Just switched from an "plain" cable box from Time Warner to their HDTV Service. The box they provided for this is a

Scientific Atlantic Explorer 4250HDC

I've used HDMI to hook up directly to my TV (A Samsung LN-T3253H). Everything more or less worked when I initally hooked up and booted the cable box (though I did have to fish around to activate HDMI audio).

However, I've found that returning after having the TV off a while results in an error screen with the following contents:

GS511_HDCP_DLG

Your TV does not allow display of this program through the DVI input source.
Please choose another TV input source.



I've seen 1 or 2 other posts with similar problems. So far it seems likely to be the Cable Box, not the TV. I'm calling Time Warner now, but has anyone else had this problem?

I can "repair" by rebooting the cable box, but this requires 2-5 minutes! And the problem then reoccurs after a viewing hiatus.


Thanks,

Ben

Hey there, i'm a cable installer and i've run into the same problem.. your not alone, and no fix that i've found so far.. i'll keep ya posted though

I just received the same box from TW Cable yesterday and received the same error with
the HDMI cable.
After speaking twice to Customer service, they say that this error should be
fixed on 10/29 with a software upgrade sent to the boxes.

I am also having this same problem with this Scientific Atlantic Explorer 4250HDC cable box and I am receiving this error message on my 46" Sony Bravia XBR4. I will try again tonight to see if this update has come through and corrected the issue.

I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250 HDC that is doing the same thing.
As of this morning, 10/31/07, it is STILL doing the same thing.
I have to unplug it, and replug it, and wait over 10 mins to get TV if:
1. I turn off the cable box
2. I turn the TV off for any extended period
This is really starting to annoy me.
If anyone finds a solution, please email me: dan(at)laserlinc.com
Thanks,
Dan

Since I received this box, its been giving me the same problem...TimeWarner customer support is so horrible when it comes to this problem, they have no clue on how to solve it. The new Firmware was suppose to fix it on 10/29, that just seems like something they told people to calm them down, because I haven't seen this message disappear. If anyone hears of something that can be done to solve this problem please help, I know I can return the box and get a different brand and model but for some reason the picture quality looks better on this cable box.

I got this from Time Warner (along with a DVR version of the cable box):

Mr. Dixon,

In reference to our conversation today, Time Warner Cable will swap out the OCAP HD controller for an OCAP HD DVR with no charges for the DVR function. This will provide a temporary solution to the present issue with having to reboot the OCAP HD controller every time it is turned off and completely reload all firmware. We realize that this 15 minute process is quite long each time you turn on your television.

This replacement is considered a temporary solution and is set for 6 months. If you haven't heard anything by the beginning of April concerning the OCAP HD controller, contact our Customer Care Center. We will check on the status of the OCAP HD with the HDMI connection.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at 1-800-425-2225.

well time warner is trying to fix this problem for me, I keep you guys posted.

Time Warner Cable just left after installing my 4250 HDC with HDMI...and sure enough, I come back home after errands, and I get the same error message. I tried to hook it up through component cables and the screen is all messed up.

Here I go trying to call Time Warner Cable...keep the tips/solutions coming!

I've got 3 HD tvs hooked up to Time Warner Cable (raleigh) boxes. An older Sony Wega on a DVR (Explorer 8500 HD)which works fine. A Samsung LCD on an Explorer 4250HD which works fine, and a Sony LCD on an Explorer 4250HD which constantly throws the GS511....code. I switched the 2 4250s, but still only the Sony Bravia has problems. I also have the Sony Bravia hooked up to a computer, but I doubt switching video sources would have anything to do with the code. Also, I notice I can't reboot the HD box when it's broadcasting the error code just by holding down the on-off button - I have to pull the power cord. It's strange since it seems to have to do with the Sony Bravia though and not the Samsung.... I'm going to see if there are some other posts out there regarding Sony only issues....

how can we fix this problem it happened to me..

