Picture Quality Thru HDTV Cable Box

[Tigerjon]

Hi,

I am new to this site an do not know a lot about TVs, HDTV, etc, so I don't know all of the termonology so I'll try to explain my problem the best I can.

We own a Toshiba 30" tube HDTV. We bought it in the spring of '05 so I think it is 780i. However, there is a picture setting that says 1080i. I'm not sure. Anyway, we have an HD box that is provided to us by our cable company (Time Warner). We have it connected by way of red/blue/green cables. There are a few problems we have experienced since getting the HD service. First, the picture quality of the analog channels is worse thru the HD box than if we run the coaxial from the wall directly to the TV (problem is if we do this we lose HD). The other problem is with some of the analog channels there is a foggy band about 3 or 4 inches tall across the top of the picture that is especially prominant when the picture at the top is dark. This doesn't happen when the HD box isn't hooked up. Any suggestions on fixing these problems if they can be fixed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

TJ
Kansas City, MO

[joepic]

Hello TJ,

I live in Akron, Ohio and use TW cable here. I have the 8300HD cable box connected via the component cables (R/G/B) to my 50" Panny Plazma. The picture is EXCELLENT.

Sounds like you need to have your cable company replace their box.

[Tigerjon]

joepic,

My box is a Scientific Atlanta 3250 HD. It appears you may have a newer box. Can you tell me more? Is it an SA? Is it a DV-R box as well? Thanks.

TJ

[BJ_M]

you might want to try better cables first off

[Tigerjon]

BJ_M,

Better cables as in better quality R/B/Gs or connect with different types of cables?

TJ

[FulciLives]

BJ_M,

Better cables as in better quality R/B/Gs or connect with different types of cables?

TJ

He means better component (Red/Blue/Green) cables.

You might want to try the AR brand sold at BEST BUY as they are excellent cables. Not cheap but not overly expensive. The Monster brand (sold at BEST BUY and elsewhere) tend to be overpriced.

AR brand is not the only "good" brand but it seems like there is a BEST BUY on every corner these days so that is just one suggestion for you.

You also might check on the settings of the cable box and see how it is set up ... make sure it is set up for 1080i output (it sounds as though your TV supports 1080i but you should double check that through the manual and if you lost the manual you should be able to download it at the Toshiba website in a PDF file).

As for the cable box ... can't help you there ... I know mine has a "trick" to get to the settings (output 1080i or 720p etc.) so I don't know what the "trick" is for your cable box OR if there is no "trick" and the settings are easily accessible through the menu. It could be either way.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[edDV]

If the MPeg2 channels are coming in OK, there is nothing wrong with the cables. The cable company owes you the cables anyway.

There are three types of channels on cable systems

Analog (often channels 2-99)
SD MPeg2, aka "digital" (often channels 100up)
HD MPeg2 located in an upper band of channels.

The SA 3250HD tunes all three types of input.
http://www.cox.com/support/digitalcable/hdtv/pdf/sa_3250HD.pdf

It has two settings, one for standard def (480i or 480p) and one for "high def" (480p or 720p or 1080i).

Are you sure your Toshiba set accepts 720P? Try 1080i and see if if makes a difference.
For the SD setting try both 480i and 480p. Your set should handle either.

I don't have that model box but some do well with the analog channels, others have bad performance.

There is nothing stopping you from running both RF and analog components to your TV. Use the TV tuner for channels 2-99 and analog component for channels 100 up.

Call the cable company and describe your problem. It may be on their side.