programs on the same channel. With my previous 8000HD, I never got a recording for the "wrong" program. If the time slot had something different scheduled, it did not record. So far, I think the 8300HD is operating the same way, but I'll keep a watch on it. Well, I wish it were, but it doesn't appear to be doing so, at least not here.

Yesterday, I purposely set up a recording for House that evening and I selected 'All episodes on this channel in this time slot'. I knew it wasn't on next Friday (moving to regular Tuesday time) and next Friday was not in the IPG until today. I just checked, and sure enough, there it is scheduled to record House next Friday from 700-800 pm.

And before you say the IPG must be messed up, it's not. Mr Deeds in on in that timeslot and the next one. BTW, it is highlighted to record.

So, it certainly appears to me to be a bug and one needs to constantly review their scheduled recordings to make sure you get what you expect. I'm going to leave it in there to see if it actually does record the first hour of Mr Deeds thinking it is House.

DoubleDAZ:

Very interesting. I'll try to duplicate it here. Software in Toronto is:

ROM 1.85.11.5
OS 6.8.9.4
SARA 1.85.11.5
POWERKEYLIB 3.7.3.1
HALDRIVER 1.0.31.1000
PHAL3DRIVER 3.5.11.1000

Jim, software here in Phoenix is latest that I know of:

A/O 11/11/2004
ROM/SARA - v1.85.14.1
OS - 6.8.9.4
PowerKEY LIB - 3.7.3.1
HAL Driver - 1.0.31.1030
PHAL3 Driver - 3.5.11.1000

I would like to go back to a message from trekkerj about "glitches in my recordings." I have had my 8300HD set up here in Phoenix for about 1 week. I notice pixelization on many of my recordings. It seems to happen in patches -- much of the recording is ok but for about 2-3 minutes of recorded time the playback will show errors. It is very distracting. It looks like a harddrive problem similar to what happened to my 8000 box and was fixed when I got a new one. It happens with both SD and HD and occurs in approx. 50% of the recordings. How many other boxes show this??

doccable. Can't help you much with the glitches as I haven't noticed many on my recordings. But, we do have some local forums in Phoenix and you are welcome to join us there.

http://pc-dtv.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=692604811&f=634607221

I've looked and can find no reference to the Auto Shut-Off over-ride working. You are supposed to be ablt to 'hit any key' when you get the warning message at 1:10 am that the unit will shut off in 5 minutes. Does hitting any key work and stop the unit from shutting off or is this a known problem? For severalof us, the unit shuts off no matter how many keys we hit or how often. Thanks.

Originally posted by Pradeep
If you connect via HDMI->HDMI cable, chances are that you will no longer have Dolby Digital audio output, only prologic. It's controlled by a setting in the 8300HD, not many of us have that setting available (as far as I know only the Canadians).

just reporting that dolby digital is available even from an hdmi-hdmi connection.. when you go hdmi-hdmi the sound setting defaults to hdmi but you can select it to DD which should enable the digital audio outputs.. I know I'm lacking optical cable this weekend since my dvd and hdtv both uses only optical cable for their digital outs, I was stuck until I got everything hooked up and working

right now my 8300HD
video: hdmi2hdmi -> panasonic pt50lcx63 (champion of a set), working *perfectly* and the hd-picture is awe-inspiring
audio: digital coaxial cable to my receiver :)

I'm loving it, *loving it* I already am recording everything though for now my main annoyance that I just encountered was mentioned before.. if you're recording 2 shows at the same time, you *MUST* watch one of those shows... there are workarounds and what have you but it doesn't interest me, I'm more concerned with my dvr's limitations/quirks/annoyances and that's the one annoyance I've encountered :) but.. it's no biggie

;P I don't really have to record 'Miracle' *tunes back to the HD fla-fsu game*

Originally posted by GooglyBear
if you're recording 2 shows at the same time, you *MUST* watch one of those shows...] And if in had 3 tuners, we'd still be in the same boat because then we'd want to record 3 shows and watch a 4th, and so on.... :)

Originally posted by Snoopybird
I have had no luck.
I had my HD DVR install on 11/19. All works, save for the HDMI
connection.
I have a Toshiba HDTV Model 26HL83 LCD. Previously I had my 4200HD
Box hooked up via DVI ("Monster" brand) cable connection. The
connection was always a bit quirky. Whenever I first turned on the
TV I would get a message that appeared momentarily on the screen to
the effect that the TV did not support HDCP and to use the PrPbY
component connections, but then the picture would kick in and
everything was fine.

I purchased a DVI to HDMI adapter (also "Monster" brand). However,
when this is hooked up to the 8300HD, the message which used to
appear momentarily with the 4200HD box is now permanent. No video,
just the message. My Toshiba Owner's Manual claims that the TV's
DVI-in terminal is designed to accept HDCP from "EIA/CEA-861-
compliant consumer electronic devices...."

In the meantime, I have had to switch to component cables.

Any suggestions?

I have the 8300 in Rochester, NY, and am running it to an Infocus 4805 projector (HDCP compliant, supposedly) with the same Monster adapter to DVI cable to the projector.

If my projector is set to the DVR's input when I turn it on, it will work. BUT, if I switch inputs on the projector (say to watch a dvd) and come back to the DVR input, I get the HDCP warning message, and the box is locked out until I pull and replug the HDMI connector.

This HDCP thing is a real mess, and I need to use DVI for this as I am running component from my DVD player (which also seems to have HDCP issues in an even more serious way, and well documented)

Is there any hope for this to eventually get worked out?

Wes

Has anyone tried the Harmony 688 universal remote with the SA8300? Does it work well with the DVR?

The 688 works fine with the 8300HD.

-Adam

I am following this thread with great interest since my newly received 8300 has numerous hiccups (not showing options when select is pressed in DVR list, not selecting the right signal format for HD signal on 4:3 TV and so on) but the thread became too big. Should we split it up into several threads? Something like 8300 HDCP, 8300 Configuration, 8300 DVR Problems and Tricks.

Will

I solved my problem of having 480p streched on my Sampo. I removed the 480p setting from the list of modes that work. I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner! Now the 480i SD channels are converted to 1080i. Thanks for the help!

Acutally there are two 480p settings. I think I left 480p Widescreen there and removed the 480p Standard. It seems kind of backwards, but it works.

Originally posted by apetryk
The 688 works fine with the 8300HD.

-Adam I'm considering purchasing this remote, but haven't checked the local BB to see if they stock it. TigerDirect has it listed for only $150, but I have no experience with them, so I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with them and is there anything I should watch out for?

At any rate, I have some questions. I assume you had to program the List, Replay, Live, and A/B/C buttons, since the remote does not have separate buttons for these DVR functions. Was that done online and then downloaded? Was it simple to do? Is it simple to use the LCD buttons?

I've seen reviews, though I'm not sure how old they were, that indicate there was no automatic option to control on/off for the 8000HD. Has this been fixed for the 8300HD or did you have to 'fix' this yourself after downloading the code-set for the 8300HD?

Do you have a receiver and is the remote able to control most functions. I have a Denon 3803 and the 8300HD remote won't even turn it on/off, all codes for Denon were removed from the remote (AT8400D) I received. That is the main reason for looking into an after-market remote, although I like the idea of the 'Activity' buttons.

One question about that. Let's say the TV is already on. If you then select Play DVD (which includes a command to turn the TV on), will it turn of f the TV? The reason I ask is my plan would be for me to let my wife use the 8300HD remote. She usually just watches TV using the TV speakers. When I get home from work, I prefer to turn on the Denon, etc. So, if I come home and select Watch TV and the TV is already on, will it stay on?

I programmed the List and A/B/C buttons. Mapped the replay to the skip back button.

The harmony website is very user friendly and I would highly recommend it.

LCD buttons are easy to use, they are just to the left/right of the LCD... no need to scroll or anything unless you are accessing past the first 'page' of buttons. The LCD buttons are context sensitive, so when I'm in "Watch PVR" mode it shows A/B/C/List.

I have a panasonic SA-XR45 and the remote does what I need it to do. I can't imagine a case where you wouldn't be able to control a function since you can put the remote in learning mode and then assign buttons.

The remote is state-aware so it will only turn on/off what it needs to. As such given your example if you are watching tv and swtich to watching DVD it will not turn off your tv.

I leave the PVR on all the time so don't have an answer for your on/off question.

Hope these answers help. I'd highly recommend getting the harmony. Some of the criticisms are fair (e.g. layout of keys could be better) however the pros far far outweigh the cons. My wife can switch from TV/DVD/Media PC/Radio/VCR without knowing a thing about what inputs to set the TV and receiver on. And if things aren't in the right state, a simple press of the "Help" button usually fixes it right away.

-Adam

GooglyBear:

if you're recording 2 shows at the same time, you *MUST* watch one of those shows...

I understand what you’re saying, but you don’t really HAVE to be watching anything while it’s recording 2 shows. You can watch both of them later.;)

Also, you can watch something previously recorded while it’s recording 2 programs, which is kind of neat.

I'm using the 8300HD with an old Marantz RS-2000 remote and it works perfectly. It has exactly the same codes as prior models, such as the 8000HD.

Is anyone usine 8300 with Panasonic ED plasma. If so, could you pls list how you set up so stretch modes would work. Thanks.

apetryk. I understand your state-aware comment, but I thought that only applied to what the remote actually did. In other words, if you manually turn on the TV and then select Watch TV on the remote, what happens, does it toggle the TV off? I suppose I could set one Activity to Watch TV with just the TV/8300 on and another to Watch Cable with the Denon/8300/TV on. That would let my wife not have to worry about the Denon at all. Does that sound pratical?

One other question that you may not be able to help with. My devices seem to put out different levels of audio. If the 8300 has a different volume level than the DVD player, etc., and I select Watch DVD, can the volume be adjusted as part of the Activity so I don't accidently get blasted out of the room?

I did run up to BB, but they do not sell the 688 and they were out of the 659 model they did sell. I've heard that some folks prefer the 680 though because of the slightly large buttons and more familar layout. Do you have any experience with that model? I assume there are more buttons that need to be configured for the DVR though.

I don't do anything without the harmony. If you were to turn the tv on with another remote or manually then the harmony would turn it off (unless you've got discrete on/off for your tv in which case it would just re-send the "on" command).

You can stick in some manual things to do upon entering/leaving an activity. So you could have it turn the volume up/down when changing activities.

Haven't tried the 680.

I guess my question would by why bother watching tv without the denon? The harmony makes everything so easy to use there probably isn't a practical reason not to?

-Adam

Originally posted by apetryk
I guess my question would by why bother watching tv without the denon? The harmony makes everything so easy to use there probably isn't a practical reason not to? I don't and I think with something like the Harmony, I could disable the TV speakers altogether, as long as my wife didn't have to mess with anything other than change channels and volume. It's not that she's electronically challenged, it's more that it really doesn't matter to her. She doesn't give a hoot about 5.1, etc., though she does enjoy the HD PQ. She still watches a lot of HGTV/TLC/DSC during the day and they are all so not Home Theater-ish. :)

BTW. Thanks for all the info

Edit: I just checked the Harmony site and went through the tutorial they have. It mentioned that when you first use the remote, you may already have the TV, etc., on and the remote doesn't know that. It said to simply press Help to resync. That looks like exactly what I would need to do when I get home from work and my wife already has the TV on. Cool!

Originally posted by marchristensen
Is anyone usine 8300 with Panasonic ED plasma. If so, could you pls list how you set up so stretch modes would work. Thanks.

I have 42" HD model of Panasonic and as far as I know all Panasonic plasma panels do not allow stretch for HD signal (1080i and 720p). There are some threads in plasma forum discussing it. Some people choose NEC panels in order to have this functionality.

Will

DoubleDAZ answered most of your questions, and I'll opine on this one:

Originally posted by marchristensen

Last question is really asking for an opinion - is having the ability to hd record worth the problems documented here - freezing and lost shows. ReplayTV is quite reliable but, of course, not hd.

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

I have two of the original Sony TIVOs with lifeftime service that I've expanded to 200+ hours each and have been flawless. That said, since we got the 8000HD last February (and now the 8300HD in August) the TIVOs pretty much belong to the kids and the only thing I record and watch on them is news programming, where HD doesn't make much difference and college football when I can't watch it live. It's just *too* hard to watch SD versions of prime time TV when I know the HD version is available.

The 8300HD definitely has its flaws, but I couldn't live without mine. I just wish it were bigger -- I wind up loading it up with HBO-HD, Showtime-HD, INHD and HDNet movies and concerts but make sure they're set to auto-erase as spaces is needed. When the SATA ports are enabled, that wish may come true.

