HDMI question

rogman

Searched the forums but couldn't find an answer. I'm a newbie to HDTV and I have a question. I just received my Toshiba 57h94 HDTV on Saturday. I use Time Warner's cable box so I can view the HD channels through it and they look awesome, especially football games. I use the HDMI out on the cable box, and I set the input on my tv to the HDMI interface. Works wonderfully.

My question is, if I want to watch regular/non-hd channels do I have to change the tv's input from HDMI to another? If I try to view a non-hd channel using the HDMI input source the picture is all messed up, the left side of the screen is in the middle of the screen and the rest wraps around, as if the horizontal hold pushed everything to the right by half a screen. If I use the svideo out on my cable box and change the tv input to the corresponding source (video1 in this case) it works fine. Is this by design? Will the HDMI interface 'dumb itself' down to show regular cable signals over it, or am I stuck with having to change the inputs as described.

Thanks for your help.

-Roger

StereodB

How did you configure your STB in regards to the 480i setting. I dont know what brand you have, but I am sure you can find the way to enter the settings menu. Usally its power off STB and press menu (like a DCT6412). Sounds like you have the HD right, you may need to tell the box to convert 480i(SDTV) to 480P(EDTV). Some HDTVs wont accept a 480i through HDMI, yours may not like it, but maybe its trying . I can tell you for sure that, you should be able to view all channels through the HDMI input.
On a side note, you may be getting a better picture on SD content using the SVideo input, than HDMI. Some if not all HD STB have poor quality analog converters inside, many have had good results from dumbing it down to sVideo or splitting the coax line from the wall and running one to the TV RF input.
If you are able to confirm correct settings on your STB, and it still has a bad picture for SD channels, call the Cable Co. and inquire about a new box

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