LCD TV / HDMI Question

[slayer202]

I am having problems connected my cable box to my Olevia 323V LCD TV with an HDMI cable. Previously I was using component cable with no problems.

Now I have an 8300HD cable box connected to the TV with an HDMI cable. However, I don't think the TV is recognizing it or something. When I click source to cycle through inputs with the remote, it never switches to HDMI. When I switch to HDMI through the menu, I get nothing except the blue screen that basically says nothing is connected to that input. No picture, no sound. Not sure what to do. I do have a couple of other connections coming from the cable box like outputs to a slingbox if that matters. However, I tried taking those off and no change.

Any help is appreciated

 

[cavingjan]

Have you tried another HDMI source into the TV to confirm that the connector on the tv is fine? Have you tried your HDMI source on another TV to confirm that it is putting out a signal correctly?

 

[Insane3D]

Just another thing to check, see if there is a new firmware for the TV that may address that issue....

http://www.olevia.com/jsp/firmware/serialentry.jsp

Just enter your serial number, and it will take you to the firmware page...

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Are you hooking directly to the TV or are you going through a receiver?

Were the TV and cable box both powered off and unplugged when you connected the HDMI cable? They are very picky about that.

 

[slayer202]

not sure where else i can test the stuff.

I will check that firmware page. and I will also unplug and reconnect the cable like you reccommended, giant.

i'll be back

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Can you hook up via component again and see if you can change any settings on the cable box to see if you have to enable/change anything?

 

[slayer202]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Can you hook up via component again and see if you can change any settings on the cable box to see if you have to enable/change anything?

I did try this. well not via component, but just tuner. I couldn't find any cable box settings dealing with that.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: slayer202

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Can you hook up via component again and see if you can change any settings on the cable box to see if you have to enable/change anything?

I did try this. well not via component, but just tuner. I couldn't find any cable box settings dealing with that.

Tuner meaning coax? Can you still get a menu through that output?

 

[spidey07]

output might not be enabled on the cable box.

google around to find out how to enable it.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I didn't register to check it out, but if you don't have the manual, it looks like you can get it here
http://www.scientificatlanta.com/explorerclub/default.asp

 

[slayer202]

i'll take a look at the manual. I think i have it somewhere

 

[slayer202]

i'm not having luck with anything :/

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Did you find the manual?

 

[spidey07]

Have you enabled the output?

Here's a novel idea. Call the cable company. They might not even support it.

See, back in the oldies we had to pick up the phone and call people.

 

[slayer202]

checked the manual. tried what it suggested, nada. CALLED the cable company. tried what they suggested. nada.

tv just says no signal. not sure what the problem might be. the component cables I believe work fine(they did last time i tried). possible problem with the cable? I have another, same exact type that I can open and try I suppose.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You should try the component cables again and make sure that's still working.

 

[slayer202]

watching bears jets in hd with component, so those work.

 

[Sphexi]

Some cable companies haven't enabled the HDMI outputs on certain receivers yet, I know that Adelphia had a few boxes out that had the physical ports, but they weren't turned on for some reason or another. Check the menus on the receiver to make sure the port is enabled, or that there's even an option for it. Google online to see if others have had a similar issue with that TV, or cable box, it may not be just you.

If all else fails, take the box into a local BB or Circuit City, ask them if you can plug it into a demo TV, tell them you're interested in an HDTV and want to see what the picture from the box would be like. Let them figure it out for you.


Edit:
I've seen a few reports online of that box having HDMI issues, specifically with receivers and TIVO units and whatnot. Most of them are months old, how long have you had it? Could be you have a unit with older firmware, and they've since fixed it, call the cable company back and ask if you have the newest firmware available on your box.

 

[slayer202]

well I just picked up the box a couple weeks ago. I dont have it hooked up to a receiver as it is not needed. the cable company really didn't know what to say. they suggested I just use the component cables :/ i'll try googling an answer

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: slayer202
well I just picked up the box a couple weeks ago. I dont have it hooked up to a receiver as it is not needed. the cable company really didn't know what to say. they suggested I just use the component cables :/ i'll try googling an answer

Yeah, that sounds about right. They have such great potential but always lack in the technical support department. Google is your best buddy in these cases, maybe try that avsforums place? Not sure the exact name, but lots of experts over there.

 

[slayer202]

does hdmi have any better quality than component? I mean, the extra wires really don't bother me that much. plus when I buy something new that needs an hdmi connection, i'll have it open

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: slayer202
does hdmi have any better quality than component? I mean, the extra wires really don't bother me that much. plus when I buy something new that needs an hdmi connection, i'll have it open

Oh hell yeah, way better. HDMI is a digital method, while component is analog. I'd keep plugging along at it, eventually you'll figure it out.

 

[slayer202]

there is a lot of stuff coming up in google, but not sure exactly what to look for. i see some stuff regarding HDCP, which my tv claims it has. also stuff about receivers and switches, but i have neither

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: slayer202
does hdmi have any better quality than component? I mean, the extra wires really don't bother me that much. plus when I buy something new that needs an hdmi connection, i'll have it open

I wasn't able to tell the difference with my dad's Vizio tv. We ended up just using component because the cable box wouldn't allow changing the volume through the box when HDMI was hooked up. I just got a new Olevia 332H HDTV as well but I haven't gotten the HD box yet. I'll let you know if it looks that much different.

In reality, what I have found is that for video it's damn near impossible to tell the difference between analog and digital (for me anyway). On the other hand, if you are using an analog input to hook up a computer, the text may look a little fuzzy if you are reading small text on a light background (like a webpage). My video card only has one DVI output and my monitor is using it so I'm using VGA for the TV right now. For stuff like media center, videos, games, etc, I can't tell the difference between VGA and DVI.

 

[slayer202]

well i'll try talking to olevia tomorrow, and maybe try cablevision again and see if they can suggest something else.