Scientific Atlantic 8300 HD box

boatbuilder · 02-01-2005, 08:56 AM

I just purchased an RCA/Thomson/DISH Network HD40-310 Theaterwide 40' projection monitor and I upgraded to my time warner cable providers Scientific Atlantic 8300 HD box last night.

I have my tv hooked up over the component inputs, but what is steaming me more than anything is having to use the cable box aspect ratios. It completely renders my TVs ratios useless. I can't even get to them when the cable box is plugged into the TV. So I set my aspect ratios on the cable box to behave properly for 16:9 aspect, but from channel to channel the aspect changes!! It won't stay put for the ratio I set it to use. What would cause this? Is there any way to use my TVs aspect ratios and override the cable box options at all? Please help.
Thanks,
Devan

slowmo · 02-01-2005, 10:37 AM

What type of channel (SD or HD) is affected?

Your box should allow you to do 2 things:

1. Adjust resolution / format output (480, 720, 1080) to any format acceptable to your monitor. You can select non-HD format for SD channels so that the box will output a 4:3 SD image to the monitor and the monitor's aspect settings can properly stretch / justify aspect. (Versus outputting the SD channel at upconverted 720/1080 which causes the box to add bars to the 4:3 image to produce a 16:9 image that generally can't be changed by your monitor).

May need to re-setup your box to allow for this. Download user guide and setup wizard from SA's website.

2. Adjust aspect settings from normal, stretched or zoom. Last resort method to:
a. Removing bars from an HD channel broadcast of a 4:3 SD show in which the network / affiliate added the bars when broadcasting the upconverted signal as 16:9.
b. Removing bars from an SD channel output by the box in HD (rather than adjusting the output in #1 above).

I find that my monitor stretches / justifies better than box thus I use #2 rarely.

boatbuilder · 02-01-2005, 12:28 PM

I think just my HD channels are affected. Mainly when I goto ESPNHD it puts the side bars on (which have an ESPN logo in the sidebars) and doesn't obey what I have selected or 16:9 which is 'stretched.'

When I goto to regular SD channels the sidebars flash on either side of the picture when I scroll thru the channels and then the picture snaps to the fullscreen format....very annoying. I have the formats of 1080i and 480p selected on the SA box options...this is what timewarner told me to have selected, but I am constantly having to change the options on channels as I go to them to have them display correctly.

slowmo · 02-01-2005, 05:27 PM

The ESPN bars can only be removed by stretching out the image with the STB aspect setting. Changing the output won't affect it. Personnally I just watch it with the bars but I don't watch alot of non-HD programming.

Regarding output, is your box set with one of the "upconvert" options in which 480i is upconverted to 480p and 720 is upconverted to 1080? If so, that explains the delay and odd motion as you change channels. Same deal if you use the "native" or "pass thru" setting.

Instead, you may want to use the "fixed" setting which will maintain the same output (that you'll select) for all channels regardless of native format. Avoids the delay and motion as you surf. Then, if you decide to watch a given show for awhile, you can manually adjust output to equal the native format for that channel (720 for ESPN game, 1080 for HBO movie, 480i for SD channels to allow your monitor to use its better aspect settings, etc.).

Also, the SA boxes allow for a 480i, 480i wide, 480p and 480p wide as format settings. I've only used 480i. Wide doesn't work well with 4:3 SD channels and no need to use less than 720 for HD channels.

dchale · 02-02-2005, 10:27 PM

I have mine set to 1080i and use pass thru. I don't see the flashing when changing channels. I do have bars on the hd channels if they are broadcasting a show that is not hd. I don't think you can do anything about it if that is the case.

Seth Lubin · 02-09-2005, 05:11 PM

A few weeks ago I got the HD 8300 DVR. There are two set ups on the unit. The simple one A. sets all stations to 1080i, while the second allows you to select resolutions, etc.

I remember setting the box to using B...and the unit responded by changing from 480p, 480i, 720p, 1080i. This seemed fine, although there was a lag in changing channels.

