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HD Cable Service

post #1 of 15
1/7/08 at 10:34am
Thread Starter 
Hello all,
I am new to this forum. I have comcast HD service. I just installed my HDMI cable. I used to recieve 1080i with the Component Cables. But when i hooked up my HDMI Cable it switched to 720p is that normal. or do i have to set up something on my cable box. I was told while the box is off i am to push in the menu button. and a menu would come up with different settings. But it does not work for me.

Any help would be appreciated.
Joe
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post #2 of 15
1/7/08 at 11:02am

Re: HD Cable Service

I think you need to hold the menu button down and then press the power button to access the menu, but I may be mistaken.

Before anyone can offer any real help here we're going to need the make and model number of your cable box and your TV. Comcast uses different models from Motorola, Scientific Atlanta and Moxie in different markets, so just knowing that it is an HD box provided by Comcast doesn't tell us enough to offer any useful information.

Regards,

Joe
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post #3 of 15
1/8/08 at 5:08am
Thread Starter 

Re: HD Cable Service

Comcast: Motorola DCT3412 Dual Tuner DVR/HDTV

TV: Insignia NS-LCD42HD

I heard my Comcast just released a new Motorola box. Maybe that one will be broadcasting in 1080i/p with HDMI

Thank you for you help
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post #4 of 15
1/8/08 at 7:05am

Re: HD Cable Service

To change the default output on a Motorola box: With the box turned off, press and hold the "Menu" button on the front of the box (not the remote!!). You should get a setup menu. Using the buttons on the front of the box, you can change the default output (1080i/720p/Native). You can also change the default output for non-HD by changing the "480i Override" setting. After adjusting the settings, hit menu again to exit and save.

PS - No broadcast HD is in 1080p. It just doesn't exist, so your choices are limited to 1080i or 720p. If you have a 1080p TV, it will scale either to its native 1080p.
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post #5 of 15
1/9/08 at 11:07am
Thread Starter 

Re: HD Cable Service

Thank you for your help, i will try that.
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post #6 of 15
1/9/08 at 11:23am

Re: HD Cable Service

I've been thinking of upgrading to Comcast's digital starter package (and pay the $6.95 for the HD monthly fee) to get the 15-16 HD channels that offer in their digital starter package, which doesn't include the local HD or the preminum HD channels, those channels are extra.

How are the new HD channels? It is worth $6.95/month to get those HD channels? I think you get:

USA
TNT
TBS
MHD
ESPN
ESPN2
HD Theater
Sci-Fi
Universal
PBS
A&E
Discovery
FSN
HGTV
Food Network
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post #7 of 15
1/9/08 at 11:49am

Re: HD Cable Service

If you're a sports fan, it's worth it just for the ESPNs in HD. My HD package has similar channels and I find myself rarely watching non-HD channels anymore.

Now, keep in mind that how each of those channels presents their non-HD content is entirely up to them. Some will crop, some will stretch, some will do a little of each. On the other hand, the ESPNs provide branded windowboxing.
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post #8 of 15
1/9/08 at 11:50am

Re: HD Cable Service

I've heard horror stories about TBS HD, but that TNT HD is getting better after a not-so-great start with HD.
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post #9 of 15
1/9/08 at 12:43pm

Re: HD Cable Service

I almost never watch SD TV and never, ever in primetime.
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post #10 of 15
1/9/08 at 1:22pm

Re: HD Cable Service

Hi Jeff and others,

I could not get the on-screen display to appear on my HDTV screen and according to the DCH3200 Owners Manual, this may be due to "TV may not support the default video output setting". It also suggests that the DCH front panel display be used to view and change the settings. There is a FORMAT button that allows you to cycle through the video formats - 1080i, 720p .....BUT NO NATIVE setting.

I have the Component connectors and when I launch the Display Banner from my SONY KDL46W3000 remote I see 1080i for all Comcast HD channels. And the set-top box is pre-configured for 1080i.

Questions I have are:

1. Is it best to leave the video output setting on 1080i for HD and 480i for the 4:3 Override? Or is there a way to let the TV upconvert to 1080p?

2. Are all Comcast HD Channels being broadcast at 1080i?

3. If all HD channels are coming out of the STB at 1080i what is the purpose of the lower settings, i.e. why would anyone want them?

4. If anyone has settings for the Sony KDL46W3000 that they are very happy with, please share. I have the Comcast HD service, Comcast supplied Component cable and also a SONY SD DVD Player, a Panasonic VCR and an old Pioneer Pro Logic Receiver with 5 speakers as my "system". I will be upgrading the HT devices very soon as well as the DVD Player and will ask for suggestions from experts on this forum.

Thanks.

Dante
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post #11 of 15
1/9/08 at 4:31pm
Thread Starter 

Re: HD Cable Service

Thanks for the tip about using the menu on the cable box. it worked. I am now watching my HD channels in 1080i my non HD channels are in 480p.

My ESPN & ESPN2 are only cropped during the talk shows like PTI, sportscenter, when i watch a sporting event it is alwyas full widescreen.

IThese are the HD channels i have with my Comcast.
CSNHD
ESPNHD
ESPN2HD
TNTHD
HDT
MOJO
VSGLFHD
UHD
MHD
NGCHD
A&EHD
HGTVHD
HBOHD
FOODHD
NFLHD
MAXHD
TBSHD
ABC-HD
NBC-HD
CBS-HD
FOX-HD
WPHLHD
WPSGHD
WHYYHD

& these are ones i am not subscribed to SHOHD, STARZHD
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post #12 of 15
1/9/08 at 4:40pm

Re: HD Cable Service

ESPN windowboxes any content that is not HD, even if it is dropped into the middle of an HD program like Sportscenter. They do not crop anything on ESPNHD or ESPN2HD.
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post #13 of 15
1/9/08 at 6:58pm

Re: HD Cable Service

Actually, you're watching everything in 1080p, because your TV set scales everything to its native resolution. And you're not getting all your Comcast HD channels in 1080i because not all of them are transmitted in 1080i. ABC, Fox and the ESPN HD channels are all 720p. NBC, CBS, PBS and The CW broadcast in 1080i.

Regards,

Joe
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post #14 of 15
1/10/08 at 5:33am
Thread Starter 

Re: HD Cable Service

Actually I am saying all my HD Channels are in 1080i because if i hit the display button on my remote, it says:
VIDEO7 (HDMI2)
1080i HD

Thanks for all the help,
Joe
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post #15 of 15
1/10/08 at 10:09am

Re: HD Cable Service

Quote:
Actually I am saying all my HD Channels are in 1080i

No, they aren't all broadcast in 1080i. But your STB, if set to 1080i output (you can hit menu on the remote when power is off, not just the button on the box, to change this, contrary to what is posted above), is converting all the 720p stations to a 1080i signal so that's what your TV says it is receiving on its OSD.
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