Official SA 8300HD DVR Users Thread

[Andrew Grall]

I'm not familiar with your particular model of RCA DLP set, but I had heard that some of the RCA DLP sets don't have the most compatible inputs on them...

[sp44again]

Is the Mayfair store open on Sundays like everything else in the mall? My install was terrible and I was figuring on trading in the 8000 for an 8300 anyways but the 8000 they gave me doesn't work. Gives me an error about the hard drive.

[Mark Strube]

Yep! The store has the same hours as the mall.

Mon - Fri:     10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sat:    10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun:    11:00 am - 6:00 pm

[sp44again]

Cool, that's what I figured. Supposedly they had 10 8300's left today. Hopefully they won't be gone tomorrow!

I also have an idea for TWC. Instead of delivering the boxes in a big ziploc bag maybe they should be in boxes.   :bang:   These things have hard drives in them now!

[Mark Strube]

If you get a brand new one, it comes in a big box.  

[gparris]

All of my HD DVRs originally came in boxes, although the 8300 HD DVRs came in  plastic ziplock bags without incident at the time of install taken out of their respective boxes from the TWC truck-I should know, since all 3 of them came that way, recently.
Sorry to hear you had such problems, sp44again, maybe TWC should better, then again, summerfun's install was no picnic yet Gregg and I had less difficulty.
I have had Digital Phone since last October and was one of the first installs in my area and I had no difficulty and I had to deal with Verizon and a second line.

[sp44again]

Is the 8300 less sensitive to heat than the 8000? Seems my 8000 is either buggy as hell or heat is causing it to act weird. Lock up, picture freeze, audio dropouts. This is my 2nd box. Trying to get an 8300 has been tough.

[Andrew Grall]

Any update on the firmware that is supposed to allow DD output at the same time as HDMI?  Will this update also allow up to change the gray bars to black on the analog channels?

[Cheesehead Dave]

I'm glad I searched through this thread. I just discovered the HDMI/5.1 "feature" and had been banging my head against the wall trying to figure out why my receiver wasn't getting a 5.1 signal when I was sure it did at one point. That was before I installed the HDMI cable.

Any recommendations on how to proceed? I figure these are my options:

A) Buy an HDMI->DVI adaptor and plug the 8300HD into the free DVI port in the back of the TV

B) Drop back to component video

C) Live with it until the firmware is upgraded

D) Dolby Digital 5.1? Overrated! :p

A is probably the one I'm going to go with. I'd feel guilty going with B after buying the HDMI cable which I can't return. Besides, my two component ports are reserved for my DVD player and my Playstation.

A question about C: If the future firmware upgrade gives an option to "force" the 8300HD to output 5.1 and the TV can't process it, does that mean I'll won't be able to hear sound out of the TV and would always have to use the receiver to hear the audio? Not the worst thing in the world, but if I'm just watching the news, the TV speakers are just fine; I'd hate to see them permanently muted.

Just kidding about D...

[Mark Strube]

I'd definitely go with A... I have to because my tv only has DVI. Find a cheapo cable on eBay... it's digital... it either works or it doesn't. No in-between.  

[brainee]

Attempted 8000 to 8300 upgrade rant:

I'm trying to trade in my SA8000 for the 8300, but TWC is not making it easy. I was talked to someone in customer service and they ASSURED me that the 8300 was in stock at both the MLK and Mayfair locations. Of course they were wrong, and had no idea when more were coming in. I don't mind if a customer service rep says they don't know, or tells me I'm out of luck, but to give me the wrong answer, essentially costing me about 90 minutes of my day, really ticks me off.

Anyway, from reading this forum it seems tons of people have successfully upgraded over the last few months. Is there any suggested strategy? Is there a certain day that new shipments come, or do I just have to bug them everyday? Thanks

[Mark Strube]

If only people could read words & phrases...

Like I've said, call the Mayfair store (1-866-892-6007), ask if they have any available, if not, ask when they're getting a new shipment. I'd recommend calling right before you're planning on leaving to go to the store. They tend to disappear pretty quickly.

I've repeated this 3 times in this thread now. Anyone else miss it? Maybe if i double-post it this time...

::sigh::

[Gregg Lengling]

I was also told not to go in the evening but during the day when the managers are there.  They tend to put the new boxes in a locked storeroom and at night no-one has the key to that room.  I got this from a great customer service rep a week ago when I had some problems with one of my boxes.  I was impressed with his attitude and service and taking care of my problem remotely.

[sp44again]

If only people could read words & phrases...


I've repeated this 3 times in this thread now. Anyone else miss it? Maybe if i double-post it this time...

::sigh::

This doesn't always work either smarty pants. I called Mayfair, they said they had some in stock, 20 mins later I get there and they are all gone.  Very frustrating.  Now I don't care. No more TWC!  :wave:

[sp44again]

I was also told not to go in the evening but during the day when the managers are there.

This is nice for some but not for people that can't get away from work or want to take a long lunch break and hike it to the mall.