Problem with cablevision (optimum) scientific atlana cable boxes since menu guide update...

Yes I'm having the same problem....

I have the same issue. HDMI directly to TV, and coax to receiver. If you unplug the HDMI cable, it will send digital audio over the coax and the receiver switches to dolby digital. As soon as I reconnect the HDMI cable to the tv, the receiver switches back to non digital audio. The old dvr software did have a way of selecting where to send the digital audio. Definitely the dvr software needs an updating from support. I bet there recommended solution will be to use a component cable to your tv until the dvr software is updated. Please let me know what the tech informs you. I plan on calling cablevision tonight to complain about this too.

I posted this problem with Dolby not working with the new menu system 13 days ago to the Cablevision New York forum. I have made many attempts to get Cablevision to resolve the problem with no results. I an told that more complaints of the problem would help.

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Have been using an Optimum Cablevision SA8300HD box with HDMI to a TV for video and TV speakers and using Digial out to an A/V receiver for Dolby 5.1 home theater. This worked fine until the settings menu was changed last week. I used to be able to change the Audio between HDMI and Dolby depending on whether I wanted the TV speakers or my surround sound home theater speakers. SInce the menu was change I no longer get Dolby 5.1 to mv A/V only get Pro Logic.
Unpluging the HDMI from TV restores the Dolby 5.1. The new menu does not turn off HDMi when Dolby is selected.

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Since this post I have tried the optical output on the 8300 and on my TV with no success. Only get 2 channel output. On the Optimum website there is a troubleshooting item (ID 2137) regarding "Audio Defaults to Stereo (2-channels), This is also covered in the operating manuals for the 8300. These items describe how changing the audio outputs could be correctly handled with the previous settings menu.

It's AMAZING!!!! Fios looks better & better everyday

Thanks for info update

Cablevision sent a service "professional" to my home today. Upon attempting to fix the audio issue, he broke the cable box and replaced it with a new one. However, I lost all my recorded programs (which had sentimental significance). I then called Cablevision and was informed they are aware of the surround sound/Dolby issue and have brought it to management's attention. I asked when a fix would be loaded to the boxes and she said there is no current timetable. I then asked if they could beam me back the old version of the software and she said they could not do that. They did let me know that they have stopped all future upgrades to service areas outside of mine until the firmware is fixed - gee thanks.

Wow, I am sure glad I found this forum. I have been trying to hold off getting my blood pressure up by calling cablevision about the same issue. I probably have to switch to component video in for the time being (yuck) I hope it gets fixed soon. Dolan delivers another top quality product!

If i find out anything on this I'll be sure to post

A week later and still no firmware updates - Ughhhhhhhh!

I feel sorry for those that have Cablevision as their only option for pay-tv. They are the WORST cable company I've ever dealt with. Fortunately for me that was some time ago, but from what I've read here and elsewhere over time, nothing has changed.

larry

Switching ti FiOS

I discovered the same problem with my box as well a few weeks back. The 'tech' I spoke to was unaware of this problem and suggested I replace the box. I finally got around that today, sacrificing all my recorded DVR content, only to discover I've been given a non-functioning box. Trip #2 back to Cablevision, swap the box, only to find I STILL HAVE THE AUDIO PROBLEM! I call their support line again, only to get someone more condescending than the last support tech I spoke to who is claiming no knowledge of any issues with this firmware (FYI: I do tech work for a living, so I have at least half a clue). I get a supervisor on the line who is even less interested in speaking with me, but while on hold I switched to component video and fixed the problem myself. I advised the supe, who happens to claim ignorance to the problem, to put out a bulletin to their support reps, perhaps they would have less frustrated customers. Just as an FYI to everyone with this problem: since Cablevision only supports 1080i resolution, you should not see any difference whatsoever viewing your television programming over component video vs. HDMI, so you can save yourselves the frustration of fighting with cablevision on this matter. HDMI would only be required for 1080p (primarily for blu-ray players). I'm trying to find flaws in my image quality, but everything looks good. Good luck, Cablevision really works to lose more and more customers, I'm struggling to stick with the devil I know.

Having the same problem. Cablevision service rep was useless. When asked if HDMI throughput would work to get my dolby signal back. I was told that Cablevision recommends going straight to the set with HDMI cable top maintain signal strength. Wouldn't guarantee that it would even work. Plus I'd HAVE to turn on my amp/receiver now for audio just to watch the news? GREAT UPDATE CABLEVISION!!!
I guess your software programmers are either inept, or decided that dolby digital surround sound is way overrated??? So much for the $1200 bucks I spent in audio home theater equipment, huh?
Shopping for another service provider!

At least you got through to a rep, This problem has been going on TOO LONG!! I wish Cablevision would get there heads out of there buts and come up with a solution. The in-house programers must really suck.

Also the new samsung box being used by Cablvision (SMT-C5320) do not have a pass-through video of the signal like the Scientific Atlanta ( hd4250)
box.
You're stuck with the resolution that you save in the box. Even though Fox broadcasts in 720p, you won't get it if the box is not set to that resolution. If the box is set to 1080i and you're watching fox which again is in 720p, you going to be watching it in 1080i. Unacceptable.
I did not accept this new samsung box. I forced them to find me a SA with HDMI outputs when I needed to get more boxes since now you need a box for every set. It took them 2 weeks to find me 4 more SA HD boxes with HDMI outputs. They originally brought 4 of them with only component outputs and I said no.
The installer had no idea until I told him about the new Samsung box. I told him to tell engineering that this configuration of the Samsung box was unacceptable.
Edited by dudley07726 - 2/9/13 at 8:29am

Have the same problem. Actually got through to a technician 2 months ago who told me it was a "known problem." Called back recently and was also told to disconnect the optical digital audio and use hdmi direct to the receiver. Of course, that didn't work! Ridiculously poor customer service. Maybe FIOS should start advertising their ability to deliver Dolby Digital sound!

