No luck fellas. Tried to unplug HDMI, reset box with only component, and then plug HDMI back in. As soon as the box detects HDMI connection, it turns off the component.

That's BS. We pay a lot of money for the cable service, and some more to rent the stupid box, and they restrict us from using all of the outputs? Ridiculous.

I guess I'll be forced to the use the s-video for my slingbox, which eliminates the connection from my 8300HD to RDR-HX900 for recording DVDs of programs.
a.dave,

Is the RDR-HX900 the Slingbox Pro? Will it record in hi-def? I mean 'pass-thru' hi-def content? Right?

a.dave,

Is the RDR-HX900 the Slingbox Pro? Will it record in hi-def? I mean 'pass-thru' hi-def content? Right?
rejr,

sorry, i should have clarified. the RDR-HX900 is my Sony unit that allows me to take any programming off of my 8300HD and burn it to a DVD. The HX900 does not allow you to pass-thru HD content. It can only handle SD content. That is why I have s-video running to it from my 8300HD.

The slingbox pro is a separate device that allows me to stream my 8300HD signal over the internet to any PC. It has a component input, but the 8300 turns that off due to HDMI. So I will have to use the composite video for that.

rejr,

sorry, i should have clarified. the RDR-HX900 is my Sony unit that allows me to take any programming off of my 8300HD and burn it to a DVD. The HX900 does not allow you to pass-thru HD content. It can only handle SD content. That is why I have s-video running to it from my 8300HD.

The slingbox pro is a separate device that allows me to stream my 8300HD signal over the internet to any PC. It has a component input, but the 8300 turns that off due to HDMI. So I will have to use the composite video for that.
a.dave,

Can the slingbox Pro stream HD content over a network? Or, does it just 'accept' HD and downrez to 480i? Just curious what you're trying to do. I guess I could go find and read the specs of the Slingbox Pro. :D

Been to the Sammy 4x95 thread to make sure I wanted it. I do. I looked at the ones I was interested in and tweaked them in the store and am now ready to pull the trigger. BTW - bright viewing room = LCD. Plasmas are for caves!

Been to the "...Future Proof..." thread in the Amps spool. Finally decided that there is no such thing. Onkyo TX-SR604 will do nicely until the dust settles, HDMI 2.0 is out and combo players that support the dozen HD formats, audio and video will sell for $79 at the Shack. At that time I'll buy a $500 AVR that will blow away today's $1K AVR.

The SA 8300HD is my STB/DVR. HDMI 1.0, no pcm support, but no matter, the Onkyo can't process pcm on HDMI anyway, nor does it process video (no de-lace, no upcon, no compo>HDMI convert). It's digital coax or optical in only for time and bass managed 5.1. And 7.1 (if I had a player) doesn't flow over digital (lest even more people infringe copy protection).

So how to hook this nonsense up?

8300 HDMI -> Sammy & digi -> Onkyo; hoping lip sync isn't ruined
8300 Component -> Onkyo -> Sammy & digi to Onkyo for 5.1; plus HDMI & digi2 direct to Sammy for non-AVR viewing (turn on Amp before TV for compo)
SD-DVD via compo & digito the Onkyo -> Sammy compo in (remember no conversion)

or am I going to have to pass compo thru the off AVR and send analog audio to the sammy direct, w/ digi to the Onkyo for 5.1? Actually sounds simpler now that I've typed it.

Does this make sense, or more nonsense?

FWIW - Everyone should read the future proof sticky in the Amps spool. There are seriously knowlegable folks in there. Tell 'em the Shell answer man sent you.

I hope one of you great engineer type guys can help me figure out this weird audio problem. Have been suffering for a month now and cant seem to get anywhere with Adelphia/Comcast yet.

Here is my setup:

8300HD with HDMI to Denon AVR2807....then HDMI to Panasonic TH-50PHD8Uk 1080i monitor.....6.1 Bose surround.

I have carefully checked and rechecked all audio and video in/out settings with neighbor and they all appear to be correct.

Here are the issues:


Issue is with HD service specifically audio.

Most often issues is with ABC 701 and also CBS 702....As an example...as I write this, at 11:10 am Tuesday....the VIEW on 701 has no audio on my system..Video is great!...often it is that the program audio works, but then the commercial audio doesn't.

Sometimes INHD1 has audio and INHD2 does not.......or vica versa.
(editing this at 12:14.....INHD1-763 has no audio)

Last night, attempting to record CSI:Miami, video and audio were tiled and never recorded properly.

Has anyone experienced these audio issues?
Are there known bugs in the 8300HD audio processing?

This is really driving me crazy.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

Ok guys I have a couple of questions. I have the HD8300 box and I cannot get sound to my receiver. Here is my setup.

HDMI from 8300 to TV

Optical cable from 8300 to receiver

Dvd component to tv component

Dvd optical out to optical in on receiver

DVD's seem to play just fine, but I can hear sound from the DVD when changing video on the tv. Like video 1-3 I can hear sound but no picture until I get to video 4 which is where the component cables are connected. Then I get sound a picture.

The bigger problem is that I cannot get sound from the cable box or tv to my receiver via an optical connection. I can however get sound by plugging in two red/white composite cables from the back of the tv (audio out) to the back of the receiver's tv inputs. So I do have sound that way, but what is the correct way to connect everything? Do I need to run optical out from the tv to the receiver and not the cable box since I'm using HDMI from the box to the TV?

Also my 8300 box seems to buzz loud. Especially notieable when turning everything off. I unplugged it, let it reboot and then it was fine over night. But I think tonight once I get home it will be buzzing again. Is this normal?

Last question. Is it ok to plug my coax from the wall through my surge protector to the cable box. I had two TWC guys tell me not too. Then again both said don't bother with the HDMI cable.

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

--------------------------------------

LOTS of HDMI issues with the SA8300!! Above right corner and search HDMI....sit down for a couple hours and read all about it............ :eek:

I hope one of you great engineer type guys can help me figure out this weird audio problem. Have been suffering for a month now and cant seem to get anywhere with Adelphia/Comcast yet.

Here is my setup:

8300HD with HDMI to Denon AVR2807....then HDMI to Panasonic TH-50PHD8Uk 1080i monitor.....6.1 Bose surround.

I have carefully checked and rechecked all audio and video in/out settings with neighbor and they all appear to be correct.

Here are the issues:


Issue is with HD service specifically audio.

Most often issues is with ABC 701 and also CBS 702....As an example...as I write this, at 11:10 am Tuesday....the VIEW on 701 has no audio on my system..Video is great!...often it is that the program audio works, but then the commercial audio doesn't.

Sometimes INHD1 has audio and INHD2 does not.......or vica versa.
(editing this at 12:14.....INHD1-763 has no audio)

Last night, attempting to record CSI:Miami, video and audio were tiled and never recorded properly.

Has anyone experienced these audio issues?
Are there known bugs in the 8300HD audio processing?

This is really driving me crazy.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Richard
coolguy,

I assume you are using HDMI for audio as well since you did not mention any audio interconnects? Have you tried using the digital out on the 8300 to your Denon receiver? I don't have any experience with audio over HDMI, but I do know there are some audio output options available on the 8300 (settings) that you may want to explore - depending upon whether you are on SARA or Passport. :)

When I first hooked up my Panny to the 8300 via HDMI two weeks ago, all was well (I have audio out to receiver via optical). Box is set for auto DVI/HDMI, sound out is DD.

Now, if I watch a 480i program (Headline News as example) for a period of time (30 minutes or so), when I change channels to an HD channel the HDMI input box on the TV screen flashes on and off continually with no picture only sound.

I contacted Panny service...they said it was an issue with the cable box and to do a box reset. The solution works...but is extremely annoying. FYI, I am with Cox, Las Vegas, so I guess I have SARA software.

I assume the solution is is switch out to composite?

===================================
"Quote:
Originally Posted by gsxr600

One more thing, can I connect the 8300HD with hdmi/dvi and component at the same time? I was planning on watching the HD channels with the dvi cable and SD channels with the component. I will use component when watching TV in PIP, the small screen, while I work in my computer(which will use the only DVI connection) and DVI when watching it full screen.
-----------------
Yes - all outputs are active at all times.

Carol"
====================================

"On the SA8300HD the Hd outputs (HDMI and component) are mutually exclusive, you can't use them both. However the SD outputs (s-video and composite) do work simultaneous with the HD outputs, and output a down-converted 480i signal of whatever the HD output (only one active) is showing. So for your purpose of wanting an SD output with an HDMI output, just use s-video or composite for it."
====================================

Ok, so it appears to be a conflict here in the above statements with regards to HDMI out and component active at the same time.

I'll assume it is a negative on that.

I would like to go to the DVI on my Panny PDP from the HDMI, and take audio to my old 1992 receiver that only has L/R analog input for audio. Since they are not active at the same time....guess that will not work? No digital on the receiver.

Appears the only solution is to go all component (the PDP does have component), and do the same. Correct?

Get the PDP on Thursday and want to have the correct cables on hand and ready to go....

Bob

Ok, from the SA web site "connections": This appears to show that analog audio CAN be used if video is connected to HDTV via DVI:
http://bwclark.smugmug.com/photos/115754312-M.jpg


From the User Manual: If I select "other" for audio instead of digital will that then give me the audio out on the analog as shown in the diagram?
http://bwclark.smugmug.com/photos/115754317-M.jpg


So, what's the deal on this....can I in fact use the HDMI>DVI with analog audio to my receiver? :confused: I guess that according to the diagram that I will need to connect up the HDTV via DVI and then the receiver with analog. Then the 8300 will see no audio at the HDTV due to DVI and look for the audio selection...ie "other" that will select analog...rather than digital out.

Greetings,

Can anyone help me figure out the logic behind the 8300HD? I have two "Season Passes" on Thurs night, Shark and ER. I typically like to watch them on Sunday. I've got PLENTY of drive space, yet the box consistently deletes the programs before SUNDAY if I do not go in and manually set the program as KEEP until I delete. In the settings, I have my box set to record all first run eps, and to save ALL Episodes.

I'm tired of baby sitting this dvr! I have the SARA 1.88.17 software, and am on the TWC system in Columbia, SC.

Thanks for any help.

David

I have a Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD Box. Every few days when I go to the HD Programming sound will come through but the picture will freeze frame with the frame on the HD channel at the point in time that I switch the HD Channel. If I jump around come back to any HD Channel again it will freeze frame (but at the point in the program that it currently is at, so it keeps updating the freeze frame).

If I unplug the cable box to reset it, it seems to work for a few days. Any ideas why this his happening? Seems to be a cable box issue (though this is my 2nd one) and not a TV issue, would you agree?

Just last night my SA8300HD started to act up. All SD channels have a blue tint to them (annoying). The HD channels have a severe green tint to them (unwatchable). Nothing has changed on my setup since I wired it 7 months ago: I am running Component from the 8300HD to my plasma. Nothing was moved or changed. Color settings on the plasma are fine and other sources (such as DVD through HDMI) are fine. Any suggestions?

When I first hooked up my Panny to the 8300 via HDMI two weeks ago, all was well (I have audio out to receiver via optical). Box is set for auto DVI/HDMI, sound out is DD.

Now, if I watch a 480i program (Headline News as example) for a period of time (30 minutes or so), when I change channels to an HD channel the HDMI input box on the TV screen flashes on and off continually with no picture only sound.

I contacted Panny service...they said it was an issue with the cable box and to do a box reset. The solution works...but is extremely annoying. FYI, I am with Cox, Las Vegas, so I guess I have SARA software.

I assume the solution is is switch out to composite?
VegasDen, This just happened to me, too, with Cox, here in Vegas, but for all channels. The box did some real weird stuff (there was some pattern on the receiver display that I had never seen before) and then the screen just started flashing. I switched to composite and no problems. I doublechecked the HDMI input on the back of the TV from my DVD with no problems. The only problem seems to be the HDMI from the SA 8300.

Incidentally, I had both HDMI and and component hooked to a 60" Sony KDSr60 that has a new optical block on order.

Anyone have any ideas on my problem?(posted 2 pages back) Its driving me crazy!

Thx

Anyone have any ideas on my problem?(posted 2 pages back) Its driving me crazy!

Thx

Sounds like Knology has at least two lemons. Get them to bring a third box and stay for your test.

Anyone have any ideas on my problem?(posted 2 pages back) Its driving me crazy!

A YPbPr hookup that works okay would isolate the problem to HDMI. Then it's a question whether the display or STB(s) cause the problem. A YPbPr hookup might look very similar to HDMI, as some report. -- John

A YPbPr hookup that works okay would isolate the problem to HDMI. Then it's a question whether the display or STB(s) cause the problem. A YPbPr hookup might look very similar to HDMI, as some report. -- John

I've used 2 different tv's and hdmi-hdmi and rgb cables with the same result so I don't think its how I have it setup. Knology is tring to upgrade me to what they call the beta 1.88 sara software but they have no idea how long it will take. Im hoping that they upgrade me to 1.88 as i've read that they added alot of features-like a 4th fast forward. Still dont understand how Knology calls 1.88 beta when time warner and alot of other use this with no problems. Knology claims that when they tried the 1.88 that almost everone lost the ability to record video. I guess I will call them and have them bring a 3rd box. I was hoping someone had an idea of how i could troubleshoot this myself as I seem to be the only one in my area with the problem. Maybe its not the software. Im stumped

Hi everyone,

Had a quick question about 8300HD. Is it possible to use both the HDMI connection and component connection simultaneously? Reason I'm asking is that the right now my box is hooked up to my HDTV via HDMI. I am getting a Slingbox Pro with the HD Connect cable, and that will require me to hook component cables to it.

I want to verify that the 8300HD will send a signal to both devices whenever the box is on.

Thanks in advance.

Mine WORKS FLAWLESSLY ON BOTH OUTPUTS at the same time, and - to say the truth, there's no much difference on my PIO plasma.
I have them both hooked directly to 2 inputs in TV (plus RCA audio cable supporting component input), and switching TV inputs for comparison. And also I put dig. audio coax from SA 8300HD into my Denon receiver, so I can have audio through my HT system (some HD programs come with 5.1)

But this weekend comes new test: I just bough newer Denon receiver, with 3 HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. And I will try too hook up SA 8300 with HDMI to Denon.
Anticipating problems right away (handshaking/HDCP) - but who knows ?
One guy at the Audioholics Forum just reported, that they just remedied that problem (Cox in Phoenix area) with the newest firmare patch for SA 8300HD.
Let's hope it works in VA as well ...

Mine WORKS FLAWLESSLY ON BOTH OUTPUTS at the same time, and - to say the truth, there's no much difference on my PIO plasma.
I have them both hooked directly to 2 inputs in TV (plus RCA audio cable supporting component input), and switching TV inputs for comparison. And also I put dig. audio coax from SA 8300HD into my Denon receiver, so I can have audio through my HT system (some HD programs come with 5.1)

But this weekend comes new test: I just bough newer Denon receiver, with 3 HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. And I will try too hook up SA 8300 with HDMI to Denon.
Anticipating problems right away (handshaking/HDCP) - but who knows ?
One guy at the Audioholics Forum just reported, that they just remedied that problem (Cox in Phoenix area) with the newest firmare patch for SA 8300HD.
Let's hope it works in VA as well ...
this may sound like a redundant to this particular thread but why in the world would somebody buy something that continually overheats and needs continually fixes or patches?

I am about to lose it with TW!!

I have a SA8300HD and am trying to use HDMI but it's a pain. My Yamaha RXV2500 Reciever and my brand new Samsung 4095 LCD are both having fits from HDCP errors. Connecting the STB to the TV directly works (sorta), but the inputs on the box go dead when changing from a HD channel to an analog channel and back, with all of the error messages associated.

I called TW customer service and they seem to have a standard line "1) We support HDMI, 2) Our boxes are good to go, 3) It's your TV (not our box)

The STB is on SARA 1.87. I tried to tell them that a firmware upgrade would fix the problem, they clearly stated that was *not* going to happen. (One tech told me that the box firmware is on 1.88 and it's "totally current" even though I am staring at the diagnostics screen which says 1.87)

Does anybody have a secret on how to get TW to do a firmware update? I love the HD channels when they work, but the analog pretty much sux and the HDCP errors have got me seriously thinking about getting a dish!

Thanks

Scott

I am about to lose it with TW!!

I have a SA8300HD and am trying to use HDMI but it's a pain. My Yamaha RXV2500 Reciever and my brand new Samsung 4095 LCD are both having fits from HDCP errors. Connecting the STB to the TV directly works (sorta), but the inputs on the box go dead when changing from a HD channel to an analog channel and back, with all of the error messages associated.

