Just got an HDTV yesterday, hooked up cable through HDMI. When I have it on CBS (HD), its displayed in 1920x1080i and the screen fits perfectly. If I switch to FOX (HD), it switches to 1280x720 and is completely offcenter. I have to scroll through the inputs and re-select HDMI to reset it (even though its already set to HDMI), and that channel will be fine. If I try to switch back, I have to go through the same process. Any ideas?

11/21/2010 1:47:19 PM

It definitely wouldn't be helpful to have a model or at the very least a manufacturer.

11/21/2010 1:53:03 PM

Quote :

"hooked up cable"

There's your problem most likely. Cable "HD" doesn't mean 1080p - it varies based on channel, programming, and time of day. For instance you might catch a good football game in 1080i or 1080p and then House will come and they'll drop it back to 720p to free up bandwidth for programming on another channel.

However the new Scientific Atlantic boxes are supposed to have scaling in them to alleviate this problem. Did you check the settings there?

11/21/2010 1:57:54 PM

Haha, ya that might help. Its a Samsung Series 5 (I think 550?), 50" plasma. And I have time warner with an HD box. Its a Scientific Atlanta box, got it about 9 months ago, so not sure if ^ applies, as I didn't see any settings for scaling.


[Edited on November 21, 2010 at 2:05 PM. Reason : .]

11/21/2010 2:03:27 PM

Just about every cable and sat box I've ever seen has settings that allow you to tell it what resolutions your TV supports. Try telling it that your TV doesn't support 720p but does support 1080i and that should fix the issue.

11/21/2010 4:17:36 PM

I tried to do some googling for you; but there are HUNDREDS of threads devoted to fixing various versions of scientific atlanta boxes. Everything from you have to run setup on component cables to get it to work to firmware updates reset everything anyway to a myriad of random problems.

However, I know for sure that TWC does free box upgrades. Just call 'em up and tell them you got a BRAND SPANKING NEW 50" PLASMA - and that their box is going nuts and the picture is jacked up. They gave us 2 free set-tops without hassle, just had to ride to their little fix-it depot place. If they give you any lip tell 'em you're getting dish network

Good luck

[Edited on November 21, 2010 at 5:56 PM. Reason : and check the back of the box for a toggle switch - it's not always in the menu]

11/21/2010 5:56:16 PM

Mine used to do that exact thing and it was due to it switching back and forth from 1080i and 720p. I eventually just set it to force 1080i and that took care of the problem. My eyes can't tell the difference really anyway.

11/21/2010 6:21:03 PM

Thanks for the replies. After looking around for a while, it seems to be a fairly common issue, and as most of you have said the only option is to set the output on the box to only do 1080. I might try to grab a new box as well and see if anything has updated.

11/22/2010 10:20:59 AM

sounds like a bug in your TV. Like its not properly handling the resolution change. check the manufacturer's website for firmware updates.

although i guess its possible the cable box isn't sending the required info for a resolution change.

[Edited on November 22, 2010 at 10:52 AM. Reason : a]

11/22/2010 10:46:45 AM

Quote :

"For instance you might catch a good football game in 1080i or 1080p and then House will come and they'll drop it back to 720p to free up bandwidth for programming on another channel."

There's no broadcast material distributed in 1080p. You'll also never see them changing resolution on a channel. Instead, they change the amount of compression to free up bandwidth.

11/22/2010 10:47:57 AM

You don't want that POS SA8300 decoding and scaling your source over the Samsung 50" anyway. Though, from what I've read, you cannot choose pass-through mode on these receivers when using HDMI - only component. Try the Advanced setup on page 4 and choose 480p, 720p, and 1080i. My buddy's Eastern NC TWC had this mode in the Menu somewhere iirc. The software on my Suddenlink branded 8300 needed info/guide to be pressed.

http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/userguides2/4004007.pdf

--
Here's an unrelated TWC question. Do those of you with HBO on Demand have it in HD? For whatever reason I couldn't figure out why HBOHD came in fine, but when you went to 1300 or whatever and chose your program it jumped back to the SD lineup.

[Edited on November 23, 2010 at 8:01 AM. Reason : .]

11/23/2010 7:59:55 AM