Have the same problem with the 4250 hdc on my sony bravia via hdmi. :( Called Time Warner and the representative said they are still waiting for the patch to address the hdmi problem. She said they thought it would be ready by the end of October but it still has not been released. The solution for now is to either connect via component or get another box. She said they would be happy to swap the box for different model but if I could, to try to hold out for the patch because the 4250 will have a lot of new capabilities. I do like the look of new menu/guide..lol.. but definitely not worth me having to sit through a re-boot every time I turn off my tv. ;)

got the same error message. TV was working great until I decided to switch from component to HDMI; all went to hell. I noticed after scrolling through the inputs on my TV and turning it and the cable box on and off repeatedly it would eventually work fine with HDMI; until the next time I turn it on and then it repeats with the error message.

So then I unplugged the HDMI and tried to go back to normal with component and yet I still receive the same error.

Unfortunately I got tired of being on hold for 20 minutes so I still havent had a chance to speak to the great customer service team at time warner.

so frustrating.

I just spoke to a customer service rep at TWC who claimed that my HDMI cable was incompatible with the system, and I needed to purchase a compatible HDMI cable. She didn't specify beyond this what that could possibly mean. She did, however, say that they are upgrading the firmware "as we speak," and if I hook it up in an "hour or two" it might work.

Tried hooking up my new Samsung LCD to the 4250 and am having the same problem you are all having. Each time you turn it off you have to reload the software again which takes 10 -15 minutes. A call to TW service took them 2 hours to respond yesterday and they were of no help. They said they never heard of this problem. They said I should call Samsung or Best Buy to help me. After reading about your experiences, I'm returning the box tomorrow and demanding a new, different box.

I also have exact same problem. Based on what I found, only way to get rid of this message is use component cable to hook up this stupid SA 4250HDC.

I spent last Friday night and Saturday to deal with this unexpected problem with TW.

Based on what I read so far, Scientific Atlantic somehow can not figure out how to solve this problem. Some of TW customer service represtatives have been notified their customers new update(patch) will out soon. But that was like couple of months ago.... They have been keep saying update is coming in December but no exact date. So there will higher chance it will push back to next year.

Top of that, bunch of moron TW customer service people add more frustration for their HDTV customers since they have no clue when it comes to HDTV issue. One of TW customer service represatives asked me which channel I was in. What a moron...!! I tried to explained I was in HDMI 1 input source and she didn't understand what I am trying to saying then. Anyhow, majority of TW customer service will blow off their customers either saying HDMI cable is incompatible or your HDTV is not good and contact manufacturer for further help...blah blah blah... So prepare....^^

Comparing to HDMI set-up and component set-up, component is not meeting my expectation. PQ is not good compare to HDMI. Audio is horrible. I read some people said HD-DVR set top box is working or Samsung set-top box also working.

I have TW tech come in tomorrow, I will let you guys know how it turn out although I don't really have high expectation that this tech could solve my problem. I feel extremely lucky if I see right mind tech to help me. I know it's out there somewhere but I haven't had that luck yet.

It's very frustrating... If they can't figure it out, I may have to switch to Direct TV.

What really furstates me is that, TW is not acting fast enough to solve this problem. And we all know this year is for Flat screen TV. They should known better to take care their customers' need.

Well.. Service tech came today. At the end, he replaced my SA 4250HDC to Samsung SMT-H3050. With Samsung set-top box, I have no problem with GS511_HDCP_DLG error. That error message does not appear with Samsung set-top box. Only minor complaint I have is that PQ is somewhat less clear than SA 4250HDC. For time being, I rather have Samsung box for now but i will check from time to time see if TW updates firmware for SA 4250HDC. Once that happens, I will replace Samsung to SA 4250HDC. Technician also told me that HD-DVR with HDMI hook up works too. but it cost extra unless customer keep complain....or annoyed hell out of CS then they may give it out for free. I consider myself lucky to get Samsung set-top box because cable guy told me that TW is no longer getting Samsung set-top box. He was very helpful. Unfortunately he didn't have Samsung box when he arrived my house but called other technicians to see they have Samsung box. Luckily, he got me one. I am very grateful for this cable guy.
I hope this help for you guys.

I too ran in to this message with a Sony Bravia HDMI cable connection. I also had a problem when you pressed the "Guide" on the remote, a blank screen appeared. Out of frustration, I remounted the TV using an extra set of monster cables I had stored. All is well now, but thanks to Google, I found this site and the work-around.