I called TW customer service and they seem to have a standard line "1) We support HDMI, 2) Our boxes are good to go, 3) It's your TV (not our box)

The STB is on SARA 1.87. I tried to tell them that a firmware upgrade would fix the problem, they clearly stated that was *not* going to happen. (One tech told me that the box firmware is on 1.88 and it's "totally current" even though I am staring at the diagnostics screen which says 1.87)

Does anybody have a secret on how to get TW to do a firmware update? I love the HD channels when they work, but the analog pretty much sux and the HDCP errors have got me seriously thinking about getting a dish!

Thanks

Scott
I would call TW and say that you want to cancel. They probably have a cancellation deptartment that they will connect you to. In my experience anytime I try to cancel any service they connect me to a cancellation dept. and they are always very polite and very willing to do anything they have to do to keep you as a customer. If they still wont help then tell them you changed your mind and that you will be keeping your service and hang up and try somthing else. So basically bluff and find out how far they are willing to go to help and maybe they will upgrade you to 1.88. Just my .02

I have a 8300 (Knology cable-Florida) hooked up to my xbr2 via hdmi, when I am watching a HD channel and switch to a non HD channel and then back to HD the HD channel is no longer in HD but 480 and I can't figure out why. The only way I found to fix this is tune to 2 HD channels in a row and it will go back to displaying in HD. Also when I use the rewind (instant replay) on HD channel it changes it to 480 and then I have to again tune to 2 HD channels in a row. I had knology cable replace the 8300 today but same problems. I also had my Tv and HDMI cable replaced today with no luck. Please help before I light my cable box on fire.

Thanks

This is obviously a wide spread issue. I have my JVC 61fn97 connected via HDMI to my SA 8300-HD STB. I am having trouble keeping the box sending 1080i signals to the TV when tuned to an HD channel. I continually am having to reset the box. It works for a while but then revert back to a lower resolution after tuning to an SD channel. The only solution is as others have stated, must redo the setup each time. It's an issue with the STB. Cable company is Comcast, formally Adelphia. Please let me know if anyone figures out the solution to this problem. Thanks...

Hi there. I have searched but could not find a solution to my problem. I recently purchased a monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch (not to mention 2 new hdmi cables) to run my PS3, DVD, and SA 8300. The PS3 works fine thru the switch but the SA blocks the HDMI output and gives me the "Your TV is not HDCP compliant" message. Any help would be appreciated, new to the forums

thx

So, what's the deal on this....can I in fact use the HDMI>DVI with analog audio to my receiver? :confused: I guess that according to the diagram that I will need to connect up the HDTV via DVI and then the receiver with analog. Then the 8300 will see no audio at the HDTV due to DVI and look for the audio selection...ie "other" that will select analog...rather than digital out.

Ok, so I have it hooked up HDMI>DVI; analog audio>analog on the Audio Receiver and it works fine! :)

My Panny does not accept 480i, so in the setup I excluded 480i std & wide. All others are accepted. I also set in Quick Setup the Picture Format to Auto DVI/HDMI, so these signals are passed thru to the Panny.
All looks fine except HD, which is in FULL mode.

The remote for the SA8300 has no affect using the # button, but the Panny remote does affect all channels via the Aspect button, except the HD channels.

Q. How do I get the HD channels to normal HD size and not Full? :confused:

I've been lurking here for quite some time and now , I guess it is my turn to give something back here.

I had a problem and found a solution by trial and error; I have not seen this problem mentioned here so I thought I should post it.

Problem: Missing stretch/zoom option from the menu and # button (HD ZOOM) not working.

I noticed that upon connecting my new Plasma via component to the SA8300, I lost these options. Actually the option of stretch...etc in the menu was never there.

But the # button worked.

I searched high and low everywhere for two-three days but could not find a solution. Even called Comcast, they just said they will send someone days later. I was getting impatient and landed upon the solution by mistake.

Solution:

I did a hard reboot as described in the main thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859



After the reboot, everything was working fine.

Some HD channels are so nice that it seems I am looking out of the window! I notice that 720p seems better than 1080i on my TV.

I hope this helps someone.

Cheers
Rajiv

Just found this post! :)

This solved the problem with the lack of the # on the remote and appears to have solved the HD Full aspect issue also.....I hope.

Hi there. I have searched but could not find a solution to my problem. I recently purchased a monoprice 5x1 HDMI switch (not to mention 2 new hdmi cables) to run my PS3, DVD, and SA 8300. The PS3 works fine thru the switch but the SA blocks the HDMI output and gives me the "Your TV is not HDCP compliant" message. Any help would be appreciated, new to the forums

thx
Sounds like that new switch, or your TV may not be HDCP compliant. PS3 doesn't care about HDCP unless you're playing a Blu-Ray disc. Games are OK. Have you tried playing back a Blu-Ray disc via the PS3? Same message? SD DVD's don't care about HDCP either.

Sounds like that new switch, or your TV may not be HDCP compliant. PS3 doesn't care about HDCP unless you're playing a Blu-Ray disc. Games are OK. Have you tried playing back a Blu-Ray disc via the PS3? Same message? SD DVD's don't care about HDCP either.


Haven't tried a blu-ray dvd as yet, It must be the switch because I don't know of a tv with an HDMI input that is not HDCP compliant. Also the TV works when connected directly to the set top box. My question is why would monoprice make an HDMI switch that is non HDCP compliant? Doesnt make sense to me.Please I need help, spent over $400 on gear that is useless!

Sigh. My explorer 8300HD is now doing the "blinking of annoyance" when connected to a sony kds60a2k via HDMI.

Initially I thought it was because I had the 8300hd set to pass through all singals and that it just sucked at that... I finally set it to just output 1080i always and it's been fine for a week.

This morning the wife tried to watch TV and I couldn't get the box to do anything but "blink".

Very very frustrating.... I can't easily switch it to component!

-jbl

I hooked up my new Sharp Aquos LC-26D40U LCD today. I'm with TWC in NYC and I have the SA 8300 DVR HD cable box. The picture looks awesome, right out of the box, but not everything is working with the cable box. I know there are a number of issues with this box and issues with TWC NYC. Here's what's going on.

FIRST: My setup is with the component cables that came with the box. Perhaps I'd get a better picture with the HDMI, but I've read so many differing viewpoints that its not something I'm ready to do yet. I'm not sure what a better picture would look like.

1) The Setup Wizard never worked, pressing Guide and Info on the turned off box did nothing. I've rebooted and tried it again, but nothing. (By rebooting, I think I lost all the free previews they give you for the first week or so. Just my luck!)

2) Pressing Settings twice gives me no General Settings.

3) I have yet to find the setup functions which allow me to choose to upconvert or pass through signals. They aren't in any menu. i Have an Output Format, an Aspect Ratio, but no Picture Format option.

4) The box seemed to default at a 1080i, as I had no wizard to set it up with. The various channels seem to change from standard 4:3 to wide and to HD. The picture on the HD semms stuuning. However, I know the set should be watched in its native mode, which is 720.

5) When I change the resolution or add various resolutions under Output Formats, it takes the TV longer to change channels.

So. It seems that leaving the set at the constant 1080i output it defaulted to works, but I am not sure I'm watching this TV utilizing the best configurations. I'm also a bit troubled that the Box does not have the Wizard. I get to the general Settings by pressing the settings and tahn the Yellow "A" Triangle, but I don't think all the setting I should see are there.

there is no setup wizard for time warner boxes in nyc all the settings under the A triangle are all the ones you get, no more

I've got the same setup. I am searching for a solution to a problem using HDMI. While watching live or recorded programing, the picture freezes. The remote has no control of the PVR. If I switch back to component cables it works fine, reconnect the HDMI and within an hour I get the freezing.

I am having the same problem. When I reboot it works for a day or week or two, but then i will turn on the TV flip to an HD Channel and it will freeze. Have you found a resolution? How is the picture using the component cables, is it noticably worse?

I have a new Pioneer 4270HD w/ a SA8300HD STB. After doing all the setup, I've noticed an odd behaviour when using the "#" key on the STB's remote while viewing a digital SD channel. At NORMAL, the STB shows 480i but when I press # again, the STB shows 1080i and the box in the lower right corner of the screen says 1080i ZOOM1. Why would the STB switch to 1080i?

I have set the STB to PASSTHROUGH, enabling 1080i, 720p and 480i. It doesn't matter whether I allow 480i STANDARD only or STANDARD and WIDESCREEN ... the behaviour is the same. The code in this box is SARA. The STB connection to the panel is Component.

Any ideas why it's switching to 1080i?

I have a new Pioneer 4270HD w/ a SA8300HD STB. After doing all the setup, I've noticed an odd behaviour when using the "#" key on the STB's remote while viewing a digital SD channel. At NORMAL, the STB shows 480i but when I press # again, the STB shows 1080i and the box in the lower right corner of the screen says 1080i ZOOM1. Why would the STB switch to 1080i?

I have set the STB to PASSTHROUGH, enabling 1080i, 720p and 480i. It doesn't matter whether I allow 480i STANDARD only or STANDARD and WIDESCREEN ... the behaviour is the same. The code in this box is SARA. The STB connection to the panel is Component.

Any ideas why it's switching to 1080i?

Its switching to 1080i because its a piece of crap. Im going to light my 8300 on fire and buy a tivo series 3. By the way the series 3 is on sale at dell for $684 - 15% - 10% stackable ebay (.99) coupon=$529. Thats alot of cash but personally its worth it for me never to see the 8300 again.

HDMI makes it not worth it when going through all this trouble. Component looks amazing if you ask me.

HDMI makes it not worth it when going through all this trouble. Component looks amazing if you ask me.
I have the same problem with component.

After two days of operating perfectly, my SA 8300 started to develope weird behaivour. Whenever I turn it on, it displays a huge "L" shaped black area through the picture. This black area does not go away. However, if I change the channel the new channel is perfect, and if I go back to the channel I was just viewing, it now is perfect without the blacked out area. This happenes regardless of whether I tune into an HD or standard channel.

I have done a number of experiments, and have completely ruled out my new TV as the culprit. It happens everytime I turn on the box for the first time, not the TV.

TWC is coming on Saturday, but before the technician starts to fool around with this, I was wondering if anyone else ever had a similar problem.

BTW, I am connected with the component cables which came with the box, and I have a 720 26 inch Sahrp. I've experimented with both the 720 signal and a 1080i; bioth yield simislar results.

After two days of operating perfectly, my SA 8300 started to develope weird behaivour. Whenever I turn it on, it displays a huge "L" shaped black area through the picture.

We had this exact problem with SA8300HDs in Central Florida. It was fixed in new firmware about six weeks ago. The black L corresponds to the program guide screen minus the live picture in the upper right hand corner.

You should check with your local cable company to find out when they plan to release the new code. Hopefully they will acknowledge that this is a known problem.

We had this exact problem with SA8300HDs in Central Florida. It was fixed in new firmware about six weeks ago. The black L corresponds to the program guide screen minus the live picture in the upper right hand corner.

You should check with your local cable company to find out when they plan to release the new code. Hopefully they will acknowledge that this is a known problem.

The cable technician will be here Saturday morning. I assume he'll give me a new box. The technician I spoke to over the phone said she never heard of this problem before, and I've not seen any other mention of it on the forums. I'm not sure its what you say it is, as I'd see and hear more about it.

Ton's of discussion on the black L problem in this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8687051&highlight=black#post8687051

Beginning about a month ago, I started to have a very serious problem with my Explorer 8300HD. Prior to this, everything worked fine for over a year. It seems like TWC may have put out a bad firmware update.

I have a JVC HD61FH96 TV. The cable box works fine until I switch to another input on the TV. When I switch back to the cable box's HDMI input I get static. It appears to be a handshake issue.

However, power cycling the cable box doesn't have any effect. In fact, I still get the static even when the cable box is off (which seems very strange to me). Power cycling the TV doesn't have any effect, since when the TV comes back on I still have the static.

There's only two ways to restore the signal from the cable box. One is to unplug the cable box and plug it back in. The other is to switch the cable box output mode (from 1080i to 720p or vice-versa). Of course you have to do this while there's static on the screen, so you have to memorize the series of keystrokes (settings, up four times, right, select). The other strange thing is that the static problem occurs regardless of which output mode you're on when you switch inputs (i.e. 1080i, 720p, etc.).

I swapped out the cable box earlier this week but the new box is doing the same thing. This also happens regardless of which of the TV's HDMI inputs I plug the cable box into. It also happens regardless of which HDMI cable I use, although both cables are cheap 28AWG cables from monoprice so maybe a better cable would fix the problem. Anyone think this would work?

My HDMI DVD player works fine all the time, so I'm thinking it's probably the cable box.

It works OK with component, but I would really like to use HDMI.

When I tried using one of my 3250HDs with a DVI to HDMI cable, it seemed to work OK. Even more strangely, the 8300HD seems to work fine with my LCD TV. So I'm starting to think it could a problem with my TV.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks so much in advance!
-Jason

After two days of operating perfectly, my SA 8300 started to develope weird behaivour. Whenever I turn it on, it displays a huge "L" shaped black area through the picture. This black area does not go away. However, if I change the channel the new channel is perfect, and if I go back to the channel I was just viewing, it now is perfect without the blacked out area. This happenes regardless of whether I tune into an HD or standard channel.

I have done a number of experiments, and have completely ruled out my new TV as the culprit. It happens everytime I turn on the box for the first time, not the TV.

TWC is coming on Saturday, but before the technician starts to fool around with this, I was wondering if anyone else ever had a similar problem.

BTW, I am connected with the component cables which came with the box, and I have a 720 26 inch Sahrp. I've experimented with both the 720 signal and a 1080i; bioth yield simislar results.

So, I had the cable guy here today. He takes one look at the "Black L" on startup and says,"I've seen that before, in training." He calls up his associate, who he says is the single most knowledgable guy at TWC-NYC in this matter. I can hear the conversation on the Nextel.

The other guy says there is absolutely nothing we can do. Changing the box won't help. He says it sometimes happens when the tv is not turned on before the box. So, we experiment, and the problem is still there. The other guy says it happens sometimes with some TVs, but its something I have to live with. Then, the cable guy leaves. "You heard the expert", he tells me, "nothing we can do."

Now, to be honest, it is not the worst thing in the world. It does not show up on recorded programs, and takes one push of the guide (two actually - on and off) to clear the screen. However, I'm a bit miffed that I have a brand new TV and Cable Box, and it doesn't work 100%.

So, I had the cable guy here today. He takes one look at the "Black L" on startup and says,"I've seen that before, in training." He calls up his associate, who he says is the single most knowledgable guy at TWC-NYC in this matter. I can hear the conversation on the Nextel.

The other guy says there is absolutely nothing we can do. Changing the box won't help. He says it sometimes happens when the tv is not turned on before the box. So, we experiment, and the problem is still there. The other guy says it happens sometimes with some TVs, but its something I have to live with. Then, the cable guy leaves. "You heard the expert", he tells me, "nothing we can do."

Now, to be honest, it is not the worst thing in the world. It does not show up on recorded programs, and takes one push of the guide (two actually - on and off) to clear the screen. However, I'm a bit miffed that I have a brand new TV and Cable Box, and it doesn't work 100%.

So what did he say when you told him that it was a software bug seen in Central Florida - a software bug that was fixed in a code drop in November? Did he believe you? Or do you still not believe me?

Beginning about a month ago, I started to have a very serious problem with my Explorer 8300HD. Prior to this, everything worked fine for over a year. It seems like TWC may have put out a bad firmware update.

I have a JVC HD61FH96 TV. The cable box works fine until I switch to another input on the TV. When I switch back to the cable box's HDMI input I get static. It appears to be a handshake issue.

However, power cycling the cable box doesn't have any effect. In fact, I still get the static even when the cable box is off (which seems very strange to me). Power cycling the TV doesn't have any effect, since when the TV comes back on I still have the static.

There's only two ways to restore the signal from the cable box. One is to unplug the cable box and plug it back in. The other is to switch the cable box output mode (from 1080i to 720p or vice-versa). Of course you have to do this while there's static on the screen, so you have to memorize the series of keystrokes (settings, up four times, right, select). The other strange thing is that the static problem occurs regardless of which output mode you're on when you switch inputs (i.e. 1080i, 720p, etc.).

I swapped out the cable box earlier this week but the new box is doing the same thing. This also happens regardless of which of the TV's HDMI inputs I plug the cable box into. It also happens regardless of which HDMI cable I use, although both cables are cheap 28AWG cables from monoprice so maybe a better cable would fix the problem. Anyone think this would work?

My HDMI DVD player works fine all the time, so I'm thinking it's probably the cable box.

It works OK with component, but I would really like to use HDMI.