I do confess to using the TIVOs to also record some of the same shows the 8300HD does. That saved me two weeks ago when E.R. had terrible breakup (not the 8300HD's fault because I think it was the transmission) -- 2/3rds of the way through we fell back to TIVO and suffered along with a zoomed letterboxed 480i image.

Will - How do you stretch SD shows. I thought if you were connected to the cablebox via component that you could not stretch on the Pannasonic at all.

Originally posted by marchristensen
Will - How do you stretch SD shows. I thought if you were connected to the cablebox via component that you could not stretch on the Pannasonic at all.

I cannot stretch SD shows on HD channels. It is not possible with my Panasonic. The SD channels are a different story. Typically I watch SD from Tivo (not 8300) connected through a composite input on Panasonic. Obviously I use Just stretching in Panny.

I tried to use to stretch component signal from 8300 and if I enable 1080i, 480p Standard, 480p Widescreen it worked every time but one. It did not work only once and after going to advanced HD configuration on 8300 and selecting the same supported resolutions worked again. Something is flaky there.

My configuration is somewhat unusual. I have 2 TVs on opposite sides of the same wall. One is in the family room and one is in the kitchen. The TV in the kitchen is 16:9 HD Plasma and one in the family room is 4:3 projection TV. I use 2 sources of video signal, Tivo connected through composite to boths TVs and 8300 connected through composite to projection and component to plasma. I sometimes switch component cables to a RPTV and reconfigure 8300 to create signal for 4:3 TV.

Will

P.S. To the best of my knowledge Panasonic does now allow stretch of 1080i and 720p signal on component input. If 8300 creates 480i or 480p signal for SD channels (not SD programs on HD channels) stretch modes would work.

Thanks for the complete answer Will. I am still confused about the stretching. Do you use two connections from the SA8300 to the TV - component for HD and composite for SD? I still don't understand how I can stretch SD if the only connection to the TV is component.

The type of connection is irrelevant, its the format of the signal - SD vs HD that affects whether stretch modes work or not. If you setup the SA8300HD for a passthru mode where SD channels will output using an SD format (480i or 480p) and HD channels output in an HD format (720p or 1080i) - then the stretch modes will work with the SD channels using a single component video connection.

Something that has not been mentioned in response to Will is that the # button on the remote controls (limited) stretch modes on the 8000HD. This might be what he is looking for.

Originally posted by davehancock
Something that has not been mentioned in response to Will is that the # button on the remote controls (limited) stretch modes on the 8000HD. This might be what he is looking for.

Unfortunately implementation of stretch in 8300 is almost unusable. Most plasma TVs have a much better implementation where stretch ratio is not linear. Some of the TVs do not allow stretching for HD signal (720p and 1080i) and Panasonic is one of them.

Will

Originally posted by doccable
I would like to go back to a message from trekkerj about "glitches in my recordings." I have had my 8300HD set up here in Phoenix for about 1 week. I notice pixelization on many of my recordings. It seems to happen in patches -- much of the recording is ok but for about 2-3 minutes of recorded time the playback will show errors. It is very distracting. It looks like a harddrive problem similar to what happened to my 8000 box and was fixed when I got a new one. It happens with both SD and HD and occurs in approx. 50% of the recordings. How many other boxes show this??

My box is doing the exact same thing. This started after I recorded a few shows. Have you done a hard reboot? I haven't yet. I wonder if I should call TW about this.

Originally posted by mnilan
sdarnell:
I am just learning that what you are talking about is called an "HDCP handshaking error."

I'm having this same issue with the 8300HD and a Panasonic TH-42PX25UP in Cablevision's area (central NJ).

About every other day, or any time the box is powered up after being shut off - the handshaking error occurs and my box locks me out til I do a reboot and wait for the handshake to happen correctly. After reboot it's about a min to min and a half to get my pic back :(

I hope Scientific Atlanta is working on a solution to this - very annoying issue.

WCD

Are these or any TWC DVRs available with DVI in Raleigh NC?

I just got the SA 8300HD DVR and my first recording, a two and a half hour movie, was done in segments. The first segment was one hour and the second the remaining hour and a half. Seems to me I saw something about this here but I can't find it. Is there a solution?

I also have the problem of the box crashing whenever you try to swap a HD show you are watching with the weather channel, for example. I can live with that.

Any suggestions other than call TWC?

I currently have an 8000HD, and have always been disappointed in the picture sharpness/detail.

My DTC-100 had a much sharper picture with OTA HD.

Anyone who has had both, does the 8300HD have a sharper more detailed HD picture thanthe 8000HD ??

Thx!!

-- Cain

Originally posted by Cain
I currently have an 8000HD, and have always been disappointed in the picture sharpness/detail. My DTC-100 had a much sharper picture with OTA HD. Anyone who has had both, does the 8300HD have a sharper more detailed HD picture thanthe 8000HD ?? Thx!! -- Cain

Hi Cain,

I've had an SA 3100, Pace 550, SA 8000HD and now an SA 8300HD. I would say that the Pace 550 and the 8300HD are the best in PQ and relying only on memory, maybe the Pace just a smidgen better, but really, I'm not sure.

What I am sure of is that the 8300HD has noticeably better PQ than the 8000HD. I was ready to go back to the Pace and give up DVR ability because of the poor PQ of the 8000HD. Even given its recording quirks, and there are several significant quirks (read, glitches), they will have to pry my 8300HD from my dead cold hands to get it back until a better unit comes my way.

Best,
David

Originally posted by bpear1600
I just got the SA 8300HD DVR and my first recording, a two and a half hour movie, was done in segments. The first segment was one hour and the second the remaining hour and a half. Seems to me I saw something about this here but I can't find it. Is there a solution?The only item like this I remember reading is a post I made indicating a friend was watching a program when the auto shut-off kicked in. He tried turning the 8300 back on several times until it fnally rebooted itself. He ended up with 2 recordings that were missing the middle couple of minutes during the reboot.
I also have the problem of the box crashing whenever you try to swap a HD show you are watching with the weather channel, for example. I can live with that. I don't know how you can live with that. I do that often and I sure wouldn't put up with it. I think you have a bad box, though I have no idea how you ended up with 2 recordings unless something similar (like a reboot) happened during the recording and you weren't there to see it.

What I am sure of is that the 8300HD has noticeably better PQ than the 8000HD. I was ready to go back to the Pace and give up DVR ability because of the poor PQ of the 8000HD.

Sweet !! That is great news!! Are you using component, or HDMI, BTW??

I kept complaining about how soft I thought the 8000HD's picture was when I first got it, and many folks around here thought I was nuts.

Like I said my old DTC-100 with OTA HD on CBS DEFINITELY was much sharper and had that OMG!! WOW!! type HD picture that my 8000HD cannot match.

OK, now I just gotta get my hands on a 8300HD!!

Thank you for the info and replay!! Take care,

-- Cain

Originally posted by Cain
Sweet !! That is great news!! Are you using component, or HDMI, BTW??

I kept complaining about how soft I thought the 8000HD's picture was when I first got it, and many folks around here thought I was nuts.

Like I said my old DTC-100 with OTA HD on CBS DEFINITELY was much sharper and had that OMG!! WOW!! type HD picture that my 8000HD cannot match.

OK, now I just gotta get my hands on a 8300HD!!

Thank you for the info and replay!! Take care,

-- Cain

I would like to second the great PQ on the 8300HD DVR. HD is superb using a component connection and the digital channels are excellent as well also using the component connection. Analog channels are poor no matter what you use but better with S Video than Component.

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
The only item like this I remember reading is a post I made indicating a friend was watching a program when the auto shut-off kicked in. He tried turning the 8300 back on several times until it fnally rebooted itself. He ended up with 2 recordings that were missing the middle couple of minutes during the reboot.
I don't know how you can live with that. I do that often and I sure wouldn't put up with it. I think you have a bad box, though I have no idea how you ended up with 2 recordings unless something similar (like a reboot) happened during the recording and you weren't there to see it.

There's a thread here that deals with it and I'll find it when I have more time. Several people have complained about segmented recordings; one guy had a half hour show recorded in 10 three minute segments. I was watching another show while I was recording and there was no reboot.

The 8300HD's PQ is definitely superior to the 8000HD's. I'm using component and see a clear difference.

Originally posted by bpear1600
There's a thread here that deals with it and I'll find it when I have more time. Several people have complained about segmented recordings; one guy had a half hour show recorded in 10 three minute segments. I was watching another show while I was recording and there was no reboot. Please post the link when you find it, I don't think I've seen it and I thought I read all the 8300 threads. I've done a fair number of recordings since I got mine and they've all been fine. I'm using SARA v1.85.14.1 software.

Thx guys!! Now i just gotta find one around here !!

Anyone here using the HDMI ?? How does it look versus component??

Take care,

-- Cain

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
Please post the link when you find it, I don't think I've seen it and I thought I read all the 8300 threads. I've done a fair number of recordings since I got mine and they've all been fine. I'm using SARA v1.85.14.1 software.

My memory isn't what it once was. It was a 8000HD DVR box but it is the same problem I had. Here's the message which is in the 8000HD SARA thread.

"Gary J
Senior Member

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Pawleys Island, SC
Posts: 270
My SARA 8000HD is now recording 3 minutes at a time! A 30 minute show will have 10 different recordings. I have rebooted and Recording Space Used shows 7 recordings, 47% used. Any help?


__________________
Gary J My HT"

Originally posted by Cain
Thx guys!! Now i just gotta find one around here !!

Anyone here using the HDMI ?? How does it look versus component??

Take care,

-- Cain

Hi Cain,

I've tried both, but settled on the component since I could not detect a significant difference in PQ and I had intermittent problems with the handshake with HDMI-DVI. FYI, I was using an HDMI to DVI cable.

Best,
David

Originally posted by Jim Boden
DoubleDAZ:

You raise a very interesting question about time slots used for different programs on the same channel. With my previous 8000HD, I never got a recording for the "wrong" program. If the time slot had something different scheduled, it did not record. So far, I think the 8300HD is operating the same way, but I'll keep a watch on it. Ok, I can state positively that setting a recording for program X will only record program X when it is on in that time-slot, it will not record program X if it happens to be preempted on any given day. I'm sure that only applies if the IPG shows the preemption.

Anyway, I have a daily recording set for Y&R on CBS. Well, it wasn't on today because of the NFL game and the 8300 did not record it (or anything else in that time-slot). The one thing I didn't happen to check was to see if that time-slot was still highlighted for recording, but I suspect it was.

I should have thought of Y&R because it doesn't record that time-slot on Saturdays and Sundays. I'm so used to the VCR setup where you select weekdays vs daily to skip weekends. That would have answered the question right off the bat.

I still have the recording for House scheduled tomorrow even though it moved to Tuesday and won't be on. Since I already know the 8300 will not record it even though it's highlighted, I am going to schedule a manual recording for the time-slot to see if it will record based on that. trekkerj might beat me to it if he set up a manual recording for Seinfeld tonight though.

I've tried both, but settled on the component since I could not detect a significant difference in PQ and I had intermittent problems with the handshake with HDMI-DVI. FYI, I was using an HDMI to DVI cable.

Thank you very much for the info !!

-- Cain

Originally posted by Cain


Anyone here using the HDMI ?? How does it look versus component??



A lot of the perceived "difference" between component and DVI/HDMI connections will depend on the monitor being used. When using a digital (DVI or HDMI) connection you can bypass some circuitry in the monitor (A/D converters). It has been generalized that fixed pixel displays(Plasma, DLP, LCD, LCOS) will benefit more than analog displays (CRT based).

But then again, the handshake issues sure can be a killer - no matter what the quality issues are.

A lot of the perceived "difference" between component and DVI/HDMI connections will depend on the monitor being used. When using a digital (DVI or HDMI) connection you can bypass some circuitry in the monitor (A/D converters). It has been generalized that fixed pixel displays(Plasma, DLP, LCD, LCOS) will benefit more than analog displays (CRT based).

Thanks Dave, makes sense.

I have a DLP projector, 1280x720.

I will try it both ways and report back, however I think it wil take until I can see/record the HDNet test patterns on Tuesday until I can provide some definitive results.

Anyone know of any other test patterns in HD I can find between now and then to compare ??

Thx!!

-- Cain

PS I got a 8300HD today, and plan to fiddle with it tomorrow.

Anybody in this thread/forum have the 8300HD in the Columbia, SC T-W market? Thanks!

