The 8000HD doesn't output to the s-video output when its in default HD mode, only the component output is active. You have to manually force it to SD mode with some front panel key sequence to get the s-video output active with 480i mode only.
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Recording to DVD from 8000HD
I have an 8000HD from TWC Houston, and a Philips DVD Recorder. The 8000HD is hooked up as follows: Component video directly to TV, coax digital audio to my preamp (B&K Ref 20, which doesn't do component video switching). I also have analog audio out to my TV so I don't have to listen thru my Ref 20. I also hooked up the S-video out on the 8000 to my Ref 20. I have the monitor output from my Ref 20 hooked up to the inputs on my DVD recorder (s-video and analog audio). The B&K sends the currently active input signal out through the monitor out.
I am trying to record a show from HBO On Demand to my DVDR, but when I switch the B&K to the 8000's input, I get a black screen on my TV (which I manually set to the DVD input to visually check what signal the DVD player is receiving before I start recording). If I switch the B&K to other sources, the DVDR does receive video. If I hook up another source to the input on the B&K that I am using for the DVDR, that signal gets passed through fine. But when the 8000 is hooked up to it, the DVDR indicates it is receiving a signal, but shows a black screen.
I saw in a FAQ on Scientific Atlanta's website that you can't record shows from an 8300HD to a DVD recorder. But it doesn't explain how it prevents that. I can't figure out if the 8000 is somehow sensing that a DVD recorder is hooked up to the B&Ks monitor out and blocking the signal or what. Any ideas? Any suggested workarounds? Do I just have it hooked up incorrectly? I have tried the save2vcr function, but the 8000 won't let you record from Icontrol, so that is useless.
Thanks i advance
Any suggestions would be welcome.
I am trying to record a show from HBO On Demand to my DVDR, but when I switch the B&K to the 8000's input, I get a black screen on my TV (which I manually set to the DVD input to visually check what signal the DVD player is receiving before I start recording). If I switch the B&K to other sources, the DVDR does receive video. If I hook up another source to the input on the B&K that I am using for the DVDR, that signal gets passed through fine. But when the 8000 is hooked up to it, the DVDR indicates it is receiving a signal, but shows a black screen.
I saw in a FAQ on Scientific Atlanta's website that you can't record shows from an 8300HD to a DVD recorder. But it doesn't explain how it prevents that. I can't figure out if the 8000 is somehow sensing that a DVD recorder is hooked up to the B&Ks monitor out and blocking the signal or what. Any ideas? Any suggested workarounds? Do I just have it hooked up incorrectly? I have tried the save2vcr function, but the 8000 won't let you record from Icontrol, so that is useless.
Thanks i advance
Any suggestions would be welcome.
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Thanks for the explanation. Does anyone know the key sequence to use?
Quote:
With my version of SARA ...
- Turn off DVR
- Turn on TV
- Press GUIDE + INFO on front of DVR
- Screen comes up that says something to the effect of "you're in HD mode ... press A to continue"
- Don't press anything ... wait ... wait ...
- After a few seconds you'll see a screen that says something to the effect of "SD Mode, press A to continue".
- Press A
You'll be in "SD Mode". SVideo and Composite will always be active. However, component will not be active. Go back through the above to get back in to HD Mode ...
No clue about Passport or other versions of SARA.
| Originally posted by Ben jammin Thanks for the explanation. Does anyone know the key sequence to use? |
- Turn off DVR
- Turn on TV
- Press GUIDE + INFO on front of DVR
- Screen comes up that says something to the effect of "you're in HD mode ... press A to continue"
- Don't press anything ... wait ... wait ...
- After a few seconds you'll see a screen that says something to the effect of "SD Mode, press A to continue".
- Press A
You'll be in "SD Mode". SVideo and Composite will always be active. However, component will not be active. Go back through the above to get back in to HD Mode ...
No clue about Passport or other versions of SARA.
Thanks dt. So I guess there's no way to have both s-video and component active at the same time. Sort of ridiculous.
FWIW, I called TWC tech support and they told me the s-video output is inactive and there is now way to activate it. I'll try your suggestion and see if it works.
FWIW, I called TWC tech support and they told me the s-video output is inactive and there is now way to activate it. I'll try your suggestion and see if it works.
Quote:
See if your cable company has an 8300HD as a replacement. Many cable companies do ... and most seem to come with support for simultaneous component / SVideo.
| Originally posted by Ben jammin Thanks dt. So I guess there's no way to have both s-video and component active at the same time. Sort of ridiculous. |
Thats correct the SA8000HD doesn't support simultaneous SD and HD outputs. That feature however was added to the newer SA8300HD model.