When I tried using one of my 3250HDs with a DVI to HDMI cable, it seemed to work OK. Even more strangely, the 8300HD seems to work fine with my LCD TV. So I'm starting to think it could a problem with my TV.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks so much in advance!
-Jason

I'm having a similar problem on my SA8300HD, and I also use HDMI. For me, it shows up when I change from a 480i channel to a 720p/1080i channel. It only happens about 10% of the time. To resolve the problem I have to turn off either the TV or the box. And sometimes I have to cycle power multiple time - maybe I'm just not waiting long enough.

I have a Sony SXRD XBR2, and I haven't ruled out whether it's the TV or the cable box. I was leaning towards the box since other folks in Central Florida (with this same box) are seeing the problem - but to be honest I don't know what TV they have - it could be a Sony also.

About a week ago I disabled 480i output on my 8300. The output is now 480p, along with the normal 720p and 1080i signal of course. I haven't seen the problem since the change, but I haven't really run it long enough to be sure. I just don't watch that much SD programming.

This may not be the same problem you're having, but it does sound similar.

EDIT: About half the time I get a video/audio "glitch" once a few times a second instead of the snow. I've assumed that this is a second manifestation of the same problem because it happens when I switch from SD to HD, and is solved by cycling power.

So what did he say when you told him that it was a software bug seen in Central Florida - a software bug that was fixed in a code drop in November? Did he believe you? Or do you still not believe me?

I absolutely believe you. I told him I had done some reserach and others with the same problem had it fixed by an upgrade in the STB software. It didn't mean much to him.

TWC has done some strange things to the SA 8300 system, as I have found out via personal experience and reading other posts. For example; they have worked around the express setup; TWC NYC customers do not get that. So, I gathered that this is simply what they have with this box at this time, and its too bad.

Now, for the good part. The cable guy agreed that my signal is string and the PQ is fantastic. He said others aren't as lucky.

I absolutely believe you. I told him I had done some reserach and others with the same problem had it fixed by an upgrade in the STB software. It didn't mean much to him.

TWC has done some strange things to the SA 8300 system, as I have found out via personal experience and reading other posts. For example; they have worked around the express setup; TWC NYC customers do not get that. So, I gathered that this is simply what they have with this box at this time, and its too bad.

Now, for the good part. The cable guy agreed that my signal is string and the PQ is fantastic. He said others aren't as lucky.

Yeah, I don't quite understand the 8300 software model. It seems that each local cable company is responsible for making code changes and releasing code. My local cable operator is BHN, which is only partially affiliated with Time Warner, so maybe that's why our code rev seems to be so different than everyone else's.

But from reading this thread, the 8300 will evenually move to a new code base and maybe all these problems go away - to be replaced by new problems. :)

Quick question about using HDMI with the 8300HD.

My father's television is a Samsung TXR3079WHX and was attached to the SciAtl 8300HD with component cables. The image was not particularly good. I attached an HDMI cable and the picture became absolutely perfect, but when the television shut off, the box shut off as well. Not just the normal off, but no clock, no anything. The exact series of events is:

Turn TV off, wait 2-3 seconds
The clock stops blinking, wait 5-10 seconds
The LCD on the unit displays a strange symbol (the best description I can think of is a dash, an upside-down lower case u, a lower case u, dash)
The unit says "boot"
It turns off (no lights at all on in the front)
The symbol comes back
It turns off
The unit says "boot" again
The unit turns off and stays off.

When you turn the TV on and then turn the DVR on, it comes up from what appears to be a completely powered down state. It's not recording anything while it's off (which kind of defeats the purpose of the HDMI).

Any suggestions or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

tcquad,
It sounds as if the cable signal to the 8300 is being switched off by turning off the TV.
Was anything else changed when the HDMI was substituted for the component connection?

TerryB

TerryB-

Unfortunately nothing else was changed. I simply plugged the HDMI cable into the back of the TV and the back of the DVR. Everything else was left set up so I could switch back and forth and receive dramatic "ooh"s and "aah"s.

One small addendum, though. I have since unplugged just the HDMI cable and turned off the TV with no consequences. So that eliminates some sort of bizarre HDCP handshake issue (because the HDMI cable was still attached to the DVR).

And the Time Warner people were of minimal help (beyond "wow, I've never heard of *that* before").

Thanks!

i had a 4300 sciat box, that had a pass-thru setting, I don't seem to have this setting for the 8300explorer, only Auto Dvi/hdmi, upconvert 1 and 2, and fixed....? I thought pass thru is the preferred method, and worked great on the old box, is auto dvi/hdmi good enough? thanks!

i had a 4300 sciat box, that had a pass-thru setting, I don't seem to have this setting for the 8300explorer, only Auto Dvi/hdmi, upconvert 1 and 2, and fixed....? I thought pass thru is the preferred method, and worked great on the old box, is auto dvi/hdmi good enough? thanks!

I assume you used a component connection on the 4300 and are now using HDMI. Automatic format adjustment is a function of HDMI. With an HDMI connection, Auto Dvi/hdmi does the same thing as pass-thru in a component connection.

Just a question about artifacts that I think come from my sa 8300. I see them often on my jvc 56 fn97 with a hdmi connections and charter cable. Does anyone have a solution or experienced similar? I get an anomoly about 2x per minute, or maybe more often. I have not tried component video yet. Thanx.

thanks, just wanted to be sure i had the best setting possible!

Has anyone sucessfully used the "IR" connection on the back of the SA 8300HD? I'm hoping to use it as a directly connected IR input.

Thanks...Mark

Has anyone sucessfully used the "IR" connection on the back of the SA 8300HD? I'm hoping to use it as a directly connected IR input.

Thanks...Mark

I've tried it and it doesn't work for me (Comcast "Gardenstate" cable in southern NJ).

I just got the Panny 50" HDTV and have the TWC SA8300Hd box. Great system!I'd like to change the channel that first appears when I turn on the TV. I'm assuming this is controlled by the SA8300HD box but I can't figure out how to change it. How do i change this setting?

I just got the Panny 50" HDTV and have the TWC SA8300Hd box. Great system!I'd like to change the channel that first appears when I turn on the TV. I'm assuming this is controlled by the SA8300HD box but I can't figure out how to change it. How do i change this setting?
Press the Settings button twice, and scroll to the selection that allows you to change your starting channel.

Nice TV :)

I just went through all the settings and I don't see any options to allow me to change my start channel. Any help is appreciated.

I just went through all the settings and I don't see any options to allow me to change my start channel. Any help is appreciated.
Scroll down to Power on - hit select choose your channel

Well I feel stupid but I can't find any options that allow me to set the power on channel. I have a setting that is "Set: power-On keys" but this doesn't allow me to choose the channel. Could the TWC in my area NE OHIO have disables this setting so that I can't change it from their own channel?

Hi
Double click Settings
On my screen I scroll down to Viewer-Power On -Hit Select Button- Pick a channel
Good luck

Thanks Cashbox. On my screen I have "Viewer:Favorites" but no "Viewer: Power-On". I'm stumped!

Thanks Chasbox. On my screen I have "Viewer:Favorites" but no "Viewer: Power-On". I'm stumped!
On my screen Viewer-Power On is the next one down from Viewer- Favorites
It`s a mystery to me. Like you said maybe it`s your Cable Co.

Recenly updated my monitor/receiver so I could take advantage of the HDMI from the SA8300. Originally had it connected via Component/digital audio cable and everything worked great. Went out and bought some decent HDMI cables and everything was working great for a few minutes and then the audio started cutting out every few minutes. I tried a different cable and that didn't solve anything.

Any ideas? My provider is TWC in Southern California.

Thanks,
pete

I have my SA 8300HD connected to my Sony KD-34XBR970 VIA an HDMI cable and was wondering if anyone out there knows if I would just be better off using Components. I've been reading and reading and I have yet to find a conclusive answer (maybe because there isn't one?!?).

The problem I have is that no matter what input I have my 8300HD set to (HDMI/DVI, Fixed, Upscale 1 or 2, etc) when I turn my STB off and then back on either 30 secs later or later in the day my option to switch between 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, etc goes away and I have to do the whole "Hold Info and Guide together" process. EVERY TIME I turn it off and on.

Cox Communications sent someone out to help but they were clueless. :confused:

I have my SA 8300HD connected to my Sony KD-34XBR970 VIA an HDMI cable and was wondering if anyone out there knows if I would just be better off using Components. I've been reading and reading and I have yet to find a conclusive answer (maybe because there isn't one?!?).

The problem I have is that no matter what input I have my 8300HD set to (HDMI/DVI, Fixed, Upscale 1 or 2, etc) when I turn my STB off and then back on either 30 secs later or later in the day my option to switch between 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, etc goes away and I have to do the whole "Hold Info and Guide together" process. EVERY TIME I turn it off and on.:

This problem has been widely reported. It happens with this cable box and a variety of different TV's when the HDMI connection is used. I have the box set to stay at 1080i on everything, and it will stay that way as long as I don't switch the TV input to something else, even when the cable box is turned off. I decided to live with the problem because I get a sharper picture on my set with HDMI than with component.

I did find, in another post, a fast way to restore the box to 1080i. With the TV on but the cable box off, hold down the INFO and GUIDE buttons. When the TV goes on, don't bother going through the setup screens. Just push the POWER switch on either the cable box or the cable remote. The cable box will switch to 1080i and will turn on.

The handshake bug strikes again, thankfully I have nothing (to date) which uses digital (read HDMI ) connections, The 8300 has to see the display handshake when it comes on. If the receiver gave a handshake directly to the TV who knows what evil devices you might send the video to downstream. I suggest that just as the TV needs to be on and HDMI input selected when you switch on the 8300 direct, the TV must be on and selected to HDMI input and the receiver must be on and switched to the TV before the 8300 is switched on. OR, connect the TV direct to the 8300 with composite cables as few and far between are the folks who pronounce HDMI an improvement over good analog connections. Someday there won't be a hidef analog option, if you believe everything written, but not yet.

good luck,
TerryB


Thought you all might get a kick out of this. Boy was I po'd after spending 6 hours over the last 2 nights trying to install my new Sony 46xbr3 and Onkyo HT system with HDMI and my SA 8300HD cable box.

No one and I mean no one told me there was a compatibility problem between my A/V receiver and the cable box!!!


Thank you for contacting WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone via email:

No scheduled date is yet set for the firmware upgrade.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please email us or call.
Catherine, ID WNE



The HDMI ports are active on the SA 8300HD. It works fine with a direct connection to the TV HDMI input. The problem is the HDCP "handshake" doesn't work when the SA is connected to an A/V receiver and then to the TV. SA says they have provided the firmware updated to cable providers. They also say you have not provided it to users.

My question was, when are you going to provide the firmware updated so I can use my HDMI connection with my A/V receiver that I am paying you money for????

Have you tried making sure the TV gets turned on last?

I have a similar problem with an SA8300HD and a Sony KDFA. If the TV initializes before the cable box does, then I get the "this output is not HDCP compatible" from the cable box. If I then cycle through the TV inputs, it goes away.

Don't try this:
Start playback of a recorded program.
Set sleep timer for past (or probably during) the recorded playback.

After turning the TV back on, you get a message "Press any Key to watch TV", or something like that. Pressing keys has no impact. Only by removing the power cable and rebooting the thing will you get back (eventually) to working. At least the case with Comcast in south jersey.

ive had io digital for about 2 weeks now.... its been fine until today... ive noticed pixelation and audio sputtering on hd and non hd channels

using 8300hd and pana 9uk, i tried formating the hd on the 8300 and its still occuring...

any ideas?

twobrain,
Poor signal level from the cable to the box. Have you added or changed a splitter. Is it only on playback?

TerryB

Beginning about a month ago, I started to have a very serious problem with my Explorer 8300HD. Prior to this, everything worked fine for over a year. It seems like TWC may have put out a bad firmware update.

I have a JVC HD61FH96 TV. The cable box works fine until I switch to another input on the TV. When I switch back to the cable box's HDMI input I get static. It appears to be a handshake issue.

However, power cycling the cable box doesn't have any effect. In fact, I still get the static even when the cable box is off (which seems very strange to me). Power cycling the TV doesn't have any effect, since when the TV comes back on I still have the static.

There's only two ways to restore the signal from the cable box. One is to unplug the cable box and plug it back in. The other is to switch the cable box output mode (from 1080i to 720p or vice-versa). Of course you have to do this while there's static on the screen, so you have to memorize the series of keystrokes (settings, up four times, right, select). The other strange thing is that the static problem occurs regardless of which output mode you're on when you switch inputs (i.e. 1080i, 720p, etc.).

I swapped out the cable box earlier this week but the new box is doing the same thing. This also happens regardless of which of the TV's HDMI inputs I plug the cable box into. It also happens regardless of which HDMI cable I use, although both cables are cheap 28AWG cables from monoprice so maybe a better cable would fix the problem. Anyone think this would work?

My HDMI DVD player works fine all the time, so I'm thinking it's probably the cable box.

It works OK with component, but I would really like to use HDMI.

-Jason
i could've written this. same problem with the XBR1 SXRD. i'm pretty sure it's the box.

The Time Warner CSR was very helpful, she suggested i exchange the box :mad:

i could've written this. same problem with the XBR1 SXRD. i'm pretty sure it's the box.

The Time Warner CSR was very helpful, she suggested i exchange the box :mad:

Thank goodness. You're the first person I've found who is having the same problem. What a relief. I thought my TV's HDMI card had somehow fried itself.

But I am getting increasingly frustrated about this. I'm not sure what I can do.

Do you live in South Carolina?

-Jason

Thank goodness. You're the first person I've found who is having the same problem. What a relief. I thought my TV's HDMI card had somehow fried itself.

But I am getting increasingly frustrated about this. I'm not sure what I can do.

Do you live in South Carolina?

-Jason
nope, Austin. it started happening maybe 8 months ago. one day it worked, the next it didn't. i gave up and went to component for now since i don't really notice a difference in PQ.

Has there been a fix for the issue of color snow and black screen when changing between SD and HD channels?

Has there been a fix for the issue of color snow and black screen when changing between SD and HD channels?

The snow (or glitching) problem hasn't been fixed in Orlando yet. Of course it could be a different story in other locations.

The black L problem was fixed a few months ago - in Orlando, again. Sounds like this is still a problem in other areas of the country.

ive had io digital for about 2 weeks now.... its been fine until today... ive noticed pixelation and audio sputtering on hd and non hd channels

using 8300hd and pana 9uk, i tried formating the hd on the 8300 and its still occuring...

any ideas?

Same problem here, with TWC. New system, starts with digital video and audio noise. Yesterday. None of the cables are loose. I was just watching Cold Case on CBS. The HD version had the problem in spades; the SD channel was perfect. So, it appears to be limited to HD, and I don't think it is all of the channels. Its strange, as the box worked fine until yesterday.

I was just watching Cold Case on CBS. The HD version had the problem in spades; the SD channel was perfect. So, it appears to be limited to HD, and I don't think it is all of the channels. Its strange, as the box worked fine until yesterday.
This Cold Case glitch was mentioned by several in my NYC TWC local forum, so perhaps this was a network, downlink, or local TWC glitch. -- John

Question-

My SA8300HD will not send 480p via HDMI to my Samsung LN-S4051 TV: I can only pass 480p widescreen, 720p and 1080i via HDMI. There are no stations using 480p widescreen. All the SD stations are 480i/p 4:3 and my screen goes blank if I enable 480p (I know 480i won't work with HDMI).

Turns out it was a problem on my block. TWC fixed it from the outside today, and all is well again.

I've gone through three of these boxes so far. The latest one has started to have hickups on HD channels and reboots randomly.

I've gone through three of these boxes so far. The latest one has started to have hickups on HD channels and reboots randomly.
Man, you're a lot more patience that I think would be in a similar situation. I'd be demanding my cableco to, not only supply a working STB, but come out, install it, and test it, etc. to ensure it was working properly! Were they all within a relative short time frame, possibly from the same production batch? That would be easily determined based on serial numbers I would think. Granted they are all made in Asia, or Mexico, and the HD is the only moving part short of a couple of panel buttons, but still electronics failure is unlikely unless it's within about the first 10 days under heavy use, or long after its useful life has ended. Go figure.

Hope the 3rd one is a charm for you. :)

Rogers Cable in Markham, Ontario seems to have updated something because now there is a 4X fast forward/rewind option and the info bar at the bottom now shows the channel, show title, AND show time (e.g. 7:00-8:00 p.m.).

On a side note, my Optoma HD72 projector no longer has a problem switching from the STB (HDMI) to my Oppo DVD player (DVI). YEAH!:)

just switched to a SA explorer 8300 hd cable box. Using the HDMIcable for first time. Two problems, no sound and the hdmi is loose on the cable box side. The TWC guy hooked up my tv with a componet cable (i think) and it works ok but I have the HDMI and want to use it. I have the panny plasma if that matters.

just switched to a SA explorer 8300 hd cable box. Using the HDMIcable for first time. Two problems, no sound and the hdmi is loose on the cable box side. The TWC guy hooked up my tv with a componet cable (i think) and it works ok but I have the HDMI and want to use it. I have the panny plasma if that matters.