I am in Columbia, SC and just got my 8300HD today. They are jsut starting to roll them out, but you have to ask for them by name..

Anyone here use a HTM Remote??? I have a MX-700.

If you do, have you set up your remote for the 8300HD, and can you share your device file for this STB ??

-- Cain

Cain,

I have (and LOVE!!!) the MX-700 - except I (still) have the 8000HD. I am sure that the codes are the same though. The codes I have were downloaded from HTM for the Scientific Atlanta device 43. Works like a champ!!

The codes I have were downloaded from HTM for the Scientific Atlanta device 43.

Awesome!! Thanks, I'll check that out. Was that under Cable ??

-- Cain

I think I already know the answer to this, but does the 8300 have a discrete remote code for power "on" and "off"?

Cairn,

Yes (cable)

DJ_V,

Sorry - at least not the version I have. This is an "old" issue with SA.

The IR codes are exactly the same for the 8000/8300HD boxes.

Having had the 8300HD for a week, and comparing it directly to my HDTivo, I can say that I feel that the picture quality is superior on the 8300HD. Now, I wonder how much of that is hardware related, and how much of it is D* messing with bandwidth?

By the way, I have also come to a very close approximation of the 30 second quick skip. I programmed a macro with the following parameters:
FF
FF
FF
1.2sec Delay
Play

It works pretty well, although it is slower than a real 30 second skip, it is a nice option to just FF.

OK, I have spent the afternoon comparing HDMI vs Component HD.

Almost no discernabale difference for me, at all...

-- Cain

FYI - Adelphia in Londonderry Office has 8300HD's - Just got one. seems to work well.

Free - Since you are from Arizona, have you heard of the HDTV Society of Arizona forums (http://pc-dtv.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=692604811&f=634607221)?

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
Free - Since you are from Arizona, have you heard of the HDTV Society of Arizona forums (http://pc-dtv.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=692604811&f=634607221)?

Yes Dave, I am Free over there too :)

Originally posted by Free
Yes Dave, I am Free over there too :) I thought so, but I figured I'd ask just in case someone was using the same User ID here. I checked over there to see if you posted the same thing and you hadn't, so I did. I see you've since replied to that post. :)

Just got a new 8300hd to replace my Tivo. I am with cablevision and have hooked up the tv with a hdmi to dvi cable to my sammy hln dlp. First I have to say its pretty outrageous of cablevision to insist on charging $35 to install. The cable guy came he unpacked the box and I did the rest. A couple of things though, 1) Can someone tell me how to get into the setup and how to view the software version. ( By the way did I mention that they did not give me a remote with the box) 2) PQ is great but the sound thru my system on the HD channels is for a better description, scratchy. Non HD channels are fine and all other sources are fine. I have tried optical and non optical digital. My previous box the SA 4200 HD worked flawlessly. Anyone have any ideas ?

Take the remote back and try the ones they have in the office. It took me going thru 4 remotes before I got one that would program as it was supposed to!

Sorry for the couble post!

Sorry!!! -- I was told I wasn't logged in. I logged in and resent the message. Somehow this expanded to three (sigh)

Craig

Originally posted by chenrikson
Take the remote back and try the ones they have in the office. It took me going thru 4 remotes before I got one that would program as it was supposed to!
Originally posted by chenrikson
Take the remote back and try the ones they have in the office. It took me going thru 4 remotes before I got one that would program as it was supposed to!
Originally posted by chenrikson
Take the remote back and try the ones they have in the office. It took me going thru 4 remotes before I got one that would program as it was supposed to!

I dunno...Should he take the remote back and try the ones they have in the office? Seems a little vague to me as to whether you want him to do that or not. :D :D :D

(Always a wise guy in the audience!)

Originally posted by mlynn
1) Can someone tell me how to get into the setup and how to view the software version. ( By the way did I mention that they did not give me a remote with the box)

You press and hold down the select button on the box. Then when you see the mail icon blink on the display press the info button. You will then see an on screen diagnostics pop up on screen. Use the volume up and down keys to scroll through the many menus. One shows all your software levels.

Anyone here use a HTM Remote??? I have a MX-700.

If you do, have you set up your remote for the 8300HD, and can you share your device file for this STB ??

Cain -- I am also using the MX-700. I think there is a device file at Remote Central that will work.

Craig

I've found several people now, inlcuding myself, who are having the same problem via Cablevision (NY/NJ/CT). Like you, interestingly enough, the situation doesn't seem to take affect until a few recordings are made. I exchanged the box, and the same thing happened. Somebody at SA didn't test these thoroughly enough. I hope they are aware and I hope it's a simple software fix, because it gets quite bad at times. Sometimes it's not too distracting, but that's the exception, not the rule. I've just glad that their design lets you watch 'live' tv without the playback problems.

Originally posted by semuta
My box is doing the exact same thing. This started after I recorded a few shows. Have you done a hard reboot? I haven't yet. I wonder if I should call TW about this.

Cain -- I am also using the MX-700. I think there is a device file at Remote Central that will work.

The latest software download/update for the MX 700 has one that works.

As I recall is was SA 43, and it works jsut fine.

-- Cain

I have had my 8300HD for 2 weeks through Cablvision NJ. I have a Sharp LCD using HDMI hookup. My first thought is - IT'S NOT TIVO - no even a bad imitation - interface and features really suck!!!

Good points - records HD - records 2 programs at same time

The REALLY Bad - This HDCP problem is driving me crazy. Everytime you turn off the TV you get a message when you turn it on saying not HDCP compliant. (this did not happen with DVI on 4200hd). I have to reboot the box 2x every day - Once I do it works fine with no problems EXCEPT for the fact that I can't get Dolby sound. My TV is compliant and I have done all of the correct settings - when I turn it in I get no TV sound.

The lack of a real guide and virtually no search features are also a problem. When you are watching a program on delay that is being recorded and the recording ends - you get kicked out of what you are watching. Since there are no bookmarks you have to FF to get to last part you were watching. Finally, when you FF on Tivo and then hit play it kicksback a few seconds. This on doesn't and I have to keep rewinding since I am overshooting the commercial.

These are only a couple of missing features that really bother me - I am not addressing the MANY other missing TIVO features. All in all I seriously considering getting a new TIVO unit and returning this thing.

Originally posted by HGA
This HDCP problem is driving me crazy. Everytime you turn off the TV you get a message when you turn it on saying not HDCP compliant.Have you tried turning on the TV first for a few seconds before turning on the 8300?
EXCEPT for the fact that I can't get Dolby sound.Have you tried changing the General Settings/Audio: Digital Out from HDMI to Dolby Digital?
Finally, when you FF on Tivo and then hit play it kicksback a few seconds.Have you tried pressing the Replay button after Play to back up 8 seconds?
All in all I seriously considering getting a new TIVO unit and returning this thing.There have been any number of posts warning Tivo users about the current IPG short-comings. It should come as no surprise that the 8300 is basically a digital VCR, though with more features. It is not, and has never been advertised as, a Tivo. I've always said that if you want a Tivo, get a Tivo and pay the price. If you want something digital that is way better than a DVR, rent an 8000 or 8300 and live with the short-comings until they are improved.

I was going thru the channel guide last nite setting up my "season passes"
and noticed that the guide only went to this Sunday. Do you only get one week at a time ? Also, I had a hard time finding a few of the shows. I wanted to set up scrubs but it is not on this week and searching by title it did not show up. Is it that if a show is not on this week you cannot program for it ?

Again I would like to ask if anyone else is having problems with their sound. Using any means of connecting the box to my receiver my HD channels play with dropped or very "scratchy sound" ?

mlynn:

For SA SARA boxes, the guide is 7 days. They've always been like that, even the ones which came out several years ago.

I've seen some people complain about scratchy audio, especially with the optical connection. I'm using the digital connection and the audio is fine.

mlynn,
No scratching, but still dropouts for a couple seconds at a time. I'm getting the feeling that it's only when the Dolby Digital circuits in my receiver are active. No blue light, no dropouts, but I'll pay more attention.

TerryB

I have tried each and every suggestion in multiple combinations (thanks for the effort). My biggest problem is that the Cablevision people really don't seem to "get it." It's difficult to find a rep who knows anything about anything. It seems that a number of these problems have been around for awhile with no fixes being made. I consider the HDCP problem to be VERY significant - I mean how long can I go one rebooting this stupid box?

I undertsand that Sony is coming out with an HD DVD in the next few months that works with a Cablecard. I think I'll consider that option.

PS - the Cable people shouldn't have been so $#%%$%% GREEDY and should have cut a deal with TIVO - why reinvent the wheel - especially when your sooooo bad at it??

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
I've always said that if you want a Tivo, get a Tivo and pay the price. If you want something digital that is way better than a DVR, rent an 8000 or 8300 and live with the short-comings until they are improved. If I could buy an HD TiVo for cable TV, my 8300HD DVR would be sent back to the cable company ASAP.

I see several posts from people in NYC indicating that they have the 8300HD. To any of you people--did you get it from TWC or are you on Cablevision or some other provider? I'd love to swap my 8000HD for the 8300HD or perhaps a bag of rocks.

My unit seems to reboot every nite at 1:10 AM...also no component pass-thru which the Pace box had!

Originally posted by stlblufan
I see several posts from people in NYC indicating that they have the 8300HD. To any of you people--did you get it from TWC or are you one Cablevision or some other provider? I'd love to swap my 8000HD for the 8300HD or perhaps a bag of rocks.

Cablevision. 8300HD has the same bugs as the 8000HD and then some. It's basically the same box. PQ is fine though, I've seen posts that say the 8000's HD PQ isn't any good. However, we are having major problems such as pixelation on playback.

Originally posted by stlblufan
I see several posts from people in NYC indicating that they have the 8300HD. To any of you people--did you get it from TWC or are you one Cablevision or some other provider? I'd love to swap my 8000HD for the 8300HD or perhaps a bag of rocks.

I am virtually certain that TWC NYC hasn't rolled out the 8300HD yet - they have stated that they plan to but haven't given any definitive timing. People in Westchester, LI and CT with Cablevision are getting the 8300 now as CV just rolled out their first DVR of any kind and went with the 8300.

Originally posted by EricScott
I am virtually certain that TWC NYC hasn't rolled out the 8300HD yet - they have stated that they plan to but haven't given any definitive timing. People in Westchester, LI and CT with Cablevision are getting the 8300 now as CV just rolled out their first DVR of any kind and went with the 8300.

And there are other TWC NY systems that have rolled out the 8300, but not TWC NYC.

Originally posted by HGA
PS - the Cable people shouldn't have been so $#%%$%% GREEDY and should have cut a deal with TIVO - why reinvent the wheel - especially when your sooooo bad at it?? Sorry, but you are simply going to have to show me something that says greed isn't a 2-way street when it comes to any marriage between cable and Tivo. Plus, while some of us might be willing to pay $900 for an HD-Tivo and $12.95/mo for the service, I don' t believe the vast majority of cable users are ready for such an expense.

And, FWIW, I understand the HD-Tivo also has some HDCP problems of it's own. As mentioned several times in these forums, HDCP standards leave a lot to be desired and different TV makers applied them somewhat differently, that seems to be the root of most of the problem. To be sure, that doesn't do much to help the user, but it's got to be equally frustrating for DVR makers to design around all the different applications of the standards.

Oh, and BTW, sorry none of my suggestions helped.

Originally posted by AlbanyHDTV
If I could buy an HD TiVo for cable TV, my 8300HD DVR would be sent back to the cable company ASAP. I take it you can't put up a DirecTV dish?

Originally posted by himey
My unit seems to reboot every nite at 1:10 AM...also no component pass-thru which the Pace box had! The 8300 has an auto shut-off 'feature' at around 1:15. There is supposed to be an option to 'press any key' to abort the shut-off if you are watching something, but AFAIK that doesn't seem to work, at least not here, and tends to cause a reboot if a key is pressed. FWIW, I turn my unit off with my TV every night and I haven't had ANY problems with it.

Originally posted by mlynn
[B]I was going thru the channel guide last nite setting up my "season passes" and noticed that the guide only went to this Sunday. Do you only get one week at a time ? Also, I had a hard time finding a few of the shows. I wanted to set up scrubs but it is not on this week and searching by title it did not show up. Is it that if a show is not on this week you cannot program for it ?] Yes, one week at a time until they (Gemstar?) upgrade the IPG, maybe sometime next year, and even then, it may still only be a week.