I'd like to go back to the HDMI cable as it take a lot less space and makes for a simple installation, so should someone actually get the fix, let us know!

This problem has finally gone away, atleast on my Panasonic TH-42PZ700U

@cfrobel - Can you tell us what software version you have? I'm having this issue and just picked up my xbr4 3 days ago.

On thursday, TW told me that a firmware update would be pushed down and would solve it, but no luck.

This problem has finally gone away, atleast on my Panasonic TH-42PZ700U

What city are you in?

akak1701. I have same TV and I constantly had problem with SA 4250HDC. Go to TW center see if they have Samsung set top box. That will solve your problem. I got rid of my problem with Samsung STB. Hope this help.

Just an FYI, I am also having the same problem with the SA cable box. I'm working with a Pioneer PDP 5080 plasma TV, and can't get away from the "GS511_HDCP_DLG" error message whether I run through HDMI, or component cables (unless I reboot every time I turn it on). Thanks to all for the messages. I'll be calling TW today to start down that path. At least now I know it's not the TV.

What city are you in?

I am in NYC Queens-West. I have no idea what software version I have, how would I go about finding that out? I was just simply shutting down the tv and cable box every night, and unplugging the cable box so that the error wouldnt occur next time I turned the tv and box on. (that way I didnt have to sit through the long reboot wait time) It was a real pain for a few weeks but one day when I tested it and turned both off and back on the error stopped happening.

Just another data point:

Getting the stated above error message.
TV- New Samsung LN-T4061F
STB- Scientific Atlantic 4250HDC
Time Warner Columbus, OH.

After trying to use the HDMI option I also have to unplug the power to the STB and go through the boot-up process to get rid of the message.
Component does work.

About to go into the customer service queue to resolve, will update.

Well, that was fast. Not satisfying but fast.

Same old "Their working on an update, not sure when" line. Only other STB available is the DVR option with the additional rental cost. No thanks, already paying more than $100\month to Time Warner.

I was told this months STB fee would be waived.:rolleyes:

Guess I'll look around around for a free range STB option that does HDMI but I'm not holding my breath.

E_B,

I am also in Columbus, OH. I have a Samsung LN-T4066 with 4250HDC STB.

At least they acknowledged the problem...according to a few people on here TW has fixed this box in some cities. So hopefully it is just a matter of time before the fix comes to Columbus.

KW160- I certainly hope so. What are the odds they announce the fix vs me having to keep changing the feed to see if ti works yet? I'll put money on the latter.

I just got the TWC box yesterday, and curiously enough, the technician (who hooked it up while my wife watched) used the component video connection instead of HDMI. The picture quality on my Sony Bravia was terrible and never registered higher than 480i.

I reconnected the SA 4250HDC ( Powered by Cisco ) using the HDMI, and changed the input source on my TV and the video came up fine, and reached 1080i on available sources. I had to manually change the audio setting on the box to use HDMI, but everything seemed to work ok.

I watched a program with my Daughter for about an hour, and when switching channels I got the now dreaded GS511_HDCP_DLG page.

I manipulated my TV, the Box, and the only thing that seemed to resolve it was to remove power from the cable box (unplug, shutting it off did nothing) and powering it back up, watching it boot and reload it's operating software, reconnect to TWC's head end, and negiotiate with my TV.

It works for a while, and then I shut the TV off, return and turn the TV on and get the GS511 page.

Calling TWC this morning to complain. My brother-in-law just got an HD box from TWC and received the 8300DVR I think, has not complained of this problem.

If Cisco did to Scientific Atlanta, what they did to Linksys, this problem should not be surprising.

The picture quality on my Sony Bravia was terrible and never registered higher than 480i.


Chertens,

The reason you never reached higher than 480i was not because you were using the component output, but rather that the clueless cable installer did not bother to go into the settings->display->resolution menu and select 1080i as an option. (This same thing happened to my parents)

If you enable 1080i in the settings menu, you should be able to at least get good quality out of your component port until TW gets HDMI working correctly.

Please let us know what they tell you when you call them.

Thanks.