You have a choice of either using the HDMI cable to send sound to the TV, or using a digital output from the box to send sound to a home theater receiver. If you want to use the HDMI cable to send sound from the box to the TV, pick up the cable remote and press the SETTINGS button twice. One of the settings there allows you to choice your audio out setting as either HDMI or DOLBy Digital. Choose the former if you want the sound as well as the picture to go through the HDMI cable. But if the HDMI cable is not connecting right to the box, either your cable is messed up or the box should be replaced by TWC, and things won't work right until the connection is good, of course.

Thanks you very much. Now if I can get through to TWC.

Thanks you very much. Now if I can get through to TWC.

When I have had doubts about the health of my 8300HD, I've taken it back to the TWC office and exchanged it. Your proximity to an office of TWC may vary, but for me it's a timesaver to make the trip rather than hang around on hold and then have to wait at home for a technician for hours.

Well I feel lucky compared to many of you. I have the 8300HD via TWC in Lincoln NE. I have the 8300HD connected to my LCD via HDMI. The picture looks amazing on all HD and SD channels. I am extremely happy with the PQ. However, I have never been able to get Dolby Digital out of this box. It is always in Pro Logic. I have tried the following things:

HDMI from 8300HD to LCD, Optical Digital from TV to Receiver.
HDMI from 8300HD to LCD, Optical Digital from 8300HD to Receiver

In both setups I have tried every possible audio setup on the 8300HD. I tried putting it in PCM, then Dolby Digital. I have made sure that the TV is in pass through mode. I even unplugged the HDMI from the TV while the 8300HD had Optical going to the receiver, still nothing. Sigh...

Any ideas? I am going to try component and optical next, but I wanted to keep HDMI b/c the picture looks stunning on my LCD.

Thanks,

Brandon

I think you are in the Navigator test area.
It is a work in progress.
You might try the Navigator (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=723830) / TWC-Input (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=733414) Threads.

v/r,
C-F

Total newbie question: what is the preferred color of the sidebars on 4:3 material to minimize burn-in: black or grey? I can't watch non HD channels in zoom or any of the other picture distorting modes on my Panny 60U. (I use the HDMI input.)

Well I feel lucky compared to many of you. I have the 8300HD via TWC in Lincoln NE. I have the 8300HD connected to my LCD via HDMI. The picture looks amazing on all HD and SD channels. I am extremely happy with the PQ. However, I have never been able to get Dolby Digital out of this box.

First, you'll need to have a program source that is transmitting in Dolby Digital rather than Dolby II. Then, use a digital optical or coax connection from the box to your receiver, and pick up the cable remote and press the SETTINGS button twice. One of the settings there allows you to choice your audio out setting as either HDMI or DOLBy Digital. Choose the former if you want the sound as well as the picture to go through the HDMI cable. If you choose the latter option, the box will output sound over the optical or coax connection to your receiver (and no sound via HDMI) and it will be Dolby DIgital only if the signal source is transmitting Dolby Digital.

I'm using the 8300HD paired with a Vizio 42p in socal (southbay) and my picture looks much better using component than HDMI. this situation doesn't seem right. The HDMI looks dull in color. Then there's the lag when I change channels, though I've read here that that is an issue with HDMI.

First, you'll need to have a program source that is transmitting in Dolby Digital rather than Dolby II. Then, use a digital optical or coax connection from the box to your receiver, and pick up the cable remote and press the SETTINGS button twice. One of the settings there allows you to choice your audio out setting as either HDMI or DOLBy Digital. Choose the former if you want the sound as well as the picture to go through the HDMI cable. If you choose the latter option, the box will output sound over the optical or coax connection to your receiver (and no sound via HDMI) and it will be Dolby DIgital only if the signal source is transmitting Dolby Digital.

I actually do not have the same version of software you are talking about (pressing Setting twice does nothing). However, I have enabled the audio setting that you are speaking of, and tried Coax Digital and Optical Digital. It did not work in either case. Today I connected the 8300HD to my TV with both the Component cables and HDMI cable. I then tuned to a TV show that was in Dolby Digital. While the HDMI was plugged in to the TV it reverted to Pro Logic. I then yanked the HDMI out of my TV. The TV autosource switched to Component, the 8300HD automatically switched to Component, and my receiver automatically started playing Dolby Digital. I then plugged the HDMI back in, and the 8300HD and my TV both automatically switched to HDMI, and the Dolby Digital switched to Dolby Pro Logic automatically on my receiver.

Seems to be a software bug!!!

Your TV is telling the SA8300 it can only accept 2 channel stereo over HDMI and not Dolby Digital 5.1 since your TV only has 2 speakers right? So the optical out will be 2 channel LPCM.

The TV and Cable box negotiate over HDMI as to what picture and sound formats work and are allowed.

My Panasonic panny is connected to an SA 8300HD via HDMI. For the past year I have had random video blanking of 2 - 3 seconds. I have replaced the HDMI interface & control module on the TV, gone through two SA boxes and replaced the HDMI cable, but still have a problem. A few weeks ago, I added an a/v receiver with hdmi interface and the drop out problem is still present but only the video drops. It seems to me that the HDCP copy flag is getting reset for some reason. Everything points to the 8300HD as being the source of the problem.

I have heard rumours that SA has had a firmware problem with the 8300HD box. Has anyone else heard this? Am I the only one having HDMI issues with this box?

Your TV is telling the SA8300 it can only accept 2 channel stereo over HDMI and not Dolby Digital 5.1 since your TV only has 2 speakers right? So the optical out will be 2 channel LPCM.

The TV and Cable box negotiate over HDMI as to what picture and sound formats work and are allowed.


My TV has Dolby Digital Passthrough, I enable that by turning the TV speakers off and setting the audio to Passthrough. The Dolby Digital signal is not getting down converted by the TV.

I even tried having HDMI to the LCD, and Optical Digital to my Receiver, and while the DVR was playing a show with Dolby Digital (which was only coming in to my receiver as Pro Logic) I pulled out the HMDI cable from the TV. The 8300HD continued to play the show, but the audio did not switch over to Dolby Digital. Some else had reported that if you pulled the HDMI cable and the audio source switched then the TV was down converting the audio. No such case here.

I have heard rumours that SA has had a firmware problem with the 8300HD box. Has anyone else heard this? Am I the only one having HDMI issues with this box?

No, far from it. Many (including me) have reported, for example, that the box "forgets" its resolution settings (1080i, 720p, etc.) and reverts to 480i while it's turned off, as an apparent result of some kind of HDMI handshaking problem with the TV.

No, far from it. Many (including me) have reported, for example, that the box "forgets" its resolution settings (1080i, 720p, etc.) and reverts to 480i while it's turned off, as an apparent result of some kind of HDMI handshaking problem with the TV.

It sounds like your problem was different than mine. My problem I have occurs while watching a program, not after I turn on the power to the 8300HD. Randomly, the TV screen goes black for 1 - 2 seconds and then comes back.

SA 8300HD and Panny TH-65PX600U - HDMI vs. component? (Time Warner)

If i use HDMI from SA8300HD to TV and optical audio from SA8300HD to receiver (no HDMI input on receiver) will the cable box/HDMI hook up deactivate dolby out to the receiver resulting in 2 channel output only? If so is the best alternative to use component video from cable box to tv?

SA 8300HD and Panny TH-65PX600U - HDMI vs. component? (Time Warner)

If i use HDMI from SA8300HD to TV and optical audio from SA8300HD to receiver (no HDMI input on receiver) will the cable box/HDMI hook up deactivate dolby out to the receiver resulting in 2 channel output only?

No, not on my 8300HD, at least (and I have TWC, too). I have an optical digital connection to my receiver for audio and an HDMI connection to my TV for video. On the cable box settings, the "audio digital out" is set to Dolby Digital rather than HDMI, and I keep the speakers on my TV turned off. So I get either Dolby Prologic or Dolby Digital audio from the receiver, depending on the broadcast signal. Works fine, no troubles at all with the audio.

SA 8300HD and Panny TH-65PX600U - HDMI vs. component? (Time Warner)

If i use HDMI from SA8300HD to TV and optical audio from SA8300HD to receiver (no HDMI input on receiver) will the cable box/HDMI hook up deactivate dolby out to the receiver resulting in 2 channel output only? If so is the best alternative to use component video from cable box to tv?
That should work fine. I did that for a while until I bought an HDMI switching receiver. I will say that having the HDMI based receiver is very nice and they are finally coming down in price.

I have an 8300 HD DVR (Scientific Atlanta stb) connected HDMI to a Sony 46xbr2. The Sony and stb are about a month old. I've read through the forum and, forgive me, but I'm still confused about HDMI and 'passthrough'. I' d like the stb to pass the signal through and the TV to 'scale ?' the image as I've read that it's better for the TV to do it. Is that possible with the HDMI connection and if so could someone advise me how to do it?

Also.....up until a few days ago all side bars on my TV were grey. After printing the 8300s instructions from the net (Time Warner Cable didn't provide any when I picked up the box) I poked around in the various settings. After playing around a bit I turned everything off and went to bed. Lo and behold when I turned the TV and box on the next day all sidebars were black!!! They are STILL black I don't know what I did but I'm glad they are black!!!! Can someone tell me what happened.

Thank you.

I've got the 8300 connected to my new Sony STR-DG1000 A/V receiver via HDMI. The output from the receiver to my Sony KF-60WE610 LCD Projection is an HDMI to DVI cable. The PQ on my TV looks great, but i'm not getting any audio through the receiver. I've set the audio output on the 8300 to HDMI and still nothing. I can only get audio when using an optical cable, setting the cable box to to Dolby Digital, and assigning the optical to HDMI in the receiver. Not ideal as it will confuse my wife to have to select MD/DAT to watch TV. :p

All the input selections are correct as i am seeing video on my TV when i select HDMI on the receiver. Is my new receiver the cause? Cablevision in NJ is CLUELESS. Actually asked me what color the HDMI cable was!!! :rolleyes:

After four months without any issues, my 8300HD DVD is acting up. I am able to tune in perfectly to some channels, but when you switch to others I get nothing but a gray screen. The problem is occuring with both SD and HD channels. As an example, HD channels 701, 702 and 703 all work fine, but then 704, 705, 707 and 708 show a gray screen when I tune to them. I called TWC NYC and they "sent a signal" to the box that did nothing. I have an appointment scheduled for Thursday to check out the issue now and will likely try to swap the box before then. I have unplugged and power cycled 5 times to no avail. The problem occurs regardless of the hookup (HDMI or component). I was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue or if they think it is my box or my service (which has cable and phone on the same line working fine). Without FOX in HD (or SD) how am I suppose to record 24!

Thanks.

That should work fine. I did that for a while until I bought an HDMI switching receiver. I will say that having the HDMI based receiver is very nice and they are finally coming down in price.

Can you tell us what receiver you bought and what the pro's and con's might be at this point?

Thanks.... Al

I've been experiencing frequent power down of the 8300HD at night (~4 out of 5 nights). Cox-OKC my provider originally told me they were doing this to update the box. Okay I thought since it does only happen at night. Then I started having HDMI handshake problems between my Sony SXRD and the 8300HD when trying to power everything up (flashing picture alternating with a black screen).

More calls to Cox provided varying and different explanations.

One tech said not to use the HDMI, that they didn't support it's use and would make no further comment regarding HDMI. Time for another tech....

Another tech said HDMI should work fine but... that Cox never powers down the 8300HD because they can't. This is why they want you to power it down at night so they can provide system updates as may be required. I asked about powering down preventing scheduled DVR recording since the HD spins down. This tech said a scheduled recording event powers the HD up and records, then shuts down. They had no explanation for the 8300HD powering down at night.

I don't know what to believe...

Do any of you notice your 8300HD powering down during the night?

Do you make a habit of powering on and off your 8300HD with the rest of the system?

All help kindly appreciated....

Do you make a habit of powering on and off your 8300HD with the rest of the system?

Yes, I always turn the power off when I shut the TV off. In fact, I have my Harmony remote set to turn off my TV, cable box and receiver when I push the off button. The 8300HD turns itself on to record programs.

I also recently switched from HDMI back to component cables. My TV/DVR worked fine with HDMI for about 8 months until recently, when the picture started flashing on and off. I unplugged and reconnected the HDMI cable from the back of the DVR, but that only worked sporadically. Since I really can't see any difference in PQ between HDMI and component cables, I just switched back to the component cable hookup.

I have the SA8300 DVR (not HD) and was wondering how to find out version software I have.

I can not remember what the procedure is for accessing the data information.Thanks for the help

[QUOTE=deanbrew]Yes, I always turn the power off when I shut the TV off. In fact, I have my Harmony remote set to turn off my TV, cable box and receiver when I push the off button. The 8300HD turns itself on to record programs.

I also recently switched from HDMI back to component cables. My TV/DVR worked fine with HDMI for about 8 months until recently, when the picture started flashing on and off. I unplugged and reconnected the HDMI cable from the back of the DVR, but that only worked sporadically. Since I really can't see any difference in PQ between HDMI and component cables, I just switched back to the component cable hookup.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the response. As I said, I've got the same flashing issue and suspect it's the 8300HD changing it's habits after a Cox update. I've been considering the same change moving to component as you did. I also have not seen any difference in the video between these two connections. I'll attempt to utilize the HDMI for my new Oppo 981 DVD player (1080p output). If the problem continues, I'll give Sony a call.

[QUOTE=deanbrew]Yes, I always turn the power off when I shut the TV off. In fact, I have my Harmony remote set to turn off my TV, cable box and receiver when I push the off button. The 8300HD turns itself on to record programs.

I also recently switched from HDMI back to component cables. My TV/DVR worked fine with HDMI for about 8 months until recently, when the picture started flashing on and off. I unplugged and reconnected the HDMI cable from the back of the DVR, but that only worked sporadically. Since I really can't see any difference in PQ between HDMI and component cables, I just switched back to the component cable hookup.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the response. As I said, I've got the same flashing issue and suspect it's the 8300HD changing it's habits after a Cox update. I've been considering the same change moving to component as you did. I also have not seen any difference in the video between these two connections. I'll attempt to utilize the HDMI for my new Oppo 981 DVD player (1080p output). If the problem continues, I'll give Sony a call.

FWIW.... I recently needed to add a piece of equipment between my 8300HD DVR and my Westy 37w3 LCD - that when off would pass-thru 1080i over component. (Actually, an interesting HDD/DVD Recorder). Since the 8300HD won't allow both HDMI and component outputs to be active simultaneously, I temporarily switched the output from the HDMI port - that I had been using - to the component-video port on the 8300HD.

The reason I was using HDMI to begin with, was I felt the PQ was just a shade more crystal clear and colors more brillant than it was using component-v. I also wanted to keep the signal in the digital domain since LCDs are inherently digital devices! Using component, the colors seemed to be more saturated and the overall image softer. Not to any great extent, but at my viewing distance I recall noticing a slight difference between the two - with HDMI providing the slightly superior image.

Well, after a couple weeks of viewing the 8300HD over component, I can honestly say, that I don't notice the difference as much as I use to. Perhaps some of this was just a desired 'psycho-visual' bias already made up in my head! All HD channels seemed to be as 'clear and crisp' as they were using the HDMI port - of course channel and content dependent.

I may go back to HDMI at some future time, but for now, component-v seems to be providing a very, very good picture from the 8300HD.

Anyway, just thought I throw my .02 cents in... :)

[QUOTE=amiles46]

Since the 8300HD won't allow both HDMI and component outputs to be active simultaneously, I temporarily switched the output from the HDMI port - that I had been using - to the component-video port on the 8300HD.

)

Thanks for the input. I'm curious about your statement. I was told this initially by a Cox tech and two others told me later it wasn't a problem. Who you gonna believe?

May I ask how you heard about the 8300HD not driving both HDMI and COMPONENT outputs simultaneously?

My reluctance to go to component for HD is not because of the PQ. I've been using component for a SD input and HDMI for HD. Utilizing both simultaneously hadn't been an issue until recently. If one cannot utilize these inputs active together, then I'll need to rethink my game plan big time.

May I ask how you heard about the 8300HD not driving both HDMI and COMPONENT outputs simultaneously?

It's not just hearing/reading about it. I tried to have both hooked up, with each going to a separate TV input. With the 8300HD HDMI jack plugged in, I no longer got a video feed from the component cables. To use component cables, I had to unplug the HDMI. I think everyone here has had the same results.

