Comcast HD box or TV problem?

capitalh · 07-13-2009, 11:08 AM

Greetings,

I just moved to Newark, DE and purchased a 37" Zenith 1080i LCD television to go along with the Comcast high definition starter package. Soon after having comcast installed, I noticed that for dark scenes (especially for movies) there is a discolored horizontal bar scrolling slowly from the bottom to the top of the screen. This bar is not noticeable in bright pictures.

Originally I thought it might be a problem with the tv I purchased even though the reviews were all very positive for the model. Last night the idea struck me that it might be the cable box. To test, I used a VGA cable to hook up my computer to my tv and played the dark scenes of a movie, only to find that there was absolutely no issue with the picture (no discolored bars or traces of such oddities). Therefore, I am left to assume the Comcast HD Box has a problem. Does this sound like an accurate assumption?

I ask because I haven't noticed any other complaints online about the HD box creating discolored bars on the screen. Alternatively, instead of the box's issue, could it be that the Comcast feed is just not installed properly in the building (I live in an apartment complex)?

Please let me know if you have any ideas for what the issue may be, or ways to test for sure where the problem lies. I appreciate any and all feedback!

Loves2Watch · 07-13-2009, 03:50 PM

It sounds like a hum or noise bar from the cable company and would be attributed to the cable feed, not necessarily the cable box. Call your cable company for service.

BTW, your TV is either 1080p or 720p (all current flat panel displays are progressive scan), not 1080i. I will assume your TV is a 720P that can accept 1080i signals.

kcoolyea · 07-17-2009, 09:27 PM

In Indianapolis, IN and we too are experiencing the same issues with a discolored horizontal bar that scrolls slowly up the screen.

Comcast has provided us a Motorola Interactive Digital Communications HDTV Capable box. Above all I am not so sure we can even obtain HDTV with this box. the ONLY connectors we can use are the RCA jacks, no HDMI connections on the Comcast Box. I have notice the RED "banded" RCA connector on the white cable is fairly loose when connecting to the Comcast Box.

One thing is for certain, we gain a much better picture and sound by-passing the box altogether.

We have a 40" Sceptre 1080P HDTV HDMI.

joekewl1971 · 07-17-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcoolyea

In Indianapolis, IN and we too are experiencing the same issues with a discolored horizontal bar that scrolls slowly up the screen.

Comcast has provided us a Interactive Digital Communications HDTV Capable box. Above all I am not so sure we can even obtain HDTV with this box. the ONLY connectors we can use are the RCA jacks, no connections on the Comcast Box. I have notice the RED "banded" RCA connector on the white cable is fairly loose when connecting to the Comcast Box.

One thing is for certain, we gain a much better picture and sound by-passing the box altogether.

We have a 40" Sceptre 1080P HDTV HDMI.

RCA cords do component HD too. Are there 3 cords for the video, or only one? Take matters into your own hands. If you think you are not getting true HD, then do something about it.

kcoolyea · 07-17-2009, 10:01 PM

Yes, there are three cords for video. However, to get our HD channels at "full screen" we have to change the aspect ratio to zoom: wide.

joekewl1971 · 07-17-2009, 10:12 PM

I just got a standard definition DVR by Pace from Comcast, that has a component output. That is a possibility. Another possibility is that the resolution is set to 480 rather than 1080. Do you know how to change the resolution? What is the brand, and model of your box?

kcoolyea · 07-17-2009, 10:28 PM

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I do not know how to change the resolution. I just downloaded what I think is the manual from the Comcast website: Motorola DCT5100 High Definition Cable Receiver.

joekewl1971 · 07-17-2009, 10:37 PM

If it is like mine, you turn the power off, then hit menu. From that point it should be pretty self explanatory. Set the YpBpR for 1080. Standard definition can be upconverted by turning 4:3 override off. Or if it works better on your tv you could set 4:3 override to 480p or i.

kcoolyea · 07-17-2009, 10:42 PM

The Motorola DCT5100 High Definition Cable Receiver is not what we have.
The closest one to the box we have is the Motorola DCT6400 Series. From what I can tell, the front and back of the box in the user manual match up with what we have. The only difference I see is on the front, lower left, ours just has HDTV Capable, and we have an "A/B" button in place of the "option" button.

joekewl1971 · 07-17-2009, 10:52 PM

I am very curious. I really would like to know exactly what model you have. Check the back, or bottom of the box. It really ought to say somewhere. I have not heard of any boxes from Comcast that will tune HD, but not show it as true HD. If you do not get HD, you will see the channels listed in the TV guide, but the channels come up blank. I will do some searching, with the information you have given me. Not all boxes look identical. The model may be the same, but it may have the A/B on the front, useless with Comcast.