Last week the box seemed to be acting up. When I would select a HD channel 700s; it sometimes found the correct 1080i or 720p and the picture was fine. However, most of the time it would find 480p and so the picture appeared on my Samsung HD as 4:3 with the "letterboxed" 16:9 inside the center box. If I was able to get back to a HD signal that read 1080i, I could normally go back to the station I wanted to watch and then the box would read correctly.
The picture was HD format, full width.

Now I have a new box and it has been set to the simple "A" setting, meaning all stations are at 1080i, no matter weather they are HD or not. However the HDTV light does show on most of the HD channels.

Before, the TV got "confussed" when I would change stations too fast and it had to change the resolution causing the set to shut down.
Now with the fixed setting, there is no lag time while changing stations.

My question is: How is this setting affecting the picture quality on my TV? (I mean showing a 480p and 720p as 1080i.)

This setting also disables my zoom mode on my TV, all though I can use the zoom mode on the box. I use this only for letterboxed programs that are not HD. This fills out the full width of the screen, keeping the letterbox aspect ratio.

Should I go back and reset this box so that it changes resolution or should I just leave it at 1080i??

Thanks for any suggestions.

Seth Lubin

Seth Lubin · 02-09-2005, 07:36 PM

It is now evening and so my room is at the correct light level to see the best possible picture on my HDTV.
I wrote before that the 8300 HD was not recognizing the HD signal and it was coming in at 480p.
I also wrote that the replacement box was set to be at 1080i all the time.
I have now discovered that the new box also is not always recognizing the 1080i signal. Now that the box is set so all stations are playing 1080i; the aspect ratio stays correct depending on the signal. However if the HDTV light indicator is not on I am still getting a 480i signal on the HD channels.

Seth Lubin · 02-09-2005, 07:47 PM

Now, as I just wrote the HD signal is not being recognized and it is being broadcast at 480p. However, just like the first box, if I can get back to an HDTV signal and go to the channel I was watching, it seems to now recognize the true 1080i signal.
Now that the room is darkened I can see the big difference from 480p to 1080i true HD. There is a lot more detail on the same station.
I don't think Cablevision knows what's wrong with this. I don't know how many of these boxes they have given out. They are very new here in NJ.
If there is nothing wrong with the box, then purhaps the signal is not strong enough to trigger the HD 1080i signal in the box.
Anyone have any ideas? Cablevision says they will send it up to the engineering department and check the signal, etc. However, this is very frustrating to have to monkey around just to get in the HD channels on this box.
Seth Lubin

murphm4n · 02-11-2005, 09:14 AM

boatbuilder? - you work out how to fix this - looks like I have exactly the same problem... SD channels are stretching to fit 16:9 fine, no problem.... but, HD channels some (ie 'real HD programs') show 16:9 - others only 4:3... & even if you go to settings / aspect ratio & tell it to stretch it only seems to change it for the channel you are on...

I'm a newbie... so helpfully some kind soul, will take pity & tell me how to resolve...

PS. apologies for starting a new thread... I did try searching first, obviously didn't use the right keywords.. oops..

Seth Lubin · 02-11-2005, 01:08 PM

Cablevision now tells me they are aware of a problem in the SA 8300 HD.
They are working on it and hope to fix the problem soon...LOL.

They now tell me the only way to get the HD signal recognized is to switch to another HDTV station that is correct and punch in the number I want to watch. Hopefully it will go into HDTV mode.

Of course, this is exactly what I told them I had to do, when I reported the problem.

"Other than that Mrs. Lincoln; how was the play?"

amf1932 · 02-11-2005, 04:26 PM

Maybe some of you guys can help me out concerning the SA 8300 HD box which I'm contemplating. I have Cablevision service in NYC.

