[JamesEdwards]

Can anyone offer any advice on what I should do to correct a color problem? I have an RCA MM36100 HDTV with a VGA connection for HD; Scientific Atlanta 2000HD digital cable box; and Time Warner cable with HD signal on a couple of channels. The 2000HD box has five plug connectors (RGB, H sync and V sync) and my TV has 15-pin computer monitor style plug. I bought the cable to connect the two. I get a signal. But, I don’t get proper color. The green overrides the other colors. I have to adjust the color settings and still cannot get a good mix. What am I doing wrong? Is it the cable signal? My connections? The TV? The rest of the channels are fine when I look at them through the S-Video connectors, the coax, the VCR or the regular RCA-type inputs. Help!

 

[hob]

Too bad you don't own a RCA F-38310, I just found the way in to the service menu.

I have the thread up on the Direct View forum, if you want to take a look at it, it might give an idea of what it takes to get a key sequence that works.

 

[JohnRichmond]

Did anyone convert that SA2000HD box from component output to RGBHV output for you? If not then that's your problem. You have to open the box and switch the 3 jumpers that are at the rear of the circuit board near the output jacks.


JohnR

 

[Jeep4JB]

I'm trying to get the Scientific Atlanta box working on my RCA MM36100. Time Warner was here today and we found that the signal types are obviously different as there is a HV sync problem. Any idea how I can get this working as I'm dying to finally enjoy some HD material on my TV? Thanks!

 

[bdenman]

The SA2000HD can output HD one of two ways. Three-wire Component YPrPb or 5-wire RGBHV. (If you have a green screen that is indicative you don't have it right). Note the new SA3100HD has only YPrPb. Someday TWC may have a transcoder available for YPrPb -> RGBHV but for now one might have to buy one on the market.


Jeep4JB; which HD box did they bring out for you? If the 2000HD you should be able to get it to work with 5 wire cables and the jumpers set correctly.


Inside the 2000HD's case at the rear are three computer type jumpers that need to be changed (go from 1 and 2 to 2 and 3 jumped or vice verse). If you don't to do it TWC should do it for you. The case has five torx T-10 screws with secuity pins in the middle; takes a special torx driver and I got mine 9in a set at Lowes.


Make sure your display is set in the DTV menu for either YPrPb or RGBHV.


Bruce

 

[Jeep4JB]

Bruce,


I think they brought out the SA3100HD but I neglected to get the model # and they took the box with them since it wasn't working. However, I called in to TWC and they said they are using the SA3100HD and the SA2000HD so I'm hoping I can get my hands on one of the SA2000HDs. I'm just wondering the the breakout cable would do the trick. I like my RCA MM36100 but I have found it has several little quirks. Thanks for your help!


Jamie

 

[bdenman]

Jamie,


You really must get the SA2000HD model. Press them on it!


Looking at the owners manual (net download) of your TV, it has only two DB-15 RGB connections. I doubt TWC has a transcoder available anywhere yet for the SA3100HD but you might ask. Your only other alternative for the cable solution is to get a transcoder.


One web retailer that sells transcoders is www.copperbox.com. Reviewing their site it appears the Key Digital Systems KD-CTCA2 transcoder does what you need done. Its price is $299! Other brands of transcoders exist .... Audio Authority and RCA are two that I know of.... but a quick search did not reveal either with a model that does the exact conversion that you need.


Regarding your question about a breakout cable..... that won't work. That would change the form factor of the connector but not the signal characteristics. What you are trying to do is convert 3-wire component signals (with sync included with two of the color signals) to separate color and sync signals (hence 5-wire RGBHV).


You will need a breakout cable with the SA2000HD along with 5 BNC-RCA adaptors so you can go from 5 RCA connects on the cable box to DB-15 RGBHV. Sources might include RS, other computer dealers, or in the computer dept of a local Best Buy or equivilant.


I am afraid the only other solution I know of would a DBS system. If you consider that route, the RCA DTC-100 model would be a great match (of course) for its output is RBGHV and uses a DB-15 RBH connector. From what I have read it is still a very good STB to use. But the costs again enter into that decision.