I spent some time chatting with TWC Corporate, they acknowledged the issue with the 4250HDC, but could not give me any specifics at all as to the status of any patch/firmware upgrade/system changes or a timeline when I could expect the 4250HDC problem to go away. I requested a different set up box. Hoping a different model of HD set top box will not exhibit the same behavior. After I made this request, the technician offered to schedule a "test" they could do remotely, that they had gotten some positive feedback from customers after running. She said it took two days to run.

I told her I wasn't really interested in spending a couple of days waiting, if I could get a different set top box.

Scheduled a service technician to come to the house Saturday...we'll see.

All the while the guys at work are ribbing me, claiming they have no issues at all with their HD from DirectTV....

chertens,

Thanks for the update. Hopefully TWC is sweating this issue alittle. I wouldn't be surprised if this issue caused many customers to switch to sat. More importantly, TWC should be sweating the fact that they carry alot less HD than the sat guys as well.

Please let us know if you get this issue resolved, either by switching boxes or getting your box fixed.

Well, just as a consolation for those of you b****ing about Time Warner Cable, know that my dad is having the same issue with the Explorer 4240HDC running via HDMI to his Samsung LN-T3253H courtesy of Cox communications in Fairfax, VA.

(And people wonder why there's such an outcry over DRM, HDCP and all of Hollywood's paranoia... and the public has been so slow to adopt high-definition displays... grrr.)

Thank you for the information. I just purchased a Sony KDS 60a3000 and tried to hook up my SA 4250 HDC box last night. I spent an hour trying to figure out why I was getting the dreaded GS511 message about my DVI input. I gave up and called TWC support ??? that was a laugh. An hour and half later, having him walk me through a dozen different things, trying my HDMI cable and the component cable, I still had the message. He said he had never heard of this problem. However, I went on Google today and found it from NY to all points west. I am in Cols, Oh. I rebooted and got it working before I went to bed, got up this morning, turned it on and UGH! same message.

I thought it was because I am blonde and not technically inclined. I will be interested to know is switching the box from the SA 4250 corrects the problem.

skt,

Totally unplug the HDMI and use component only. Then reset the box by unplugging the power. This will get rid of the error message for component at least.

No other boxes have this error, so if you switch boxes you should theoretically be fine.

Thanks for the info. It's just makes me crazy that I can't use the HDMI though. The cable was EXPENSIVE and the picture does look great when I am lucky enough to get it for a short time.

skt,

FYI, AT&T U-verse is coming to Columbus very soon. When it comes to my complex I am likely to switch.

Also for the future, the $10 HDMI cables from newegg,monoprice, amazon, etc are just has good as the overpriced ones from Best Buy ot other retailers.

KW160,
That's good to know. I just got one with my tv from HH Gregg as a deal on my tv. They gave it to me for $40. It was marked $74. I need one for my dvd player.

Hi All,
Just curious if anyone received a Setup Wizard and Connection User's Guide?

I received neither. I just found this link that has both - both are over 20 pgs long. Haven't had a chance to look at them. Got them printed, will look over them later. I know the setup wizard tells you how to manipulate the front buttons on the control box. Here is the link in case it may help:

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/products/consumers/new_explorer4250HDC.htm

Will check in later tonite, heading out to the Golf Show.

I spoke with TWC on Friday and whined and complained, told them about all the forums out here and the people wanting to go to DirecV or Dish.

Yesterday, I got update on box and now I don't have to reboot to turn TV on. Thank Heaven for that. I was ready to switch to DirecTV.

Hope everyone in Columbus area got firmware update.

I can confirm that I also received this update in Columbus. I am now using HDMI. Of course now I cannot sepcify a default resolution and I had an issue yesterday where I couldn't get it out of 480P, even in HD channels.

I will keep it on HDMI for a few days and see if I get this issue again.

We get this error with both HDMI and component cable connections. Is anyone else getting this error with Time Warner in Raleigh?

I puchased a Sony XBR4 Bravia HDTV - had the same problem as others with the Time Warner provided Scientific Atlantic Explorrer 4250HDC cable box. Is a software upgrade (solution) now available? Other postings commented that a 10/29/07 software upgrade was supposed to have been sent to the boxes.

