Official SA 8300HD DVR Users Thread

[Mark Strube]

Ahh yeah I was referring to stores in general, not the TWC store.  

[jd91]

As I suspected, this is not something that can be 'turned on' at the office.
This functonality (or fix) is already built into the latest code, which is currently in the testing stages.  I don't feel comfortable going any deeper than this on the topic here, but felt it was important for me to follow-up as promised and provide some info on the topic.

Any more information on whether or not the SA 8300 inability to supply Dolby 5.1 when outputting through HDMI/DVI has been fixed yet?  I just picked up my 8300 this weekend, and agree the quality is much better... However, I'm waiting to get an HDMI/DVI cable until I know I can still get the 5.1 audio before I switch from Component.

There was something in the 8300 users guide about this issue and it indicated you could go into settings and override the fact that when using HDMI output it defaults to Dolby 2.0.  Haven't tried this yet, has anyone else?

[Mark Strube]

I'm outputting video using a HDMI to DVI-D cable, and I get full 5.1 thru the digital coax connector. I don't know if it acts any differently if I used a full HDMI cable.

[mhz40]

A firmare fix for the audio output setting on the "Settings" menu is on the way.  No date is set yet.  I hope it would be sometime in April... I just don't know for sure.

[Paul S.]

Anyone else have that bad flicker problem? You have to turn the box off and back on to get rid of it  :mad:

[summerfun]

Anyone else have that bad flicker problem? You have to turn the box off and back on to get rid of it  :mad:

NO, I have two 8300 DVR's, one HD and one SD and both work great.

I had an SD 8000 DVR that flickered a lot, they said it was a Hard Drive issue. They gave the the SD 8300 DVR as a replacment and it has worked flawlessly.

[Mark Strube]

Anyone else have that bad flicker problem? You have to turn the box off and back on to get rid of it  :mad:

Are you talking about pretty much right away when you turn it on, the picture goes in and out, flickers between the picture and black? I've had this issue a couple times, I have to turn the box off for about 10 seconds and then back on and it's gone.

[Paul S.]

Are you talking about pretty much right away when you turn it on, the picture goes in and out, flickers between the picture and black? I've had this issue a couple times, I have to turn the box off for about 10 seconds and then back on and it's gone.

Mine happens when I switch to HD or watch a rec show. At least thats when I notice it .

[summerfun]

Mine happens when I switch to HD or watch a rec show. At least thats when I notice it .

Paul, do you have your settings to display more than one output? 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i.

If you do, your box will flicker every time you switch channels or play a recording that changes from one output signal to another. If you have your output set to only one, like leaving it on 720p only, you will not have the flicker.

[Mark Strube]

Mine's set to output 480p, 720p, and 1080i.  I think I recall the problem being like that. When I first turn it on it's fine, but when I switch to an HD channel or recording, the picture goes away for a second (to switch formats) but then it never really comes back except in quick flickers. The problem is always solved if I turn the box off for about 10 seconds.

[Paul S.]

Mine's set to output 480p, 720p, and 1080i.  I think I recall the problem being like that. When I first turn it on it's fine, but when I switch to an HD channel or recording, the picture goes away for a second (to switch formats) but then it never really comes back except in quick flickers. The problem is always solved if I turn the box off for about 10 seconds.

Right. The flicker keeps goin until you turn the box off.

[summerfun]

Have you tried setting to only one output? Does that stop the issue?

I have not found ANY reason to have multiple output settings. The PQ is exactly the same if I leave the box set to only output 720p and you NEVER have a flicker.

[Mark Strube]

No, because I've done a lot of experimenting with this, and letting my TV scale 1080i looks much clearer than having the box scale it to 720p. I suspect this has something to do with the fact that the native resolution of my set is  1386x788... 720p is 1280x720. My tv is not 720p, it's inbetween 720p and 1080i. Also, standard digital channels and analog channels seem to look the best when the box outputs them at 480p... I've tried all the different settings, and it's just what looks best to me.

[Paul S.]

No, because I've done a lot of experimenting with this, and letting my TV scale 1080i looks much clearer than having the box scale it to 720p. I suspect this has something to do with the fact that the native resolution of my set is  1386x788... 720p is 1280x720. My tv is not 720p, it's inbetween 720p and 1080i. Also, standard digital channels and analog channels seem to look the best when the box outputs them at 480p... I've tried all the different settings, and it's just what looks best to me.

Huh...same with my sony!

[summerfun]

That's odd as I have the same set. I tried all the settings and never got a better PQ than just leaving on one output. Maybe I need glasses

I guess the other issues is the elimination of the flicker that you guys are having. One output equals no flicker. I guess it is just a trade off.