Good luck.

Bruce

 

[dkan24]

if you have that television, then why don't you just use the component inputs?


I have the same television, (the Proscan version) and I use the component inputs with the SA2000HD.


The only problem with this setup, is the picture is tall and thin. No black bars on top and bottom to make the ratio correct.


With the RGB hookup- is it tall and thin too? Or does this hookup put black bars on the top and bottom for you? If it does, then I would switch mine to this.

 

[Jeep4JB]

Bruce,


I'm going to see what I can do as far as getting the SA2000HD from TWC. The alternative with the SA3100HD would cost a bit more than I'm willing to spend right now. I really appreciate you taking the time to research my TV and such so you could help me out with this. Now I just have to hope I can get my hands on one of those SA200HDs because I'd love to finally have some HD material on my TV. Thanks again!


Jamie

 

[bdenman]

Jamie,


Good luck. In reference to dkan24's comment, I see there is a set of component inputs marked as DVD YPrPb which tells me it is for 480. If it will handle 480p it might well handle the scanning frequence of 1080i which is the same freq used by 540p. Close enough? I don't know. Did your TWC installer try that input?


I would hope your set would display 1080i correctly in the vertical plane. It appears the only HDTV input is the one marked (S)VGA2. Hopefully a 2000HD will give you the picture you want. Good luck.


Bruce

 

[mphinne2]

Wow , your time warner charges for the HD cable boxes??? There is no extra charge in Maine for this service.

 

[bdenman]

Quote:

Originally posted by mphinne2 Wow , your time warner charges for the HD cable boxes??? There is no extra charge in Maine for this service.

Here we pay ~$5 for a cable box.... makes no difference whether its a standard one (like a SA2100) or a HD one (SA2000HD or SA3100HD).


To get the HD channels, you have to be a subscriber to the Ditigal Tier which I believe costs about $10/mo more and gives you a number of additional channels. If you subscribe to HBO and/or SHO, the HD channel(s) comes along for the ride. There might be a package deal there too.


Bruce

 

[Jeep4JB]

Bruce,


Unfortunately the RCA MM36100 component input does not support a progressive signal. RCA changed this when they replaced it with the MM36110. I found this out after the fact of course so I set up an old PC as a HTPC so I could utilize the VGA input and get a progressive signal. Apparently the specs on the 2 VGA inputs are different but RCA won't disclose details. TWC is supposed to call me back on getting the SA2000HD. They said there were a lot of bugs in them so they weren't giving them out but I'm hoping I can get my hands on one since the alternative is buying a transcoder which I've read doesn't always work perfectly and requires tweaking thru the service menu. I'm hoping TWC won't have a problem changing the jumpers on the box either if I can get one. We'll see what happens. Thanks again for all your time and help Bruce!


Jamie

 

[dkan24]

after looking back, I did realize that the 100 does not take progressive signals. The thing is: 1080i is an interlaced signal, not progressive. So would it work?

 

[Jeep4JB]

dkan24,


Based on everything I've read, the component input will only support a 480i signal so it appears the only way to get a HD signal to the TV is through the VGA port.


I just got off the phone with TWC and they are apparently going to be offering adapaters for $93 that will convert the component output on the SA3100HD box to RGBHV. So I should just be able to buy a RGB breakout cable and use this adapter to get it work. I tried to talk them into just giving me a SA2000HD box since I know that would work and I'm not 100% sure the adapter is going to do the trick. She said they couldn't do that and have these adapters on order to take care of the problem. Unfortunately, it will be a couple of weeks before they get them so I just have to wait. I was hoping to spend some time this weekend enjoying some HDTV but I guess not. Thanks again for all the help!


Jamie

 

[Jeep4JB]

Anybody have any details on the type of signal the VGA connection is outputting on the RCA MM36100? I've called RCA several times and seem to get nowhere. I need to know if it is outputting a RGBHV signal and I can just use a VGA breakout cable. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!


Jamie