TV, Cable Signal/Box, or other Issue

[Tivoman44]

I was over at my dads this morning.  He has a new Sony 3D TV, unsure about the specific model, 46 inch TV, purchased new in September.  

He has TWC, Scientific Atlantic 8300 HD Box (I believe the old HD Box, not the slightly newer HDC box).  A simple coax to the box, then HDMI to the TV.  He said he had a problem where the screen would flash on and off and I saw it today.  I was flipping through SD channels 2 to 30.  I stopped at ESPN and then wanted to change to 1301. When I did I saw the box change to 720p and then the screen started blinking on and off.  It looked like the actual TV screen stayed on and was just black as if the cable box was off and it may say "no input detected."

  We unplugged the power strip for two minutes, plugged it back on and the box loaded and all seemed fine.  He thought it was the TV, but I told him I think it's the box.  He thought about turning the box in, I told him that probably would be a good thing.  I am unclear as to what a technician may be able to do if they came over.  

A few years ago he had an issue with a 46 inch Samsung, where the TV screen would shut off but you could still hear audio.  The motherboard was replaced, but didn't seem to always work.  So I donno if this is something bigger such as dirty power ruining electronics.  

Any thoughts?

[brewtownska]

The part where you mention you turned to ESPN and saw the box change to 720p...I wonder if you set the box to ALWAYS output a specific resolution would fix the problem?  I imagine some TVs adjust to different resolutions more gracefully than others, so maybe it's fussing over the change.

[Jack 1000]

The part where you mention you turned to ESPN and saw the box change to 720p...I wonder if you set the box to ALWAYS output a specific resolution would fix the problem?  I imagine some TVs adjust to different resolutions more gracefully than others, so maybe it's fussing over the change.

I agree,

And would change the Output Resolution to the maximum setting that your box supports.  Deselect all the others.  That should take care of the problem.  If not, a service call may need to be scheduled.

Jack