1- I am now using the SA 4200HD box which feeds my HDTV set thru component cables, and using the 'cable out' to feed a signal to two other TV sets, simultaneously. Is it possible to do this with the SA 8300HD box also? I was told by somebody that this type of connection on the SA 8300 HD will only activate either 'component' connections or 'cable out' connections, but not simultaneously. If this is true, that would mean that I couldn't use this type of signal feed to all the sets together. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

P. S. How do you guys/gals, like the operation of this new box?

Alan

sasheegm · 02-12-2005, 09:44 AM

Hello Alan: I don't know about your connection problems, perhaps one of the other members can answer that for you, but I went from the SA8000 to the SA8300 DVR, and the picture changed dramatically for the better on Digital(the High Def signal on the SA8000 was always good).....and here in Central Florida, you can now record High Def programs for playback at a later time.....So far I have recorded one show from Discovery High Def Theater & Jason & the Argonauts from TNT-HD---AWESOME in both picture & Sound delivery, through my Yamaha receiver and onto my Mitsubishi WS65815 HDTV......It's worth every penny of the extra $9.95 per month that I am paying for the SA8300-HD-DVR.......sasheegm....Joe From Florida

amf1932 · 02-12-2005, 10:29 AM

Hi Joe-
Thanks for your answer, but I still have to find out whether this DVR will allow me to use the two inputs together as per my first post. This is very important to me. I'm glad to hear that this SA-8300HD works well. Thank you.

Alan

sasheegm · 02-12-2005, 08:40 PM

Your welcome Alan.....I wish I knew more about the conection issue; but perhaps you might try asking one of the Moderators.....I have had on the board talks with them & also Private Messages......Scientific Atlanta has a website, but for any questions regarding their receivers, they advise the online visitor to contact their Cable Provider......See which Moderators are online, and send one of them your question....I'm sure one will respond........With all of the posts that are made hourly here, it is impossible for them to see every post....Good Luck...sasheegm...Joe From Florida

amf1932 · 02-12-2005, 10:24 PM

I called Cablevision today and found out that the SA 8300HD Will work the way I want it to work. If not they'll take the box back and I won't be charged for a service call. They're scheduled to come to my house Tuesday, and I'll let you know if the installation is successful.

Thanks, Alan

02-09-2005, 05:11 PM	#6
Seth Lubin DLP HDTV is great! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA New Jersey Age: 60 Posts: 58	Scientific Atlantic HD 8300 QUESTION A few weeks ago I got the HD 8300 DVR. There are two set ups on the unit. The simple one A. sets all stations to 1080i, while the second allows you to select resolutions, etc. I remember setting the box to using B...and the unit responded by changing from 480p, 480i, 720p, 1080i. This seemed fine, although there was a lag in changing channels. Last week the box seemed to be acting up. When I would select a HD channel 700s; it sometimes found the correct 1080i or 720p and the picture was fine. However, most of the time it would find 480p and so the picture appeared on my Samsung HD as 4:3 with the "letterboxed" 16:9 inside the center box. If I was able to get back to a HD signal that read 1080i, I could normally go back to the station I wanted to watch and then the box would read correctly. The picture was HD format, full width. Now I have a new box and it has been set to the simple "A" setting, meaning all stations are at 1080i, no matter weather they are HD or not. However the HDTV light does show on most of the HD channels. Before, the TV got "confussed" when I would change stations too fast and it had to change the resolution causing the set to shut down. Now with the fixed setting, there is no lag time while changing stations. My question is: How is this setting affecting the picture quality on my TV? (I mean showing a 480p and 720p as 1080i.) This setting also disables my zoom mode on my TV, all though I can use the zoom mode on the box. I use this only for letterboxed programs that are not HD. This fills out the full width of the screen, keeping the letterbox aspect ratio. Should I go back and reset this box so that it changes resolution or should I just leave it at 1080i?? Thanks for any suggestions. Seth Lubin

02-09-2005, 07:36 PM	#7
Seth Lubin DLP HDTV is great! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA New Jersey Age: 60 Posts: 58	more troubles HD8300 It is now evening and so my room is at the correct light level to see the best possible picture on my HDTV. I wrote before that the 8300 HD was not recognizing the HD signal and it was coming in at 480p. I also wrote that the replacement box was set to be at 1080i all the time. I have now discovered that the new box also is not always recognizing the 1080i signal. Now that the box is set so all stations are playing 1080i; the aspect ratio stays correct depending on the signal. However if the HDTV light indicator is not on I am still getting a 480i signal on the HD channels.

