Setting up Scientific Atlantic cable boxes to "pass-through" the source resolution

PFC5 · 12-31-2009, 04:07 PM

Most cable/sat boxes have poor scalers and deinterlacers so it is almost always better to let the HDTV scale the source material to the HDTV's native resolution. Here is how to do it:

To get into the setup wizard do this:

Make sure the TV is ON.
Make sure the HD3250 is OFF.
Press INFO & GUIDE buttons on the BOX (not remote) at the same time.

Select the advanced setup wizard and only setup the following resolutions:

480p, 720p, & 1080i

You set it up this way so that when you use the Pass-Through option (explained below) in the Cable box it allows this signal to go to the TV so the TV can do the conversion to 1080i. It probably does it better than the cable box does (at least on mine it does).

After you get it all done and save it, shut off the cable box wait 5 seconds then turn it on and hit the MENU/Settings button on the remote TWICE. Scroll up to the Set: Picture Format and choose Pass-Through.

You can also try; Fixed, & Upscale 1 too. Upscale 1 converts everything to 1080i, even the 480 SD signals, but it is the cable box doing the scaling. Don't use the Upscale 2, this changes everything to 720p which your CRT RPTV does not display.

Then hit exit.

Hope this helps!

caes4 · 01-02-2010, 02:14 AM

i have the ipn330hd model, there is only a power and menu button and the OK button with the 4 cursors.
how do i set this for pass through?

JohnJSal · 01-19-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

Select the advanced setup wizard and only setup the following resolutions:

480p, 720p, & 1080i

If I have both 480p Widescreen and 480p Standard options, I choose Widescreen, right?

Edit: Am I losing anything by not choosing all the other resolutions too, such as 480i and 720i?

Quote:

After you get it all done and save it, shut off the cable box wait 5 seconds then turn it on and hit the MENU/Settings button on the remote TWICE. Scroll up to the Set: Picture Format and choose Pass-Through.

Just a quick note, on my 8300HD box, the "Pass-Through" option is called "Auto DVI/HDMI"

Edit: And just for my information, if I want to change it back to the default, non-Pass Through setting (I assume that was "Fixed"), do I just need to change the Picture Format option from the remote, or do I need to go back into the box settings and reselect other/all resolutions?

Thanks.

Sooner Al · 01-20-2010, 06:18 AM

Auto DVI/HDMI will be the option if you connect the HDTV and the SA box with a HDMI cable for example. If you use component cables you will see the Pass Through option.

Personally I have gone back to the Easy Setup Instructions and simply select the widescreen 16:4 then select Pass Through. I have two HDTVs using component cables. That way I get all resolutions. See page 5.

http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/su...s2/4004007.pdf

If you work through the Advanced Setup option then try all of the resolutions and see which ones you like best. Delete or add as necessary. Its all personal opinon anyway...

avgguy · 02-05-2010, 11:22 AM

I have an SA HD box, model Explorer 4250 HDC. Connection is HDMI. I tried pressing INFo & GUIDE buttons together with box off and tv on, and got nothing. Maybe it won't work on this model. Thanks !

JohnJSal · 02-05-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avgguy

I have an SA HD box, model Explorer 4250 HDC. Connection is HDMI. I tried pressing INFo & GUIDE buttons together with box off and tv on, and got nothing. Maybe it won't work on this model. Thanks !

Just to be sure, did you press INFO and GUIDE on the *box*, not the remote?

avgguy · 02-07-2010, 04:25 AM

yes... pressed both on box, not remote.

HD-Dom · 05-29-2010, 12:58 PM

What's the difference from setting the picture to fixed at those resolution and having it set to pass-through?

Angus66 · 07-12-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avgguy

I tried pressing INFo & GUIDE buttons together with box off and tv on, and got nothing.

Same here.

My cable box/DVR is a Scientific Atlanta 8300HDC, and for some reason it is suddenly only receiving 480p signals.

May · 08-09-2010, 08:00 PM

Just do as PFC5 said back home,it works immediately,but it does not work when i second or third turn on the box.I have no idea what is the problem.

excalibur313 · 11-24-2010, 10:10 PM

Hi everyone,
I have the Explorer 3250 (no HD). Will this process work here or do I need a more modern cable box?

