HDMI Output Issue on Time Warner Box?

[ZelmoSwift]

Just got a new Samsung DLP (HL-T5076S) and switched our old cable box
for Time Warner's HD box (it's the Explorer 4250HDC by Scientific Atlantic) with
HDMI output.

When I set the input on the TV to HDMI and I'm viewing one of Time Warners'
high def broadcasts (example: channel 512), no problem---the picture looks great.
However, when I switch to a standard def channel (like 12 or HBO On Demand), the TV sometimes claims "no signal" and I end-up switching to cable input (giving a crummier picture). For example, earlier today I watched TMJ Weather Plus on channel 104 for news about our impending snowstorm and the picture was fine with the TV set on HDMI input. Turned it off, switched it on an hour later and again
"no signal".

I know its not an issue with the HDMI cable since I swapped the one I'm using with another and experienced the same thing.

Also, once I manage to recieve a standard def program via HDMI, the signal never cuts-out.

Faulty box? Faulty user?

[Bigdog]

I had a "similar" problem with HDMI. Occasionally my PS3 would not display anything and then days later it might. It could be that you do have 2 marginal cables that are giving you problems. I ended up ordering some beefy ones from monoprice and never had the issue again.

[markd]

My parents had a similar issue but with an SA 8300HD when they got a Sony XBR LCD. TWC claimed they did not support HDMI and said they needed to use component. They have had no issues with a component connect. It's probably not what you wanted to hear but some boxes and some TVs probably have handshake issues that might not be able to get worked out. You might find a workaround by going through an AV receiver or getting an external HDMI switch.

[Paul S.]

Chances are, its not the cable. Beefy or not, the cable will either work or it wont. End of story. It's a digital connectrion!

When I get that prob once in awhile, i just unplug the HDMI from the back of the box, count to 5, then plug it back in. See if that works (while everything is powered on). Handshake issues suck ***.

[AV Guy]

Just want to let all out there this is not a HDMI cable issue. It is a issue with the software that TW is using in their boxes. All current boxes come with the new OS.
It is very flaky using HDMI. You will have much better stability using the component connection. The picture difference between the two is barely noticeable. I hook up 15 to 25 TW boxes every month on various theater systems and my reccommendation is not to use the HDMI format. You will save yourself many headaches. Older boxes with the previous version of the software works fine. However you only get HDMI on the DVR boxes. TW is eventually going to switch all their boxes over to the new software. Hopefully they will correct this problem soon. It's been going on now for over 3 months.

[Tom Snyder]

I've had HDMI handshake issues on the TV on the end of 100 foot HDMI cable. But it's been perfect picture, but periodically just no sound. Requires an unplug, turn off TV, turn TV back on and plug back in.

[sjlee]

I've had HDMI handshake issues on the TV on the end of 100 foot HDMI cable. But it's been perfect picture, but periodically just no sound. Requires an unplug, turn off TV, turn TV back on and plug back in.

I have that exact same issue with my LG 47LC7DF TV. I'm only using a 6 foot HDMI cable, but when changing channels with different resolutions (720p or 1080i), I sometimes lose sound. Once in a while, the picture get screwed up as well.

I end up needing to restart my TV. I feel that this is a PITA, since it happens so often. I thought it was a problem with the TV, but it sounds like it's more an issue with the cable box.
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[sjlee]

Just want to let all out there this is not a HDMI cable issue. It is a issue with the software that TW is using in their boxes. All current boxes come with the new OS.
It is very flaky using HDMI. You will have much better stability using the component connection. The picture difference between the two is barely noticeable. I hook up 15 to 25 TW boxes every month on various theater systems and my reccommendation is not to use the HDMI format. You will save yourself many headaches. Older boxes with the previous version of the software works fine. However you only get HDMI on the DVR boxes. TW is eventually going to switch all their boxes over to the new software. Hopefully they will correct this problem soon. It's been going on now for over 3 months.

Thanks for the heads up. I did notice that I do not have an issue when using component connections... but then again, it appears that with component cables, the box up-converts everything to 1080i. With HDMI, I see the box switching from 720p and 1080i depending on the channel... with component, I only see 1080i on the HD channels.
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[sjlee]

Just want to let all out there this is not a HDMI cable issue. It is a issue with the software that TW is using in their boxes. All current boxes come with the new OS.
It is very flaky using HDMI. You will have much better stability using the component connection. The picture difference between the two is barely noticeable. I hook up 15 to 25 TW boxes every month on various theater systems and my reccommendation is not to use the HDMI format. You will save yourself many headaches. Older boxes with the previous version of the software works fine. However you only get HDMI on the DVR boxes. TW is eventually going to switch all their boxes over to the new software. Hopefully they will correct this problem soon. It's been going on now for over 3 months.

Since it appears to be a problem with TWC... do you think it would be worthwhile if I call them? My guess is that the initial rep that answers the phone will try to blame my TV.
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[sjlee]

Ok, so I contacted TWC via the online chat from their website. The analyst (who was surprisingly helpful) checked with one of their technicians and told me that they have receive multiple complaints about using HDMI with their HD-DVR cable boxes. Like it was mentioned earlier, the problem is related to their system. She told me that they are planning on rolling out a new system in the next month which should resolve the issue.

