SA 3250HD questions

Previously had my local cable companies 3250HD connected to my LG HDTV via
component connection.
Needed to free up one of the two component connections for a DVR so decided to
try the DVI output.
Works but I have a few questions -
1] The basic digital cable package only comes with 4 HD channels (the network
stations).( Channels up to 125 are still sent as analogue but higher stations
are digital). The HD channels look great although not much better than with the
component hook up. However, some of the non-HD channels are actually worse with
a lot more noise. Is it possible that the DVI signal gives a "sharper" picture
causing the "noise" to be clearer whereas using component outputs tend to smooth
the "noise" out making it less noticatble?
2] If I go to Settings on the 3250 and Video Output the only setting it will
allow is 1080i even though you select and Accept all the others. Is this normal?
3] I still have component cables attached but once I connected the DVI cable it
seems to stop outputting on component. Is this normal?

Jeff

JP wrote:

Previously had my local cable companies 3250HD connected to my LG HDTV via
component connection.
Needed to free up one of the two component connections for a DVR so decided to
try the DVI output.
Works but I have a few questions -
1] The basic digital cable package only comes with 4 HD channels (the network
stations).( Channels up to 125 are still sent as analogue but higher stations
are digital). The HD channels look great although not much better than with the
component hook up. However, some of the non-HD channels are actually worse with
a lot more noise. Is it possible that the DVI signal gives a "sharper" picture
causing the "noise" to be clearer whereas using component outputs tend to smooth
the "noise" out making it less noticatble?
2] If I go to Settings on the 3250 and Video Output the only setting it will
allow is 1080i even though you select and Accept all the others. Is this normal?
3] I still have component cables attached but once I connected the DVI cable it
seems to stop outputting on component. Is this normal?

Jeff


I run a Time Warner SA-3250-HD box to my Sony CRT 34HS510 using only
DVI.

It has worked fine for 2 years+... Still works fine... Also, I
believe

that you can not use both the Component Cable & DVI at the same time.

I have programmed the SA-3250-HD box to the advanced 6 resolution mode
output

via the DVI video cable: 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480p wide, 480i, &

480i wide..... All are 'green dotted' (selected) as a pass thru

function to Force the SONY HDTV to do all the video processing.

I think the SONY unit has better video processing than the SA-3250-HD
unit.

"Dennis Mayer" wrote in message
...


JP wrote:

Previously had my local cable companies 3250HD connected to my LG HDTV
via
component connection.
Needed to free up one of the two component connections for a DVR so
decided to
try the DVI output.
Works but I have a few questions -
1] The basic digital cable package only comes with 4 HD channels (the
network
stations).( Channels up to 125 are still sent as analogue but higher
stations
are digital). The HD channels look great although not much better than
with the
component hook up. However, some of the non-HD channels are actually
worse with
a lot more noise. Is it possible that the DVI signal gives a "sharper"
picture
causing the "noise" to be clearer whereas using component outputs tend to
smooth
the "noise" out making it less noticatble?
2] If I go to Settings on the 3250 and Video Output the only setting it
will
allow is 1080i even though you select and Accept all the others. Is this
normal?
3] I still have component cables attached but once I connected the DVI
cable it
seems to stop outputting on component. Is this normal?

Jeff


I run a Time Warner SA-3250-HD box to my Sony CRT 34HS510 using only
DVI.

It has worked fine for 2 years+... Still works fine... Also, I
believe

that you can not use both the Component Cable & DVI at the same time.

I have programmed the SA-3250-HD box to the advanced 6 resolution mode
output

via the DVI video cable: 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480p wide, 480i, &

480i wide..... All are 'green dotted' (selected) as a pass thru

function to Force the SONY HDTV to do all the video processing.

I think the SONY unit has better video processing than the SA-3250-HD
unit.

I have Charter Cable and use the SA3250HD connected with the DVI out to the
HDMI input on my 46" Sony XBR2 LCD set using a DVI to HDMI cable. The
picture is sharper using the DVI output compared to the component output. I
have the SA3250 HD set to "auto dvi" which just passes the signal to the TV
in whatever the format broadcast and let the Sony upscale it which is also
an improvement from setting the box to upscale everything. The SA3250HD will
only output component with those cables connected to it...you are correct in
that assumption. There's a forum on the SA3250HD that starts he
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8&page=1&pp=20

Bob

On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 08:08:36 -0500, "Bob" wrote:


"Dennis Mayer" wrote in message
...