Edit My browser is being disagreeable. But judging by the links I got in Google, I would say that you do have a HD DVR.

urban_chica · 07-29-2009, 12:14 AM

If you have an hd box with hdmi connection you might want to switch the ends around, if using component cables make sure they are all plugged in if none of those things work I will call the manufacturer for some troubleshooting steps

07-13-2009, 11:08 AM	#1
capitalh What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Comcast HD box or TV problem? Greetings, I just moved to Newark, DE and purchased a 37" Zenith 1080i LCD television to go along with the Comcast high definition starter package. Soon after having comcast installed, I noticed that for dark scenes (especially for movies) there is a discolored horizontal bar scrolling slowly from the bottom to the top of the screen. This bar is not noticeable in bright pictures. Originally I thought it might be a problem with the tv I purchased even though the reviews were all very positive for the model. Last night the idea struck me that it might be the cable box. To test, I used a VGA cable to hook up my computer to my tv and played the dark scenes of a movie, only to find that there was absolutely no issue with the picture (no discolored bars or traces of such oddities). Therefore, I am left to assume the Comcast HD Box has a problem. Does this sound like an accurate assumption? I ask because I haven't noticed any other complaints online about the HD box creating discolored bars on the screen. Alternatively, instead of the box's issue, could it be that the Comcast feed is just not installed properly in the building (I live in an apartment complex)? Please let me know if you have any ideas for what the issue may be, or ways to test for sure where the problem lies. I appreciate any and all feedback!

07-13-2009, 03:50 PM	#2
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,972	It sounds like a hum or noise bar from the cable company and would be attributed to the cable feed, not necessarily the cable box. Call your cable company for service. BTW, your TV is either 1080p or 720p (all current flat panel displays are progressive scan), not 1080i. I will assume your TV is a 720P that can accept 1080i signals. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

07-17-2009, 09:27 PM	#3
kcoolyea What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	Comcast HD box problem - Discolored Bar In Indianapolis, IN and we too are experiencing the same issues with a discolored horizontal bar that scrolls slowly up the screen. Comcast has provided us a Motorola Interactive Digital Communications HDTV Capable box. Above all I am not so sure we can even obtain HDTV with this box. the ONLY connectors we can use are the RCA jacks, no HDMI connections on the Comcast Box. I have notice the RED "banded" RCA connector on the white cable is fairly loose when connecting to the Comcast Box. One thing is for certain, we gain a much better picture and sound by-passing the box altogether. We have a 40" Sceptre 1080P HDTV HDMI.

07-17-2009, 10:52 PM	#10
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	I am very curious. I really would like to know exactly what model you have. Check the back, or bottom of the box. It really ought to say somewhere. I have not heard of any boxes from Comcast that will tune HD, but not show it as true HD. If you do not get HD, you will see the channels listed in the TV guide, but the channels come up blank. I will do some searching, with the information you have given me. Not all boxes look identical. The model may be the same, but it may have the A/B on the front, useless with Comcast. Edit My browser is being disagreeable. But judging by the links I got in Google, I would say that you do have a HD DVR. Last edited by joekewl1971; 07-17-2009 at 10:55 PM.

07-17-2009, 10:01 PM	#5
kcoolyea What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	Yes, there are three cords for video. However, to get our HD channels at "full screen" we have to change the aspect ratio to zoom: wide.

07-17-2009, 10:12 PM	#6
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	I just got a standard definition DVR by Pace from Comcast, that has a component output. That is a possibility. Another possibility is that the resolution is set to 480 rather than 1080. Do you know how to change the resolution? What is the brand, and model of your box?

07-17-2009, 10:28 PM	#7
kcoolyea What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I do not know how to change the resolution. I just downloaded what I think is the manual from the Comcast website: Motorola DCT5100 High Definition Cable Receiver.

07-17-2009, 10:37 PM	#8
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	If it is like mine, you turn the power off, then hit menu. From that point it should be pretty self explanatory. Set the YpBpR for 1080. Standard definition can be upconverted by turning 4:3 override off. Or if it works better on your tv you could set 4:3 override to 480p or i.

07-17-2009, 10:42 PM	#9
kcoolyea What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	The Motorola DCT5100 High Definition Cable Receiver is not what we have. The closest one to the box we have is the Motorola DCT6400 Series. From what I can tell, the front and back of the box in the user manual match up with what we have. The only difference I see is on the front, lower left, ours just has HDTV Capable, and we have an "A/B" button in place of the "option" button.

07-29-2009, 12:14 AM	#11
urban_chica What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	If you have an hd box with hdmi connection you might want to switch the ends around, if using component cables make sure they are all plugged in if none of those things work I will call the manufacturer for some troubleshooting steps