Help with Samsung DLP/Moto 5100/Comcast please!

sivam · 11-26-2005, 03:09 PM

I have a Samsung DLP HLD6117W, recently upgraded to HDTV with Comcast and they gave me a DCT-5100 STB. The STB somes with default options set as 16:9, 1080i, override=480i. They supplied component cables, which I connected to Component 3 on the Samsung DLP. Component 3 is 480p/720p/1080i (but not 480i).

The HDTV broadcasts looked pretty good to me, but if I was watching an HDTV channel I could not get the Comcast TV guide on-screen menu to pop up. I later discovered that the Comcast on-screen menu ONLY pops up if I have everything set to 1080i. When asking a Comcast Tech about it this morning he said I "do not have a true HDTV" and I should forget the 1080i and 720p settings and just watch everything in 480i. Being a newbie, I asked him "480i is not HD, is it?" and he said "yes it is".

I don't buy this explanation. I've read a few things on this site indicating that the Samsung DLPs have the separate component inputs, 1 being 480i/480p, and the 2nd and 3rd are 480p/720p/1080i and do not support 480i. I am assuming that this is the root of my problem.

Also, on the Moto 5100 STB they gave me it said that "these settings are for component output only. All other video outputs are hard set to 480i SD video". That would imply that I can ONLY get 720p/1080i via the component outputs of my 5100, and that the DVI is of no use if it is hard set to 480i SD video.

I am speculating that the 5100 needs to upconvert 480i in order to actually display the Comcast on-screen tv guide and this is why when I'm on an HD channel I cannot get that menu?

One other SERIOUS problem... since I cannot get the on-screen guide, I cannot change channels either. NOrmally I would hit "7" to go to the regular channel 7, but the box won't recognize that (well, maybe 1 out of 10 times I try). YOu can see the remote light flash on the STB but it won't usually take any action unless you are in 480i mode.

I tried to ask the Comcast tech if the 5100 would upconvert from 480i, or if 480i was necessary for the Comcast menu but he just blew me off. I also explained to the Tech that the component inputs on the Samsung DLP didn't support ALL formats--480i was only supported by component 1 and the HD formats only on Component 2 and 3. He didn't really listen to me he just said I did not have a "true HDTV".

Is he correct? 480i is not HD, is it? Why should he tell me to use 480i for everything when the Sammy DLP can support 480p/720p/1080i as well.

How can I get to someone at Comcast who knows something and will listen? I've called them 4 times so far and gotten completely different answers. When I exchanged my STB in the store today (cuz an online c.s. person told me it was the box) they had 2 techs come out and talk to me and they were not trying to understand the real issue here.

Please share any info you have--in this area Comcast and the 5100 STB are the only options I have!

Many thanks!
Frustrated in CO

Darrylhifi · 11-26-2005, 11:02 PM

I have never heard of a Samsung DLP HLD6117W, Ive never heard of a Samsung DLP where the component input would not acept a 480I signal.

Hook your Moto Box to Component 1 . Make sure the green , blue and red cables match. Once hooked up , with the box off, press menu, arrow down to restore defaults. Arrow to the right to restore the defaults.

TV Type should shake 16:9

YPbpr should say 1080I {1080I} is HDTV

480 override will say 480I

Press Menu again. Turn on box . Enjoy yourself

sivam · 11-27-2005, 09:30 AM

Sorry, a mistyped thing. The Samsung is a HLN617W. It very definitely is the case that Component 2 and 3 do not support 480i, whereas component 1 ONLY supports 480i and 480p. I do not want to connect it to component 1 and therefore not be able to use 720p or 1080i !!!

RSawdey · 11-29-2005, 04:06 PM

Your STB is not setup correctly. Use these settings, which I use for my DLP & 5100.

