Home audio & video forum: Scientific Atlanta 8300 HDC Resolution change in HDMI

"I have a Samsung LN40A550 40" LCD TV attached to Time Warner Cable's 8300HDC DVR box via HDMI. Whenever I turn the TV off, then turn it back on, the cable box reverts from 1080i to 480p every time. I have to goto Settings/Display/OUtput Resolution on the DVR set top box, deselect 1080i, then reselect it to get 1080i back on the TV.

If I use Component Video, the resolution doesn't change each time. Component Video is very good, but HDMI is definitely better.

Is this an issue with the 8300HDC DVR or my TV?"

Yes, this is a known problem with this box, but only since the firmware update that was distributed at the beginning of January. Before that settings remained intact whether the equipment was powered on or off.

It only affects HDMI.

You will see that if you turn the TV ONLY off, the problem will reoccur. Nevertheless it IS a problem with the box (or more accurately the firmware). What is happening is that the TV is telling the box what kind of signal it is looking for, so the TV is doing nothing abnormal. It's not your Samsung.

It's the POS Time Warner firmware. They took it upon themselves to develop their own firmware program on the cheap (the way they do everything) and as a result it is full of bugs.

What I do is set two channels as favorites (and just for backup, I use one of the "macro" keys on the remote to do the same). If you start the tv/box on an SD channel it will be a compressed size picture in 480i. Using "favorites" or "m1" switch to a known 1080i channel and the picture will expand and switch resolutions. From that point forth it will set itself properly whatever channel you're on. Total PITA.

I've been told that there is a major firmware update coming very soon, as early as the end of this month. If this does not fix the problem I will have to switch to TIVO.

If there were any way in the world I could avoid TWC I would. They are absolutely the worst. (Sorry, but it must be said).

DGI

"There are a variety of reasons to dislike TWC. What is particulary irritating is that TWC's tech didn't know anything about the problem having never heard of it happening, hence my call to Samsung."

I'm not fond of letting on how old I am, but I've had Time Warner Cable since it became available in New York City. Over more than two decades you can fairly say you know how a company works. The bit about not knowing about a clearly apparent problem ("no sir, we haven't received any calls about trouble in your area"...when I know for a fact that my entire block is out and I'm just calling to find out what they're doing about it) has been a ruse of theirs from the beginning. They learn about it in "Screw the Customer U."

It's one thing when a four year old says "the dog ate my homework", another when that four year old is a middle aged business executive.

Sorry that I've prattled on in response to a simple question, but I often wonder where the outrage is.

Thanks for listening. DGI

change out your cable box. they do go on the fritz and die.

it doesn't matter if its TWC bla bla. If you use a different carrier, yes you lose your recorded info. big deal. buy the disc.

no one i know even uses a non-DVR version. So I lump them.

my biggest complaint about TW is their PQ. Otherwise, all cable boxes die. I know someone with a different carrier, of much superior PQ, but they are on their 3rd or 4th DVR already. Their latest one is a pretty slick model.

as much as I find TW PQ to suck, I still haven't seen worse than Direct Tv.