Problems with new Motorola DVR

[Focus]

Just wondering if anyone else was having these problems. There is a one second delay in the audio and video from other tvs in my house, no big deal except when the game is on in the kitchen and living room there is this aggravating echo effect. More of my concern is the way the box delivers analog stations,(I`m running through component) its kind of blurry with more static then if I run direct to the tv. When I run direct to the tv, analog stations look good and depending on the broadcast some look great. I tried running direct to the tv then from tv to dvr, but it looks even worse, so I put a splitter from the wall then to the tv and dvr. Only problem is it`s a pain in the ass fumbleing through 3 remotes to change audio and video outputs. I would keep the same audio output, but like I said there is a stupid delay in the sound, and the video is aggravating because you only get what basic cable or whatever comes from the wall. Does anyone else have these problems or could someone suggest a better way of hooking things up? Maybe it`s just the box. I was thinking of dumping the dvr thing and getting a regular digital hd box since there are other issues with the dvr that I don`t feel like getting into. Thanks :zblowup:

[mfabien]

Cable and satellite TV signals come in one second after OTA signals. Nothing to do with your STB being a DVR.

I experienced this with both satellite and cable.

[Ratman]

Think about it...
A satellite signal has to travel 22,300 up... and 22,300 miles down. An ota signal travels ~<75 miles.

[57U]

Actually, you'll find that digital channels are all delayed when compared to analogue (even when sent via fibre). There is some time alloted to "assembly" of the video and audio signal.

Whenever you have cable, you can see this by comparing an analogue signal to a TV tuner with a digital one of the identical channel via a STB (if you have such a channel that is available in both digital and analogue). You will notice roughly a second difference.

[Focus]

Yeah, but it`s not OTA signals, it`s cable. I just got the DVR HD box 2 weeks ago, before that I had just the digital box and never experienced these delays. Also what is the reason for the PQ being better Running (cox) cable direct to the tv, then running through the STB.

[rudyusmc1980]

it's a delay for the buffer recording, I think. my sa8000 did the same.

For you video problems, see if there is a 'pass through' setting for that box. it will then not upconvert the video signal to 1080i. this might help with the picture problems. the less up and down converting, the better, in my experience.

[57U]

it's a delay for the buffer recording, I think. my sa8000 did the same. Nope, the delay is present on digital STBs, not only DVRs. Digital channel runs about 1 second "behind" analogue.

A DVR usually has about a 3 second delay, which you can see when you actually view material from the HDD, rather than live (SA8000HD)

[57U]

Also what is the reason for the PQ being better Running (cox) cable direct to the tv, then running through the STB.For analogue channels, the TV has a better comb filter than the STB. Therefore a better picture. If you ran a composite video cable to your TV from the STB, you'd probably also see an improved picture, because, again, the signal would get "combed".

S-video and component video signals don't get combed by the TV. Digital channels have already been combed at the "head end", therefore you can use either connection and should have a good picture.

[jigray3]

So let me get this straight. It seems what I am hearing is that I should essentially connect every possible output to every possible input. That way I can switch between the various inputs to obtain the best picture quality and features depending on the format of the broadcast. So, potentially analog cable broadcasts can be watched 6 ways (direct RF, STB RF, composite, S video, component, and DVI/HDMI), while digital cable tecnically can be watched 5 ways (STB RF, composite, S video, component, DVI/HDMI), and hi-def can be watched either component or DVI/HDMI. While I understand that technically some of these choices should should yield poor quality, that's 13 different combinations not including OTA unless I am missing something... and I probably am. Now that's working hard for your entertainment.

[oman321]

Keep it simple. Either use component or DVI/HDMI for digital and HD channels. You would be able to view your analog channels this way but if you want better PQ for analog (hopefully someday soon they will all be converted to digital) connect either coaxil straight to tv by splitting the line before it goes to STB or by using composite or S Video from the box. If you go the first route you should be able to use PIP/POP to tune two different things at once or easily switch your inputs for the desired PQ on analog.

[jigray3]

Don't want to keep it too simple as that limits choice. Going DVI/HDMI restricts viewing mode options. Splitting the line before the STB means no channel guide. So while I agree with you in principal, there's probably going to be a happy medium. For me that means adding DVI/HDMI and S video to the mix this weekend.

It's also like trying to hit a moving target as far as I am concerned because the PQ on cable seems to change from day to day and they seem to be overmodulating as color is over saturated. OTA generally looks the best.

[oman321]

See what you mean about the guide. I mostly switch to analog through pop after ive settled on watching something in analog and dont have a need for the guide. It's easy enough as well to split the screen for the guide. Wondering what STB you have? If your planning on doing the S video this weekend and want the guide through that input the motorola boxes require that your 4:3 override setting be set to 480I, I believe. Anyways if it doesn't show up where you expect it change that setting in the powered off menu (if you have Moto).

[jigray3]

Yes, Oman, I have a Motorola 6200 (I think). Can you give me some more detail on the 4:3 override setting at 480i? I know how to do it, but where would you normally set it and what are the consequences? Thanks.

[oman321]

With your set turned on, turn off your cable box, then press menu on your remote or on your STB itsef. This should bring up your STB's settings menu. This will now allow to tell the STB what type of television you have (16:9 vs 4:3) on the first line. The next line will allow you to tell what type of signal your set can receive (480P, 720P or 1080i) through your component or dvi connection. The third line is your 4:3 override it allows you tell the STB what you want to do with 4:3 programs. You have three choices override off, 480p or 480i. I believe off gives you bars on the sides but it will allow you to stretch the picture to fill your screen, some folks will do this to stretch an sd program being broadcast on hd channel and then switch back(also you have to set component to 480P). 480I & 480P look pretty much the same but for some reason if I remember correctly when set to 480P it does not show you the guide through any other connection other than component.

[jigray3]

I had set mine to 480i during initial setup and was confused as to why it must be 480i to get the guide. As you can see from my earlier post, I'm trying to get the best picture I can and still keep all the features and flexibility (isn't everybody). It has been a bit of a shocker to learn that I will probably end up using every output on the cable box and most of the inputs on my set to get it.

[oman321]

I hear ya. With my set I have tons of connections and can probably use every output from the box, but then im dealing with too much of a wiring mess besides the wiring from additional equipment.

That's why I just use component from STB which is fine for HD and Digi. Since I still occassionally use a VCR I split cable feed before stb and connect it to VCR and then to tv's coaxil input. It's a connection I have to make anyways so I give an actual feed for POP purposes. Not all analog channels look bad through component either some are worse than others and when I want to watch something that's on an analog channel that looks rough that's when I switch over to the coaxil input. If I want to use the guide I just use POP.