02-09-2005, 07:47 PM	#8
Seth Lubin DLP HDTV is great! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA New Jersey Age: 60 Posts: 58	troubles on Scientific Atlantic HD 8300 Now, as I just wrote the HD signal is not being recognized and it is being broadcast at 480p. However, just like the first box, if I can get back to an HDTV signal and go to the channel I was watching, it seems to now recognize the true 1080i signal. Now that the room is darkened I can see the big difference from 480p to 1080i true HD. There is a lot more detail on the same station. I don't think Cablevision knows what's wrong with this. I don't know how many of these boxes they have given out. They are very new here in NJ. If there is nothing wrong with the box, then purhaps the signal is not strong enough to trigger the HD 1080i signal in the box. Anyone have any ideas? Cablevision says they will send it up to the engineering department and check the signal, etc. However, this is very frustrating to have to monkey around just to get in the HD channels on this box. Seth Lubin

02-11-2005, 01:08 PM	#10
Seth Lubin DLP HDTV is great! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA New Jersey Age: 60 Posts: 58	SA 8300 HD PROBLEM and Cablevision Cablevision now tells me they are aware of a problem in the SA 8300 HD. They are working on it and hope to fix the problem soon...LOL. They now tell me the only way to get the HD signal recognized is to switch to another HDTV station that is correct and punch in the number I want to watch. Hopefully it will go into HDTV mode. Of course, this is exactly what I told them I had to do, when I reported the problem. "Other than that Mrs. Lincoln; how was the play?"

02-12-2005, 09:44 AM	#12
sasheegm High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 57	SA-8300HD-DVR-Excellent Hello Alan: I don't know about your connection problems, perhaps one of the other members can answer that for you, but I went from the SA8000 to the SA8300 DVR, and the picture changed dramatically for the better on Digital(the High Def signal on the SA8000 was always good).....and here in Central Florida, you can now record High Def programs for playback at a later time.....So far I have recorded one show from Discovery High Def Theater & Jason & the Argonauts from TNT-HD---AWESOME in both picture & Sound delivery, through my Yamaha receiver and onto my Mitsubishi WS65815 HDTV......It's worth every penny of the extra $9.95 per month that I am paying for the SA8300-HD-DVR.......sasheegm....Joe From Florida

02-01-2005, 08:56 AM	#1
boatbuilder How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shawnee,KS Age: 30 Posts: 24	Scientific Atlantic 8300 HD box I just purchased an RCA/Thomson/DISH Network HD40-310 Theaterwide 40' projection monitor and I upgraded to my time warner cable providers Scientific Atlantic 8300 HD box last night. I have my tv hooked up over the component inputs, but what is steaming me more than anything is having to use the cable box aspect ratios. It completely renders my TVs ratios useless. I can't even get to them when the cable box is plugged into the TV. So I set my aspect ratios on the cable box to behave properly for 16:9 aspect, but from channel to channel the aspect changes!! It won't stay put for the ratio I set it to use. What would cause this? Is there any way to use my TVs aspect ratios and override the cable box options at all? Please help. Thanks, Devan

02-01-2005, 10:37 AM	#2
slowmo High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 759	What type of channel (SD or HD) is affected? Your box should allow you to do 2 things: 1. Adjust resolution / format output (480, 720, 1080) to any format acceptable to your monitor. You can select non-HD format for SD channels so that the box will output a 4:3 SD image to the monitor and the monitor's aspect settings can properly stretch / justify aspect. (Versus outputting the SD channel at upconverted 720/1080 which causes the box to add bars to the 4:3 image to produce a 16:9 image that generally can't be changed by your monitor). May need to re-setup your box to allow for this. Download user guide and setup wizard from SA's website. 2. Adjust aspect settings from normal, stretched or zoom. Last resort method to: a. Removing bars from an HD channel broadcast of a 4:3 SD show in which the network / affiliate added the bars when broadcasting the upconverted signal as 16:9. b. Removing bars from an SD channel output by the box in HD (rather than adjusting the output in #1 above). I find that my monitor stretches / justifies better than box thus I use #2 rarely.