If a program is not on during that week (or 2 weeks, 3 weeks, whatever), you cannot schedule a recording for it using the IPG. You can schedule a manual recording for that day and time-slot, but the better way is to wait until the following week and schedule it then. Once scheduled though, it will record whenever it is on based upon the options you selected. If it's not on during a given week, it will skip that week and record it the next time it is on.

Thanks for the reply's. I had previously the 4200hd and a tivo and everything worked great, video and audio, guess I am spoiled. Went thru the channels last nite and it seems the sound goes south on the premium channels SD and Hd. CBS in SD was fine but CBS in HD is no good, HBO STARZ etc is no good in HD and SD. As far as pq, I disconnected the HDMI to DVI cable, and are using component only now HD is very close but SD is far, far better and now I do not have to keeping switching sources. I have an appointment for Sunday to swap the box hopefully that will resolve my sound issues.

On another note, I am thinking of getting the non HD 8300 for another room and cablevision says I can pick one up at a cablevision store. Why the non HD box is available for pickup and the HD box is not is beyond me.

Lastly, thanks again for the all the info., if I had to rely on the "experts" from cablevision for help I would be probably scheduling an appointment with a satellite provider right now !

I'm sure you are spoiled, but that's not really a bad thing. I suppose if I had had a Tivo before getting an 8300, I'd be wondering WTF too. For me, going from a VCR to being able to record HD is like heaven, so I'm totally pleased with it. Before the 8300, we only got 2 days worth of IPG data, unless we manually forced more to download, so 7 days is a big improvement. I don't have any sound issues, other than the volume levels between channels, commercials, etc., and so far the number of video glitches is quite, quite low. Hopefully, your sound issues will be fixed by a new box.

For me, going from a VCR to being able to record HD is like heaven, so I'm totally pleased with it.

Heh, me too !! And record two shows at the same time even !!

-- Cain

I guess ignorance is bliss !

Originally posted by mlynn
I guess ignorance is bliss !

It's not ignorance. We all know the limitations.

It is taking into account a series of tradeoffs and making an informed judgment that overall, the current bundle of benefits outweighs the current limitations to a degree that makes the purchase and use beneficial.

Nothing is perfect.

Originally posted by mlynn
I guess ignorance is bliss ! Do you always call people you don't know, ignorant? I wonder what that makes you!

I wish now I had not wasted my time answering your question and trying to offer information. You can take your thanks and put them where the sun don't shine.

For your further edification, I know all about Tivo and what it can do. But, my 8300HD does what I need it to do and it didn't cost me $900 plus monthly fees, a committment to DirecTV, etc. Now who's ignorant?!!

Originally posted by doccable
I would like to go back to a message from trekkerj about "glitches in my recordings." I have had my 8300HD set up here in Phoenix for about 1 week. I notice pixelization on many of my recordings. It seems to happen in patches -- much of the recording is ok but for about 2-3 minutes of recorded time the playback will show errors. It is very distracting. It looks like a harddrive problem similar to what happened to my 8000 box and was fixed when I got a new one. It happens with both SD and HD and occurs in approx. 50% of the recordings. How many other boxes show this??

I've been having the same problem. I got my 8300HD last week from Adelphia in Blacksburg, VA. My initial observation is that it seems to be worse when it's recording two programs at the same time. But that may just be a coincidence. It does happen on both SD & HD recordings. I'll probably have to take the box in and get a replacement.

Anyone else have some info on the recording glitches?

Originally posted by Reverenddave
I've been having the same problem. I got my 8300HD last week from Adelphia in Blacksburg, VA. My initial observation is that it seems to be worse when it's recording two programs at the same time. But that may just be a coincidence. It does happen on both SD & HD recordings. I'll probably have to take the box in and get a replacement.

Anyone else have some info on the recording glitches?

Me too, but I'm not certain if the pixelization was in the original program or in the recording since I've not tested by watching while recording.

Has anyone tested that?

OT: (Love Blacksburg - VT '91 - Go Hokies!)

David

My comment was not to infer that anyone here was ignorant. I just meant that "I" really liked how my tivo worked and that I expected different things from the SA box knowing what technology has been around for a couple of years. I apologize if anyone misunderstood, I highly value the opinions of all who bother to respond or post here and have used the forum frequently in helping myself make decisions on certain products. I guess you have to be really carefull in what you say and how you say it when there is not face to face communication.

Originally posted by Reverenddave
I've been having the same problem. I got my 8300HD last week from Adelphia in Blacksburg, VA. My initial observation is that it seems to be worse when it's recording two programs at the same time. But that may just be a coincidence. It does happen on both SD & HD recordings. I'll probably have to take the box in and get a replacement.

Anyone else have some info on the recording glitches?

There are tens and tens of similar reports in Yahoo Cablevision_digital forum. Cablevision started rolling out 8300 last month.

Most of the people agreed that the problems starts when disk usage exceeds 40%.

Keep in mind that when you record one program and watch a different one live you get two concurrent recordings; one for current and one for scheduled program.

Several people got replacement boxes without any effect.

Will

Originally posted by mlynn
My comment was not to infer that anyone here was ignorant. I just meant that "I" really liked how my tivo worked and that I expected different things from the SA box knowing what technology has been around for a couple of years. I apologize if anyone misunderstood, I highly value the opinions of all who bother to respond or post here and have used the forum frequently in helping myself make decisions on certain products. I guess you have to be really carefull in what you say and how you say it when there is not face to face communication.

Understood! I get it now. More like, "I wish I didn't know everything TiVo does and how well it does it," thus being more blissful in ignorance.

It happens to all of us at one time or another. No problem.

David

Being the proud owner of both the HDTivo, and the SA 8300HD, I can say that the Tivo blows the 8300HD away in terms of usability. The SA people must have had access to a Tivo, and purposely chosen not to make it user friendly, or they just were really, really stupid :(

With all that being said, the picture quality on the 8300HD is superior, probably because the cable feed is less compressed than the sat feed. In addition, I can get channels in HD on cable that I can't get on D*, and the fact that I didn't have to buy it, didn't hurt either.

What I am finding, is that some shows I watch on the 8300 and some on the Tivo. It really is painful to go back and forth between the two though. Probably my biggest complaint is the way that they make you rewind from the middle of the show while it is playing, to start from the beginning, and if you aren't caught up by the time it ends, the SA8300HD says...F'U , and dumps you out of the show :(

Originally posted by will792
There are tens and tens of similar reports in Yahoo Cablevision_digital forum. Most of the people agreed that the problems starts when disk usage exceeds 40%. Several people got replacement boxes without any effect.

I started noticing the problem when my DVR got around 40%. I'll try to delete a bunch of stuff and keep it below 40%. Maybe that will help.

When you said that people got replacement boxes "without any effect", did that mean the replacement boxes didn't have the pixelation problems, or that getting a replacement box didn't help?

Thanks for the input.

Getting a replacement didn't help. I was one of the first Cablevision customers to get the box, and got a replacement a few days later (I filled up the box pretty fast). The replacement worked fine up until 35-40% full, then started having the same problem again. I still keep my box full, and occasionally I get recordings that are clean, perhaps those are being saved on a part of the hard disk that fills up first. That being said, I don't know if deleting recordings until you are under 40% will help, since there is no guarantee where on the hard disk the next recording is saved (if HD location is the issue here, who knows).,

An interesting thing happened last night. I set my 8300HD to record all the prime-time CBS shows. I arrived home at about 45 min after the first hour and rewound to the beginning of Survivor. I fully expected the "dump" at the top of the hour and I just sat back to take it. But ... it didn't do it. The clock turned over and I just kept on watching. When I reached the end of Survivor I fast forwarded expecting the "end of recording" menu to appear. Normally I would erase Survivor, go to list and select CSI, then rewind to the start, etc. But ... it just flowed right into CSI without a hiccup.
The same thing occurred at the top of the next hour flowing into Without a Trace. Have we received a software upgrade????

I did get a new box b/o the pixelization problem. The new box is better but the problem is still present on some recordings. I am currently at 60% full and I guess that I see the problem on 1/3 of the recordings. Not as frequent or as severe as the last box.

I too had a weird problem last night. I had 5 - 6 programs set up to record all new episodes in my Scheduled Recordings list that have been there for months.

Last night I got home a little before 11PM and sat down to watch the two programs that were to record earlier that night. Both were missing. I went to my 'Scheduled Recording' and everything was missing except one single program.


I tried to re-add the programs that were missing back into the 'Scheduled Recordings' but I couldn't get any program to add to the list. Nothing would even manually record.


I tried turning off the unit and then back on but to no avail.

I finally had to unplug the unit from the wall, wait about a minute, then plug it back in. It took about 5 minutes before the 8300's clock reappeared.

After that everything was working fine.

Software update or really bad glitch?

Something happened last night because I was listening to digital music channels at around 1:30 - 2:30 am and everything was fine (the plasma was off - just trying to fall asleep). I fall asleep about 3:00 am and wake up at 4:30 am and the cable box is off and back to channel 2 with the volume way up. Something was downloaded, but I don't know what.

MarketinProf:

I thought you were on the TW Syracuse system (your location "Upstate NY" is a little too general). In the past, TW Syracuse has been independent of Rochester in regards to DVR roll-out (Syracuse was way earlier with the 8000HD) and software.

I (still) have the 8000HD (too much recorded on the HD that I want to watch before turning the 8000HD in for a 8300HD). We had an upgrade for the 8000HD (SARA 81.83.16.a10) earlier this week which enabled DVI and other things. However, I've been having problems with anything recorded since then (see the TW SARA 8000 thread).

Janusinc,

What version of SARA did they download? Do you know if any "features" were added?

Originally posted by davehancock
MarketinProf:

I thought you were on the TW Syracuse system (your location "Upstate NY" is a little too general). In the past, TW Syracuse has been independent of Rochester in regards to DVR roll-out (Syracuse was way earlier with the 8000HD) and software.

I (still) have the 8000HD (too much recorded on the HD that I want to watch before turning the 8000HD in for a 8300HD). We had an upgrade for the 8000HD (SARA 81.83.16.a10) earlier this week which enabled DVI and other things. However, I've been having problems with anything recorded since then (see the TW SARA 8000 thread).

True enough Dave. I am on Syracuse. I just checked and you are correct. The last upgrade I got was 10/20/04 to 1.85.17.3.

Davehancock,

I do not know how to get to my SARA#.

Does it show the # on reboot?

Is there a better way to reboot other than unplugging the unit?

Just an FYI:
The recordings for many shows last night were scheduled to record up until the time for them to start, and then didn't record on most DVR's This applied to selections that were set to "record only new episodes". CSI and Without a Trace were definately repeats (I've seen both of them before), but I think Survivor, may have had the flag set for repeat as well from the IPG provider.

vegggas

My 8300HD didn't record Rebel Billionaire on Tuesday night. I am almost positive it was not a re-run, and there is no reason it should not have recorded. Nothing else was recording on either tuner. It just decided that it didn't feel like it :(

Janusinc,

I still have the 8000HD, but assume that the procedure to get SARA version (and a lot more) is the same for both units.

From the front panel (not the remote) and with the box (8300HD) turned on and showing on your TV/monitor:

1) Press the "+" button in the middle of the cursor keys till the Mail light comes on.

2) Press the "Info" button - the screen should show the first of many pages of information.

3) Navigate through these pages with the left/right (Vol-/Vol+) cursor keys.

4) On the 8000HD the 3rd page will show software information. You should see something like: SARA 1.85.14.1. This is what we are talking about.

5) Exit with the "Exit" button.

Regarding reboot: I have seen info earlier in this thread on doing that without unplugging. I've never tried it (don't trust it and it is easy for me to unplug in back of the unit).

It doesn't look like last night's 'glitch' was a software update.

My current SARA is 1.85.17.3 from 10/20/04.


Wonder what happened? Very Strange.

Has anyone tried hooking up the 8300HD through the DVI to a non-HDCP compliant projector/TV that has DVI inputs?

I have a ~2 year old Hitachi 5500 SXGA+ projector with DVI input that I would need to buy a 40' DVI cable for just to try it, so I thought I would ask.

Janusinc,

I do think it was an update. The last version that I had seen (I keep track from this and another forum) is 1.85.14.1. The date shown is not the date it was downloaded, but rather the date of the software.

Janusinc,

Sorry for the 2nd message but I would be willing to bet that it won't work. There have been a lot of reported problems with the 8300HD and HDCP compliant sets. I think that the odds of it working with a non compliant set is not very good. Also the cable length could be an issue.