I'm in Chapel Hill, NC, and having all the same problems. I just switched to digital cable. The tech originally hooked me up with component on a box that didn't have an HDMI port. I went to the service center and asked for something with HDMI -- they gave me a Scientific Atlanta 4240 HDC. Went out and bought the cable ($75 at Staples) and now I'm in Time Warner hell.

I'm a little relieved to see that I'm not the only one. I just unplugged the HDMI and reconnected with component again. This works fine, but of course I'd like to have the great picture I saw briefly with HDMI (and that I'm paying for) without upgrading to the DVR box for another $8/mo.

Here in Pittsboro, NC and getting it right now. Just hooked up my new TV tonight and have a SA box as well. Basically turn off the TV or the box and once it's back on the sign comes up. I thought I was going to have to take the TV back. Glad I saw this thread. As much as TWC charges for their 'service' one would think this wouldn't happen. Course what should I expect. It's Time Warner

Until I read the fix, FYI if you unplug the box and plug it back it in it resets and the signal comes back through HDMI. Was wondering why the guy at the store practically threw the box at me with no instructions. Took 10 minutes to find the menu to switch the audio to HDMI.

I’m in Granville County (NC) picking up Durham cable. I’ve been having the same problems you guys are having with the SA 4240HDC. The funny thing is that Time Warner has always responded to any service question I have had using their online email. When I put in a complaint about this problem, I received nothing. It’s like they didn’t even want to acknowledge the problem.

I admit that the box works fine via the component cables but the HDTV I purchased came with a dang HDMI cable and I want to use it! From my readings, I have discovered that HDMI apparently works just fine with their HD DVR box. Wow, no wonder TW is not in a rush to fix the problem with their non DVR boxes. Just forcing the consumer to fork over another $8 a month is fine and dandy with them. Here are some of my observations which others may have covered:

- The HDMI works with the box after rebooting but the error message will appear “after” I change back to the HDMI input from another (like Component or AV).

- The component cables work great but only after rebooting with the component cables “only” connected.

- When viewing the output via the HDMI cable, I noticed that the channels and TWs access menus moved a lot slower.

- I honestly cannot visually see a difference between the component and HDMI. I am beginning to think that HDMI is overrated unless you have a Blue-ray or similar.

Oh by the way, Scientific Atlanta says to contact the cable service provider for problems concerning the box. I’ll contact TW one more time about this problem. if they don’t respond, perhaps satellite is the way to go.

I recently attended the CES show in Las Vegas for work. (consumer electronics show).

Since I have the same problem as all of you have and also own the SA unit that displays the same warning screen when using HDMI cables when connected to Time Warner's system, I thought I would inquire to learn the real reason behind all the mystery.

I passed by the HDMI organization booth at the show which is staffed by the experts who set the standards and work with all the companies who put HDMI jacks and cables into their TVs and devices. I posed the question about this ongoing problem with Time Warner supplied SA boxes of this type.

They told me a very clear piece of info about what is going on. The problem is that there is a new firmware code that has to be installed into these SA boxes to work with the latest TVs for security compliance. Without the new firmware, the TVs will show this warning when using HDMI cables, hence the use of component cables avoids this problem.

Scientific Atlanta developed the firmware for these set top boxes many months ago, and Time Warner has to send the firmware to each person's box through the cable lines. But Time Warner doesn't want to do this since it will cost money and be time consuming. They instead encourage their customers to use the component cables and claim that - either they don't know anything about this issue, or that they'll have a fix eventually, or that SA didn't give them the firmware yet. But these are not true and they are doing this to avoid having to spend the time and effort to fix the SA units with the new firmware.

Time Warner is far behind others with HD programming, and continue to be criticized in the business media for spending so many years fixing the financial problems from their acquisition of AOL. But they've worked to save money, and not look to the future for HD programming, etc. They give reasons that other providers offer HD channels that aren't truely full HD, and have also told people that the FCC doesn't require cable providers to offer HD. Time Warner needs to get with the program and provide a quality business with updated firmware and add HD content without so much whining.

Finally received a response from TW Raleigh-Durham:

Response:Thank you for contacting us. Time Warner Cable of Raleigh only
has supported active HDMI cable outputs available on our SA 8300 HD
DVR units. To request an installation of this equipment, please call us
any time at 919-595-4892.




