8300HD and Sony compatibility problems

[jasonlaser]

Help please!!

I am having a compatibility problem with my Sony KP-57HW40 RP CRT television and my Adelphia SA 8300HD HD DVR.

The problem is that when looking at the output of the 8300HD box via the component video output on my TV, the picture is very dark and has a strong red push. I have looked all over and have seen several threads about red push, but none that explain how the red push is only from one source and fine for all others.

I had three Adelphia guys here at the house today including the Orlando FL supervisor, and they are all stumped. We have tried 4 different 8300HD ST boxes and all have the same problem. Strong red push and dark picture. We have tried multiple cables and both component video inputs.

When I look at the output of the 8300 via the RF out or S-Video out on my TV, the picture and colors looks great (albeit not in HD). You can actually split the screen and see the huge difference. When we sent the same problematic component video output from the 8300 to another small HDTV set they brought with them today, the picture looked great.

Ok, so you are thinking, ok, it is the TV. Well it gets worse and more perplexing.

If you use an Adelphia HDTV STB w/o the DVR, (I don’t remember the model number) and you send it’s component video output into either of my component video inputs with the same cables used above, the picture on my Sony looks great

If you look at the output of my DVD player on both component video inputs of the Sony, it looks great.

My old Samsung SIR-T151 and brand new Samsung SIR-T451 OTA STB also look amazing on the TV via the same component inputs and cables.

We have tried multiple cables.
We have tried 4 different 8300 HD ST boxes.
We have used both of the TV’s component video inputs.
The Sears service tech is coming out on Thursday. The Adelphia guys will be here at the same time. It is on an extended warranty.

Also FYI the 8300HD is running SARA V1.85.17.3

Any ideas?

Jason

[57U]

You need to be sure that the input format is what you're comparing. For example, a 480P or 720P signal may be handled differently by the TV than a 1080i signal. Each format may be calibrated differently. That's partly why people get their TVs calibrated - each format (or/or input, depending on the TV) requires calibration so that the various inputs look the same. This may need to be done in the service menu, by a service technician if the TV is "way off". You may be able to negotiate this from your dealer if it's found this is the case.

One way to test this is to set the SA8300HD to output different formats via the component video connection. See the HDTV FAQ "Tips for SA STB"s to set the output format to 480i, 480P, 720P, 1080i for example and see if all of the formats are dark, or just the HD for example.

This would explain why the DVD player is fine, while the STB is not. Also realize that different components do have different "black levels". For example, most DVD players have a "black expansion" or some such setting, which can help tailor the signal to better match other inputs...

To better understand TV setup, see also the HDTV FAQ on "What you need to do to your new HDTV".

I hope that I have enlightened and not confused.

One additional item. You say you tried another model STB - was the output format the same? Also some STBs are different from others. For example, the black level from the SA3100HD was quite different from the black level from the SA3250HD. That partly also explaines the difference between the SA8300HD and the OTA STBs.

You MAY need to get the TV calibrated to the STBs. I have not heard of such a severe difference before, although different people have different tolerances.

[jasonlaser]

57U,

Thanks for the quick response. I read the threads, that is how I got the software version. I am sort of a newbie at this.

My TV works fine when using the Samsung OTA box.
I am using the Samsung SIR-T451 OTA box right now and have tried it on all formats, available on the back selector switch, including 480p, 720p and 1080i etc...
It looks great in each mode.

I do the same thing with the SA 8300HD box in the menu where you can select and test each format and every single one looks dark and red when I view it via the component video out using the same video input to the TV and same cables. It looks bad even inthe menu screen.

This is not a one looks better than the other, this is one is fantastic and one is absolutely horrible. Think sunburns on mars. Even the Adelphia guy today said Ewww!!!

When we drop the 8300HD down from 1080i to say 720p, even the grey bars that appear on the side of the picture, appear sort of reddish.

Eventually, one this is fixed, I hope to be able to use my new Harmon Kardon AVR235 to switch between my HD DVR and my DVD player for one of the component inputs, therefore I am reluctant to set the TV up specifically in the service menu for the one box that does not work well anyways.

Any thoughts.

Could it be the TV? Adelphia says that they do not have not seen this problem before.

[57U]

Unless there is a "Eureka moment" on Thursday, this one may be tough. I suppose there could be a "compatibility" issue, as you mention in the thread title.

Have you tried taking the SA8300HD to a neighbour/friend who has an HDTV? If the person is nearby, it should work after it boots up.

[jasonlaser]

Good thought.

That is why the service guy brought his TV.