Sooner Al · 11-25-2010, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excalibur313

Hi everyone,
I have the Explorer 3250 (no HD). Will this process work here or do I need a more modern cable box?

If you don't have a HDTV connected to it then no you don't need a different set-top-box unless of course you want a DVR included. The procedure will not pertain to you.

If you recently connected a new HDTV to the SA 3250 then I would arrange for a HD set-top-box (with or without a DVR) from your cable TV provider whoever that is. Keep in mind many cable providers, ie. like Cox in my area, are switching from SARA to Passport. That makes the instructions for configuring available video resolution pass through different.

So, do you have an HDTV connected to the 3250 box?

Who is your cable provider?

excalibur313 · 11-25-2010, 06:27 AM

Hi there,
Thanks for the fast response! I have Time Warner Cable up in Maine and I just bought a Samsung 3D TV so I am trying to figure out the best way to connect it.

The SA 3250 only has SVideo and RCA video outputs which pretty much made my skin crawl, so that is why I was hopeful I could use a bypass feature with the Coax output. The TV has a tuner built in but it doesn't get all the channels so I don't think I can get away with circumventing the box all together which is why I thought that a bypass feature might be useful.

I do see a bypass light on the front of box which is why I thought that it might work, but when going through the cable box the TV doesn't detect any signal so going through so I wasn't seeing the menus. I did try hooking it up via the RCA cable so I could see what was going on but it didn't appear that pressing those two buttons at once brought up any screen. Am I just going to have to wait until I can convince Time Warner to give me a newer box?

Anyway, thanks for your help!

Sooner Al · 11-26-2010, 06:30 AM

To get all of the HD channels you need to get a HD capable set top box from TW. They provide them with or without a DVR built-in. Of course this may add cost depending on which channels/packages you subscrible to.

You can connect the cable coax directly to your TV but you will only get a small subset of HD channels, primarily the locals in HD, but none of the encrypted HD channels like ESPN/Discovery/etc or any premiums channels in HD like HBO or Showtime for example.

Connect the HD set top box to your HDTV via HDMI or component cables, ie. 3 video/2 audio. Don't purchase an expensive HDMI cable. There is virtually no difference between a $10 HDMI cable or a $50 HDMI cable. Also, in my experience, component cables are just as good as far as picture quality is concerned.

excalibur313 · 11-26-2010, 09:46 AM

Thanks again for the help. I ended up swapping out with a 3250HD and I currently have it hooked up through component cables and was trying to get to the manu by pressing the guide and info buttons at the same time. Do you have to hold them down for a while or something? This is pushing them on the unit itself. Is there some step I am missing after pressing the two buttons together? The unit seems to be off and is only displaying the time.

12-31-2009, 04:07 PM	#1
PFC5 Former Super Moderator - RIP Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 38,295	Setting up Scientific Atlantic cable boxes to "pass-through" the source resolution Most cable/sat boxes have poor scalers and deinterlacers so it is almost always better to let the HDTV scale the source material to the HDTV's native resolution. Here is how to do it: To get into the setup wizard do this: Make sure the TV is ON. Make sure the HD3250 is OFF. Press INFO & GUIDE buttons on the BOX (not remote) at the same time. Select the advanced setup wizard and only setup the following resolutions: 480p, 720p, & 1080i You set it up this way so that when you use the Pass-Through option (explained below) in the Cable box it allows this signal to go to the TV so the TV can do the conversion to 1080i. It probably does it better than the cable box does (at least on mine it does). After you get it all done and save it, shut off the cable box wait 5 seconds then turn it on and hit the MENU/Settings button on the remote TWICE. Scroll up to the Set: Picture Format and choose Pass-Through. You can also try; Fixed, & Upscale 1 too. Upscale 1 converts everything to 1080i, even the 480 SD signals, but it is the cable box doing the scaling. Don't use the Upscale 2, this changes everything to 720p which your CRT RPTV does not display. Then hit exit. Hope this helps! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

