View Full Version : Zenith E44W46LCD closed captioning disabled?
This is strange. I got the TV from best buy last week. I am yet to compare all the image quality features, but right now I am surprised to see that the closed captioning feature seems to be permanently disabled in my set.
I go the menu->special->captioning route via the menu options, but I am never able to set any captioning options. Looks like they are disabled and when I press the down array in the menu it jumps past the closed captioning.
This sounds strange, does the CC work for any other users of this TV?
Ratman
05-31-2005, 06:53 PM
I could be wrong, but I'd suggest that the CC is only a "TV" option when using the antenna inputs (internal tuner).
If you want to use CC from a satellite or cable STB, is must be enabled in the STB (or DVD player for that matter).
This TV doesn't have an ATSC/QAM tuner, so you can't CC any incoming HD, if that's what you're trying to do.
See if you can CC SD signals. Are you using a Set-Top-Box (STB) cable or sat? If so, what model.
Ratman, I believe almost all TVs can CC incoming SD signals, if they are included in the transmission.
For HD though, the STB or the Internal ATSC/QAM tuner (if applicable) must do it.
Ratman
05-31-2005, 06:59 PM
Ratman, I believe almost all TVs can CC incoming SD signals, if they are included in the transmission.
Even over component, DVI, HDMI... etc.?
I thought it was a function of the tuner and not the TV itself.
If I am wrong... I apologize and stand corrected.
My Hitachi does it just fine over component (no tuner involved) .
Correction - only via S-video or composite, NOT component.
Ratman
05-31-2005, 07:12 PM
Not trying to argue... but if I were to use my circa 1982 VCR's tuner connected with a composite cable, my TV will provide CC?
What's connected to your component input?
This TV doesn't have an ATSC/QAM tuner, so you can't CC any incoming HD, if that's what you're trying to do.
See if you can CC SD signals. Are you using a Set-Top-Box (STB) cable or sat? If so, what model.
Ratman, I believe almost all TVs can CC incoming SD signals, if they are included in the transmission.
For HD though, the STB or the Internal ATSC/QAM tuner (if applicable) must do it.
Thanks for the reply.
It is comcast High definition cable service with a set top box model (dual-tuner, HD-capable Motorola 6412 ).
I have the cable set top box closed captioning option to ON. I wonder what else I need to do to get it to work.
I stand corrected.
My TV does CC on composite and S-video inputs, but not component. I have my STB (SA8300HD) connected via all of them, and I have my VCR connected via S-video. So, your VCR via composite should work.
The 6412 enables CC via the menu - press/hold menu while the STB is off and select the appropriate option - that should enable CC. Some people have had some difficulty with it... Make sure you're on a programme that has CC. See the following link for some of the setup options.
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=16973&highlight=motorola
Ratman
05-31-2005, 07:23 PM
My curiosity has been piqued. I'll check this out tomorrow while the bride is at work. :)
Is CC enabled on your STB? If so... what happens if you disable it in the STB?
The CC on the STB is separate from the TV CC. It was "off" on the STB when I did my experiment. If I turn it on, then the STB does the CC (both SD and HD). I haven't experimented to see what happens if you enable CC on the STB and the TV on SD channels.
Edit - tried both turned on and got both captions - one slightly ahead of the other...
Thanks for the posts. I tried to set CC on in the STB a couple of times and it finally worked.
The TV menu is still disabled, so there might still be something wrong in the TV. Another hassle is you have to switch off the STB each time you want to turn the CC on or off, so this might screw up the stuff that is being recorded at that time via DVR.
So I am not too happy with this. Is it just the zenith TV that cannot display CC from the STB, maybe a Sony one can? If so that would be another reason to trade in the Zenith for the SOny since I am in my 30 day return period from BB.
Ratman
06-01-2005, 03:03 PM
Sounds strange to me...
CC is a feature that is required by the FCC:
http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/closedcaption.html
Have you contacted Zenith? I'd suggest you call or E-Mail them for support.
http://www.zenithservice.com/
(Click on "Contact Us" on the top right)
Also... you shouldn't have to power cycle your STB to enable/disable CC.
H-m-m-m-m
Also... you shouldn't have to power cycle your STB to enable/disable CC.
You shouldn't have to, but apparently the only way to enable/disable CC with the Motorola DVRs is by going into the menu, which requires you to turn off the STB and pressing menu - really kludgy.
On the SA STBs it's much easier - in the "quick settings". On most TVs it's simply a button press...
On some SA STBs (and TVs), you can "CC with mute" - just hit the mute button and CC comes up. - which is very convenient - my SA3250HD does this, but my SA8300HD doesn't - either on or off via quick settings.
Kludge - http://www.wordreference.com/definition/kludge
Ratman
06-01-2005, 03:44 PM
...the only way to enable/disable CC with the Motorola DVRs is by going into the menu, which requires you to turn off the STB and pressing menu - really kludgy.
That's very nasty!
CC on mute is the way my TV works, which is convenient for me.
I'm surprised that that 'inconveniece' hasn't been addressed by Motorola.
BTW... I never tested my VCR to the TV via composite. I realized that after relocating my stuff, I never reconnected my VCR with composite and I'm just too lazy to reconnect to test. :)
That's very nasty!
CC on mute is the way my TV works, which is convenient for me.
I'm surprised that that 'inconveniece' hasn't been addressed by Motorola.
BTW... I never tested my VCR to the TV via composite. I realized that after relocating my stuff, I never reconnected my VCR with composite and I'm just too lazy to reconnect to test. :)
Yes, it is crazy. I called comcast and asked the guy if there is any workaround that problem. He said none and asked me to fill a feedback form and post it to comcast. What the f**k.
So unless my TV supports CC by itself without the STB I have to turn the STB on and off just to toggle the CC. ]
How to find out if the TV will support CC by itself? I guess I will have to call Zenith and find out.
I'm pretty sure that all TVs support CC, at least with the internal tuner, if not by other inputs.
Perhaps you could split the signal ahead of the STB and use the internal tuner (analogue stations only of course) for CC. That way you'd only need to change inputs and not have to change STB settings.
Ratman
06-02-2005, 07:38 AM
How to find out if the TV will support CC by itself? I guess I will have to call Zenith and find out.
As stated in the URL provided above... it's an FCC requirement.
Contact Zenith and/or go to a store that sells this model and see if you can get it to work on a demo unit.
And to take 57U's suggestion a step further... why not just connect the coax from the wall directly to your TV using the internal tuner. Then see if you can enable CC. If it does work... then refer to post#2. :)