02-01-2005, 12:28 PM	#3
boatbuilder How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shawnee,KS Age: 30 Posts: 24	I think just my HD channels are affected. Mainly when I goto ESPNHD it puts the side bars on (which have an ESPN logo in the sidebars) and doesn't obey what I have selected or 16:9 which is 'stretched.' When I goto to regular SD channels the sidebars flash on either side of the picture when I scroll thru the channels and then the picture snaps to the fullscreen format....very annoying. I have the formats of 1080i and 480p selected on the SA box options...this is what timewarner told me to have selected, but I am constantly having to change the options on channels as I go to them to have them display correctly.

02-01-2005, 05:27 PM	#4
slowmo High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 759	The ESPN bars can only be removed by stretching out the image with the STB aspect setting. Changing the output won't affect it. Personnally I just watch it with the bars but I don't watch alot of non-HD programming. Regarding output, is your box set with one of the "upconvert" options in which 480i is upconverted to 480p and 720 is upconverted to 1080? If so, that explains the delay and odd motion as you change channels. Same deal if you use the "native" or "pass thru" setting. Instead, you may want to use the "fixed" setting which will maintain the same output (that you'll select) for all channels regardless of native format. Avoids the delay and motion as you surf. Then, if you decide to watch a given show for awhile, you can manually adjust output to equal the native format for that channel (720 for ESPN game, 1080 for HBO movie, 480i for SD channels to allow your monitor to use its better aspect settings, etc.). Also, the SA boxes allow for a 480i, 480i wide, 480p and 480p wide as format settings. I've only used 480i. Wide doesn't work well with 4:3 SD channels and no need to use less than 720 for HD channels.

02-02-2005, 10:27 PM	#5
dchale Eyes have seen the Glory Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 21	I have mine set to 1080i and use pass thru. I don't see the flashing when changing channels. I do have bars on the hd channels if they are broadcasting a show that is not hd. I don't think you can do anything about it if that is the case.

02-11-2005, 09:14 AM	#9
murphm4n What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2	boatbuilder? - you work out how to fix this - looks like I have exactly the same problem... SD channels are stretching to fit 16:9 fine, no problem.... but, HD channels some (ie 'real HD programs') show 16:9 - others only 4:3... & even if you go to settings / aspect ratio & tell it to stretch it only seems to change it for the channel you are on... I'm a newbie... so helpfully some kind soul, will take pity & tell me how to resolve... PS. apologies for starting a new thread... I did try searching first, obviously didn't use the right keywords.. oops..

02-11-2005, 04:26 PM	#11
amf1932 Sony 52" XBR4 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 546	Maybe some of you guys can help me out concerning the SA 8300 HD box which I'm contemplating. I have Cablevision service in NYC. 1- I am now using the SA 4200HD box which feeds my HDTV set thru component cables, and using the 'cable out' to feed a signal to two other TV sets, simultaneously. Is it possible to do this with the SA 8300HD box also? I was told by somebody that this type of connection on the SA 8300 HD will only activate either 'component' connections or 'cable out' connections, but not simultaneously. If this is true, that would mean that I couldn't use this type of signal feed to all the sets together. Any suggestions would be appreciated. P. S. How do you guys/gals, like the operation of this new box? Alan

02-12-2005, 10:29 AM	#13
amf1932 Sony 52" XBR4 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 546	Hi Joe- Thanks for your answer, but I still have to find out whether this DVR will allow me to use the two inputs together as per my first post. This is very important to me. I'm glad to hear that this SA-8300HD works well. Thank you. Alan

02-12-2005, 08:40 PM	#14
sasheegm High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 57	Moderator-Help? Your welcome Alan.....I wish I knew more about the conection issue; but perhaps you might try asking one of the Moderators.....I have had on the board talks with them & also Private Messages......Scientific Atlanta has a website, but for any questions regarding their receivers, they advise the online visitor to contact their Cable Provider......See which Moderators are online, and send one of them your question....I'm sure one will respond........With all of the posts that are made hourly here, it is impossible for them to see every post....Good Luck...sasheegm...Joe From Florida

02-12-2005, 10:24 PM	#15
amf1932 Sony 52" XBR4 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 546	I called Cablevision today and found out that the SA 8300HD Will work the way I want it to work. If not they'll take the box back and I won't be charged for a service call. They're scheduled to come to my house Tuesday, and I'll let you know if the installation is successful. Thanks, Alan