[QUOTE=redjr]
May I ask how you heard about the 8300HD not driving both HDMI and COMPONENT outputs simultaneously?....
I thought it was a well-established fact and had been documented on many of the 8300HD threads. Maybe it's market driven and some cablecos can configure the 8300HD box differently, but - at least with TWC in Upstate, NY, using SARA - that's the way mine works. I've physically tried connecting both and whenever you connect one, the other cuts-out. It may have something to do with HD channels vs. SD channels and the HDCP restrictions, but I'm not sure. :eek:

Can anyone else provide insight here....?

I have the Mitsubishi 65732 and an SA 8300HD DVR connected via HDMI. I've searched around this thread and the problems and solutions thread for the DVR and have not found a solution to an annoying problem i'm having with this setup. Basically, if the DVR is in AUTO mode, passing the native resolution through to the tv, frequently i'll get what i call "blue screen of death" (just a blue screen as if there is no signal to the tv's input) when going from one channel of 1080i to a channel of 720p (or vice-versa). to fix the problem i just have to keep changing the channel back and forth until it "syncs" up again...Is there some HDMI handshaking issue with this box or an incompatibility between my tv and the 8300HD that anyone is aware of?

I have the Mitsubishi 65732 and an SA 8300HD DVR connected via HDMI. I've searched around this thread and the problems and solutions thread for the DVR and have not found a solution to an annoying problem i'm having with this setup. Basically, if the DVR is in AUTO mode, passing the native resolution through to the tv, frequently i'll get what i call "blue screen of death" (just a blue screen as if there is no signal to the tv's input) when going from one channel of 1080i to a channel of 720p (or vice-versa). to fix the problem i just have to keep changing the channel back and forth until it "syncs" up again...Is there some HDMI handshaking issue with this box or an incompatibility between my tv and the 8300HD that anyone is aware of?
youngjames,

That sounds more like an issue with your Mits, not a problem, just a quirk. All TVs handle how they refresh their inputs with the incoming signal differently. Evidently in your case there is sufficient time when there is 'no signal' that it goes into this 'blue screen of death' state. I believe, as you state, it's a syncing thing and there may be no better solution than what you are using.

With my TV I'm often changing the input between my 8300HD and HTPC. In my case this often causes a blank screen instead of a blue screen on the input I return to. My solution is to simply refresh the TV's input by cycling to another input and then back. This cures it 99 % of the time. :)

thanks for your reply redjr, i was afraid it might be something like this. so basically if the Mit waited a bit longer before "giving up" or timing out, it might work. who knows. i still consider it a problem because it sometimes takes 2 or 3 times of going back and forth to get it to work. channel surfing is really frustrating if you're going between different formats...oh well.

My TWC 8300's, both of them, are connected through both HDMI and component, and both work all the time. As for difference in picture quality, I can see a slight difference if I switch from component to HDMI, but I really don't notice a difference after I have watched for a few seconds.

My TWC 8300's, both of them, are connected through both HDMI and component, and both work all the time. As for difference in picture quality, I can see a slight difference if I switch from component to HDMI, but I really don't notice a difference after I have watched for a few seconds.
Say WHAT! Are you sure? What DVR OS are you using? Both display HD channels simultaneously? TWC in Tonawanda must be using some other OS or different version of SARA(I'm in Albany, NY). Can you send me a cable box? I wonder if it would work over here? ;)

Tonawanda was part of the Adelphia system and I got the DVR's from Adelphia, not TW. Maybe because they are in a transition stage the sw system is different. I'm not sure what version I have.

I think I first posted SA8300HD input here approximately one year ago.

I just want to follow-up and add that my SA8300HD does now pass video via-HDMI OUT to my Yamaha RX-V1600 receiver HDMI INP, and receiver HDMI OUT to DVI INP of my HP-LC2640N LCD TV. No more "repeater" errors. I'm with Time Warner, South Pasadena Calif..

The frustrating thing [now] is my brand-new Denon DVD-3930CI ($1500.00) player will not pass HDMI OUT thru receiver HDMI, and to DVI INP of TV. Apparently it does'nt like (my) DVI input on the TV.

Consequently I still can not use all HDMI connections like I'd hoped. I'm just gonna wait until I get a new HDMI TV now. I'm using all component-video currently.

As of July 1, cable operators are required to all their subscribers to use whatever cable box we want. There were numerous set-top boxes on display at the CES, I have read. As soon as I see some good reviews of a box that works better than the one I'm leasing from TWC, I'm going shopping!

As of July 1, cable operators are required to all their subscribers to use whatever cable box we want. There were numerous set-top boxes on display at the CES, I have read. As soon as I see some good reviews of a box that works better than the one I'm leasing from TWC, I'm going shopping!

This is encouraging news. Where did you hear of this? I may have to have a talk with Cox regarding my issues with the 8300HD but I'd like to be prepared first with a copy of this provision.

Cheers....

As of July 1, cable operators are required to all their subscribers to use whatever cable box we want.This does sound very interesting, I would definitely like to get some confirmation on this reality though.

If this is true I would imagine cable operators will not go out of their way to let this be known. Moreover, I'm sure they will "re-adjust" some cost factor for their cable servie to make up for it.

Currently I'm using two SA8300HD boxes-- one in my living-room, the other in my bedroom-- I believe Time Warner charges like $05.00per/month, per/box (could be $07.00 per/month, I forget). Anyway, you add that up and you get like $120.00 per/year (for two boxes), or $60.00 per/year (for one box).

You figure we will use a particular box for probably 3 years (minimum), so that's takes this cost to like $360.00 (for two boxes), or $180.00 (for one box).

So, I guess you would have to compare the [retail] cost of a box to the "leasing" cost (over a three year period). I don't know what the retail cost of an SA8300HD is, does anyone here?

This does sound very interesting, I would definitely like to get some confirmation on this reality though.

If this is true I would imagine cable operators will not go out of their way to let this be known. Moreover, I'm sure they will "re-adjust" some cost factor for their cable servie to make up for it.

Currently I'm using two SA8300HD boxes-- one in my living-room, the other in my bedroom-- I believe Time Warner charges like $05.00per/month, per/box (could be $07.00 per/month, I forget). Anyway, you add that up and you get like $120.00 per/year (for two boxes), or $60.00 per/year (for one box).

You figure we will use a particular box for probably 3 years (minimum), so that's takes this cost to like $360.00 (for two boxes), or $180.00 (for one box).

So, I guess you would have to compare the [retail] cost of a box to the "leasing" cost (over a three year period). I don't know what the retail cost of an SA8300HD is, does anyone here?

Being required to let subscribers use whatever box they want doesnt equate to "Free"...

There are always going to be compatibility issues I'd imagine based on different on demand and pay per view systems....so the desire to use whatever we want may be somewhat limited...other than that..if you can use "whatever cable box we want" we still will probably have to pay... :(

but youre right....they may adjust pricing of programming to make up for lost revenue

This is encouraging news. Where did you hear of this? I may have to have a talk with Cox regarding my issues with the 8300HD but I'd like to be prepared first with a copy of this provision.

Cheers....
I saw it first in the Ny Times, but AVSFORUM posted the same article:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=789121

This does sound very interesting, I would definitely like to get some confirmation on this reality though.

If this is true I would imagine cable operators will not go out of their way to let this be known. Moreover, I'm sure they will "re-adjust" some cost factor for their cable servie to make up for it.

Currently I'm using two SA8300HD boxes-- one in my living-room, the other in my bedroom-- I believe Time Warner charges like $05.00per/month, per/box (could be $07.00 per/month, I forget). Anyway, you add that up and you get like $120.00 per/year (for two boxes), or $60.00 per/year (for one box).

You figure we will use a particular box for probably 3 years (minimum), so that's takes this cost to like $360.00 (for two boxes), or $180.00 (for one box).

So, I guess you would have to compare the [retail] cost of a box to the "leasing" cost (over a three year period). I don't know what the retail cost of an SA8300HD is, does anyone here?If the alternatives charge for a subscription to their program guide, they could end up costing much more, even over 3 years.

As an example, this following quote from another post:Consumers can buy those alternatives at regular retail outlets, including the newest high-definition version of TiVo. It sells for $800 (with a $20 monthly fee) and can replace the box that cable and satellite providers lease to customers, instead of merely sitting on top of it and adding to living room clutter.
So, $20 per month for three years, plus $800 for the TiVo results in a cost of $1520.00 (for one box)

It might be a lot more expensive to use your own equipment than you described...

Joe L.

As an example, this following quote from another post:So, $20 per month for three years, plus $800 for the TiVo results in a cost of $1520.00 (for one box)

It might be a lot more expensive to use your own equipment than you described...
exactly!

My last comment was "I don't know what the retail cost of an SA8300HD is, does anyone here?"

$800.00 for the TiVo box is definitely expensive, especially when added to the monthly cost for programming (cable, satellite, etc.,...) service.

Should be interesting!

HELP!

I ran the advanced set up wizard on my 8300HD DVR box for which it then switched from
1080i to 480p and I now get no picture. I can't change the box from 480p. I can not rerun the set up. Is there a way of getting this box back to 1080i?

[QUOTE=amiles46]
I thought it was a well-established fact and had been documented on many of the 8300HD threads. Maybe it's market driven and some cablecos can configure the 8300HD box differently, but - at least with TWC in Upstate, NY, using SARA - that's the way mine works. I've physically tried connecting both and whenever you connect one, the other cuts-out. It may have something to do with HD channels vs. SD channels and the HDCP restrictions, but I'm not sure. :eek:

Can anyone else provide insight here....?

I had an interesting conversation with a SA tech with regard to using both the Component and HDMI outputs at the same time.

He told me the 8300 power supply is marginal and simply will not drive both outputs at the same time without problems. We discussed several other aspects of the box and another point was clarified.

The 8300HD HDMI is 1.0. Most HDMI systems currently on the market are 1.1. The significance of this concerns how the HDMI is hooked up. The 1.0 is limited to "point to point" connections which means you can hook it up directly to a 1.0 or 1.1 without issue. However, if you attempt to go through a switching device such as a receiver or HDMI hub, the 8300HD 1.0 generally will not function. If the switching device has a fully implemented 1.1 with repeating capability it will treat the 1.0 connection as a point to point connection and things "might" work. Unfortunately he knew of no receivers currently which offer this level of HDMI support. There may be some brands/models which do but he was not aware of them.

So... this implies my consideration of not purchasing a HDMI Receiver may have been a good one. I actually chose not to because it would limit my ability to setup my SXRD video differently for different sources.

Anyway, this information at least offers feasible technical explanations for a couple of observed problem areas of the 8300HD integration.

HELP! I ran the advanced set up wizard on my 8300HD DVR box for which it then switched from 1080i to 480p and I now get no picture. I can't change the box from 480p. I can not rerun the set up. Is there a way of getting this box back to 1080i?Run the set-up wizard using the S-video output to the TV (or another TV).
Alternately, if they are not found in one of the software threads' tips post, I believe the button sequences for this situation were posted in at least one, you might search for that.

v/r,
C-F

Run the set-up wizard using the S-video output to the TV (or another TV).
Alternately, if they are not found in one of the software threads' tips post, I believe the button sequences for this situation were posted in at least one, you might search for that.

v/r,
C-F


Thanks, I'll try this!

My 8300HD has started doing something that I cannot explain. The first few weeks that I had it this problem did not show. I am using the HDMI output to feed a Marantz-8001 HDMI input, then on to a Samsung Plasma HDMI in. The two issues are: I see snow intermittantly when changing HD channels sometimes the snow gives way to the picture other times it "hangs" on the snow and I have to go to an analog channel or shut the STB off and then on to reset the issue, the other problem is the PCM audio over HDMI works most of the time, but some times it stops and by moving to another HD channel I can get it to come back (It really likes PBS) and then it will be OK. On the Snow issues I have seen a Post by a TW Tech. who said that it must be the TV switching its input to an analog and back during the channel change operation, but I verified that it is not doing that.

First of all, thanks to all of you who are regulars here. I've been lurking around these forums learning from you all for the past few weeks. Also, sorry if you saw this post on another thread... this is where I meant to put it, but couldn't locate this thread at the time.

I recently purchased my first HTIB, finally making the jump to "real audio."

I've finally configured my SA 8300HD DVR from Time Warner (Rochester, NY) for the proper display settings and digital output (via digital optical).

As soon as I made these sweeping changes, I noticed a major problem. The DVR is connected to my TV via HDMI and to the A/V Receiver via digital optical cable. The DVR is set to "Dolby Digital" (as opposed to HDMI).

Now, whenever I turn on the box or switch inputs (to use my XBox 360, Wii, etc.) or turn the box off, I get snow... even when the box is off. I saw a couple of other posts about this, but didn't see any resolution.

If I press the "HD/Zoom" button on the DVR remote, it will cycle through and correct the picture. Also, if I jump from an HD channel to an SD channel (or vice versa), it corrects.

Is this a firmware bug or is my box going/gone bad?

If it's a firmware problem, am I better off with component cables?

I've got a home service call scheduled for Saturday and I'm not letting them take my existing box (with all of my recording preferences) until I test the new box for the same issue.

I've tested the HDMI cable, TV HDMI port(s), digital optical cable, and the resolution settings (by restoring the default of only 1080i). Only this combination (HDMI for video, digital optical for sound, set to Dolby Digital) causes this problem.

Any help that anyone offers will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

Michael

First of all, thanks to all of you who are regulars here. I've been lurking around these forums learning from you all for the past few weeks. Also, sorry if you saw this post on another thread... this is where I meant to put it, but couldn't locate this thread at the time.

I recently purchased my first HTIB, finally making the jump to "real audio."

I've finally configured my SA 8300HD DVR from Time Warner (Rochester, NY) for the proper display settings and digital output (via digital optical).

As soon as I made these sweeping changes, I noticed a major problem. The DVR is connected to my TV via HDMI and to the A/V Receiver via digital optical cable. The DVR is set to "Dolby Digital" (as opposed to HDMI).

Now, whenever I turn on the box or switch inputs (to use my XBox 360, Wii, etc.) or turn the box off, I get snow... even when the box is off. I saw a couple of other posts about this, but didn't see any resolution.

If I press the "HD/Zoom" button on the DVR remote, it will cycle through and correct the picture. Also, if I jump from an HD channel to an SD channel (or vice versa), it corrects.

Is this a firmware bug or is my box going/gone bad?

If it's a firmware problem, am I better off with component cables?

I've got a home service call scheduled for Saturday and I'm not letting them take my existing box (with all of my recording preferences) until I test the new box for the same issue.

I've tested the HDMI cable, TV HDMI port(s), digital optical cable, and the resolution settings (by restoring the default of only 1080i). Only this combination (HDMI for video, digital optical for sound, set to Dolby Digital) causes this problem.

Any help that anyone offers will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

Michael

Michael,

This is exactly the same issue I'm having in Columbia, SC. From this thread you will see several others are also having this same problem. The problem is apparently with the firmware. I swapped out my box with TWC and it made no difference. Switching to component will solve this problem, but so far there have been no solutions for HDMI.

This problem doesn't occur to my Westinghouse LCD (with HDMI->DVI) even when using the same box. It's only the JVC DILA, so I assume the problem is really a compatibility problem between the box and the TV. From this thread it seems as though many different TVs from many different manufacturers are affected. I think everyone here assumes that this will someday be fixed with a firmware update, but no one knows when this will happen.

-Jason

Maybe this is a football related problem (do they flag football differently?)

I set my PVR to record the Saints/Bears game. I came hope about an hour after the game started. I rewound to the beginning of the game and watched about 15 minutes of the game, and then it ended and switched to live TV where the game was in the second half.

This is very frustrating. Any ideas?



On Sunday, I was recording the Charger/Bengals game and watching it at the same time. I paused it for a little bit to take care of a few things (and to allow me to fast forward through the commercials). When I started watching it again, I watched the game up until about 10 minutes to go in the first quarter, and then, when it reached a certain place, it skipped ahead to 3 minutes to go in the first quarter. In other words it skipped 7 minutes of football time (probably 20-25 minutes of "real time").

Does anyone know what is going on? This would have been VERY annoying if it happened in the second half (end of game, etc.).

Thanks, Jason. While I'm glad to know I'm not alone, it makes me kind of frustrated that this is an issue that will persist indefinitely.

I just ordered two sets of component cables from my good friends at monoprice, which will replace the two sets I needed to grab from other parts of the house for the living room.

Just got off the phone with Time Warner. After five calls, I finally got an HD specialist. I was promised a call back three times and I had to actually demand it this time.

The HD Specialist indicated that he has heard of the snow problem when using HDMI and the Dolby Digital setting on the DVR. Apparently, a number of other customers have complained about this issue. He processed a problem report and told me that they would be investigating the problem tomorrow. He said I would likely receive a call as they were looking at my box.

Here's hoping this prompts a firmware upgrade that corrects this problem.

Just got off the phone with Time Warner. After five calls, I finally got an HD specialist. I was promised a call back three times and I had to actually demand it this time.

