TWC questions

[jcwillia]

Ok, so I'm back...anyone who remembers my previous posts knows that I am the cheapest human being on the planet.

Moving on, though...

I recently ordered and had installed Time Warner Cable in Milwaukee with the HD bonus channels.  ESPN HD looks surprisingly good given all the complaining I remember about it in the early days.

Question 1 : Is the movies that TNT is showing like The Fugitive or A Few Good Men or ABC's presentation of the Sixth Sense last night - are those HD movies or are those the 480p/i versions?  

Question 2 : Is there a way to get the DVI connector on the 8000HD cable box to work or is it inactive by default?  I hooked mine up the last time I had cable and it was really great.  This time? nothing.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[summerfun]

TNT does run some stuff in HD but most stuff in upconverted SD. Can't say for sure on those exact movies you mentioned.

Yes, the DVI port is active.

[gparris]

I was watching the latest drama series on TNT-HD (western saga) "Into the West"and it seemed to be of good quality HD and sound, at least to me.
"The Closer" is also a good series in HD as well but some others are stretched, too, but a least TNT-HD has clearer picture with better sound than analogue channel 33 version, IMO.

I would suggest getting the 8300HD DVR box and use a HDMI to DVI cable for your HDTV set as this box seems to work better and has a spelling/keyword search in it unlike the older 8000HD box....just a suggestion.

[jcwillia]

Yes, the DVI port is active.

I hooked up my cable and got no signal?  What did I do wrong?

[jcwillia]

I would suggest getting the 8300HD DVR box

I wasn't given a choice...?  How do u upgrade?

[gparris]

The 8000HD in my memory, never had the DVI port active.
Paul S. I believe had the same problem and used a non-DVR HD box until the 8300HD DVR box came in.
The 8300HD may be harder to get, but the HDMI port is active and if you use a DVI to HDMI cable you will have the connection you desire.
Get some TWC service tech to get you one or have Mayfair office reserve you one for a swapout and call them directly there beforehand.

Hope this works out for you.

[summerfun]

I hooked up my cable and got no signal?  What did I do wrong?

I have had so many HD boxes from TWC, I can't swear I ever used the DVI port on the 8000 or not. I know for a fact I have used the DVI port on one of my past HD boxes from TWC but it might have been pre DVR. I currently have the 8300 box and I know the HDMI port is active.

[mhz40]

The only DVI that I remember working was on the Pioneer 3510-HD.

[Den Mayer]

From GBay, I have TWC & the SA-3250-HD Cable Box......

   I've had the 3250-HD Box for almost 2 years.....
       initially with Component cables out....      and
    For 1.5 years & currently, I'm using DVI out on 3250-HD Box....

    It's a little slow switching digital picture formats....
       but meets my Cable HD needs.....

[jcwillia]

thanks for the hardware tips.

where can i get the hdmi to dvi converter thingy?


Also, watched inHD to the MAX last night - something about California with some just rediculous sky diving pics.  Had me and my wife reaching for the pepto.  yikes.

[gparris]

jcwillia: Glad you are enjoying the HDTV experience and thank you for sharing.
INHD can have some really good HD viewing programmes, perhaps Directv and DishNetwork will eventually have these channels, too.

As far as buying the cable for DVI on one end and the HDMI connection (for the cable box) on the other end, the cheapest I found was $99 for a four foot cable at BB, but I  am certain there are forum members that have found less costly cables.
Do a search in this forum and PM a few of them unless they reply after this message...good luck.

[DBL]

On the 8300 (And I have now been through 2 boxes) Does not have the HDMI plug working correctly. It is turned one but the firmware does not allow for proper operation. They are working on it to get the firmware upgrade again to make it work. I urge all TWC HD users to keep contacting TWC about this issue to get the HDMI output work correctly.

[kevbeck122]

thanks for the hardware tips.

where can i get the hdmi to dvi converter thingy?


Also, watched inHD to the MAX last night - something about California with some just rediculous sky diving pics.  Had me and my wife reaching for the pepto.  yikes.

mashy76 on ebay... around $10 shipped.  My theory is that since it's a digital signal, as long as it gets from A to B I'm fine with buying a cheap cable.  I'm currently using a DVI to HDMI cable on my 3510 pioneer box from this guy and it works great.  I've also bought an optical cable and a regular HDMI cable from him.. no problems.

[Mark Strube]

DBL - This sounds more like a conflict with your television. Many people here have the HDMI on their 8300HD's working properly.

[jcwillia]

re : Shawshank

I did a PIP-swap comparison of my Shawshank DVD and the inHD version on last night and theirs was quite a bit better.  Resolution was cleaner, colors were far richer.

It was kind of neat to test it and see how much better HD DVD will be.

My wife was like "what is hd dvd?  does that mean we have to buy all of our movies all over again?"   I said "HD DVD is this (pointing to shawshank) and yes we have to buy all our movies again"

She was not pleased.