Please let us know if we can be of any additional assistance:mad:

Well I guess that's all she wrote. Either pony up the money for a DVR box or use the component cables. I hope this helps out some other unsuspecting TW customer in the area who is thinking about using HDMI without DVR service. Beware.

Here in Raleigh, I have finially got the same answer from two different people (field tech and a manager for the service center) at TWC. There is a update patch being broadcasted for the 4240HDC and 4250HDC cable boxes. The update patch is being broadcasted by sections. The broadcasts are to be finished by the end of April. The cable boxes will accept the broadcast as long as the, cable in, is connected (doesn't matter which video source your using). I guess you will need to connect HDMI cable about once a week to see if you have received your broadcast update patch.

sharpless and jody1225,

They didn't want to do the 'work' needed to send the firmware patches out and were avoiding doing for all of us who they have leased these unit to. In addition, the idea of telling Sharpless to just pay more for a dvr unit was a cleaver way to get more money by forcing you to upgrade when you didn't want or need the dvr unit merely to have the basics of a high quality digital signal from the HDMI cables that should have been functional without paying extra money. What is unfortunate, but not inconsistent with Time Warner Cable, is that they haven't been honest about the truth behind this snafu, and played dumb about it and also worked to get people to pay even more to solve their own problem.

It sounds like now they are slowly rolling out the firmware patch, and I hope they're working on doing it in all places they have cable service. It hasn't been a very forthright or professional way to do business, and consumers aren't as dumb as they think. Let us know when they actually do change your service, since that's the truth that will make any comments real.

They gave me a 4350HDC (Which so far doesn't work at all) and 3 phone tech support people have insisted that it is a DVR. The SA website doesn't claim that. Does anyone have one that is a DVR? I think they're nuts.

FYI. I have a SA 4250HDC and I just got the firmware update yesterday. It fixed the HDCP error !!!. I can also adjust the resolution output and change the aspect ratio !!

FYI. I have a SA 4250HDC and I just got the firmware update yesterday. It fixed the HDCP error !!!. I can also adjust the resolution output and change the aspect ratio !!

That's great, davlee88. :) Where are you located? I noticed that my box needed to be restarted recently, but I've been too pessimistic to try my HDMI cable again. Maybe I should try again.

I'm in Durham NC

I tried my HDMI cable with the 4240HDC and the problem appears to be fixed.:) I guess they truly have updated the firmware. I receive Durham cable.

My faith in Time Warner has been restored for the time being......

Gotta love those DRM restrictions. Geez.

Well I am in Maine and have the same problem with the 4250 as all of you. I went in to TWC to get another receiver only to get another 4250. I asked for a different model with an HDMI output and was told that I would have to upgrade to DVR for 7.50 extra a month.

I have not tried the new one yet, but do not have high hopes. I will have a technician come out next time to waste TMC money, since I know full well what will be wrong, but if they want to play games, we can too.

Ok, I'm in Raleigh, NC and its working. However, I only have 1080i selected and when I power off the box and the TV (LG LCD) and then power them back on, the box goes back to 480p and I have to go into settings and select it all over again. But the settings still say 1080i, the front display says 480p and the image is 480p. uggg...

anyone else having this problem?

Ok, I'm in Raleigh, NC and its working. However, I only have 1080i selected and when I power off the box and the TV (LG LCD) and then power them back on, the box goes back to 480p and I have to go into settings and select it all over again. But the settings still say 1080i, the front display says 480p and the image is 480p. uggg...

anyone else having this problem?

Yes, I gave up and went back to the component cable.

Darn TYPO not 4350HDC: Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250HDC

Yep just went from standard cable to digital to take advantage of my new Sony 32" LCD TV Bravia. (Ironically my Sony has QAM and get all the HD networks on standard CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS....).

TV works fine so for. Originally I was using the component cable they gave me to connect cable to TV. I asked about HDMI and they said they don't provide that. OK.

I decided to try a HDMI cable and got one off a eBay for cheap ($6) and plugged it in. At first no audio. I rebooted and still no audio. Going into settings, devices and audio I had to manually select HDMI for audio.