TVShape = 16:9
Y/Pr/Pb = 720p (the native res of your TV)
480override = off (upconverts all SD to HD)

11-26-2005, 03:09 PM	#1
sivam What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4	Help with Samsung DLP/Moto 5100/Comcast please! I have a Samsung DLP HLD6117W, recently upgraded to HDTV with Comcast and they gave me a DCT-5100 STB. The STB somes with default options set as 16:9, 1080i, override=480i. They supplied component cables, which I connected to Component 3 on the Samsung DLP. Component 3 is 480p/720p/1080i (but not 480i). The HDTV broadcasts looked pretty good to me, but if I was watching an HDTV channel I could not get the Comcast TV guide on-screen menu to pop up. I later discovered that the Comcast on-screen menu ONLY pops up if I have everything set to 1080i. When asking a Comcast Tech about it this morning he said I "do not have a true HDTV" and I should forget the 1080i and 720p settings and just watch everything in 480i. Being a newbie, I asked him "480i is not HD, is it?" and he said "yes it is". I don't buy this explanation. I've read a few things on this site indicating that the Samsung DLPs have the separate component inputs, 1 being 480i/480p, and the 2nd and 3rd are 480p/720p/1080i and do not support 480i. I am assuming that this is the root of my problem. Also, on the Moto 5100 STB they gave me it said that "these settings are for component output only. All other video outputs are hard set to 480i SD video". That would imply that I can ONLY get 720p/1080i via the component outputs of my 5100, and that the DVI is of no use if it is hard set to 480i SD video. I am speculating that the 5100 needs to upconvert 480i in order to actually display the Comcast on-screen tv guide and this is why when I'm on an HD channel I cannot get that menu? One other SERIOUS problem... since I cannot get the on-screen guide, I cannot change channels either. NOrmally I would hit "7" to go to the regular channel 7, but the box won't recognize that (well, maybe 1 out of 10 times I try). YOu can see the remote light flash on the STB but it won't usually take any action unless you are in 480i mode. I tried to ask the Comcast tech if the 5100 would upconvert from 480i, or if 480i was necessary for the Comcast menu but he just blew me off. I also explained to the Tech that the component inputs on the Samsung DLP didn't support ALL formats--480i was only supported by component 1 and the HD formats only on Component 2 and 3. He didn't really listen to me he just said I did not have a "true HDTV". Is he correct? 480i is not HD, is it? Why should he tell me to use 480i for everything when the Sammy DLP can support 480p/720p/1080i as well. How can I get to someone at Comcast who knows something and will listen? I've called them 4 times so far and gotten completely different answers. When I exchanged my STB in the store today (cuz an online c.s. person told me it was the box) they had 2 techs come out and talk to me and they were not trying to understand the real issue here. Please share any info you have--in this area Comcast and the 5100 STB are the only options I have! Many thanks! Frustrated in CO

11-27-2005, 09:30 AM	#3
sivam What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4	The Samsung is... Sorry, a mistyped thing. The Samsung is a HLN617W. It very definitely is the case that Component 2 and 3 do not support 480i, whereas component 1 ONLY supports 480i and 480p. I do not want to connect it to component 1 and therefore not be able to use 720p or 1080i !!!

11-26-2005, 11:02 PM	#2
Darrylhifi Sammy DLP Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Arlington, New Jersey Age: 52 Posts: 305	I have never heard of a Samsung DLP HLD6117W, Ive never heard of a Samsung DLP where the component input would not acept a 480I signal. Hook your Moto Box to Component 1 . Make sure the green , blue and red cables match. Once hooked up , with the box off, press menu, arrow down to restore defaults. Arrow to the right to restore the defaults. TV Type should shake 16:9 YPbpr should say 1080I {1080I} is HDTV 480 override will say 480I Press Menu again. Turn on box . Enjoy yourself

11-29-2005, 04:06 PM	#4
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 62 Posts: 5,981	Your STB is not setup correctly. Use these settings, which I use for my DLP & 5100. TVShape = 16:9 Y/Pr/Pb = 720p (the native res of your TV) 480override = off (upconverts all SD to HD)