Originally posted by Free
My 8300HD didn't record Rebel Billionaire on Tuesday night. I am almost positive it was not a re-run, and there is no reason it should not have recorded. Nothing else was recording on either tuner. It just decided that it didn't feel like it :(
Same thing happend on my 8000 in Las Vegas. It was a new episode, but I think the IPG data did not set the flag as a new show, so it didn't record. Phoenix and Las Vegas do use the exact same IPG data source, and it is easy to believe that those flags may have been missing, or wrong. A manually set recording was ok, and a record all episodes was also ok, but my "First Run" series has been hit or miss lately.

vegggas

Originally posted by Free
My 8300HD didn't record Rebel Billionaire on Tuesday night. I am almost positive it was not a re-run, and there is no reason it should not have recorded. Nothing else was recording on either tuner. It just decided that it didn't feel like it :( I'm confused. Rerun or not it still should have recorded since we don't have a First Run option here yet, right? By any chance was there a change to the program title?

Same thing happened here in Albany, NY. IMO, it would seem the program guide is the common denominator between us all. We also don't have the First Run option.

Originally posted by davehancock
Janusinc,

I do think it was an update. The last version that I had seen (I keep track from this and another forum) is 1.85.14.1. The date shown is not the date it was downloaded, but rather the date of the software.

I had Cablevision/CT install an 8300HD box last week. My versions:

ROM Image 1.86.11.1
OS 6.10.9.1
SARA 1.86.11.1

I have noticed pixelation in playback from the DVR.

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
I'm confused. Rerun or not it still should have recorded since we don't have a First Run option here yet, right? By any chance was there a change to the program title?

Dave, I don't know what happened. Unfortunately, I only know what is in the program guide on my 8300 and my Tivo. Once I discovered that it didn't record, I tried to go back in the program guide on both, to see if I could figure out what happened, and I couldn't. I will pay particularly close attention to this one next week.

Originally posted by Free
Probably my biggest complaint is the way that they make you rewind from the middle of the show while it is playing, to start from the beginning, and if you aren't caught up by the time it ends, the SA8300HD says...F'U , and dumps you out of the show :(

I'm currently beta-testing the 8300HD multi-room DVR. It exhibits the same behavior as you describe above when you want to watch a show (time-shift) while it is being recorded.

What I've found interesting is that from the client box in another room (a 3250, non-HD) I can access a recording in progress, have the option to play it from the beginning (no rewinding necessary), and when the recording stops and I'm not caught up to the end, it doesn't kick me out of the show. I can continue watching it through the end.

I hope this functionality is added to the 8300HD, especially since it's possible from a client box. My 8300HD multi-room is running SARA software version 1.85.17.3

Originally posted by davehancock
Janusinc,

I do think it was an update. The last version that I had seen (I keep track from this and another forum) is 1.85.14.1. The date shown is not the date it was downloaded, but rather the date of the software.

I am in NJ - Cablevision - I now have version 1.86.11.1. Is this new or just different in NJ??

The version of software deployed is up to the local cable system. I just (today or yesterday) saw the first reference to 1.86.anything (it was 1.86.11.1 also and in Cablevision in CT).

Do you know what is different with your version? Perhaps the watching a program being recorded is now handled correctly (one can hope).

The one report of a Multi Room unit (a Beta) I have seen uses 1.85.17.3.

Originally posted by davehancock
The version of software deployed is up to the local cable system. I just (today or yesterday) saw the first reference to 1.86.anything (it was 1.86.11.1 also and in Cablevision in CT).

Do you know what is different with your version? Perhaps the watching a program being recorded is now handled correctly (one can hope).

The one report of a Multi Room unit (a Beta) I have seen uses 1.85.17.3.

The software version Cablevision is using has all the same issues, in fact, it seems to have even more bugs than I've seen listed here. I've had 2 SA boxes so far with Cablevision, and nothing but problems. I had audio problems with a non DVR box as well. Their software code is pretty inept.

Originally posted by trekkerj
The software version Cablevision is using has all the same issues, in fact, it seems to have even more bugs than I've seen listed here. I've had 2 SA boxes so far with Cablevision, and nothing but problems. I had audio problems with a non DVR box as well. Their software code is pretty inept.
Might be easier to blame Calevision, but the "their" in this case is SA, you know, right?

So Cablevision in NJ definately has this box right now?

If so, how much are they charging per month for it?

Is the firewire port active on the Cablevision version?

I have a CRT projector so I'd have to use component since there are no DVI jacks on these old beasts...anyone using this box via component?

Thanks

Walt

Yes, Cablevision has the SA4300 SD and the SA4300 HD versions in all territories they service. Not sure about firewire, component works fine.

It's $9.95 per month per box in additional to the normal box rental fee. It's $38.95 for on-site installation which is the only install option available at this time.

Due to problems with new software (SARA 1.83.16.10a) deployed for 8000HDs in Rochester, NY I had Time Warner replace my DVR with a new 8300HD yesterday. I have some observations that may be of interest:

Server Version 1.4
SARA 1.85.17.3

Box does not have any physical Firewire ports. It does have HDMI and SATA ports.

HDMI seems to work with my Sony 34XBR800. The new software on my 8000HD had supposedly implemented DVI, but when I tried it I got the HDCP error message followed by snow. I only had a momentary message when I turned on my Sony after the 8300 was powered up. I don't plan to normally use this connection as I have a different source normally connected to this.

I noted that even though I had the HDMI/DVI output active (and the 8300HD "knew it") that the component outputs were still active.

While in the (HDMI/DVI) mode I still had digital audio. Earlier versions of SARA reportedly had a problem with this. There was NO "Audio: Digital Out" setting in the General Settings menu (as discussed in the SA 8300HD documentation).

As component outputs were active at the same time as HDMI/DVI I had an opportunity to quickly compare the picture quality of these two. The HDMI/DVI output looked "washed out" compared to the component. I suspect that this can be compensated for in the user settings, but it was quite a bit off.

I have not (yet) had an opportunity to check how it handles watching a program currently being recorded.

It's been 10 days since I first got the 8300HD. In that time box 1 had bad audio problems on all digital channels but perfect video, box 2 perfect audio but handshake and SD channel video issues, box 3, again great sound but handshake issues, SD channel issues and total loss of picture issues where the box would not even reboot. I am done. I dropped the box at a cablevision store where the rep behind the counter told me I was in the wrong place because she had never seen the box before. Then I requested to get back the non dvr hd box and was told I would have to make an appointment with a technician because they wanted to make sure I didn't have any line problems, though they were happy enough to let me leave with a non hd box. Unfortunately or not, for me satellite is not an option due to severe line of site issues so I tried calling cablevision again. I spoke with a nice women (supervisor) who told me that since I was originally an HD box renter, that I should be able to get one in a walk in store. She took my number and returned my call within the hour and said she made arrangements with the walk in store I spent an hour at in the morning to pick up a non dvr HD box. In addition, they were going to try and get a policy change to allow any customer who had a non dvr hd box before changing to the 8300 to do the same.

While I am disappointed in losing out on the features of the 8300, I will live with my one tuner non hd Tivo until SA and cablevision get there acts together.

Man, I wonder why the service differs so much? I've had an 8300HD multi-room for 1 week. No problems so far.

Perhaps the multi-room version is different, or the head-end hardware at Time Warner is better in my area?

Did you try the 8300HD with component? It looks as good or better than HDMI.

Originally posted by mlynn
It's been 10 days since I first got the 8300HD. In that time box 1 had bad audio problems on all digital channels but perfect ... I am done. I dropped the box at a cablevision store where the rep behind the counter told me I was...

Can I have his? :-)

Orlando, FL (as I'm sure many other locales) have been waiting what seems like forever for any form of HD-DVR...

Would be nice to have the option to give it a go...

/dean

Originally posted by davehancock
Box does not have any physical Firewire ports. It does have HDMI and SATA ports. Interesting. My box has 2 Firewire ports just to the right of the SATA port. I find it curious that they ship so many different configurations. One would think that adding the ports to all models would make things cheaper in the long run.

I had hooked up the box with every connection possible. HDMI to DVI ( No HDMI, I have a HLN 61 Sammy DLP, Component, S- Video and coaxial all at on time or another. Also at one time or another digital coax out and optical out. Different possible cures for different problems. Honestly, if they allowed you to exchange boxes at the walkin stores I would have kept at it, but to have to keep making appointments and giving a three hour time window ( at best ) over to cablevision, that I do not have the time or the patience for. I have not given up on the box forever just for a little while.

Sure sounds to me like Cablevision in NY sucks big time. My 8300HD from Cox here in Phoenix has worked as advertised and I can't imagine going back to anything less.

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
Interesting. My box has 2 Firewire ports just to the right of the SATA port. I find it curious that they ship so many different configurations. One would think that adding the ports to all models would make things cheaper in the long run.
There are actually eight versions of the 8300. They are listed here.
http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/7004920.pdf

The 8300HD I bought in Toronto also has 2 firewire ports.

Originally posted by Gary J
There are actually eight versions of the 8300. They are listed here.
http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/7004920.pdf Yes, I know. I posted that same information once myself, but I still find it curious. Even though many folks will never use Firewire, it seems like economy of scale would negate such multiple configurations. :)

The 8300 just became available in Beaumont, TX. today.
From what I can gather all the HD versions have a 160 GB hard drive.
Is that correct?
I just need one to help clear up my lip sync issues I am having with my 8000 HD-DVR but a larger hard drive would be a big plus as well.

That is correct. The SD version has only the 80G drive. Hopefully, the SATA port will be enabled sooner or later and you'll be able to rent an external SATA drive for more storage.

Click on the link a couple posts back.

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
Sure sounds to me like Cablevision in NY sucks big time. My 8300HD from Cox here in Phoenix has worked as advertised and I can't imagine going back to anything less.

You probably have the same problems on your 8300HD.

What happens when you are watching a show about 20 minutes behind real time and the live broadcast ends? You get booted to live TV and have to go back into the List and ff to where you were.

What happens if you want to watch something that's recorded, switch to a different thing that's recorded and then watch the first program again? You lose the spot of the first one and have to ff to where you were.

It's that kind of "bugs" that's all over the 8300HD. I haven't seen anyone with a SARA that's much more updated, if at all, than the Cablevision one, so I'm sure you have the same issues, if you are running SARA.

I did click on the link Gary. Just wanted to know if I was missing anything.
Thanks for the reply DoubleDAZ.

The same company (Maxtor) makes a 250G drive and I don't know why that wasn't used instead. Then the capacity would have at least been the same as the HD-Tivo. I guess we still wouldn't be happy and the SATA post might solve that. I assume SATA drives can be daisy-chained?

Originally posted by Jim Boden
The 8300HD I bought in Toronto also has 2 firewire ports. How much?? From who? Do they have a website?

You can't just buy one and connect it to your cable. The cableco needs to support them, and when they do, they tend to rent them to you.

They are sold in Canada.

Originally posted by Gary J
They are sold in Canada.

Ahhh, you capitalist pigs. :D

Actually, we can buy them at chain stores, like Best Buy, as well as from the cable company. This provides a little healthy price competition.:D

I've had the 8300HD for almost three weeks with only a few glitches but I was just watching that old Tarzan Greystoke movie on one of the HD channels and I lost the signal twice. The only way I could get it back was to go to the guide, select the next highest channel and then go to the guide again and select Tarzan. It happened twice in an hour and it has happened a couple of times before.

Is it my box or does this sort of thing happen frequently?

Originally posted by Jim Boden
Actually, we can buy them at chain stores, like Best Buy, as well as from the cable company. This provides a little healthy price competition.:D How much? I can do the conversion.

Originally posted by AlbanyHDTV
How much? I can do the conversion.
What good would it do you without authorization?

I made that same point yesterday and never did get a response. You can't just go out and buy a box if the cableco doesn't support it.

The 8300HD sells here for $699 Cdn, about $575US. Best Buy has a web site, but I don't know if the box is listed or not.

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
The same company (Maxtor) makes a 250G drive and I don't know why that wasn't used instead. Then the capacity would have at least been the same as the HD-Tivo. I guess we still wouldn't be happy and the SATA post might solve that. I assume SATA drives can be daisy-chained?

Current SATA drives have only one port, and therefore cannot be daisychained. It's a point-to-point connection. Future SA-SCSI drives may have two ports, but you will never see them in a device like the 8300. Maxtor have 300GB SATA drives, but they have other plans for DVR boxes. Such as:

http://www4.maxtor.com/en/products/ata/consumer_electronics/forms/quickview_info_req.cfm

This way the cable co gets a box for a minimum price, and if the customer wants to pay more $$$ for more storage, they can.