The HD Specialist indicated that he has heard of the snow problem when using HDMI and the Dolby Digital setting on the DVR. Apparently, a number of other customers have complained about this issue. He processed a problem report and told me that they would be investigating the problem tomorrow. He said I would likely receive a call as they were looking at my box.

Here's hoping this prompts a firmware upgrade that corrects this problem.

Michael,

That's good news! Please keep us updated when they call and with what they say!

-Jason

Will do. In the meantime, I've configured my Harmony remote with a macro for Surround and Stereo. I'll still be able to watch some programming via HDMI... just not the stuff in 5.1.

How does the 8300's firmware get upgraded? Does it happen automatically in the background? Or does the user have to call the cable company and request an upgrade?

If I understand correctly, it gets pushed to us from our cable provider over the cable line.

How does the 8300's firmware get upgraded? Does it happen automatically in the background? Or does the user have to call the cable company and request an upgrade?it is typically implemented automatically during off-hours (at night). If you notice sometimes your box is automatically cycled-OFF, then cycled-ON.

Would TW ever consider disabling HDCP on individual boxes? Do they have the ability to do so?

I have a TWC (Houston soon to be Comcast) SA8300HD connected to Onkyo TXSR674 via HDMI, then to Sony KDL40V2500 LCD via HDMI.

I have two problems

1: while watching HD channels (can't say if SD is affected), the video will blank for 1 or 2 seconds, there is never a disruption of the audio. When the video comes back on, the TV indicates the type of input signal.

2: sometimes changing channels results in "no signal" on the receiver. I have to change channels multiple times to get out of this mode.

I have currently replaced the HDMI cable from the STB to the Receiver with a component/optical combination. So far so good on problem #1 (2 hrs of watching so far), no video drop outs. Can't say if issue #2 is also fixed.

Side notes: HDMI and Component work simultaneously on my SA8300HD and it powers up in 480i mode.

1: while watching HD channels (can't say if SD is affected), the video will blank for 1 or 2 seconds, there is never a disruption of the audio. When the video comes back on, the TV indicates the type of input signal.sounds like a video-sync issue. May be caused by the Onkyo receiver, I'm not sure. You may want to go through Onkyo manual and carefully check for video problems/errors (read everything in regards to video connections, HDMI, etc.,..). Technically HDMI should work.

Also, indicating type of video signal should be normal. So are you meaning that the message is all it's displaying?


2: sometimes changing channels results in "no signal" on the receiver. I have to change channels multiple times to get out of this mode..definitely a video-sync issue going-on, most likely with the receiver.


I have currently replaced the HDMI cable from the STB to the Receiver with a component/optical combination. So far so good on problem #1 (2 hrs of watching so far), no video drop outs. Can't say if issue #2 is also fixed...
keep monitoring, let us know what happens. Also, what type, or brand, of HDMI cable were you using (just curious)?

I now have, thru COX in Tucson, AZ the SA 8300 HD.

I'll spend 4 months this summer in Michigan, which is served by Comcast, and which also uses the 8300.

Is it possible, and can I save money, by taking my AZ 8300 to Michigan and connecting it to Comcast cable?

Anyone?


Maybe this is a football related problem (do they flag football differently?)

I set my PVR to record the Saints/Bears game. I came home about an hour after the game started. I rewound to the beginning of the game and watched about 15 minutes of the game, and then it "ended" and switched to live TV where the game was in the second half. I missed about 45 minutes of the game, even though the PVR said it was recording.

This is very frustrating. Any ideas?

Anyone?

Yep, this is a known bug. When you're watching a recorded show that is still recording (but time delayed), and that show completes, the box will dump you into live mode. But you didn't lose anything. You just have to go back to the PVR list, select the show, and hit "resume".

Thanks for the response. I was aware of this bug, but in my case, I did lose the content. Even when I went out to the PVR list it only showed the recording as "18 minutes". Even when I play back the recording it skips to the time it went "live" when I was watching it. For example, I recorded the game, came home about 45 minutes into the game. I hit "rewind" and starting watching the game from the beginning. (the record lit is still on). Then, when it reaches a certain point in the game (in this case, 10 minutes left in the second quarter), it goes "live" which was sometime in the third quarter. So, it still continues to record this "content." When I stopped the recording and played it back, it still did this "jump". So, I lost most of the second quarter, halftime, and part of the third quarter.


This has happened to me twice (and both times during football!) Perhaps it is an issue with my box.



Yep, this is a known bug. When you're watching a recorded show that is still recording (but time delayed), and that show completes, the box will dump you into live mode. But you didn't lose anything. You just have to go back to the PVR list, select the show, and hit "resume".

I have a TWC (Houston soon to be Comcast) SA8300HD connected to Onkyo TXSR674 via HDMI, then to Sony KDL40V2500 LCD via HDMI.

I have two problems

1: while watching HD channels (can't say if SD is affected), the video will blank for 1 or 2 seconds, there is never a disruption of the audio. When the video comes back on, the TV indicates the type of input signal.
.


I'm having the same issue with mine, and the connection is straight from the 8300HD to my TV. I'm calling my service provider to have them deal with it, I'll post back after.

I currently have the 8000 and am looking to upgrading to the 8300HD. Currently i run the 8000 on both tv's....living room and bedroom. Both are HD capable. For the 8000 i use a long A/V cable to stretch into the bedroom. With the 8300 can i feed it to both tv's. One useing Componet and the other using HDMI? Will both of them recieve sound as well? Sometimes we like to watch DVR in bedroom so rather than getting 2 boxes we just split one. Please let me know. Thanks

Cantu

I currently have the 8000 and am looking to upgrading to the 8300HD. Currently i run the 8000 on both tv's....living room and bedroom. Both are HD capable. For the 8000 i use a long A/V cable to stretch into the bedroom. With the 8300 can i feed it to both tv's. One useing Componet and the other using HDMI? Will both of them recieve sound as well? Sometimes we like to watch DVR in bedroom so rather than getting 2 boxes we just split one. Please let me know. Thanks

Cantu


You can only use one at a time: Component or HDMI.

You can use S-Video to another TV.

You can only use one at a time: Component or HDMI.

You can use S-Video to another TV.
It seems that your location and/or operating system may determine whether that is the case. I have my 8300 connected to input 4 on my tv by component and to input 6 by hdmi and I get a picture on both inputs. My provider is TW in Buffalo, NY suburban area.

my porvider is Oceanic TW. If i were to use S-Video in the other room to run on the tv....how would the DVR show the stuff in HD through the A/V cables

Most likely letterboxed.

v/r,
C-F

In the advanced setup wizard (8300HD) if you pick more than one output resolution which one is being output? I chose 1080i and 720P. So which one is being output to my receiver?

Steve

In the advanced setup wizard (8300HD) if you pick more than one output resolution which one is being output? I chose 1080i and 720P. So which one is being output to my receiver?

Steve
If the HD channel is broadcasting 720p (ABC, FOX, ESPN ESPN2) then it will output 720p.
And if HD channel is 1080i (the rest), then it will output 1080i.

If you don't enable 480i or 480p, then it will upconvert 480i SD channels to 720p.

Also.....up until a few days ago all side bars on my TV were grey. After printing the 8300s instructions from the net (Time Warner Cable didn't provide any when I picked up the box) I poked around in the various settings. After playing around a bit I turned everything off and went to bed. Lo and behold when I turned the TV and box on the next day all sidebars were black!!! They are STILL black I don't know what I did but I'm glad they are black!!!! Can someone tell me what happened.

Thank you.

Did you ever get an answer on this Copoxil? I'd like to get rid of my grey color side bars also. Just got my HD8300 today and I don't see an option to do it in the advanced settings menu. I can't stand the grey side bars..... (blech!)

Hi,

I'm new to Set Top Boxes. This is my first experience with digital cable. We just had an 8300 installed by our cable company. It is hooked up to our Phillips LCD TV via HDMI. Last night was the first night that we used the 8300. We watched an hour HD show. The 8300 rebooted continuously during the whole show (about 6 or 7 times). First the picture goes black, the time display on front of the unit goes black, it then displays "boot", then the time display comes back. I then have to turn the unit back on (which can take several minutes). I do all this only for the whole process to happen again. I called the cable company and they are coming next week to look, but I thought I'd check here to see if anybody else has experienced this "rebooting" problem. Thanks for any advice.

Hi,

I'm new to Set Top Boxes. This is my first experience with digital cable. We just had an 8300 installed by our cable company. It is hooked up to our Phillips LCD TV via HDMI. Last night was the first night that we used the 8300. We watched an hour HD show. The 8300 rebooted continuously during the whole show (about 6 or 7 times). First the picture goes black, the time display on front of the unit goes black, it then displays "boot", then the time display comes back. I then have to turn the unit back on (which can take several minutes). I do all this only for the whole process to happen again. I called the cable company and they are coming next week to look, but I thought I'd check here to see if anybody else has experienced this "rebooting" problem. Thanks for any advice.

This goes without saying but have you checked to see if the power cord is securely attached at both ends.

Did you ever get an answer on this Copoxil? I'd like to get rid of my grey color side bars also. Just got my HD8300 today and I don't see an option to do it in the advanced settings menu. I can't stand the grey side bars..... (blech!)
My 8300HD running SARA 1.89.17.1 does have an option "Set TV Borders" in the settings menu with possible settings Dark, Medium, Light. But the 8300 can only control the color of the borders it adds. Your TV or the program source can also add borders in some circumstances.

My 8300HD running SARA 1.89.17.1 does have an option "Set TV Borders" in the settings menu with possible settings Dark, Medium, Light. But the 8300 can only control the color of the borders it adds. Your TV or the program source can also add borders in some circumstances.

Hmmmm... I don't have a "Set TV Borders" option in any of my menus. How do I check to see what version of SARA I have?

Hmmmm... I don't have a "Set TV Borders" option in any of my menus. How do I check to see what version of SARA I have?
On the box (not the remote) press "select" and hold it down until the mail icon starts to blink, then press "info". You should see a diagnostic display. Use "page" on the remote to go from page to page. I forget what page the SARA version is. (But you might have PASSPORT instead of SARA.) Press "exit" on the remote to dismiss the diagnostic display.

If the above doesn't work, look near the top of the SA8300 Tips & Tricks - SARA thread (or possibly the - PASSPORT thread) for more reliable information.

On the box (not the remote) press "select" and hold it down until the mail icon starts to blink, then press "info". You should see a diagnostic display.

Thanks Greg, I tried the above, but I don't get a "mail" icon illumination. I held the select button down for 5 seconds and then hit "info" anyway, but again, I didn't get the diagnostic display.

This is a brand new SA Explorer 8300HD. I watched the tech take the shrinkwrap off of it when he came to install it.

If the above doesn't work, look near the top of the SA8300 Tips & Tricks - SARA thread (or possibly the - PASSPORT thread) for more reliable information.

I'll see if I can pick up anything there.... thanks!

I held the select button down for 5 seconds and then hit "info" anyway, but again, I didn't get the diagnostic display.
!
Here, with NYC's TWC Passport system, you enter diagnostics by holding down both EXIT and SELECT on the 8300HD until 'diag' appears on the STB panel. Releasing, then briefly pressing both buttons again tunes to the diagnostics channel (1999 locally, which likely varies with cable systems). Tuning another channel exits the mode, or after a while the exit is automatic. (There are long FAQ-type threads in the HD recorders forum that detail these procedures for different operating systems and STBs.) -- John

scottyb3,

I'd like to hear if a new box or other service activity clears up your video blanking issue. I've just connected via component through the receiver and I don't have any other issues.

scottyb3,

I'd like to hear if a new box or other service activity clears up your video blanking issue. I've just connected via component through the receiver and I don't have any other issues.


I too am interested in this outcome. I'm convinced it's a result of the 1.0 HDMI implementation in the 8300. This initial release of the HDMI hardware was known to have many "teething" issues. Most things out there today are 1.1 which is still somewhat questionable at best. I see the intermittent blanking about once or twice each day with the 8300 connected directly to my 55" Sony SXRD via HDMI. I previously ran several days with component connections and never observed the problem.

Inquiring minds want to know.....

But the 8300 can only control the color of the borders it adds. Your TV or the program source can also add borders in some circumstances.

It depends on the TV, but it's possible to use this fact to get black bars if your box uses software that doesn't give you color control over them. My box uses Passport, and the only time I see gray bars is when I pull up the guide. I guess it's formatted for 4:3 and the box insists on adding its gray bars. The rest of the time on 4:3 content my TV uses its own bars.

Anyone have this problem, or have suggestions?
I have a Vizio 47" 1080p. When BrightHouse brought the SA8300HD I didn't have my 4 meter HDMI cable yet, so they hooked up component. HD channels looked fantastic, pictures would show 16:9 on HD and 4:3 on SD. All was good. Cable guy said to call when HDMI cable came in and they would come back and open the HDMI port up to use. They came and boy am I sorry that they did. HD is now grainy every channel has a different aspect ratio (last night on Discovery SD black bars on sides and top/bottom = a 32" picture) Cable guy said they don't support HDMI so tough luck. I made him put component back and I still have crappy HD and screwy aspect ratios. I read through all 87 pages in the vizio forum and no issues with HDMI that coincide with this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Tom

Cable guy said they don't support HDMI so tough luck. I made him put component back and I still have crappy HD and screwy aspect ratios.
If you haven't already, check to make sure the STB is putting out 1080i (initial setup menu) and the RPTV menu setting is correct. Assume the HDMI cable is now unplugged. Might have slipped back into 480i/p output with all the tinkering. -- John

Yay, my 8300HD HDMI connection does not seem to work anymore. I switched boxes about 6 months ago and couldn't get HDMI working, so I left it on component for a while, since the video output seemed good. Now I moved into a new place and want to set up the box correctly. It's connected to a Samsung HLR4667W and my provider is TWC San Diego. My TV doesn't even recognize a signal coming from the STB for some reason. The cable tech came over and we tried another box and HDMI wouldn't work on either. He suggested that the HDMI "port" needs to be activated, but neither he or I could find this option in the settings menu. I called Scientific Atlanta directly and they said the HDMI port is always active, and only have one HDMI or component plugged in, not both. I've done everything I could, but can't get the damn thing to work. Even tried a different HDMI cable and nothing. Could it be the TV? Need help, Thanks guys.

Could it be the TV?
Since you've ruled out the 8300 and the cable by changing them out, I guess you've already concluded that the TV is the problem. I agree with your conclusion.

About a month and a half ago, the hdmi output on my SA 8300 stopped working. It was fine when i left in the morning to go to work, came home, boom, nothing. I called Comcast and the lady there said she had heard that some had problems due to a new firmware upgrade and things would be resolved next month (January). Well, Its Febuary now. I was wondering if anyone else has had these problems and also, what should i do?

I just have a quick question. For an external SATA drive, do I have to use the Quickview Expandor, or will any external SATA drive work?

Do I need to format the drive to any particular file system before hooking it up, or will the 8300 format it for me?

Thanks!

Here, with NYC's TWC Passport system, you enter diagnostics by holding down both EXIT and SELECT on the 8300HD until 'diag' appears on the STB panel. Releasing, then briefly pressing both buttons again tunes to the diagnostics channel (1999 locally, which likely varies with cable systems). Tuning another channel exits the mode, or after a while the exit is automatic. (There are long FAQ-type threads in the HD recorders forum that detail these procedures for different operating systems and STBs.) -- John

That did the trick for me John... thanks! I got to the diagnostics menu, but I might be barking up the wrong tree if I think that I'm going to be able to change the 4:3 border colors to black in there. Most of what I saw was over my head :eek:

That did the trick for me John... thanks! I got to the diagnostics menu, but I might be barking up the wrong tree if I think that I'm going to be able to change the 4:3 border colors to black in there.

You can't set the border color with Passport. You can (maybe) make it not display borders, but not from the diagnostics menu.

In the Settings - More Settings under Aspect Ratio, set TV Type to Standard (4:3) and Picture Settings to Letterbox 16:9 Picture. I know that seems counterintuitive and backwards when you have a widescreen TV. Make sure when you're out of the settings the box's aspect control (the * key on the remote) is set to Normal.

On your TV, set aspect to Normal (or Regular) on 4:3 SD channels and Full on 16:9 HD channels. The TV should display its own black bars any time you have 4:3 content.

This works on the XBR2 and an A2000 I have. It didn't work on an older LCD I used to have, but I think that was because it had limited aspect control.

That did the trick for me John... thanks! I got to the diagnostics menu, but I might be barking up the wrong tree if I think that I'm going to be able to change the 4:3 border colors to black in there. Most of what I saw was over my head :eek:
Hadn't backtracked to learn that's why you wanted diagnostics. Scanned my settings/more-settings screens (remote selected) and discovered there's no longer a color-change option here. There was a while back. For DVRs, diagnostics lets you monitor disk storage space and calculate delivered bit rates for recorded programs; (a few AVS posts outline the procedure). -- John

I just have a quick question. For an external SATA drive, do I have to use the Quickview Expandor, or will any external SATA drive work?