We used the small LCD TV that they brought with them, that had a component input. The pictured looked quite good, especially for an LCD.
Their little TV was limited to 480 lines of resolution. My TV looked horrible when we sent the same input into my TV. Anything more than 480 lines and their TV went beserk.

Most of my neighbors do not have HDTV's and the few that do I am not too friendly with. Not that I don't get along, just not too accomodating to have someone take their box and tear into the back of their TV.

[rjjakubowski]

Just for the heck of it, have you tried switching the component video through the Harmon-Kardon? Often the switched inputs/outputs are buffered and may "correct" an errant signal. I'd also suspect a bad ground or ground loop. You might try (or have the cable-person try) an isolation device on your cable.

Also, what does the regular composite video look like? (On the 8300, I think it comes from the Ybr connection.) Whatever it is, it has to be something simple but screwey!

[jasonlaser]

The new HK arrives on Friday (hopefully). I will try it when it arrives.

The composite video looks fine as I have dumped a few hours of stuff to videotape. Switching out DVRs on a weekly basis can really screw up you tv watching habits.

I will ask the adelphia guys tommorrow about the ground loop issue. Although why would that effect just the component output and not the other outputs?

Thanks for the suggestion.
Jason

[rjjakubowski]

I will ask the adelphia guys tommorrow about the ground loop issue. Although why would that effect just the component output and not the other outputs?

Just grasping at straws... I've seen ground loops and a.c. power leakage do a lot of strange things.

Good luck!

Ron J.

[DCAHH]

Hey jasonlaser - you're not alone!! I have the same exact problem with my Sony KV-36XBR400 and the SA8300HD - strong red push and dark picture when connected via component video cables. Any other component video source (DVD players, SA8000HD, etc.) works great on this tv. There is something about the combination of SA8300HD and the Sony TV! Actually, my parents also have a Sony KV-36XBR400, and the same problem reproduces on theirs. I am on my third SA8300HD box. No one that I've talked to thus far at Time Warner have heard of this problem. Has anyone had any luck getting some info or feedback from Scientific Atlanta on this issue?

[jasonlaser]

Very interesting.

Misery loves company...

The SEARS service tech came out to the house last week and was clueless.

He was reluctant to do anything as my other HD products worked fine.

He was clearly confused. I convinced him to do something and he finally relented and ordered the parts after I asked him how many brand new out of the box 8300’s it would take to convince him that there was an issue with my TV.
His method of diagnostics/fixing things are to pull boards and replace them.

Adelphia came out to the house AGAIN to meet the tech as a courtesy. They really have stepped up. They brought their TV with them again.

He ordered 2 parts, the main system board and the HDTV board. The parts are:
57 528 A1136218AR 1 $195.71
and 57 528 a1299596AR 1 $ 789.61

Labor $229

All covered under the master service agreement.

Will know more tomorrow if the parts do anything.

Oh year, the HK made things worse, not better....



Jason

[Joefish]

jasonlaser,

Never heard what happened with this problem. I would love a fix, if there is one.

[jasonlaser]

Interesting timing... Well it has been 2 months and the problem was solved today.
Several more service calls. They replaced the input board with a non-sony factory board and the problem got better, but not perfect. Now the whites were overdriven, but a lot better. They think the problem is with the comb filters but they are not sure.

I was persistant with Sears. Nice, but persistant. Basically the lead technician for sears said that there is no way it will work and that this was a known problem with this TV set.

As part of their new commitment to customer service and in the interest of making things right, this afternoon, Sears delivered a new (slightly used) KDP-57WS655 TV manufactured in February of 2005 from their scratch and dent outlet.

Total cost to me for the swap out $0.

So far so good and the picture is amazing. Waiting for some HD content tonight!!!

This Tv has HDMI interface and a built in HDTV tuner.

Not a bad resolution....

Jason

[llorca]

I just found this thread and thought I would put up my experience. I bought a Samsung HLR4266W DLP when I got it home, I connected it via RCA to my non-HD SA8300 and the picture was stunning. Of course, I had Time Warner bring out the SA8300HD to take advantage of the TV features. The picture quality has suffered tremedously. It's way too dark and some of the colors on some analog stations seem to run. It too is connected via Component input. I honestly feel its the STB with the problem!! Has anyone else had any issues or solutions?

[DCAHH]

Thanks to another user on another similar HDTV forum, I now have the solution!!!!

Audio Authority (www.audioauthority.com 800-322-8346)
manufactures and sells a simple component video filter device that fixes the problem with the improper DC signal offset on the SA8300HD component output(s). Ask for part number 1181. Cost is less than $20.

This completely fixed the problem on my Sony KV-36XBR400 set. Good luck with all of yours.