Technical question here about the HDMI output on the 8300HD - what color space does the 8300HD output (or any HD STB w/ HDMI out for that matter) - RGB or YCbCr? What I'm getting at is, whether using a HDMI to DVI adapter/cable would crush blacks and/or not allow the passage of blacker than black.

My display has one DVI in and one HDMI in, which is currently being used by my Panasonic s97 DVD player. Even though HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI, people who are getting HDMI DVD players and using a HDMI/DVI converter or cable have been reporting various issues with crushed blacks and not being able to pass BTB due to the YCbCr to RGB conversion (HDMI can pass YCbCr and RGB, DVI can only pass RGB). If the 8300HD will output RGB only (and not YCbCr), I'd imagine I can use an HDMI/DVI converter to connect to the available DVI input on my TV without any problems. If not, I may be forced to use the converter on the DVD player, which may worsen PQ.

Anyone succesfully using and HDMI to DVI adapter or cable with the 8300? By successfully I mean no black crush and ability to pass BTB.

Any thoughts on HD color space?

Thanks in advance.

Pradeep,

I note on the link that it says:

"Coming soon to a DVR near you. Summer 2004."

Does anyone, anywhere know that this feature has been enabled by any cable company?

I also note that the description refers to USB 2.0 connections in addition to 1394 and SATA.

I talked to my Adelphia rep today and she told me that they now have 8300HD's avilable. I can just take my 8000 to them and swap it out. Are their any compelling reasons not to do this? Severe bugs? All I can see are positives. My TV has an HDMI port so it will give me an all digital connection between the two.

But I have a few concerns maybe someone might be able to address for me. Will the optical output still work if I'm using HDMI? I need to run that to my HT receiver and since the HDMI port also carries an audio stream I'm worried that the optical-out might be disabled.

Also, what modes should I enable in the setup menu of the 8300? Should I use passthrough or should I fix the signal to upconvert to 1080i?

Originally posted by EricScott
Anyone succesfully using and HDMI to DVI adapter or cable with the 8300? By successfully I mean no black crush and ability to pass BTB.

Any thoughts on HD color space?


I have the setup you described. It works, but I don't know how to check for blacker-than-black. How would I do that?

I didn't notice black crush, but I did notice that the black level is higher through the HDMI than through the component out. I used the HDnet test pattern to properly adjust white and black levels.

It's also apparant that the color saturation is higher through the component than through the HDMI. I compensated for this by adjusting the "color" adjustment on my TV. This was a subjective adjustment; I didn't use a test pattern.

Can you give me any tips on checking BTB and black crush?

Originally posted by DJ_V
I have the setup you described. It works, but I don't know how to check for blacker-than-black. How would I do that?

I didn't notice black crush, but I did notice that the black level is higher through the HDMI than through the component out. I used the HDnet test pattern to properly adjust white and black levels.

Can you give me any tips on checking BTB and black crush?

I was going ot suggest using the HDNet test pattern. I have never seen the pattern myself but usually when checking for BTB (on DVE or Avia for instance) there is black bar that you need to turn up the brightness to see. If you can't see that bar no matter how high you turn up the brightness then it doesn't pass BTB. If you can see the black bar then you want to set your brightness at the level where the black bar just disappears into the background. Will take a look at the HDNet test pattern when I get a chance (we just got those channels in NYC).

But the fact that you don't have handshaking issues is a good thing.

Are you using an HDMI cable with an HDMI/DVI adapter or are you using a single cable with HDMI on one end and DVI on the other?

Originally posted by EricScott
Are you using an HDMI cable with an HDMI/DVI adapter or are you using a single cable with HDMI on one end and DVI on the other?

I'm using a single cable, with HDMI on one end, and DVI on the other. Picked it up at www.cableclub.com for $22 shipped.

I'm familiar with the Avia pattern you mentioned. I'm fairly certain that the HDNet pattern does not have the BTB element. The pattern is 3 different patterns, shown sequentially. The first contains color bars and 11 boxes with a white to black scale. The first box is white and has a "0" in it, the last one which is black, has a "10" in it. You're supposed to adjust the display so that you can see the "0" and "10" in each box. Actually, maybe the background of "10" is blacker-than-black? You'll have to check it out.

The second pattern is a crosshatch for adjusting convergence, and the third one is for sharpness and overscan. I actually found screengrab of that one (http://feldoncentral.2150.com/HDNet/large/TestPattern_01.jpg).

Originally posted by DJ_V

I'm familiar with the Avia pattern you mentioned. I'm fairly certain that the HDNet pattern does not have the BTB element. The pattern is 3 different patterns, shown sequentially. The first contains color bars and 11 boxes with a white to black scale. The first box is white and has a "0" in it, the last one which is black, has a "10" in it. You're supposed to adjust the display so that you can see the "0" and "10" in each box. Actually, maybe the background of "10" is blacker-than-black? You'll have to check it out.

The second pattern is a crosshatch for adjusting convergence, and the third one is for sharpness and overscan. I actually found screengrab of that one (http://feldoncentral.2150.com/HDNet/large/TestPattern_01.jpg).

Looks like you can definitely test for BTB with the 11 boxes. Probably want to see the "10" and then just make it disappear. If you can see the "10" it probably passes BTB. When does the pattern come on? I can record it on my 8000HD if necessary.

Originally posted by EricScott
When does the pattern come on?

Every Tues. 8:00-8:30 am EST.

Does anyone know if the test patterns are broadcast on any station other than HD NET - Cablevision NJ doesn't have that station. Thanks.

I just hooked up my 8300 and I have an issue. I've chosen passthrough as an option and when I tune to a SD channel it stretches it automatically. When I tune to HD channels the set transmits the correct signal (Either 1080i or 720p). How can I just get it to send the 480i signal unstretched?

When I select upcovert 1 it upconverts all channels to 1080i. When I select upconvert2 it converts all signals to 720p.

Try saving only 1080i and 720p. You will probably get a better analog picture anyway.

Thanks. I'll try it.

One other issue is with the remote. I set it up to control my Onkyo Receiver and my Panny DVD player. I also tried to set it up to make the RX volume the active volume controller. It doesn't work on the 8300. It worked fine with my 8000. The odd thing is that when I select the AUX input on the remote and use the volume key it works fine with my Onkyo. But If I program the Onkyo to be the master volume and select volume while still on cable box it will not work.

Gary,

I beg to differ with your statement:

Originally posted by Gary J
Try saving only 1080i and 720p. You will probably get a better analog picture anyway.

It is a question of which has the better scaler (upconverter): the monitor or the DVR. The scaler in the cable boxes have generally not been that good. But, the user should try both ways and see which has better picture quality.

Originally posted by coomarlin
I just hooked up my 8300 and I have an issue. I've chosen passthrough as an option and when I tune to a SD channel it stretches it automatically. When I tune to HD channels the set transmits the correct signal (Either 1080i or 720p). How can I just get it to send the 480i signal unstretched? Is one of your TV stretch modes on?

Setting to 1080i and 720p worked.

Now if I could only figure out the remote problem. The software in the 8300's remote must be hosed. I could take it back to Adelhpia and trade it but I'd imagine all of their remotes are from the same batch.

What do you have volume control set to in Settings?

I don't even know. I wouldn't think it would have anything to do with it. This seems to be a problem with the remote not sending the Volume Up/down signal to my Onkyo instead of the TV.

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
That is correct. The SD version has only the 80G drive. Hopefully, the SATA port will be enabled sooner or later and you'll be able to rent an external SATA drive for more storage.

Actually, Cablevision is providing the SD8300 with the 160 gig drive, the same as the HD version. I know, because this question (a slight argument) came up in the Yahoo forum. I wasn't sure until I got my 8300's installed. I have both versions (the HD & the SD) and checking the diagnostics pages confirms that the SD indeed has the Maxtor 160G drive.

-Rob

Hmmm, that's good to hear, maybe they decided to use 160 drives period, economy of scale. Too bad they didn't move up to the 300G for the 8300HD. :)

Time Warner started distributing the 8300HD here in southern Maine about a month or two ago. I've had mine installed about four or five weeks, replacing a 3250HD, and haven't been disappointed. The most annoying thing was that TWMaine couldn't tell me whether DVI was active before I brought the box home, and gave me the first month free to encourage me to make the switch. They said some customers said it worked, and others brought theirs back because it didn't. I suspect the people who brought it back were probably expecting a DVI connection, and didn't know it was HDMI -- and the TWMaine tech support crew had no clue about HDMI, either.

But other than that, the box has performed almost flawlessly. Non-HD picture quality is slightly darker than the 3250HD, but I was able to adjust the TV for that. Recording quality is very good and, so far, very reliable. I find the one-week limit on scheduling future recordings is a minor hassle. My biggest criticism is the volume -- noticeably louder on SD channels, even though my receiver controls the sound for SD and HD. From reading this thread I suspect it has to do with an Audio Out setting that isn't available with our software, SARA v185.17.3 [the only Audio setting is for Fixed or Variable].

Overall, I'm a happy camper.

If anyone is interested, I just picked up an SA8300HD from TWC in Houston, and its SARA version is 1.87.4.4. I haven't had a chance to check it out completely yet, but so far it seems great.

I just had an interesting experience and am wondering if others have seen it. I have a program set up to record all episodes at a particular time. Last week, the program wasn’t on and it did not record (a good thing). Last night, the program was back on in its regular time slot and it did not record (a bad thing). I checked the settings and it still shows in the to be recorded list.

SARA version here is:

ROM 1.85.11.5
OS 6.8.9.4
SARA 1.85.11.5
POWERKEYLIB 3.7.3.1
HALDRIVER 1.0.31.1000
PHAL3DRIVER 3.5.11.1000

If you are talking about Desparate Housewives I have it set for all episodes at all times and it worked for me.

Jim Boden,
I have seen this with a program that returned to its slot after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in US, but it was a rerun. Do you have the ability to specify first run episodes?

TerryB

I've come across a pretty serious issue with my 8300. I just hooked it to my HT30744 via HDMI. The picture is nice and vibrant. But unfortunately I am not getting a Dolby Digital signal. A quick look through the manual states:

The HDMI interface will automatically configure the audio output for a format supported by the Television...... The HDMI interface will select a 2 channel stereo audio configuration instead of dolby digital.......This configuration prevents your home theater receiver from providing full dolby digital surround sound.

On the 8300 you may override the automatic selection of audio by the HDMI interface by completing the following steps.

1) Press settings twice on the remote control to open the general settings menu
2) Press Move Up or Move DOwn to select the option Audio: Digital Out.
3) Press Move Right to select Dolby Digital.


First off my TV supports Dolby Digital. Secondly I'm running the optical output of the 8300 to my Onkyo Recevier.

I do not have the "Audio: Digital Out"settings available in my menu. The only Audio option I have is for Volume control Fixed/adjustable.

Anyone else using their 8300 with HDMI? You having the same issue?

Originally posted by coomarlin
Anyone else using their 8300 with HDMI? You having the same issue?

Yes, and no. Dolby Digital is working fine. When I get home, I'll see what the setting is called. Maybe it isn't called "Audio:"

My DVR is running SARA software, version 1.85.17.3

I have the same problem with 8300HD and I have the audio choices - HDMI - DD and other. The Dolby does not work and neither does other. This is minor compared to the HDCP problem which requires me to reboot the box everytime I turn off the TV. I haven't tried the audio out on the box but I will to see if it works.

I just checked and my SARA version is 1.87.4.3

Don't have a clue what that means but all I know is there is definately no option under general settings called "Audio: Digital Out"

Originally posted by coomarlin
I've come across a pretty serious issue with my 8300. I just hooked it to my HT30744 via HDMI. The picture is nice and vibrant. But unfortunately I am not getting a Dolby Digital signal. A quick look through the manual states:



First off my TV supports Dolby Digital. Secondly I'm running the optical output of the 8300 to my Onkyo Recevier.

I do not have the "Audio: Digital Out"settings available in my menu. The only Audio option I have is for Volume control Fixed/adjustable.

Anyone else using their 8300 with HDMI? You having the same issue?
If your TV does support Dolby Digital over the HDMI connection, go into the TV settings and make sure it's enabled. The STB will automatically output whatever the TV is set to recieve, and currently, it thinks it's not DD. Once you enable DD on your TV set, it should pass along the correct signal, when available. You may also have to run a line from the TV's Digital Output to your receiver's digital input to complete the chain if it won't output both from the box at the same time.

vegggas

I just looked at the manual for my TV and it stated that Dolby digital was supported for DTV while Stereo was supported for Analog. My TV has a built in ATSC tuner and I'm thinking it only supports DD when I'm using the ATSC input. The optical ouput on the back of my TV only works when using the built-in digital tuner. So it looks like vegggas's suggestion is not possible.