In the meantime, she recommended that I use component cables.
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[ZelmoSwift]

Thanx for all the replies! I discovered an easy solution: When the tv is set on HDMI input and I hit a channel with the "not supported format" warning I just hit the "source" button on the remote and scroll through the different inputs until it works--usually a two or three tries. Works every time.

[sjlee]

Thanx for all the replies! I discovered an easy solution: When the tv is set on HDMI input and I hit a channel with the "not supported format" warning I just hit the "source" button on the remote and scroll through the different inputs until it works--usually a two or three tries. Works every time.

Wow, you're sure easy to please if you think that's an "easy" solution. I decided to go with using component cables until the problem is fixed. The video may not be quite as good as with HDMI, but at least I don't run into this issue anymore.
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[Paul S.]

Wow, you're sure easy to please if you think that's an "easy" solution. I decided to go with using component cables until the problem is fixed. The video may not be quite as good as with HDMI, but at least I don't run into this issue anymore.

Why, because hitting the source button is that much work?

[sjlee]

Why, because hitting the source button is that much work?

No, because it's a pain in the butt when you have to do it everytime the problem occurs. I can reproduce the problem frequently simply changing channels that have different resolutions. Besides, it's more than just hitting the source button...

"I just hit the "source" button on the remote and scroll through the different inputs until it works--usually a two or three tries. Works every time."

Two or three times?
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[ckkopenski]

My little issue with the non-HD channels not staying 'stretched' went away when I went back to component from HDMI this past weekend. Hopefully the promised fix(s) for Navigator take care of this. I don't know what the techinical term is, but the channels seem to 'paint' faster with component as well. There isn't so much jumping before you can see the picture.

[sjlee]

My little issue with the non-HD channels not staying 'stretched' went away when I went back to component from HMDI this past weekend. Hopefully the promised fix(s) for Navigator take care of this. I don't know what the techinical term is, but the channels seem to 'paint' faster with component as well. There isn't so much jumping before you can see the picture.

I agree that with component, there seems to be less issues with switching resolutions as well. The downside is that with component I do notice a slight difference in sharpness on some programming.
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[sjlee]

Non-update...

TWC still says that there is no fix available for the HDMI issue with resolution switching. They say to check back with them in another few weeks.

Related issue... I found out that they also do no support using the digital audio out connection on their boxes. I noticed that if I switch the settings to Dolby Digital, the audio cuts in/out... so I still use a digital audio (optical) cable, but leave the setting to "Other" on the box.
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[cjucoder]

I noticed that if I switch the settings to Dolby Digital, the audio cuts in/out... so I still use a digital audio (optical) cable, but leave the setting to "Other" on the box.That must have been fun to debug. Do you still get 5.1 ch with that "Other" audio setting?

[sjlee]

That must have been fun to debug. Do you still get 5.1 ch with that "Other" audio setting?

No... it's only 2-ch stereo when the setting is "Other".

Debugging the problem wasn't too bad... just did alot of cable swapping and setting switching. Not quite as bad as debugging the HDMI issue.

I've also started noticing a couple horizontal lines that move from the bottom to the top of the screen. I've only noticed it on HD programming. SD programming doesn't have the problem. In addition, it's not the TV, as video from other sources do not have the same problem.

HD may be "free" from TWC, but it's not free of problems. :bang:
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[Danno321]

No... it's only 2-ch stereo when the setting is "Other".

Debugging the problem wasn't too bad... just did alot of cable swapping and setting switching. Not quite as bad as debugging the HDMI issue.

I've also started noticing a couple horizontal lines that move from the bottom to the top of the screen. I've only noticed it on HD programming. SD programming doesn't have the problem. In addition, it's not the TV, as video from other sources do not have the same problem.

HD may be "free" from TWC, but it's not free of problems. :bang:

Use component cables. I don't expect the incompetent TWC to get HDMI working anytime soon. Their official position is they don't support HDMI. So why not ship the boxes with a sticker over the HDMI port to indicate this? Because it is TWC!

[sjlee]

Use component cables. I don't expect the incompetent TWC to get HDMI working anytime soon. Their official position is they don't support HDMI. So why not ship the boxes with a sticker over the HDMI port to indicate this? Because it is TWC!

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing right now because of the problems with using HDMI with their boxes. They have the same position with digital optical audio as well.

I guess they figure by just supplying you with a component cable and composite audio cable, you'd get the message that they don't support anything else. :rolleyes:
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[mr.kstr70]

That of course makes sense with TWC. Why would they bother to keep up with technology to make things better. Are you guy's experiencing this problem on Passport or Navigator? I still have passport on a hdtv with a hdmi and a digital audio that works. On the other hdtv I am just using the component cables and that one has Navigator. If this is just on the switch over from Passport to Nav, then it appears that I'll have to disconnect the hdmi cable on the box.

