Official SA 8300HD DVR Users Thread

[dicktwi]

I agree with others here that the 8300 is much improved over the 8000, but I'm surprised that no one (including myself) has mentioned that the hated (by me, at least) gray side bars are gone on SD programs.

[sp44again]

Come on! Nobody has a SATA drive to test.

[jkool]

I still have the dreaded gray bars on my SA8300HD. The only time they are gone is on 504,505, etc. during a SD broadcast.

Has anyone else found a way to remove them, or is dicktwi a very lucky person?

[Mark Strube]

Come on! Nobody has a SATA drive to test.

I'd doubt the port is even active yet. Time Warner struck a deal with Maxtor, and will be providing SATA drives for people who want them (I'm assuming for a rental fee). You can read all about it here:

http://www.shareholder.com/maxtor/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=151856&reltype=Product&maxtor_section=press

People with the 8300HD and the SARA software are reporting that the SATA ports are already active, and that they can use them with any SATA drive. I doubt they're active with the Passport software, but it's worth a shot, I suppose.

[mhz40]

A request for mhz40, can you please have TW activate the ability to choose the Audio output  on the SA8300.  I am using an HDMI cable andf the box switches to 2.0, my Surround reciever then uses ProLogic and I am unable to set it to 5.1 surround.  According to several other forums, this feature is a system setting controlled by the cable provider, and currently the only option we have in Audio is the Record Level.

Thanks,

You kinda lost me there...
The box switches to 2.0 what (sorry if I should know this, but I don't know everyting about everything)?
You are passing HDMI through your receiver, or using optical/coax to feed it?
In the past,. if a broadcaster is transmitting in 5.1, the box simply passed it on.  I can't believe any transcoders are built into the set top...
Another thing is there are two different applications out there... SA's and Pioneer.  Milwaukee uses Pioneer.  It's possible the setting you are asking for is in the SA world.
I'll look into it, but I know of no setting of that type that would be controlled by the office --- no other user settings are that way.

[Hophead]

The HDMI is running straight to the TV and I am using a digital coax for my surround, the SA8300 guide states:

Audio Out Using HDMI Connection. An HDMI>HDMI or HDMI>DVI connection will automatically select 2 channel stereo if your TV does not support Dolby Digital (DD). In order to restore DD audio out to your receiver, you need to change the automatic setting. Press the Settings button twice and scroll to Audio: Digital Out. Change the setting from HDMI to Dolby Digital. This will force DD audio to the HDMI, as well as the digital/optical audio outs.

This does not work since the only option we have in Audio is Record Level, TW probably did not activate this because the default is DD unless you use an HDMI cable.

Thanks,

[tazcowboy]

I am having the same problem since I got the SA8300.  Only difference I am using optical out from the 8300 to my Sony receiver.  :bang:

I contact TW this morning to see if there was any way to access that menu and they had no idea that a audio function existed.  The CSR said she would contact the guy who knows the most about SA8300, but it didn't sound promising.
 
Please let the public know if anyone figures out a way around this.  

TAZ
--------------------------------------------------------
Television - Sony 60 inch WEGA (KDF-60XS955)  
DVD - Sony DVD 500 DVD changer (DVP-CX77ES)  
TiVo - (Direct DVR)  
Stereo Receiver - Sony Receiver (STR-DE897S)  
Time Warner PVR - Scientific Atlanta PVR (Explorer 8300HD)  
Game Console - Microsoft Game Console (XBox)  
DVD Recorder - Sharp DVD Recorder (DV-RW350U)  
Harmony Remote (688)

The HDMI is running straight to the TV and I am using a digital coax for my surround, the SA8300 guide states:

Audio Out Using HDMI Connection. An HDMI>HDMI or HDMI>DVI connection will automatically select 2 channel stereo if your TV does not support Dolby Digital (DD). In order to restore DD audio out to your receiver, you need to change the automatic setting. Press the Settings button twice and scroll to Audio: Digital Out. Change the setting from HDMI to Dolby Digital. This will force DD audio to the HDMI, as well as the digital/optical audio outs.

This does not work since the only option we have in Audio is Record Level, TW probably did not activate this because the default is DD unless you use an HDMI cable.

Thanks,

[Hophead]

Thanks tazcowboy...I was going to switch my optical from my DVD player to the SA8300 to see if that made a difference.

This topic can be found on several different forums, A/V and HDTVoice.com are 2 that I am aware of, and people on those forums seem to think that this is a setting that the provider can simply turn-on, hopefully mzh40 can investigate and keep us posted...

[mhz40]

Understood.  This may be an SA function that is not be supported by the Pioneer applicaton resident in the Milwaukee divison's set tops.  If so, I hope there is some front panel keypad combo that can change the default setting.  I'll try to nail down an answer by the end of the week.

[tazcowboy]

Check out page 11......This is downloaded from the SA website.

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/ExplorerClubGuides/getting_started/4003870.pdf


TAZ
------------------------------
Television - Sony 60 inch WEGA (KDF-60XS955)  
DVD - Sony DVD 500 DVD changer (DVP-CX77ES)  
TiVo - (Direct DVR)  
Stereo Receiver - Sony Receiver (STR-DE897S)  
Time Warner PVR - Scientific Atlanta PVR (Explorer 8300HD)  
Game Console - Microsoft Game Console (XBox)  
DVD Recorder - Sharp DVD Recorder (DV-RW350U)  
Harmony Remote (688)

[Andrew Grall]

Well, I will be getting an 8300HD on Monday to replace my malfunctioning cablecard.  I'm looking forward to checking this unit out.  I only wish that TW would get HD-WB now so that I could record my weekly Smallville.

So, what was the concensus on HDMI-to-HDMI cables?  E-Bay?  Elsewhere?

Thanks.

P.S. Taz, how are you enjoying your Sony 60XS955?  I have the same set and am very happy with it so far.  What do you have your settings at?

[Hophead]

Thanks mzh40, I/we appreciate your efforts...

[JK27]

8300HD here ... but I can't find the diagnostic menu. So far, I haven't found any channel which displays this info (e.g., hard drive size). And pressing "Select" and "Exit" on the box (like I did with my 8000HD) also does not work.

Any other ideas? Thanks much!  :cool:

[dicktwi]

8300HD here ... but I can't find the diagnostic menu. So far, I haven't found any channel which displays this info (e.g., hard drive size). And pressing "Select" and "Exit" on the box (like I did with my 8000HD) also does not work.

Any other ideas? Thanks much!  :cool:

I can display the diagnostic menu the same way I did on my 8000HD, namely pressing Select and Exit on the box and holding for a couple seconds.  Then releasing and repeating.  Then releasing and repeating a third time.  The menu comes up after the third time.  There may be another way, but this way works for me.  Good luck!

[JK27]

I can display the diagnostic menu the same way I did on my 8000HD, namely pressing Select and Exit on the box and holding for a couple seconds.  Then releasing and repeating.  Then releasing and repeating a third time.  The menu comes up after the third time.  There may be another way, but this way works for me.  Good luck!

I'll try it tonight and report the results. Maybe the trick is doing it three times! Thanks for the reply.