This still doesn't explain why the "Audio: Digital Out" is not available in my 8300. That would apparently fix the problem.

Originally posted by coomarlin
Don't have a clue what that means but all I know is there is definately no option under general settings called "Audio: Digital Out"

I don't have the "Audio: Digital Out" setting either, just "Audio: Fixed/Variable." I have HDMI output connected to the DVI input on my TV, with digital audio out from the 8300 to a Marantz receiver. I get 2-channel stereo on SD broadcasts, but DD 5.1 on HD channels.

SARA is version 185.17.3.

It may be because digital out is assumed when HDMI is connected. Digital audio is contained within HDMI.

When using component cables and optical to my Onkyo I get DD 5.1 on most HD channels. I get DD 2.0 surround on digital SD channels, and I get 2 channel stereo on Analog channels.

But with the HDMI connected I get 2 channel stereo on all channels.....even the HD channels. :(

I spent 45 minutes on the phone with a guy from Scientific Atlanta and he concluded that he wasn't sure why "Audio: Digital Out" wasn't available. His guess was that Adelphia has somehow disabled it. I've got Adelphia stopping by Thursday evening to check it out.

TerryB:

No, we don't have the first run option here yet. Just all episodes or in this time slot.

Any word on when the 8300 will be available from TWC in the NYC area?

Has anyone seen an issue with the 8300HD that it all of a sudden is cropping HD channels? I've not changed any settings but when I watch SD or HD broadcasts it isn't fitting the screen to my TV. The logos on networks in the lower right corner are barely visible. I'm using HDMI to DVI and the box is set to auto for the output. Any pre recorded shows also play back cropped. I've pulled the plug on the box three times. TWC has done a reset from their end and nothing fixes this. I know on the HD channels I'm getting HD as my Sony plasma says full and wont let me adjust the mode. Anyone have any ideas of how I can reset this box or get it back to functioning correctly?

cdp1276,
I have seen the box require a resetting of the video choices in the setup wizard to get the display to do everything in the expected way. It just one morning needed to be fixed?

TerryB

Try pressing the # key to make sure the stretch mode hasn't accidently been set.

My 8300 HD failed to record Rebel Billionaire again tonight. I caught it about 10 minutes in and forced it to record. The guide said Billionaire, and my scheduled recording said Rebel Billionaire was set to record 12-14. When I forced it to record manually, it said Rebel Billionaire, and recorded it.

Last week the exact same information was present. The guide said Billionaire, and the scheduled recording said Rebel Billionaire, except last week it recorded just fine. The week before, just like this week, it decided not to record. Both times there was nothing else recording or scheduled to record at the same time.

Bottom line,..just because you have scheduled to record a show on this POS, don't count on it. You better check every show to make sure it is recording :(

Originally posted by cdp1276
Anyone have any ideas of how I can reset this box or get it back to functioning correctly? Is it possible you accidentally hit the # symbol on the remote? This puts the box into stretch mode. Repeatedly pressing the # button cycles the display through the various modes...stretch, zoom1, zoom2, normal.

Originally posted by Free
My 8300 HD failed to record Rebel Billionaire again tonight. I caught it about 10 minutes in and forced it to record. The guide said Billionaire, and my scheduled recording said Rebel Billionaire was set to record 12-14. When I forced it to record manually, it said Rebel Billionaire, and recorded it.

Last week the exact same information was present. The guide said Billionaire, and the scheduled recording said Rebel Billionaire, except last week it recorded just fine. The week before, just like this week, it decided not to record. Both times there was nothing else recording or scheduled to record at the same time.

Bottom line,..just because you have scheduled to record a show on this POS, don't count on it. You better check every show to make sure it is recording :(
This happend in a lot of places around the country, and it appears to be a problem with the IPG data not being correct. I know of exactly the same thing happening here in Vegas to me on my 8000, and in San Diego to a friend of mine. I've heard it happen in various other places around the contry too on various 8000 and 8300 DVR's for the exact same programming selection.

vegggas

I had the same experience with Billionaire over Comcast in No. Virginia on my 8000HD.

Originally posted by AlbanyHDTV
Is it possible you accidentally hit the # symbol on the remote? This puts the box into stretch mode. Repeatedly pressing the # button cycles the display through the various modes...stretch, zoom1, zoom2, normal.

Thanks all this fixed my problem. I have no idea how it got into that mode or that you could do that. Now if it would just stop missing shows setup to record I would be a tad happier.

Originally posted by cdp1276
Thanks all this fixed my problem. I have no idea how it got into that mode or that you could do that. Now if it would just stop missing shows setup to record I would be a tad happier.

Dang, You mean your cable company came over to troubleshoot your problem and they didn't even think of that? I can see the average joe not knowing about that, but your cable company? Aikes!

Originally posted by vegggas
This happend in a lot of places around the country, and it appears to be a problem with the IPG data not being correct. I know of exactly the same thing happening here in Vegas to me on my 8000, and in San Diego to a friend of mine. I've heard it happen in various other places around the contry too on various 8000 and 8300 DVR's for the exact same programming selection.

vegggas I was going to respond and say basically the same thing, but I figured nothing would satisfy someone who thinks the 8300HD is a "POS" (no offense intended to Free). The bottomline is that it really doesn't matter to the user what the specific problem and solution are because the end result is they missed a recording. While I happen to believe the 8300HD is a very good product, the IPG does leave a lot to be desired and is subject to human error (though I suppose this NEVER happened with the "other" DVR :) ).

Anyway, from what I remember, errors in the database caused the same problem 2 weeks ago and I'm fairly confident this will not be the last time this happens. While I, too, would get a little upset if I missed a recording, this has yet to happen to me. Unfortunately, even if a recording isn't going to happen, the time slot is highlighted in the IPG, so there is really no way of knowing if something will, in fact, get recorded. IMO, the program/time slot should only be highlighted if a recording is going to take place.

Rebel Billionaire seems to cause more problems than any other program (has this happened with others?). It appears that from week to week the "specific" data in the IPG changes enough to cause the 8300HD scheduler to skip an episode. It's not the fault of the 8300HD, but whomever enters program data needs to be consistent so the scheduler can do it's job correctly. GIGO!

Originally posted by cdp1276
Thanks all this fixed my problem. I have no idea how it got into that mode or that you could do that. Now if it would just stop missing shows setup to record I would be a tad happier. And just what shows, beside Rebel Billionaire, has it failed to record?

Originally posted by vegggas
This happend in a lot of places around the country, and it appears to be a problem with the IPG data not being correct. I know of exactly the same thing happening here in Vegas to me on my 8000, and in San Diego to a friend of mine. I've heard it happen in various other places around the contry too on various 8000 and 8300 DVR's for the exact same programming selection.

vegggas

I noticed the IPG data on varies HD channels are wrong quite often (Cox Fairfax, VA). Even on channels like InHD which is basically a HD demo loop.

Has anybody experience this? You go to the guide, select a show, select record, press 'A' to save and the show doesn't turn to red (indicating it will record) in the guide? After a reboot, it worked fine again...any thoughts?

Originally posted by Foxbat121
I noticed the IPG data on various HD channels are wrong quite often (Cox Fairfax, VA). Even on channels like InHD which is basically an HD demo loop. Vegggas will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they (Cox markets anyway) all get their IPG data from the same place, that is Gemstar/TV Guide, so if it's wrong, it should be wrong all over. I also believe this is the same data that is used for the cable guide (Channel 62 here in Phoenix), so it, the IPG, and probably the TV Guide magazine should all match. Of course, this doesn't compensate for preemptions or last minute changes, though I don't know if that accounts for the errors you are referring to.

I have noticed from time to time, though not very often, that a west feed channel will show an east feed schedule until things get corrected. I haven't noticed enough errors like this to really check into it and have not missed a recording yet because of ANY errors. The main point in my posts is that it's not something inherently wrong with the 8300HD (or 8000HD for that matter), but the data it relies on.

One other thing is that just because the IPG and the scheduled recording list both show "Rebel Billionaire", it does not mean that the actual data field used for recording it is the same, dotted i's, crossed t's, etc. There may be any number of fields in the database that seemingly show the same information. Unfortunately, if the one actually used for recording is different than the one used for display, there will be no way for us to know and the recording will not take place as scheduled.

The only folks who can determine exactly what is happening are the ones who code the software and can review the database to see what caused the problem. I'm not sure why the software is coded to highlight the timeslot even when the recording is not going to happen. If I were to look at the IPG and saw the slot highlighted, I would assume it will be recorded, but that is not the case and this makes it impossible to double-check the schedule.

Originally posted by jpeter1093
Has anybody experience this? You go to the guide, select a show, select record, press 'A' to save and the show doesn't turn to red (indicating it will record) in the guide? After a reboot, it worked fine again...any thoughts?

Yes, I've seen this a number of times. In fact I often see shows in my scheduled list from the past week. I've found that when this weird glitch happens and after the reboot I have to go back in and re-select the shows I want to record again. I don't know how it always loses this detail.

I have not seen any visible changes in the IPG data. Is this something that happens in the code in the background? I don't see how an individual consumer can determine that the IPG data is going to cause the unit not to record, if all visible indicators are that it will.

Having owned multiple Replay TV's as well as multiple Tivo's, over many years, I have never seen anything like this. I was an early adopter with Replay TV, and got one of their first units, I think it must have been 5 or 6 years ago. Over all this time, I have never seen anything on Replay or Tivo, that indicated THE DAY OF the recording, that it was scheduled and going to record, and then didn't. In this case with the 8300, the name didn't change in the IPG, and even when I had to force it to record, it said the exact same thing that the scheduled recording said.

This is kindergarten stuff, which is why I am so mad at SA. I suppose that someone who has never had a Tivo or a Replay wouldn't know how much better they are. It boggles my mind that SA comes now, when they have had so many years to study their competitors, and do such a poor job????

I've gotta agree about SA's software. When it comes to a comparison versus Tivo or replay TV there is no comparison. The style and format are incredibly clunky and generic. There is no reason why many of the simple bugs and drawbacks of the SA DVR's aren't fixed with software updates. I'm not sure who the heck is doing the programming but I would be somewhat emarrassed. Obviously the technology and hardware are in place to make a good product, but the software that runs the hardware is lacking big time.

With that said, as a cable customer with an HDTV I have no other option when it comes to getting a DVR. I am appreciative to the fact that the DVR allows me to record my shows. But if you compare it to a Tivo it almost seems like a child did the programming. There are simple little things that could easily be integrated into the 8300. How about the ability to add bookmarks to recorded shows? How about stop kicking me out of show that I start watching late? How about adding a dial or a faster FF/REW option to get me to a certain part of a program faster? How about letting me record first runs only? There are several other "little things" that could really make this DVR much better. They don't seem to l;isten too well to suggestions.

coomarlin,
First runs only works in Houston TWC SARA.
Stilled getting kicked out when recording ends.

TerryB

Originally posted by coomarlin
How about stop kicking me out of show that I start watching late?

I do agree with you on all your points, especially the one above. However, I don't think the software "bug" that kicks you out of a show is a bug at all.

I think it's deliberate.

Why? Well, I know it sounds crazy, but I think Scientific Atlanta (SA) is covering themselves from a lawsuit from Tivo.

I will admit I have no legal knowledge regarding patents that Tivo might hold (if they hold any), but I do have a basis for my hypothesis:

1) SA has shown they can overcome this "bug", in the multi-room version of their DVR. I'm currently beta-testing the SA 8300 HD multi-room. When I watch a show from the client box (not the DVR itself) while it is recording, and I'm not finished watching it before it's done airing, it does not kick me out to live programming.

Perhaps SA is less worried about incorporating this feature on the multi-room DVR because Tivo does not have a multi-room DVR.

2) SA has shown to be wary of lawsuits in the past. I'm thinking of one thing in particular: the "+2 hour guide bug". Do any of you remember this? Up until about a year ago, whenever you brought up the channel guide, it was always two hours ahead of the current time.

When the bug was finally fixed in a software update, I read a post on a forum (might have been this one), that the reason the guide had the "+2 hour" business in the first place was a legal issue. Apparently after that had been cleared up, they could make the guide function as it does today.

What do you think, folks? Any of that hold water?