01-20-2010, 06:18 AM	#4
Sooner Al Old Enough to Know Better Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 277	Auto DVI/HDMI will be the option if you connect the HDTV and the SA box with a HDMI cable for example. If you use component cables you will see the Pass Through option. Personally I have gone back to the Easy Setup Instructions and simply select the widescreen 16:4 then select Pass Through. I have two HDTVs using component cables. That way I get all resolutions. See page 5. http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/su...s2/4004007.pdf If you work through the Advanced Setup option then try all of the resolutions and see which ones you like best. Delete or add as necessary. Its all personal opinon anyway... __________________ "When all else fails read the instructions..." Last edited by Sooner Al; 01-20-2010 at 09:02 AM.

08-09-2010, 08:00 PM	#10
May High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 42	Just do as PFC5 said back home,it works immediately,but it does not work when i second or third turn on the box.I have no idea what is the problem. __________________ LED Spot Light,Car LED lights

11-26-2010, 06:30 AM	#14
Sooner Al Old Enough to Know Better Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 277	To get all of the HD channels you need to get a HD capable set top box from TW. They provide them with or without a DVR built-in. Of course this may add cost depending on which channels/packages you subscrible to. You can connect the cable coax directly to your TV but you will only get a small subset of HD channels, primarily the locals in HD, but none of the encrypted HD channels like ESPN/Discovery/etc or any premiums channels in HD like HBO or Showtime for example. Connect the HD set top box to your HDTV via HDMI or component cables, ie. 3 video/2 audio. Don't purchase an expensive HDMI cable. There is virtually no difference between a $10 HDMI cable or a $50 HDMI cable. Also, in my experience, component cables are just as good as far as picture quality is concerned. __________________ "When all else fails read the instructions..."

01-02-2010, 02:14 AM	#2
caes4 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 22	i have the ipn330hd model, there is only a power and menu button and the OK button with the 4 cursors. how do i set this for pass through?

02-05-2010, 11:22 AM	#5
avgguy What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: N.C. Posts: 3	I have an SA HD box, model Explorer 4250 HDC. Connection is HDMI. I tried pressing INFo & GUIDE buttons together with box off and tv on, and got nothing. Maybe it won't work on this model. Thanks !

02-07-2010, 04:25 AM	#7
avgguy What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: N.C. Posts: 3	yes... pressed both on box, not remote.

05-29-2010, 12:58 PM	#8
HD-Dom My Veins R Monster Cables Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York, NY Age: 25 Posts: 34	What's the difference from setting the picture to fixed at those resolution and having it set to pass-through?

11-24-2010, 10:10 PM	#11
excalibur313 What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 4	Hi everyone, I have the Explorer 3250 (no HD). Will this process work here or do I need a more modern cable box?

11-25-2010, 06:27 AM	#13
excalibur313 What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 4	Hi there, Thanks for the fast response! I have Time Warner Cable up in Maine and I just bought a Samsung 3D TV so I am trying to figure out the best way to connect it. The SA 3250 only has SVideo and RCA video outputs which pretty much made my skin crawl, so that is why I was hopeful I could use a bypass feature with the Coax output. The TV has a tuner built in but it doesn't get all the channels so I don't think I can get away with circumventing the box all together which is why I thought that a bypass feature might be useful. I do see a bypass light on the front of box which is why I thought that it might work, but when going through the cable box the TV doesn't detect any signal so going through so I wasn't seeing the menus. I did try hooking it up via the RCA cable so I could see what was going on but it didn't appear that pressing those two buttons at once brought up any screen. Am I just going to have to wait until I can convince Time Warner to give me a newer box? Anyway, thanks for your help!

11-26-2010, 09:46 AM	#15
excalibur313 What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 4	Thanks again for the help. I ended up swapping out with a 3250HD and I currently have it hooked up through component cables and was trying to get to the manu by pressing the guide and info buttons at the same time. Do you have to hold them down for a while or something? This is pushing them on the unit itself. Is there some step I am missing after pressing the two buttons together? The unit seems to be off and is only displaying the time.