Quote:
Interesting. I know they do have the 8300 available and I asked the tech support team leader is if its s-video output is active or inactive and he said it is inactive just like the 8000. Of course, he may not know what he's talking about, but it could also be that TWC has deactivated it for some reason I guess. I may try to swap out and check.
From the picture of 8300 on their website it looks white. Is that right, or is it silver? I have never seen a white component, but WAF would pretty much rule it out.
| See if your cable company has an 8300HD as a replacement. Many cable companies do ... and most seem to come with support for simultaneous component / SVideo. |
From the picture of 8300 on their website it looks white. Is that right, or is it silver? I have never seen a white component, but WAF would pretty much rule it out.
Ben Jammin,
You need to look into the HDTV Recorders and Players Forum here. The Houston 8300 has all outputs running. The SD outputs provide the same program as the Component and HDMI unless you tell the machine to archive to VCR at which time the SD outs go to the recording you have selected to archive. The 8300HD is much friendlier that the 8000HD.
TerryB
You need to look into the HDTV Recorders and Players Forum here. The Houston 8300 has all outputs running. The SD outputs provide the same program as the Component and HDMI unless you tell the machine to archive to VCR at which time the SD outs go to the recording you have selected to archive. The 8300HD is much friendlier that the 8000HD.
TerryB
Thanks for the info Terry - didn't realize there was another forum for this. Clearly a lot of overlap. I'll check it out, but that is good to know. Maybe next weekend I'll swap out my 8000. I need to watch or archive everything on my 8000 first though. 
Oy. Terry - there are several 8000HD and 8300HD threads over there, and separate ones for different software types - SARA and Passoport. Not sure what the diff is, or which TWC Houston uses, and don't have time to read hundereds of pages to figure it out. Any chance you can link me to the relevant thread for us - or at least tell me what software version we have?
Also, are there any drawbacks at all to the 8000 vs. the 8300 that you know of? Thanks.
Also, are there any drawbacks at all to the 8000 vs. the 8300 that you know of? Thanks.
Ben Jammin,
Look into the threads for 8000 or 8300 using SARA software. The 8300 is ahead of the 6000 here in Houston anyway as the HDMI digital interface is working for most who need it anyway. There are no down sides to the move to the 8300 from the 8000 here in Houston. Ths issues with the 8300 are:
Some times when audio dropouts up to three sedonds will occur mostly on replays.
Can't start a playback from the beginning on a program which is still recording. You need to go to list pick the show and rewind to the beginning.
Can't bookmark for future play more than one playback in progress. (this seemed to be working for a few days but went away again (maybe they pulled back an update with some problem))
If you start watching a program which is still recording (chase play) and fail to catchup to real time by fast forwarding through commercials, you'll be thrown out to the live signal when the recording interval ends. "Kickout"
I swear that kickout and multiple bookmarks fixes were working the first of this week but returned about Thursday and I'v reloaded code and it's dated October.
Be sure to start with TWC 8300 and 8000 w/SARA threads.
TerryB
Look into the threads for 8000 or 8300 using SARA software. The 8300 is ahead of the 6000 here in Houston anyway as the HDMI digital interface is working for most who need it anyway. There are no down sides to the move to the 8300 from the 8000 here in Houston. Ths issues with the 8300 are:
Some times when audio dropouts up to three sedonds will occur mostly on replays.
Can't start a playback from the beginning on a program which is still recording. You need to go to list pick the show and rewind to the beginning.
Can't bookmark for future play more than one playback in progress. (this seemed to be working for a few days but went away again (maybe they pulled back an update with some problem))
If you start watching a program which is still recording (chase play) and fail to catchup to real time by fast forwarding through commercials, you'll be thrown out to the live signal when the recording interval ends. "Kickout"
I swear that kickout and multiple bookmarks fixes were working the first of this week but returned about Thursday and I'v reloaded code and it's dated October.
Be sure to start with TWC 8300 and 8000 w/SARA threads.
TerryB
Thanks Terry. I'll check out those threads. The kickout and playback from beginning issues are both issues with my 8000 as well, so I am used to those, though they are incredibly frustrating. Those seem to be software feature issues though. As far as technical glitches such as audip dropouts, I have never experienced any. Sometimes I experience extreme blockiness on free OnDemand programs for my kids, but that's about it. Still, the upgrade seems worth it.
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
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