Problems with SA8000HD Box

jennymcc

I just got comcast to upgrade me from a PACE HD box to the SA8000HD DVR and have a few questions for the experts here:

QUESTION 1: I can't get anything to play through the DVI/HDMI cable to my Panasonic plasma TV. They told me that the DVI port is not yet activated but will probably be available the first of the year. Does this sound right? Will it just start working or do I need to do something?

QUESTION 2: The picture looks good on the HD/Digital channels through the component cables (to Comp2 on my TV). However, I can't get anything through the S-cable output (which runs to Video1 on my TV). I was using this for the lower analog channels with the PACE HD box I had previously and it worked great. But with the new box, I just get a black screen. I tried changing the input resolution (1080i, 480p, etc.) but it doesn't seem to help. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Jenny

goober22

1.
Yes, that's right. 99% of the 8000HDs DO NOT have the DVI out activated. Only a few do, which I assume is in areas that they are testing it. Supposedly a update will be made "soon" that will activate it for everyone. (1Q05?)

2.
The 8000HD only has 1 set of outputs active at a time. Either Component (HD) or S-video/composite/RF (SD) - but not both. The newer 8300HD box has all active at the same time. Supposedly, again, the 8000HD can never be both active because the hardware cannot support it, you need to get the 8300HD, if possible, if that's important for you.

slowmo

I have a 8000HD but haven't tried to use the Svideo connection.

I'm surprised that it won't support a simultaneous output as I was able to use a similar setup with the 3250 when I had a regular TIVO hooked up. In fact, the 3250 would even downconvert an HD channel and pass it through the Svideo to TIVO. I thought the 3250 and 8000 were virtually identical other than the DVR functionality - I know the menus and setup screens are the same.

Now that I have the built in DVR, I no longer need to use the Svideo. I just adjust the output settings to 480 for non-hd stuff so that my Pany will justify/stretch the aspect properly for those channels.

I know some believe that SD looks better via Svideo than component but I think all SD looks like crap once you start stretching it.

mfabien

Change the Picture Format to 480i instead of 480p. See the difference for SD.

__________________
Samsung LN52B750, SA8300HD, Energy speakers, Yamaha RX-V540, SVS PB12-ISD, Harmony 880, HD-A1, BDP-1400, Oppo DV-970HD, Zektor HDS4.1

dashing

How do you switch the 8000HD from SD to HD? I appear to be getting only video from the Y connector, and no R or B signal. The cables and LCD projector have been verified as functional (with my DVD player), so I assume the problem is SD vs. HD. If not, any other ideas? Thanks.

jfjimmar

www.scientificatlanta.com/explorerclub answers a lot of questions regarding the S/A 8000HD and other S/A STBs.

mfabien

The following applies to the SA8000HD with SARA software. With Passport software it may be slightly different.

To change picture format:

- Press the "Settings" button once
- Scroll down (using down arrow on remote) to "Picture Format"
- With arrows, change format 1080i to 480i

You say you are getting Video only...are you using a DVI to HDMI cable by any chance?

__________________
Samsung LN52B750, SA8300HD, Energy speakers, Yamaha RX-V540, SVS PB12-ISD, Harmony 880, HD-A1, BDP-1400, Oppo DV-970HD, Zektor HDS4.1

roger1

I have both component and HDMI connected from my Rogers SA8300HD DVR and can confirm both are active. The video quality is noticeably better using HDMI. The 8300 is a substantial upgrade from the 8000, more disk space, fewer audio problems and an active HDMI (no DVI though).

dashing

Thanks for the suggestion. Picture format does not come up on my settings list, so I may not have SARA software. The video I get is essentially colorless...no red or blue signal. I did note, however, that on startup the 8000HD splash screen is full color. The color is lost when Adelphia comes on line.

Pinger

Jenny I have the SA3250HD through adelphia and when I first connected my DVI it didn't work and Adelphia Tech support told me the DVI connection wasn't activated on their boxes yet but for the hell of it I disconnected the power to the box with the DVI connected and waited a minute or two and then reconnected the power and when it rebooted the DVI connection worked just fine and has ever since, that was months ago.. give it a try..

slowmo

1. The lack of color makes me think your connection output is faulty. Trade in the box.

2. Hit "settings" twice to pull up the "general settings" menu (vs. the "quick settings" menu when you only hit it once). See if you have a picture format option under preferences. If so, what is selected? "fixed", "pass-thru", or "upconvert"? If not "fixed", I don't think you'll see the picture format in the quick settings menu because the set is either outputting at native resolution (SD at SD, HD at HD) automatically or is upconverting (480i to 480p;720 to 1080).

If you select fixed, you should see the picture format option in the quick settings menu which allows you to change output settings which will be applied to all channels regardless of native resolution.

Of course, you can only select between output settings that have been setup and saved in the initial setup procedure for the box (usually only 1080 is saved at installation). Get a owners manual / setup wizard guide from SA's website and go through the setup procedure to establish and save all picture formats (480i, 480p, 720, 1080) that your monitor will display.

dashing

Thanks for the suggestion. No picture format option in any menu. Am going to try to swap out boxes.

dashing

I found the answer on another forum. To switch modes (SD vs. HD) on the 8000HD, turn off the unit then press GUIDE and INFO at the same time on the box. You'll first see a message stating which mode the unit is in (SD or HD). Don't press anything, but wait until it is in the mode that you want, and then press [A] to continue. If you choose SD then you are done and can turn the unit on. If you choose HD then after you press [A] you will be taken into the HDTV Setup Wizard. Just follow on screen instructions at that point.

Worked like a charm for me. Just canceled the Adelphia service call. Their phone support people have no clue about this.