TM 3100 DTV Output

[Tarzdan]

Hi all, new guy to HDTV and new guy to the Forums. A goldmine of information exits on this site, I'm glad it's out here, I've already spent a good deal of time reading the Threads (who says adults can't learn?).

I recently purchased a 55" Mits WS55411, had it delivered and had TW swap out the digital cable box for the Pioneer 3100 HD.  TW Connected the Coax (F connector) to Ant-B, and the Component outs to the DTV input of the Mits.  When I select the Ant-B input the TV displays the signal without an issue. However when I select the DTV input to watch HDTV 1080i  (500 series channels) I am getting white pixels that pop on and off in a vertical pattern. They are not so plentiful it ruins the view or is unwatchable, but enough that it is noticeable and annoying.  It's a tease,  the picture is incredible, but the pixels make it imperfect.  Anyway, long story short my instincts tell me it's the cable box and perhaps I should request a swap from TW.  Couple of troubleshooting notes,

 Prior to the TW swap for the 3100 HD I redid the cabling and splitting in the house, it was quite a mess from the previous owner.  TW cable guy stated the signal was fine on the coax.
 I have a DVD player with a component output connected to the Component 1 input, no issue with picture quality at all (in fact its incredible)
 I have a VCR connected to input 1 of the Mits, again no issue with picture quality (although it is a VCR so consider the source)
 Just for fun I swapped the DTV and Component 1 inputs and had the very same problem with the TW Box on Component 1 as I did with DTV input. The DVD player had no issue with the DTV input and displayed just fine.

I think I have ruled it down to it being either TW box or the Mits.  I would appreciate any comments or advice perhaps someone has had a similar problem. (Its always sooo much fun to call TW customer service..)

Dan

[Gregg Lengling]

It definitely sounds like the TWC box...you've ruled out the input stages of your Mits....as you said the DVD looks great on either input.  I'd call TWC and have them send a service man out to check it out...and have them bring a spare box.  Good luck and enjoy.

[Tarzdan]

Thanks Gregg, that seems the most logical,

Dan

[Mike Sura]

maybe I'm missing something here but the 3100HD box doesn't have a cable output. "TW Connected the Coax (F connector) to Ant-B...."

[JoeK]

The Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3100HD box (uses Pioneer software) has a cable out (F - type).  For some people this produces the best analog picture.

[Mike Sura]

but he said the Pioneer box, the Pioneer HD does not have cable output

[JoeK]

The only reason I jumped into this thread was to clear up a little confusion, avoid some misinformation.  Here is another attempt.  The Pioneer Voyager 3510HD cable box appears to be what Mike is refering to.  There have been a number of posts refering to a 3100HD box as a Pioneer.  I suppose that is because the Pioneer Passport software comes up when it is booted up.  The Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3100HD would appear to be what Dan was refering to.  I believe they are both correct about their particular cable boxes, just unclear on the descriptions.

[sarusk]

Tarzdan, my neighbor had the same exact problem with his 3100. He was getting the white pixels periodically. My set was not doing it so we had TWC come out to replace the box. The tech said it was a known issue with the box, although I've never had the problem. With the new box it hasn't happened again. It may be easier to just take your box in to exchange it, rather then wait for them to come out again.

[agrundman]

I had the exact same issue.  The problem occurs on certain serial numbers of the SA 3100 boxes.  The first and second box they tried at my house displayed the annoying pixels you are referring to.

Once I got a supervisor involved (Joe Perise), the problem got solved very quickly.  He received an e-mail from another TWC office in Ohio that alerted him of this problem.  Joe tested the third box that I now have at my house prior to bringing it out.  It works perfectly.

I would hope that the information from my situation would have filtered to the rest of the technicians at TWC, but you never know.

[Tarzdan]

Many Thanks, I have contacted TW and have a guy scheduled to come out and exchange the box. They didn't give me a hard time about it almost as if they knew (?).  It seems they are in short supply of boxes so maybe they pulled this one off the shelf.

Just to clear up the thread the box is a Scientific Atlanta with the Pioneer software. It does have a cable f connect out.

Dan