DJ_V,

I think your point holds an awful lot of water. And it is not just an SA concern. If they infringed on someone else's intellectual property, their customers (the cable systems) could be liable as well!

Originally posted by davehancock
DJ_V,

I think your point holds an awful lot of water. And it is not just an SA concern. If they infringed on someone else's intellectual property, their customers (the cable systems) could be liable as well!

Actually, Gemstar (TV Guide) has brought extensive patent infringement litigation against SA and Pioneer claiming that program guide software used in their STBs ran afoul of Gemstar's interactive program guide patents. Undoubtedly, Tivo has numerous patents protecting its technology.

Free, I understand your points, but I don't understand why you call the 8300 a POS and are so mad at S-A when it could very well be (and most probably is) the data supplied by Gemstar/TV Guide. I'd be willing to bet that Replay TV and Tivo don't have to rely on third parties for their data, they control all aspects of their product unlike cable/S-A/Gemstar.

As you know, software coding is pretty simple stuff (though ptobably a bit above kindergarten). If the 8300 is looking for Billionaire and the data supplied is Billionare or Rebel Billionaire, it's simply not going to record. It could be something as simple as the articel The being thereone week and not the next. The fact that the timeslot is highlighted, even when a recording is not going to happen, is a bug that needs to be fixed.

One thing that appears to be happening too is the timeslot changing. One week a program will be 700-800 and the next week it will be 659-759 or 701-801. These kinds of things will cause any number of problems.

I just checked for next week's episode. The IPG simply says "Billionaire" while the scheduler says "The Rebel Billionaire:". It's highlighted in the IPG, but I'll have to wait to see if it records or not. I assume it will record next week atleast simply because I set it up using that data. It appears that what we might be seeing in the scheduler is part of the episode title and not the abbreviated program title that we see in the IPG. If you look at TitanTV, it shows "Rebel Billioniare:..." while Excite shows "The Rebel Billionaire:...", but I assume that is simply the way TitanTV coded around articles like The, An, A, etc.

The big probem is we simply don't know if it's the hardware, software, or data. My money is on the data since that is the only thing that really changes from day to day. I'd be curious to know what other programs are being skipped, especially since I haven't missed a recording yet and I am scheduled to record at least one episode of something almost every night and oftentimes have multiples recordings going.

Oh, and I'm not trying to downplay your problems or concerns. My experience with the 8300 has been good, inspite of the limited recording options. As long as it records what I schedule, I can work around not being able to schedule based upon actor's names, directors, etc.

On another subject while I have your attention. When you are scheduling something on Tivo, how far out does the data go? 2 Weeks? 3 Weeks? What? Could I set up a recording for program X if it's not yet in the database? For example, 24 will be starting sometime in January. Can I already set it up to record 24 when it starts? Every once in a while I see an ad for a show that I'd like to catch. Now, I go to TitnaTV and set it up as a Favorite and request an email notice whenever it shows up. I assuem Tivo works somewhat the same way, yes?

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
As you know, software coding is pretty simple stuff
BWAHAHAHAHA. Spoken like someone who has never laid down a line of code. I did 30 years worth. Man are you wrong.

Originally posted by Gary J
BWAHAHAHAHA. Spoken like someone who has never laid down a line of code. I did 30 years worth. Man are you wrong. Don't even go there unless you know who you are talking to. I laid down many lines of code in a number of languages during my 27 years in the Air Force. I didn't say that programming was easy, I said that coding was "simple", as in stupid and blind, meaning garbage in, garbage out. In this case, if the code is looking for "Billionaire" and you give it "Billionare", you don't get the expected result. If it's looking for a start time of 700 and you give it 659 or 701, you also don't get the expected result. Now, how wrong are you?

I hear what you guys are saying about lawsuits, but the concepts of some of these things seem so obvious and rudimentry that as long as they didn't copy code from Tivo I really don't see how they can get sued.

I remember the rediculous 2 hour gap thing a year ago and I just don't see how Tivo could've sued anyone for making their program guide come up at the current time :)

Originally posted by DoubleDAZ
On another subject while I have your attention. When you are scheduling something on Tivo, how far out does the data go? 2 Weeks? 3 Weeks? What? Could I set up a recording for program X if it's not yet in the database? For example, 24 will be starting sometime in January. Can I already set it up to record 24 when it starts? Every once in a while I see an ad for a show that I'd like to catch. Now, I go to TitnaTV and set it up as a Favorite and request an email notice whenever it shows up. I assuem Tivo works somewhat the same way, yes?
Tivo guide data goes out two weeks.
If it's not yet in the database, you can't schedule a specific episode for recording, or set up a season pass. However, one of the really cool features is the Wish List, where you can set up an automatic search and record on anything such as title, genre, actors, or even a string within the description (i.e. "pumpkin pie" will catch Martha Stewart making pumpkin pies <grin>, as long as it's in the episode's description). So with that, you could set up a Wish List for "24" in the title, and it'll catch it. Then when "24" comes within the 2-week window, it's best to schedule a season pass, and you can specify that you want only first-run, etc.



I'd be willing to bet that Replay TV and Tivo don't have to rely on third parties for their data, they control all aspects of their product unlike cable/S-A/Gemstar.
I'm pretty sure Tivo gets their guide data from TitanTV, or some such source. I know they're not producing their own guide data.

However, I'll add another data point that I've NEVER (with Tivo) seen season pass shows get dropped due to guide data changing from week-to-week such as "Rebel Billionaire" vs. "The Rebel Billionaire"

GIGO, but Tivo must be either getting it from a better source, or perhaps somehow scrubbing it first...

/temple

Can I get a show of hands hear concerning weather you guys have the "Audio: Digital Out" option available in your general settings? Am I the only person who doesn't have this available? I'm getting really pissed off having to listen to crappy 2 channel stereo sound through my Onkyo receiver :( It sounds like the boxes Adelhpia is getting are different than the ones you guys are getting.

Originally posted by coomarlin
I hear what you guys are saying about lawsuits, but the concepts of some of these things seem so obvious and rudimentry that as long as they didn't copy code from Tivo I really don't see how they can get sued.

I remember the rediculous 2 hour gap thing a year ago and I just don't see how Tivo could've sued anyone for making their program guide come up at the current time :) I'm sure that's the way it seems, but all you have to do is look all around you to see that there is virtually nothing that isn't copyright or patent protected. What appears to be rudimentary to us now was not so when first developed. Add to that the fact that just a threat of a lawsuit can do untold damage to a company's bottomline and you cn begin to see how difficult it can be to 'copy' others functionality.

Temple, thanks for the education on Tivo, I had forgotten about the Wish List and should have guessed how that would work.

As far as Billionaire is concerned, I wasn't suggesting that something as simple as the word "The" would cause a recording problem, I'd think there would be a subdata field that is used as the basis for recording and this really shouldn't change from week to week.

My main point is that I believe something in the data is the culprit as opposed to a hardware problem, though I certainly can't rule hardware out. I suspect that Tivo simply does a better job of matching the schedule to the guide based on parts of the title vs a complete comparison, that is Billionaire vs Rebel Billionaire whereas the 8300/8000 may be checking the complete phrase (Rebel Billionaire) and only finding Billionaire for no match. Since Tivo is coded to find things from the Wish List based on just a few characters, that could be a key to the difference in accuracy.

I'm going to record Billionaire for the next few weeks just to see what I get. There could be something else going on, but it would have to be pretty widespread to affect both the 8000/8300 and in so many different parts of the country. Plus, as near as I can tell, the range of programs is pretty small, I only know of the one we are discussing.

Originally posted by coomarlin
Can I get a show of hands hear concerning weather you guys have the "Audio: Digital Out" option available in your general settings? Am I the only person who doesn't have this available? I'm getting really pissed off having to listen to crappy 2 channel stereo sound through my Onkyo receiver :( It sounds like the boxes Adelhpia is getting are different than the ones you guys are getting. AFAIK, it's a software setup issue at the headend and not a difference in hardware. From what I gather, cableco's have a number of settings they can define for user control. I believe Audio: Digital Out is one of those and it's up to Adelphia to enable that option for their subscribers. If I were you, I would try to contact an engineer/technician who knows what this stuff is. You'll have to start with the CSRs and ask to be transferred to engineering or something. You can even provide them with the link to this thread so they can read up on it. I have the option today, but I don't know if it will still be there with the next software update.

Originally posted by coomarlin
Can I get a show of hands hear concerning weather you guys have the "Audio: Digital Out" option available in your general settings?

I have it available. There's two "Audio:" settings on mine. The Digital Out and one for Variable/Fixed.

Originally posted by coomarlin
Can I get a show of hands hear concerning weather you guys have the "Audio: Digital Out" option available in your general settings? Am I the only person who doesn't have this available? I'm getting really pissed off having to listen to crappy 2 channel stereo sound through my Onkyo receiver :( It sounds like the boxes Adelhpia is getting are different than the ones you guys are getting.

I noticed in an earlier post that you figured out that your TV does not accept DD via HDMI (only ATSC.) Just in case there is still any question I thought that I would put your mind at ease and tell you that this is the case, your TV is reporting to the 8300 that it want's 2ch stereo.

TO backup DAZ's post, he is correct. I had this argument with MANY people at TWC. Finally I found someone that reported the problem to SA. SA replied to them that it was in the firmware and they needed to enable it. They did and whal-la it was there, problem solved. :-)

I found that it was easiest to direct every TWC employee directly to the pdf on SA's site to explain my problem. Even so, they tend to give me the "we don't support that" or "working as designed" response. Be persistent and don't loose your cool, eventually you will find someone that cares and will help.

Luck.

Trekkerj and others with jitter/pixelation in recordings:

The consensus seems to be that this is casued by a weak signal or a signal leak somewhere in the line. I have somebody coming out from TW to look at this next Tuesday.

Please report on this if you find a similar fix or solution.

Originally posted by semuta
Trekkerj and others with jitter/pixelation in recordings:

The consensus seems to be that this is casued by a weak signal or a signal leak somewhere in the line. I have somebody coming out from TW to look at this next Tuesday.

Please report on this if you find a similar fix or solution.

I don't think signal strength is the issue here. First, my signal has been checked repeatedly and it is very strong.

Second, I finally had a chance to check the live feed against the same show recorded the other night. While watching the live feed I noted dropouts. When I watched the recording, dropouts occured where I had not experienced any on the live show.

I don't know the exact problem, but I do believe it is in the recorder, not the feed (although I do get problems with the feed as well).

David

MarketingProf, that's really disappointing news. What good is a HD-DVR if it's full of pixelation. Has anybody contacted SciAtl about this?

David (Marketingprof).

I haven't seen a lot of pixellation with the 8300HD. But I haven't got above 50% full on the HD yet. Perhaps you have a bad box.

I started getting pixelation at about 35% useage.

I also have not seen a lot of glitches and I've been over 50%. I'm still very satisfied with the 8300HD.

I apologize if I inadvertently suggested that the problem was huge. It is not. I would say that some sort of "deviation" occurs about every 5-10 minutes in the recording. Obviously, at this point in time we do not make these recordings for archival, so they need only be acceptable recordings, which they are in my opinion. Nonetheless, I do think SA should be able to reduce these occurances with an upgrade.

I am at 65%, so that may exactly be the issue. But, I'm loathe to drop some of these recordings to VCR. Hollywood is so paranoid about letting a hi-def signal get out of the box, but with hard drives just getting cheaper and cheaper...:)

Thanks for all the input and feedback.

Guess I'll go see what I can delete...

David

David,

Thanks for the added info. I guess that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" (or something like that). Many of us (myself included) are willing to accept small patches of pixellation every 5-10 minutes.

I've seen the comments on one of the 8000 forums that dropouts increase dramatically when the drive gets full. I've never verified that this was true. I would expect that this would be less of a problem with the 8300HD than the 8000HD due to a faster processor and architecture.

I'm currently running with the hard drive at about 60% and have never seen a glitch playing back a recording. Maybe it has something to do with the cable company and how much compression they're using??

I had lots of audio, but not video, drop out problems with an 8000HD. The audio problem hasn't happened with the 8300HD. Perhaps it's only because of more up-to-date software in the 8300HD.

While I watched the football game last night I recorded Desperate Housewives on my 8300 HD.

Playing it back I noticed that one segment between commercials was in 4:3 while it had been in 16:9. After the next commercial it went back to 16:9.

If my memory is correct I think entire episodes have been in 4:3 and I have had the same thing happen with the show LOST.

What is the cause of this? I know it's not anything I am doing.