I had the exact same problem with the new guide a/k/a software......

Some things to know:

When the box flashes 'hold', it really means 'wait' - it is trying to download software from Cablevision. If you disconnect the coax cable, you will sit on 'hold' indefinitely.

As it turns out, Cablevision's new software cannot support HDMI and separate digital 5.1 audio simultaneously. If there's an HDMI cable plugged in, that's where the 5.1 audio gets sent. Period.

The DVR will send digital audio out the fiber connection, but it's not 5.1.
If I were to unplug my HDMI cable or turn off the TV, I could get 5.1 sound via fiber to my receiver.
But then my TV is dark!
Are you kidding?
Am I supposed to go out and buy a new receiver that accepts HDMI?!
One rep at Cablevision even told me the problem must be my Sony receiver, which they don't support..

The tech came on Saturday and insisted on swapping out my DVR. I told him I didn't want to lose all the content on my DVR. I also told him the problem was the software and of course, he didn't like my attitude. I insisted he troubleshoot the problem with my DVR, but he wouldn't listen. He swapped out the DVR and sure enough, surround 5.1 digital audio still didn't work.

When he plugged in my external disc (DVR expander), it came up with a message about reformatting. Before I could even ask if we could see any content still left out on the old drive, he pressed the button to re-format my drive. Thank you very, very much.
Strike 1.

He insisted there was an option to select where to send the 5.1 signal - HDMI or not. I told him that option was gone in the new software. Sure enough, he couldn't find it because it doesn't exist anymore.
Strike 2.

He then insisted that we try the RCA plug type audio (left right - white red) cable. I told him that is strictly an analog audio signal. There is no way on God's green earth digital audio will be passed via analog. We tried it anyway and of course, it didn't work.
Strike 3.

So, he suggested we use component video cables to connect the cable box to the TV. Sure enough, surround sound started working because the HDMI cable is unplugged.

He left extremely pissed off with some kind of attitude. I must have ruined his day by proving him wrong so many times. So, I had to downgrade from HDMI to component video. It turns out Cablevision doesn't support 1080p which requires HDMI cables. The best they can do is 1080i, so having HDMI is meaningless.

If Cablevision had been honest and admitted they had a problem in this area, I would have accepted that. I could have easily re-cabled my box with component video myself and lived with 1080i. But I needlessly lost everything in my DVR. They gave me another Scientific Atlanta 8300 box, just like the one I had. It works the exact same way.


It's the software, guys.

Another problem with their new guide:
Suppose you are watching Jeopardy which starts at 7pm.
The show is in cache because you haven't changed channels.
At 7:15 you decide you really like the show and decide to record it.
You will only record from 7:15 on.
The old software would record the entire show, as long as it was still in cache, and you didn't change channels.
You no longer have the ability to change the start time, so that means you had better know beforehand exactly what you want to record to your DVR.
No more recording on the fly.
Way to go Cablevision, another great feature.

FiOS was installed last Thursday.

After almost 40 years, I have evicted Cablevision from my house.
I have returned their empty DVR without a second thought.

Bob S.
Bergenfield, NJ

I'm not very tech savvy so I'm going to describe this in my terms, even though I think it's been said previously in the thread. I bought an Onkyo 5.1 system and I'm not getting surround sound. Hard to believe the problem is Cablevision's Scientific Atlanta 8300HD box but nothing about Cablevision would surprise me. I have an HDMI cable running from 8300HD box to the Onkyo AV system and then another HDMI cable from the Onkyo to my TV (Samsung). Am I not getting surround sound? And if not, is there any configuration that will give me surround sound (such as component video and optical audio cable)? Any help (in simple terms) would be appreciated. And don't suggest I change providers -- FIOS doesn't serve my area, dammit.

No offense to anyone posting in this thread. But you might have better luck getting answers to your questions in the HDTV Recorders or the Digital Recorders (PVRs) General sub forums. This forum is more for the discussion of Surround Music Formats and not hardware such as cable boxes. It might be best if this thread was moved to one of the mentioned sub forums .

Bill

My wife has been calling a supervisor @ Cablevision Mark Combs(973-659-2454) Given to us by one one of the techs that first came out to fix the problem.. She has been calling him about every couple of weeks since the beginning of the year. She never actually gets him only his voicemail. Within a few days he does call back..At first he said it was a known problem and they were working on it. My wife called again and he said Hopefully by the end of April., Still not working. My wife called a few days ago and now there saying maybe by the end of the year...WTF?. If they supposedly have there own in house programers why can't they correct the problem.? To me it seems they are not even trying. . We need more people to flood this guys office with calls and tell him what we think.. How can we keep paying more and more for something that doesn't work right ?. I think this is unexceptable. . I'll probably be looking into Direct TV very Soon.

I called about the samsuck box they told me I have to keep rebooting. wtf they said it is an ongoing problem there is nothing they can do.Iam going back to fios it is the best