Do I need to format the drive to any particular file system before hooking it up, or will the 8300 format it for me?

Thanks!
You should look at this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559) for info on that. Not every other drive will work, but some others do. You have to let the 8300 format an external disk.

You should look at this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559) for info on that. Not every other drive will work, but some others do. You have to let the 8300 format an external disk.
Thanks, that link was very helpful.

Sorry if I missed it, but has anyone been able to determine what causes this and how to get rid of it?? I am having the same problem with a new TV and the SA 8300 box hooked up via HDMI. Thanks

Hi, I apologize if this was already answered somewhere else, but I've been searching all morning and couldn't find it, so...yesterday I switched to HDMI for my SA8300HD (I have a 46" Samsung DLP) and now some SD channels have thin black vertical bars on either side of the picture in addition to the usual thick grey sidebars that are always in place for 4:3 content. Does anyone know what could be causing this? I've played around with picture settings both on my TV and the 8300 (passport in NYC), but nothing seems to make them go away. Thanks in advance for any help.


Sorry..forgot to reference the problem in my prior message. Any help with this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry if I missed it, but has anyone been able to determine what causes this and how to get rid of it?? I am having the same problem with a new TV and the SA 8300 box hooked up via HDMI. Thanks

It would help if everyone put their location in their profiles.

I'm with TW in LA's West Valley and was never able to get HDMI to work. TW said they don't support it and that their techs are not pernitted to try to debug it.
CB

One more question regarding my new 37" Panny Plasma......When watching HD, the picture is great.....but when I switch to SD, what do i need to do to "stretch" the picture so I see everything in 16x9? I have the SFA 8300 STB (TWC in NYC) and i can either stretch, zoom, or normal...but do i have to make this change everytime when I swtich back and forth from HD to SD?

On my cable box menu, it offers me diff pass through options (i think?), 1080, 720, etc....what should be selected here?

Sorry if i sound like a blabbering idiot, I just want my picture to be the best it can be and I cannot access the setup wizard!

One more question regarding my new 37" Panny Plasma......When watching HD, the picture is great.....but when I switch to SD, what do i need to do to "stretch" the picture so I see everything in 16x9? I have the SFA 8300 STB (TWC in NYC) and i can either stretch, zoom, or normal...but do i have to make this change everytime when I swtich back and forth from HD to SD?

On my cable box menu, it offers me diff pass through options (i think?), 1080, 720, etc....what should be selected here?

Sorry if i sound like a blabbering idiot, I just want my picture to be the best it can be and I cannot access the setup wizard!

If you want your picture to be "the best is can be", don't stretch a 4:3 to 16:9. The picture will be ugly and the people will be short and squatty. Just say no.

... when I switch to SD, what do i need to do to "stretch" the picture so I see everything in 16x9?
Judging by the way my Panasonic TV works, select Pass Through or Auto HDMI setting on the 8300 and use the TV's aspect control to select Full or Just aspect.

I have a couple of questions that hopefully can be answered for an 8300 from Cablevision via component...

My LCD flat panel resolution is 1366 x 768, does anyone know if I would be better off selecting only 720p for HD channels, or selecting only 1080i for HD channels, or just select them both and let the networks decide.

For SD channels, is there a difference is picture quality between 480i standard and 480p standard? I am deciding between these 2 because the 480i/480p widescreen option puts bars on the sides.

If you want your picture to be "the best is can be", don't stretch a 4:3 to 16:9. The picture will be ugly and the people will be short and squatty. Just say no.


But then SD channels will have bars on the side, no?

Judging by the way my Panasonic TV works, select Pass Through or Auto HDMI setting on the 8300 and use the TV's aspect control to select Full or Just aspect.

How do i do that on the STB? I cant access the setup wizard with my box

hey all-
after long hours of searching here, i found that alot of people in the NY are with the 8300 could not access the HD setup wizard...
i was having the same problem, so i called TWC.
i was trying to start the wizard via the remote, but the kind lady on the phone told me to use the hard buttons on the box.
...and just like that- it worked. i simply turned the box's power off then hit guide and info at the same time, to start the wizard.
now if i can only square away the problems i'm having with the firewire connections, i'd be in happy HD land all day long.

hey all-
after long hours of searching here, i found that alot of people in the NY are with the 8300 could not access the HD setup wizard...
i was having the same problem, so i called TWC.
i was trying to start the wizard via the remote, but the kind lady on the phone told me to use the hard buttons on the box.
...and just like that- it worked. i simply turned the box's power off then hit guide and info at the same time, to start the wizard.
now if i can only square away the problems i'm having with the firewire connections, i'd be in happy HD land all day long.
Even though you have firewire ports on the back of the STB, they may not be supported by the OS(SARA, or Passport). Check the diagnostic screens to see if they are enabled. If not, TWC should be able to enable over the cable, or exchange the STB.

But then SD channels will have bars on the side, no?Yes. But it will be true to its origin, and will look more natual.

You may find yourself gravitating to more HD content and shows rather than watch SD anymore. For me, I am waiting for Comedy Central to go HD, along with South Park and The Daily Show and then my viewing will be 100% High Def.

-gil

How do i do that on the STB? I cant access the setup wizard with my box
Picture format is not changed using the setup wizard. On my SA 8300HD (with SARA) I go to the Advanced Settings menu by pressing the Settings button on my remote twice. The name of the setting is "Set: Picture Format". But this might not work if you haven't used the settings wizard to enable both 480i for SD and at least one of the HD formats 720p or 1080i.

There are instructions for using the setup wizard near the beginning of the thread SA 8300 HD Tips & Tricks -- SARA (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859) (and there is a similar thread for PASSPORT users).

my living room, 50 plasi in place, and my kitchen, small lcd in place, are very close to each other. 8300 is in the liv and the kit is run off of the same feed but split before the stb.

kitchen set is ahead of the stb display in the living room. any solutions?

I had this issue before I got my plasi, with another tv, I never tried to fix it and it went away. now it's back and is annoying.

You could run the S-Video out to the small TV.

v/r,
C-F

I've had my new Sharp LC-42D62U for one week now. I have the STB (SA8300HD) from TWC-Houston connected via HDMI to input 5 and my upconverter DVD connected via HDMI to input 4 on the TV. The DVD works great, however, I can't for the life of me get the STB and TV work together via HDMI. When I select the HDMI input, the TV screen just flashes from black to colored "snow" every second or two. Never a video picture. I've read through the various tips (sequenced start-up/shutdown, etc), gone through the STB HDTV wizards, changed settings on the Sharp, unplugged/replugged cables and still have not been able to get any video or audio through HDMI. When I connect the component cables and switch to that input, everything works great. I'm almost convinced that the HDMI port on the STB box must be bad. I've tried to return it twice this week, but TWC hasn't had any replacement STB's in stock. Is my box bad or am I missing something in the set up process? Any help appreciated.

I'm almost convinced that the HDMI port on the STB box must be bad. I've tried to return it twice this week, but TWC hasn't had any replacement STB's in stock. Is my box bad or am I missing something in the set up process? Any help appreciated.You might call TWC and ask if they support output over the HDMI port in your area. Some cable companies do, some don't, even when using the same hardware as other parts of the country.

All that said, I use the component outputs at 720p to feed my sets. Never bothered with the hdmi port. Didn't need to have "handshake" issues as you apparently do.
I'm assuming you used the "setup wizard" to enable the modes appropriate for your set... if not, that would be a good first step.

westcoastD
I have the same yami as you... did you get the remote for the sa8300 to control the power of the yami? If so what codes did you use?

I've had my new Sharp LC-42D62U for one week now. I have the STB (SA8300HD) from TWC-Houston connected via HDMI to input 5 and my upconverter DVD connected via HDMI to input 4 on the TV. The DVD works great, however, I can't for the life of me get the STB and TV work together via HDMI. When I select the HDMI input, the TV screen just flashes from black to colored "snow" every second or two. Never a video picture. I've read through the various tips (sequenced start-up/shutdown, etc), gone through the STB HDTV wizards, changed settings on the Sharp, unplugged/replugged cables and still have not been able to get any video or audio through HDMI. When I connect the component cables and switch to that input, everything works great. I'm almost convinced that the HDMI port on the STB box must be bad. I've tried to return it twice this week, but TWC hasn't had any replacement STB's in stock. Is my box bad or am I missing something in the set up process? Any help appreciated.
I almost thought the same thing was happening to me last night when I hooked up HDMI last night to my 8300 from WOW!. I was using component before, but ran out of inputs on my receiver, so I am using HDMI now. So I went to plug it in after powering down the 8300 and turned it back on. I got a message saying my unit wasn't authorized to play back over HDMI or something like that. It just hung on the SA splash screen whether the 8300 was on or off. Then after trying a few other things and just letting it sit there, it must've got the hit back from WOW!'s office because it started working like a charm the rest of the night.

My LCD flat panel resolution is 1366 x 768, does anyone know if I would be better off selecting only 720p for HD channels, or selecting only 1080i for HD channels, or just select them both and let the networks decide.
I would personally say use whatever source resolution you get. For awhile I was using 720p only because that is what my HD projector is, but after using whatever the source is, I think my eyes are saying that looks a hair better. Hope that helps.

The last couple of days my Sony SXRD has lost video when changing channels. This occurs on a random basis. When it occurs there is nothing but a white screen (grainy with color noise) which cannot be corrected by cycling power on the TV or the 8300HD. To recover, I unplug the HDMI cable for a couple of seconds and re-insert. This corrects the problem instantly.

I've had this system configuration for about two months with no problems so I was curious as to why this would start occurring. I observed the firmware in the 8300HD had been updated (scan forward had changed from three speeds to four which is a later firmware). I talked to Cox the provider, and they said they made slight adjustments to the firmware to accommodate the new daylight savings time change, but knew nothing of this problem. I believe this issue begin with the new 8300HD firmware update. Cox is disavowing all knowledge of any problems.

Now for my question.

Have any of you observed this with the 8300HD?

Has anyone observed this on a TV other than Sony SXRD?


Thanks for the help on this one.... Alan

I have this problem on my XBR2 with SA8300HD. It happens about 20% of the time when I switch from SD to HD. Most of the time I can fix the problem by switching back to SD and then to HD again. Also, when I do have the problem, it's usually not the white noise. Most of the time is shows up as a flicker in the audio and video. But in either case, the switch back to SD fixes the problem.

westcoastD
I have the same yami as you... did you get the remote for the sa8300 to control the power of the yami? If so what codes did you use?sorry for delay (have'nt looked at this thread in a while). But I don't use the SA8300HD remote for my Yamaha RX-V1600. Actually, I've been using each remote, for each respective component I use (like 5 remotes). I hope to get a good universal remote (maybe a B&K) in the next few months and learn to program it.

One issue I'm experiencing using SA8300HD is when I finally used an HDMI connection to the Yamaha, then to my HP-LC2640N LCD HDTV, video processing works okay, however, I'm experiencing a "white-ish" like overall haze. Although the picture is very nice, sharp-looking (especially on HD channels), it just has this white "haze". Moreover I noticed the same behavior with HDMI connected to my Denon DVD-3930CI universal player. Is there a way to re-calibrate this on the SA8300HD? Some of the Denon DVD player users claim that calibrating should fix this (for both cable-box and DVD player)?

My scheduled recordings are all fine for the upcoming week. However, for Sunday March 4, all of the programs that are scheduled during the week are listed again for that date. Has this happened to anyone else, or is it just me? I am with Cox in Las Vegas.

Hask

Yes, this is happening to me also. Some scheduled recordings show up twice for the same date and time. TWC Auburn N.Y.

I finally connected my SA8300HD using HDMI, to my Yamaha receiver, and to my HP-LC2640N LCD TV. Picture looks pretty good. However it seems to have a "white-ish" haze, or white-washed look. Although it seems somewhat sharp-looking, especially HD channels.

Are there functions on the SA8300HD to "calibrate" video output to my monitor?

My 8300HD has started doing something that I cannot explain. The first few weeks that I had it this problem did not show. I am using the HDMI output to feed a Marantz-8001 HDMI input, then on to a Samsung Plasma HDMI in. The two issues are: I see snow intermittantly when changing HD channels sometimes the snow gives way to the picture other times it "hangs" on the snow and I have to go to an analog channel or shut the STB off and then on to reset the issue, the other problem is the PCM audio over HDMI works most of the time, but some times it stops and by moving to another HD channel I can get it to come back (It really likes PBS) and then it will be OK. On the Snow issues I have seen a Post by a TW Tech. who said that it must be the TV switching its input to an analog and back during the channel change operation, but I verified that it is not doing that.

Well after some more research and some good ole Trial and Error I found that the Snow issue is directly related to the settings in the 8300 for Aspect Ratio. I had the setting on Auto, when I changed it back to 16x9 the Snow is gone. It seems that my HT RX is very sensitive to the switching that goes on when the 8300 is doing this search process. While its doing this my HT gets confused and the result is the snow. So for now I am back in 16x9 only mode which for the most part doesn't really show up as an issue.

I've read many posts about the switching issue but I can't get the HDMI output on the SA 8300 HD-DVR to work even when connected directly to my Panasonic Plasma. No picture, no sound.

Component connection works fine. Interestingly, if I plug the HDMI cable into HDMI 1 at the same time as the Component (while Component Inupt is selected) I lose picture and sound.

TWC NYC reps were absolutely no help. What's the deal? How do you fix this?

I've read many posts about the switching issue but I can't get the HDMI output on the SA 8300 HD-DVR to work even when connected directly to my Panasonic Plasma. No picture, no sound.

Component connection works fine. Interestingly, if I plug the HDMI cable into HDMI 1 at the same time as the Component (while Component Inupt is selected) I lose picture and sound.

TWC NYC reps were absolutely no help. What's the deal? How do you fix this?

The problem has to be either a defective HDMI input on your TV or a defective cable box.

On the SA8300 audio setup, there lies the option for HDMI, Dolby, and "other". What is the "other" supposed to be. I can't figure it out.

Thanks

I believe that the other is PCM.

Don

Does the IR port on the back of the 8300HD work? I have an RF base station with my MX3000 remote. I would love to just plug it in directly. I seem to remember a post about this but can't find it.

Quick question.

My buddy has a Sharp Aquos 46D62, Pioneer VSX-816K, and the SA 8300HD. For some reason we cannot get the sound to work correctly. We have the tv hooked to the digital box via HDMI, then from the box we have the optical audio out going to the optical input on the receiver. We set the digital box to dolby yet there isnt any sound. But when we run another tosklink cable from the tv's optical out to receiver we do get sound, which I believe is only 2 channel correct? Are we missing something here?

l3ftomn3, no, that should work.

optical audio should carry 5.1, right?

Yes, SRHookEm, if there is 5.1 audio there to carry. Most of my SD digital channels are DD 2.0, and sometimes HD channels are DD 2.0, also.

Quick question.

My buddy has a Sharp Aquos 46D62, Pioneer VSX-816K, and the SA 8300HD. For some reason we cannot get the sound to work correctly. We have the tv hooked to the digital box via HDMI, then from the box we have the optical audio out going to the optical input on the receiver. We set the digital box to dolby yet there isnt any sound. But when we run another tosklink cable from the tv's optical out to receiver we do get sound, which I believe is only 2 channel correct? Are we missing something here?
If the Pio is like some of the Onkyos, you have to map the digital input to the physical source input. I'd start there. Maybe there's a mis-match somewhere.

Hello,

I am in Los Angeles and use an Explorer 8300HD from Time Warner cable. A couple of weeks ago the box developed a problem (occasional flickering) so I switched to a new box. The new box indicates date of manufacturer as 2/2/2007, i.e. it's a new one. The problem is that the menu now is different from before, and unfortunately, the audio option setting, between HDMI and Dolby Digital, no longer exists!

In the old box, this option allows me to choose the audio out setting as either HDMI or Dolby Digital. The former (HDMI) will pass both sound and picture through the HDMI connection. Since this option is no longer available, I cannot pass audio to my Panny plasma anymore.

Did Time Warner Los Angeles recently change their STB's menu? Any suggestion for this problem please?

Thanks and regards,
Can

Quick question.

My buddy has a Sharp Aquos 46D62, Pioneer VSX-816K, and the SA 8300HD. For some reason we cannot get the sound to work correctly. We have the tv hooked to the digital box via HDMI, then from the box we have the optical audio out going to the optical input on the receiver. We set the digital box to dolby yet there isnt any sound. But when we run another tosklink cable from the tv's optical out to receiver we do get sound, which I believe is only 2 channel correct? Are we missing something here?
Try toggling back and forth between the DIGITAL AUDIO settings....
The STB may be "forgetting" what mode it's in.....
We thought that this bug was fixed several months ago, but someone in S.D.
found it again in the recent PASSPORT ECHO 2.6.002.