Well I thought great (so far). Than I tried to connect my PVR (personal video recorder - a PC computer with Win XP and video capture card/tuner, to record shows to hard drive). Since the TV card only has basic analog cable, they are the only shows I can record with out the box.

THAN I TRIED TO CONNECT THE BOX TO THE PVR WITH S-video, to record from that. The 4250HDC has a S-video out. So I hooked it up and BAM got the GS511_HDCP_DLG message.

I switch the input to the PVR tuner card from S-video to coaxial (chan 3). Still have the same problem.

Probably going to go back to the Component cable and see if that does it.

The PVR has the problem, not my TV (so far). As long as I just watch, record and playback basic cable with the PVR, I'm OK. The PVR has a cool feature (that I can't use right now) which allows me to control the cable box with a IR blaster, a device that turns on and tunes the cable box. This allows scheduled recording of DIGITAL channels above 100.

About 40 minutes on CHAT with TWC got the BS line that it was not their problem. THEY LIE or are incompetent.
Anyway great group glad I joined.

Ok - I had the Explorer 8300 (non-HD model) with TWC NYC. I bought a computer monitor lcd that has hdmi input and d-sub (vga) input. I exchanged my box for an Explorer 8300HDC. First let me say the channel processing is much slower than my old box.

Anyway, this was my plan - with the single HD box.
A. Connect it to my living room tv using the coaxial cable and/or component.
B. Connect the hdmi out to the hdmi port of my new lcd monitor.
C Connect my pc to the vga port of the monitor.

So the one cable box controls the output on both my crt television and my lcd monitor. Only downside is you cant watch 2 different show at the same time but thats not an issue for me.

So I get everything working on the lcd, even the hdmi sound. However when I connect the hdmi cable to the box the component video goes out. Not the biggest issue either.

However, when my computer monitor's input is set to hdmi and is displaying cable tv from the cable box, my crt television also correctly displays the cable tv. Once I switch my lcd monitor back to the vga port (i.e. in pc mode) the cable tv being displayed on my crt television goes off and I get the GS511_HDCP_DLG error, the same exact error being discussed in this thread.

So to summarize, when my computer monitor (HDMI compliant) is set to HDMI and displaying cable signal then my non _HD analog tv will also display the same tv signal which is what I want, but when my computer monitor changes input source to vga, my analog tv no longer works and I get the error.

Has anyone tried lowering the resoltuion of the hd settings in the box? Does this help?

gmcjetpilot, my situation is similar.


My previous TV did not have HDMI. Instead, here was my setup:
SA4250 to TV via component
SA4250 to TiVo via S-Video
TiVo to TV via S-Video
Everything worked fine.

I just got a Samsung PN50A650, which has HDMI inputs. So, changed the S4250 to TV connection to HDMI. Now, whenever I watch the signal coming to HDMI1, everything works great. However, if I try to watch the signal coming into S-Video, I see the GS511 error.
Interestingly enough, if I unplug the HDMI cable from either the TV or the cable box, the error goes away and the signal starts coming in via the S-video connection.
TWC Raleigh tech is coming on Tuesday. They've threatened to charge me if this isn't a cable box issue.

Anybody notice this other bit of annoyance? The only way to get true dolby digital out of the box is to set it to Dolby Digital (which means all audio is sent out the fiber optic port - nothing is sent through the HDMI connection). If you choose to send audio via HDMI, then any signal sent from the box optical port or the TV's optical port becomes ProLogic II. Rather annoying, since I don't always watch TV with my surround system on.

gmcjetpilot, my situation is similar.


My previous TV did not have HDMI. Instead, here was my setup:
SA4250 to TV via component
SA4250 to TiVo via S-Video
TiVo to TV via S-Video
Everything worked fine.

I just got a Samsung PN50A650, which has HDMI inputs. So, changed the S4250 to TV connection to HDMI. Now, whenever I watch the signal coming to HDMI1, everything works great. However, if I try to watch the signal coming into S-Video, I see the GS511 error.
Interestingly enough, if I unplug the HDMI cable from either the TV or the cable box, the error goes away and the signal starts coming in via the S-video connection.
TWC Raleigh tech is coming on Tuesday. They've threatened to charge me if this isn't a cable box issue.

