HIgh def box/ picture issues. - Charter Spectrum (2024)

briand805 join:2002-10-05 Rockaway Beach, MO	briand805 Member 2004-Apr-28 11:42 am HIgh def box/ picture issues. I have recently received a explorer 3250hd box. It sits right along side my explorer 8000 dvr. The high def box is connected to my High def tv's 1080i inputs. The Dvr box is connected to to the TV via s-video. What I have noticed is while using the high def box all the high def channels are amazingly crystal clear. While all the channels which are not high def are much darker with poor picture quality. Switching over to the DVR box and viewing the same regular channels which didn't look so hot on the HD box the picture looks much clearer. Not sure but could this be from the 1080i not converting the non-HD signals properly? I was hoping to get a hd-dvr but i wont even bother if the picture looks like crap on the non-hd channels. After all we only get 7 hd channels in my area at the moment.
	· actions · 2004-Apr-28 11:42 am ·
MrBeetle9 join:2004-02-01 Madison, WI	MrBeetle9 Member 2004-Apr-30 1:18 am Unfortunatly, "working as intended"... These problems are nationwide (not just charter) as both of the major box makers do the same thing. The problem will most likley be improved with firmware updates - but those too are out of charter's hands. (it's up to motorola/SA to write them)
	· actions · 2004-Apr-30 1:18 am ·
briand805 join:2002-10-05 Rockaway Beach, MO	briand805 Member 2004-May-1 4:06 am thanks for the reply. I was thinking about giving the local office a call about it but have been busy.
	· actions · 2004-May-1 4:06 am ·
SLOCableTech join:2001-12-10 Santa Maria, CA	SLOCableTech Member 2004-May-1 6:46 pm The installer should have informed you that it is best to watch only HD channels on the composite inputs. This way you can avoid picture the problems related to scaling a SD 4:3 picture to the HD 16:9 format. If you have any questions call Will at 783-4966
	· actions · 2004-May-1 6:46 pm ·

briand805 join:2002-10-05 Rockaway Beach, MO	briand805 Member 2004-May-2 3:25 am Thanks SLO. Ill hook up an S-Video give it a shot.
	· actions · 2004-May-2 3:25 am ·
MrBeetle9 join:2004-02-01 Madison, WI	MrBeetle9 Member 2004-May-2 1:45 pm A better option, if you have the signal for it, is to simply split the incoming cable and run one line to the TV. Then, not only do you solve the analog PQ issue, you also gain the ability to do things like PIP - granted, at the loss of the guide.
	· actions · 2004-May-2 1:45 pm ·
briand805 join:2002-10-05 Rockaway Beach, MO	briand805 to SLOCableTech Member 2004-May-2 5:41 pm to SLOCableTech Thanks again SLO for the input. I hooked up an S-video along with the component out on the HD box. Now when i want to watch the non-HD channels all I have to do is switch from component to S-video on the TV. The picture quality on the non-HD channels has greatly improved. Now all I need is one remote to control my HDTV,1 regular 32 inch toshiba,Hd box,DVR,gateway ar-230 DVD recorder/player, surround sound amplifier, sub-woofer amplifier, tape deck, VCR, security system, and the audigy platinum ex in my PC. Ive looked at some that control basic functions but have yet to find one that will change the inputs on the tv.
	· actions · 2004-May-2 5:41 pm ·
jbibeau join:2004-01-16 Auburn, MA	jbibeau to briand805 Member 2004-May-3 2:15 pm to briand805 I actually called Mitsubishi (have a Mitsu 55" projection TV)about the picture quality and the way it stretches the picture and cuts off the top and bottom .. They told me that the component /1080i input isn't designed to work well with "normal" (4x3 480i) TV broadcasts. The told me that they tell all their customers to use an S-Video output from the box as an alternate connection -- so I tested it out. Sure enough the S-Video connection wasn't getting cut off like the 1080i input and the picture was actually much better.. I wasn't thrilled with their answer, but at least it's an answer. Interesting to know that they do design different inputs to handle the picture differently.
	· actions · 2004-May-3 2:15 pm ·
thr61 @choiceone.net	thr61 Anon 2004-May-10 3:00 pm Briand805: I am about to get the same setup (3250HD and Explorer 8000) from Charter in central Mass. How are you managing the 2 remote issue? I understand that these boxes use the same remote and wondered what to do about issues such as on/off turning off the box I want on etc. or channel changing on the wrong box. I was planning on using the 3250HD ONLY for viewing HD channels and otherwise leaving it turned off and using the E8000 for all SD viewing and recording. I also assume you are splitting the signal before both boxes? Any details on how you are managing all of this will be appreciated.
	· actions · 2004-May-10 3:00 pm ·
briand805 join:2002-10-05 Rockaway Beach, MO	briand805 Member 2004-May-10 3:36 pm Yes, i am using a splitter before the boxes. As far as the remote issue goes I have found that using the HD remote with the DVR box is a little buggy. I try and use the hd remote for the hd box and the DVR remote for the DVR box. I also manually turn on the box I want to use so that one machine isn't running when I'm using the other. I also unplug both at night. The Hard drive in my DVR box sometimes will run for hours even after the box is turned off. The charter tech i spoke with said this is normal but i don't like wasting the power or listening to it grind away in the middle of the night.
	· actions · 2004-May-10 3:36 pm ·
thr61 @choiceone.net	thr61 Anon 2004-May-10 3:45 pm Thanks. I am hoping that the 8000HD will be available soon so that all of this becomes a non-issue. I do have a replaytv that I likely going to return in favor of 8000 and what will utltimately be a simpler configuration. Finally, I have an MX700 that I am going program to hopefully cut down on some of the remotes and switching issues in play here. Thanks again.
	· actions · 2004-May-10 3:45 pm ·