I recently went into the HD setup wizard in an attempt to get the best picture I could from the 8300HD and now all my SD channels are stretched no matter what! I enabled 480p, 480i, 720p, and 1080i. When I use the General Settings menu to Set: Picture format, it doesn't matter if I use Pass-Through, Fixed, Upconvert 1 or Upconvert 2, all my SD stuff is stretched.

SD looks bad enough as it is, what do I need to do to fix this to get it back to the normal AR?

Try disabling 480p. What kind of TV do you have?

RedSoxFox7,
Press "#" on your remote until the picture is normal again.

Try disabling 480p. What kind of TV do you have?

I'll try it in a few minutes.

I've got a Philips 30PW9100D.

RedSoxFox7,
Press "#" on your remote until the picture is normal again.

Way ahead of you, that's what I meant by "SD channels are stretched no matter what!"

Although when I just cycled through them all I noticed it says I'm running 480i with Pass-Through selected, at least for TBS right now.

Ah hah! Fixed. I just had to disable 480i and 480p "standard" and leave 480i and 480p "widescreen" enabled.

Now that I've got that taken care of, why can't I get my 8300HD to remember the Viewer:Power On option of "Last Channel" ?

Any time the box is turned off for any length of time it defaults to channel 2, but the rest of the info I've changed stays the same (favorite channels, picture format, color scheme, etc.).

I just got my SA8300HD from Rogers Cable (Canada), as well as a Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000. I gave up on HDMI, it would reset every single power-on to 480i, or every time I changed inputs on the TV. I'd have to run the setup wizard on every power-on.

Also, sometimes while running the Wizard in advanced mode, the TV would lose sync with the 8300. I can only assume the 8300 has issues with the 1080p the TV supports.

So for now, I'm tolerating component, though there is a noticeable increase in noise due to the analog nature of the signal, I'd suspect.

I'll have to hope a future version of SARA will solve the issue.

I just connected my SA 8300HD today using HDMI to Pioneer 82TXS Receiver and then out using HDMI to Pioneer 1140HD. The picture/sound keeps locking up every 10 minutes or so. Suggestions?

I have a WD-65731 Mitsubishi TV. I also Have TWC and a SA8300HD DVR. I just traded it in for a new one about three months ago.

This box has two firewire ports on the back. My mitsubishi TV also has two firewire ports on the back.

ramble{The TV and the box don't get along together when using an HDMI cable. I've tried. I got so frustrated I went back to TWC supplied component cables.}end_ramble

I was told that the IEEE1394 firewire cable is better than component. So I would like to use it. When I plug one end into the TV and one end into the box, a check box came up, said it was analog only. I'm confused. Maybe because the box was only outputting 480i?

I cannot get it to work. Any thoughts?

I just connected my SA 8300HD today using HDMI to Pioneer 82TXS Receiver and then out using HDMI to Pioneer 1140HD. The picture/sound keeps locking up every 10 minutes or so. Suggestions?

The 8300 1.0 implementation of the HDMI protocol doesn't support signal switching or routing which is what you have. Your receiver is acting as a switch and you can expect to have issues with the 8300HD HDMI. There are switching systems which appear to co-exist with the 8300HD but as a rule this doesn't work.

Route your HDMI directly to your Pioneer for video only and use your receiver for sound only. Management is easy with a good programable remote. This is generally the best accepted hook up for the 8300HD. There may still be issues with HDMI but your chances for success are much better. Don't try running HDMI and Component simultaneously from the 8300HD. This is also asking for problems since the 8300 power supply is marginal and most units generally will not handle driving both outputs at the same time.

update. I get a picture now. Which is a step. But slow one. And it takes forever to change channels. By turning off the Power outlet on the box, it sped things up a little, but not much. It is still over 4 seconds to change channels. Which is a long time, considering that with component its nearly instant.

Why is this so difficult? Can't I use the firewire port on the box like an output like component and just everything else act normally?

grrrrrr.

The last couple of days my Sony SXRD has lost video when changing channels. This occurs on a random basis. When it occurs there is nothing but a white screen (grainy with color noise) which cannot be corrected by cycling power on the TV or the 8300HD. To recover, I unplug the HDMI cable for a couple of seconds and re-insert. This corrects the problem instantly.

I've had this system configuration for about two months with no problems so I was curious as to why this would start occurring. I observed the firmware in the 8300HD had been updated (scan forward had changed from three speeds to four which is a later firmware). I talked to Cox the provider, and they said they made slight adjustments to the firmware to accommodate the new daylight savings time change, but knew nothing of this problem. I believe this issue begin with the new 8300HD firmware update. Cox is disavowing all knowledge of any problems.

Now for my question.

Have any of you observed this with the 8300HD?

Has anyone observed this on a TV other than Sony SXRD?


Thanks for the help on this one.... Alan

I have this EXACT same issue. My SXRD and 8300HD workd fine until WideOpenWest updated my box two weeks ago. Now the HDMI doesn't work. As best as I have been able to figure out, it fails on the 1080i output.

If I watch 480p or 720p signals, it works fine. Once I change to a 1080i signal, the box and TV go out of sync. At this point, I have to change the inputs on my TV and once I get back to the cable connection, it will work until I repeat the process.

I called WOW and they said that HDMI wasn't supported, which would be stupid. A tech is supposed to come out on Monday, so I'll see if there is any resoultion to it then.

The 8300 1.0 implementation of the HDMI protocol doesn't support signal switching or routing which is what you have. Your receiver is acting as a switch and you can expect to have issues with the 8300HD HDMI. There are switching systems which appear to co-exist with the 8300HD but as a rule this doesn't work.

Route your HDMI directly to your Pioneer for video only and use your receiver for sound only. Management is easy with a good programable remote. This is generally the best accepted hook up for the 8300HD. There may still be issues with HDMI but your chances for success are much better. Don't try running HDMI and Component simultaneously from the 8300HD. This is also asking for problems since the 8300 power supply is marginal and most units generally will not handle driving both outputs at the same time.

I did end up exchanging the box yesterday because the lockups were occuring with direct connection to the 1140HD using either HDMI or Component. I ended up using the HDMI and Coaxial for sound (settings for Dolby not accessible on the settings menu of Passport software from TWC). Everything appeared to be fine and then the pixellating (sp?) started while watching Mission Impossibile 2 (making the 8300HD work property seems like Mission Impossible). I'll watch it for a couple of days and we will see; might be back to the Pioneer HD box. Thank you for your help on the connections above.

anyone know anything about using the firewire slots?

anyone know anything about using the firewire slots?
I think on most 8300HD boxes the Firewire(1394) ports are disabled. They are physically there - they just don't work. According to the FCC, cablecos are supposed to support Firewire, but I think you have to specifically request a STB with working(software enabled) ports.

I have the following problem that just manifested itself in the last 24 hrs w/ Charter & SA 8300HD (SARA 188.25.1) box connected via HDMI to Vizio 37" (VX37L) LCD HDTV. If I switch from a HD channel to a SD channel the picture shifts to the left about 1" and picture quality degrades significantly. If I cycle inputs it will correct on the SD channels until I switch back to HD and the process repeats. I have not tried component inputs to determine if the problem is the HDMI connection. I will attempt tomorrow and advise.

Anyone else have an opinion on whether it is the TV or the cable box.

Follow-up:

Troubleshooting performed:

Disconnected HDMI cable and reinstalled: Unchanged
Connected HDMI cable into HDMI #2: Unchanged
Disconnected HDMI and connected Component cables: Problem work around

However, this does not correct the primary problem of not being able to use HDMI connections. I do not know which way to troubleshoot- Cable box or HDTV.

I have this EXACT same issue. My SXRD and 8300HD workd fine until WideOpenWest updated my box two weeks ago. Now the HDMI doesn't work. As best as I have been able to figure out, it fails on the 1080i output.

If I watch 480p or 720p signals, it works fine. Once I change to a 1080i signal, the box and TV go out of sync. At this point, I have to change the inputs on my TV and once I get back to the cable connection, it will work until I repeat the process.

I called WOW and they said that HDMI wasn't supported, which would be stupid. A tech is supposed to come out on Monday, so I'll see if there is any resoultion to it then.

They brought me out a new cable box today and it seems to work fine now. It would seem that the update gummed up the HDMI connection for whatever reason. New box seems to have done the trick.

To top it off, the cable guy was nice and ran me some new cable as well, since he noticed I had a low signal strength, like -20 or something like that. New cable made it -5, which he said was standard for the length of cable he needed to use.

They brought me out a new cable box today and it seems to work fine now. It would seem that the update gummed up the HDMI connection for whatever reason. New box seems to have done the trick.

To top it off, the cable guy was nice and ran me some new cable as well, since he noticed I had a low signal strength, like -20 or something like that. New cable made it -5, which he said was standard for the length of cable he needed to use.
I ran into one of the TWC guys the other morning at a local convenience store. I mentioned to him that I had 1 particular HD channel(DiscoveryHD) that never has come in good. He said I could have a low signal on that one QAM. Since I have cable strung all over my house feeding two DVRs, cable modem, phone service, HD service, etc., I asked about a distribution amplifier. He said they do supply those too. I just haven't been home long enough during a weekday to arrange a service call visit. I like to be there when any technician enters my office/media room! I've been impressed with TWC service in my area in the past.

I have a WD-65731 Mitsubishi TV. I also Have TWC and a SA8300HD DVR. I just traded it in for a new one about three months ago.

This box has two firewire ports on the back. My mitsubishi TV also has two firewire ports on the back.

ramble{The TV and the box don't get along together when using an HDMI cable. I've tried. I got so frustrated I went back to TWC supplied component cables.}end_ramble

I was told that the IEEE1394 firewire cable is better than component. So I would like to use it. When I plug one end into the TV and one end into the box, a check box came up, said it was analog only. I'm confused. Maybe because the box was only outputting 480i?

I cannot get it to work. Any thoughts?
Myself (and many others) have found the Firewire port on SA8300HD is too flaky to use with D-VHS.
Sometimes SD programs will work--and sometimes not.
HD will either cease to work--or we just get a frozen image.

Hence it's a Federally Mandated Interface that is NOT READY FOR USE...

Myself (and many others) have found the Firewire port on SA8300HD is too flaky to use with D-VHS.
Sometimes SD programs will work--and sometimes not.
HD will either cease to work--or we just get a frozen image.

Hence it's a Federally Mandated Interface that is NOT READY FOR USE...
I tried the Firewire on a SA3250 box last year. I gave up after about 2 days! I even bought a Mits D-VHS, but found out it really wouldn't serve my needs. Oh well. You can easily see if the Firewire ports are disabled by looking at the SARA diagnostics screens too.

Myself (and many others) have found the Firewire port on SA8300HD is too flaky to use with D-VHS.
Sometimes SD programs will work--and sometimes not.
HD will either cease to work--or we just get a frozen image.

Hence it's a Federally Mandated Interface that is NOT READY FOR USE...

this seriously pisses me off.

If it has the port, and TWC advertises its possible, they should follow-up. And make it work.

this seriously pisses me off.

If it has the port, and TWC advertises its possible, they should follow-up. And make it work.
I think you have to ask your cableco specifically for an 8300HD STB with active/enabled Firewire ports. They should comply. They probably just figure 99.5% of users will never ask, much less even know what the Firewire port is used for! :D

I have this EXACT same issue. My SXRD and 8300HD workd fine until WideOpenWest updated my box two weeks ago. Now the HDMI doesn't work. As best as I have been able to figure out, it fails on the 1080i output.

If I watch 480p or 720p signals, it works fine. Once I change to a 1080i signal, the box and TV go out of sync. At this point, I have to change the inputs on my TV and once I get back to the cable connection, it will work until I repeat the process.

I called WOW and they said that HDMI wasn't supported, which would be stupid. A tech is supposed to come out on Monday, so I'll see if there is any resoultion to it then.

Did your new box prove to solve the problem or has things popped back up?

I've been running my Sony 50XBR1 for over a year with the following hookups:

SA 8300HD via HDMI to the set
Old Samsung HD-841 via DVI-HDMI cable to the set

Both cables were purchased from Ram Electronics about a year and half ago.

Yesterday after watching TV for about an hour when I got home from work, I powered down the system and went to run some errands. When I came home powered up the system I got the dreaded DVI/HDMI output blocked use Component Outputs from my 8300HD box. On screen menus etc worked so I knew that I was getting signal on the HDMI cable. This morning I went to the local comcast office and swapped the box. Today same issue. After completing all the trouble shooting thats available here for the 8300HD I decided to see if my DVD player was working.

When I powered up the DVD player I got the welcome screen, but when I put in a disc from blockbuster I got nothing on the screen. Took out that disc and put in a non hollywood disc and everything was fine.

This led me to believe that I was having an HDCP issue. So to test it I used a "altered" HD-841 that I have on another set that has HDCP disabled, popped in the blockbuster disc everything is fine.

So I've been able to do a work around on the DVD player, but I still have nothing on the 8300HD. Like I said everything has been working fine for over a year. It seems odd that if it were simply a SARA issue that my DVD player would go on the frtiz, and it also seems odd that two cables would die at the same time. This leaves the TV but I'm able to pass non copy protected material to both HDMI ports.

So did some how HDCP get turned of on the HDMI ports on the SXRD?
Is it possible that some new SARA software freaked out both HDMI ports and their implementation of HDCP?

I've fooled around with handshake stuff for hours and hours and hours no combination of on/off etc seems to be doing the trick.

Any suggestions/thoughts are much appreciated. BTW I know I can go back to component but at this point its just a principle thing to get this working again after a year plus of it working flawless.

Thank you!

Robbie

Ever since switching up from an 8300 DVR to an 8300 HD DVR I've been having audio sync issues. Problem is that my audio is late so the delay in my AVR is useless. Tonight I did some experimentation to be sure it was the 8300 and it definitely is.

If I hook the digi to the AVR and the analog directly to the tv and play together, they are in sync so it is definitely not my AVR processing that is slow.

I've seen hardly any complaints about this in the forums, does anyone else see this or could I have a problem with my box?

im about to hook up my 8300hd dvr using a hdmi cable , does this help out with SD content any ??

Ever since switching up from an 8300 DVR to an 8300 HD DVR I've been having audio sync issues. Problem is that my audio is late so the delay in my AVR is useless. Tonight I did some experimentation to be sure it was the 8300 and it definitely is.

If I hook the digi to the AVR and the analog directly to the tv and play together, they are in sync so it is definitely not my AVR processing that is slow.

I've seen hardly any complaints about this in the forums, does anyone else see this or could I have a problem with my box?
Some have mentioned curing this with old reliable cold boot: disconnecting 8300HD AC for a few minutes. -- John

Some have mentioned curing this with old reliable cold boot: disconnecting 8300HD AC for a few minutes. -- John

Coincidentally after I posted this, I had the old forced cold boot last night, a couple of times. The box locked up. After the reboot, I noticed that the sync was better. But over time, it seemed to keep getting further off again. Wondering if this is a design problem or if it is likely just my unit.

robdog
I had the very same problems as you twice this week. Everything seems fine now. I think they pushed out a bad update or something, and then either rolled back the update or pushed out a fix. Annoying as hell. If they keep it up I'm going to switch to fios. Does yours work now?

Coincidentally after I posted this, I had the old forced cold boot last night, a couple of times. The box locked up. After the reboot, I noticed that the sync was better. But over time, it seemed to keep getting further off again. Wondering if this is a design problem or if it is likely just my unit.
Suggest checking that nothing is blocking the top or bottom STB vents. Keep my 8300HD in the open to ensure adequate cooling. If it's not overheating, and audio lag rapidly reappears, seems likely the STB is at fault. A few report regularly cold-booting their STBs to minimize problems, which differs from a warm boot taking place automatically (no AC disconnection). -- John

I have a Scientific Atlanata 8300HD DVR connected to my JVC 56FN97 via HDMI. Cable service is TWC in Houston.

My problem is with audio.

The box works fine with which ever type of channel (DS or HD) it powers up with.

If it starts with an HD channel and I just select HD channels there is no problem.

However, when I switch to a standard definition channel the sound goes off and the picture flickers. I can "fix" this problem by either changing to another input on the TV and then back to the HDMI input OR changing the format to 1080i and then back to 480i via the DVR remote.

A similar things happens if it powers up on a SD channel. SD channels are fine. When I switch to HD I lose sound.

Has anyone else had a problem like this?

This is my second 8300HD - the first one had exactly the same issue.

Thanks,
Nicholas.