Anybody notice this other bit of annoyance? The only way to get true dolby digital out of the box is to set it to Dolby Digital (which means all audio is sent out the fiber optic port - nothing is sent through the HDMI connection). If you choose to send audio via HDMI, then any signal sent from the box optical port or the TV's optical port becomes ProLogic II. Rather annoying, since I don't always watch TV with my surround system on.


This is the exact issue. My theory is that it is intentional. While the HDMI port has a live connection (power does not have to be on) none of the other outputs will work (coaxial, composite, component etc). I guess it is to prevent digital recording but its stupid if you ask me. It messes up the basic functionality of the box.

Whats strange though is that when my hdmi monitor was actively displaying tv the coaxial output would function but once I switched input source of the hdmi montior to vga it stopped functioning. This kind of contradicts my theory above. BTW, I have a SA 8300HDC.

Soupmama, please post the results of the cable tech visit.

Soupmama, please post the results of the cable tech visit.

Will do. If this is truely a situation of DRM, then it is definitely out of control.
It's bad enough that anything I buy from the iTunes store can only be played on approved m4p players (which includes neither my car stereo or my mp3 player). Now I can't TiVo my favorite shows?

Has anyone had success with the Samsung box with TWC? Is that box DVR also??

Has anyone had success with the Samsung box with TWC? Is that box DVR also??

Oops, sorry. I never did post my update.
My story with TWC was really frustrating, but it did have a happy ending. Like I said, I called TWc to report the issue with the SA4250. After 20-30 min on hold, I finally spoke to someone to talked to me like I was 10 yrs old. I explained the problem, and all of their suggestions were elementary (and I had already tried them). So they scheduled me for a service call, under the threat that if there was nothing wrong with the box, I'd have to pay for the service call. My service call was scheduled for 5-7 on Tuesday.

I left work an hour early to get home in time on Tuesday. I sit and wait and wait and wait. finally, I get a call at 6:45. "Hi, this is TWC. Says here your SA 4245 isn't working?" I explain the problem, and he says "Yeah, that's because the SA4250 doesn't work with HDMI." And there's nothing he could do for me.
So that was it. I left work early to sit and wait for 2 hrs until the guy could call me on the phone and tell me the problem was with the box, and there was nothing I could do. And the best part? He also told me that the jerkface rep I had spoken to on the phone should have known this and should have been able to tell me this, saving me the whole hassle of dealing with the service call.

I called TWC customer service to express my displeasure over the whole situation, but before I could even get started, I was told that I could have another box. I was told that it was the SA3250. Same connections, same capability, different firmware and hardware. Two day's later, my wife went to get the box from one of their local facilities. It was the Samsung box. I hooked it up. It works perfectly. It is not a DVR box.

Bottom line:

TWC knows their is a problem with HDMI and the SA4250
TWC still has Samsung boxes to provide to those who are having difficulties with the SA4250
The Samsung box solves the problem
There is one drawback with the Samsung box: it does not allow you to change the color of the sidebars for 4:3 programming to a color other than black ( a feature that is preferable for plasma TV's)
The first person I spoke with on TWC customer is a jerkface.

Does Samsung make an hd dvr box that TWC carries?

Does Samsung make an hd dvr box that TWC carries?


That I don't know. But from what I've gleaned from this and other threads is that the SA DVR box doesn't suffer from the same issues as the SA4250. Plus it has PiP!

So my problem was a little different as it was related to the SA 8300HDC and trying to use multiple outputs from the cable box at the same time. I initially got the error when I ran the hdmi to a hdcp compliant lcd and the coaxial to a tv. When the lcd was off, I would get the error on the tv via coaxial. Strange is that when the lcd was on, the tv would work fine.

I gave up on the lcd but I recently bought a 32" plasma with no hdcp markings that I am aware of. So I still have coaxial and component going from box to analog tv and hdmi going to plasma. I thought for sure I was going to get the error again but I didnt. Everything works fine. The only error I get which I am not a 100% sure is the same error but I think it is , when my hdmi connected plasma is on, the component output of the box stops working and the error flashes for a sec. Kind of the opposite that was happening with my other lcd - strange.

I know this may seem wordy but I figure maybe some who read this thread can get an idea of how this error relates to hdcp