[jeaves79]

I had this problem when i got my HDTV last fall with TWC. the DVR would not record shows sometimes and it would say that the Channel wasn't availiable. Multiple Techs and CSRs would never flat out tell me that the HDMI was the issue, and when they told me to go down to component I told them to get bent. Before I got the HD service I was told there were no issues with HDMI, then after 2 HD DVR boxes, I decided that enough was enough.

Called DirecTV, asked them point blank aboutt the HDMI, said no problems, and got it installed and low and behold, that nice shiny black HD-DVR and HDMI was not compatible. Tech said it was my TV, it's a 42" Phillips LCD. Tech said there is no difference between Component and HDMI. And I know that some of you say there's isn't either but i noticed a difference, called DirecTv and complained they said a software fix was in the works and that I'd be notified via email. About a month later just for S-A-G, I tried my HDMI connection and it worked! Even my wife said when she walked in and didn't know that I used the HDMI, "what did you do to the picture? It looks way better!".

No noticible difference between Component and HDMI my rear end!

[sjlee]

That of course makes sense with TWC. Why would they bother to keep up with technology to make things better. Are you guy's experiencing this problem on Passport or Navigator? I still have passport on a hdtv with a hdmi and a digital audio that works. On the other hdtv I am just using the component cables and that one has Navigator. If this is just on the switch over from Passport to Nav, then it appears that I'll have to disconnect the hdmi cable on the box.

I've never had a HD box from TWC before, so I've only used a Navigator one. Prior to this, I just had SD digital cable with a Passport box. That box worked great... the programming guide would come up as soon as I pressed the Guide button... no lag like I have with my current box.

From what I've read, it sounds like all the problems (HDMI and optical) are limited to the newer boxes. So, if you want to continue using HDMI and optical audio, I'd recommend keeping your Passport box as long as possible.
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[sjlee]

I had this problem when i got my HDTV last fall with TWC. the DVR would not record shows sometimes and it would say that the Channel wasn't availiable. Multiple Techs and CSRs would never flat out tell me that the HDMI was the issue, and when they told me to go down to component I told them to get bent. Before I got the HD service I was told there were no issues with HDMI, then after 2 HD DVR boxes, I decided that enough was enough.

Called DirecTV, asked them point blank aboutt the HDMI, said no problems, and got it installed and low and behold, that nice shiny black HD-DVR and HDMI was not compatible. Tech said it was my TV, it's a 42" Phillips LCD. Tech said there is no difference between Component and HDMI. And I know that some of you say there's isn't either but i noticed a difference, called DirecTv and complained they said a software fix was in the works and that I'd be notified via email. About a month later just for S-A-G, I tried my HDMI connection and it worked! Even my wife said when she walked in and didn't know that I used the HDMI, "what did you do to the picture? It looks way better!".

No noticible difference between Component and HDMI my rear end!

Despite both cables being able to transmit 1080p signals, I agree with you that there is a noticeable difference... not significant (to me), but still noticeable. When I was using HDMI, I noticed that the picture was consistently sharper. It's still HD with component, but I noticed a slight blur with the programming guide and sometimes with programming. I've accepted the slight degradation in the programming to get around the problems with using HDMI.

Sounds to me that DirecTV had the same problems as TWC... the only difference being that they seemed to have fixed their issue, but their CSRs seem to be trained similarly ("it's not a problem with our hardware, must be your TV or cables", etc.)
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[Danno321]

Despite both cables being able to transmit 1080p signals, I agree with you that there is a noticeable difference... not significant (to me), but still noticeable. When I was using HDMI, I noticed that the picture was consistently sharper. It's still HD with component, but I noticed a slight blur with the programming guide and sometimes with programming. I've accepted the slight degradation in the programming to get around the problems with using HDMI.

Sounds to me that DirecTV had the same problems as TWC... the only difference being that they seemed to have fixed their issue, but their CSRs seem to be trained similarly ("it's not a problem with our hardware, must be your TV or cables", etc.)

With component cables, it makes sense to spend a little extra for a quality cable (from monoprice.com). HDMI is also nice as it is only one cable for both video and audio versus 5 cables. But now there is a new video cable standard coming out and probably another version of HDMI. JHC!

[dicktwi]

That of course makes sense with TWC. Why would they bother to keep up with technology to make things better. Are you guy's experiencing this problem on Passport or Navigator? I still have passport on a hdtv with a hdmi and a digital audio that works. On the other hdtv I am just using the component cables and that one has Navigator. If this is just on the switch over from Passport to Nav, then it appears that I'll have to disconnect the hdmi cable on the box.

I now have an 8300HDC with Navigator and, while I hate most of the software, there IS SOME good news: 1) this box has not spontaneously rebooted in the 3 weeks I've had it (the 8300HD with Passport rebooted at least 4-5 times a week) and 2) the HDMI out to my Sony SXRD RP set works perfectly. So this box and software is a truly mixed "blessing".