JP wrote:

Previously had my local cable companies 3250HD connected to my LG HDTV
via
component connection.
Needed to free up one of the two component connections for a DVR so
decided to
try the DVI output.
Works but I have a few questions -
1] The basic digital cable package only comes with 4 HD channels (the
network
stations).( Channels up to 125 are still sent as analogue but higher
stations
are digital). The HD channels look great although not much better than
with the
component hook up. However, some of the non-HD channels are actually
worse with
a lot more noise. Is it possible that the DVI signal gives a "sharper"
picture
causing the "noise" to be clearer whereas using component outputs tend to
smooth
the "noise" out making it less noticatble?
2] If I go to Settings on the 3250 and Video Output the only setting it
will
allow is 1080i even though you select and Accept all the others. Is this
normal?
3] I still have component cables attached but once I connected the DVI
cable it
seems to stop outputting on component. Is this normal?

Jeff


I run a Time Warner SA-3250-HD box to my Sony CRT 34HS510 using only
DVI.

It has worked fine for 2 years+... Still works fine... Also, I
believe

that you can not use both the Component Cable & DVI at the same time.

I have programmed the SA-3250-HD box to the advanced 6 resolution mode
output

via the DVI video cable: 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480p wide, 480i, &

480i wide..... All are 'green dotted' (selected) as a pass thru

function to Force the SONY HDTV to do all the video processing.

I think the SONY unit has better video processing than the SA-3250-HD
unit.

I have Charter Cable and use the SA3250HD connected with the DVI out to the
HDMI input on my 46" Sony XBR2 LCD set using a DVI to HDMI cable. The
picture is sharper using the DVI output compared to the component output. I
have the SA3250 HD set to "auto dvi" which just passes the signal to the TV
in whatever the format broadcast and let the Sony upscale it which is also
an improvement from setting the box to upscale everything. The SA3250HD will
only output component with those cables connected to it...you are correct in
that assumption. There's a forum on the SA3250HD that starts he
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8&page=1&pp=20

Bob


I guess it depends on the cable company and how they have programmed the box but
I don't seem to be able to do the things that you and Dennis can do. Nor the
various button presses in the link. The front panel buttons do exactly the same
thing as they do on the remote. Nothing more.
I have the choice of all the resolutions under Settings but I don't have this
"auto dvi" or "pass thru". Even though all the resolutions are "dotted" when you
"Accept" the only one that shows as selected is the 1080i.
So I can't use the component AND DVI outputs at the same time. That sucks as I
was hoping to plug the component into the DVR. I do still get the regular AV
outputs so I'll have to use them I guess.
Guess I'm stuck with what I've got. Probably like everyone else I don't have a
choice of cable company.
Thanks guys.

wrote:

On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 08:08:36 -0500, "Bob" wrote:


"Dennis Mayer" wrote in message
...


JP wrote:

Previously had my local cable companies 3250HD connected to my LG HDTV
via
component connection.
Needed to free up one of the two component connections for a DVR so
decided to
try the DVI output.
Works but I have a few questions -
1] The basic digital cable package only comes with 4 HD channels (the
network
stations).( Channels up to 125 are still sent as analogue but higher
stations
are digital). The HD channels look great although not much better than
with the
component hook up. However, some of the non-HD channels are actually
worse with
a lot more noise. Is it possible that the DVI signal gives a "sharper"
picture
causing the "noise" to be clearer whereas using component outputs tend to
smooth
the "noise" out making it less noticatble?
2] If I go to Settings on the 3250 and Video Output the only setting it
will
allow is 1080i even though you select and Accept all the others. Is this
normal?
3] I still have component cables attached but once I connected the DVI
cable it
seems to stop outputting on component. Is this normal?

Jeff


I run a Time Warner SA-3250-HD box to my Sony CRT 34HS510 using only
DVI.

It has worked fine for 2 years+... Still works fine... Also, I
believe

that you can not use both the Component Cable & DVI at the same time.

I have programmed the SA-3250-HD box to the advanced 6 resolution mode
output

via the DVI video cable: 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480p wide, 480i, &

480i wide..... All are 'green dotted' (selected) as a pass thru

function to Force the SONY HDTV to do all the video processing.

I think the SONY unit has better video processing than the SA-3250-HD
unit.

I have Charter Cable and use the SA3250HD connected with the DVI out to the
HDMI input on my 46" Sony XBR2 LCD set using a DVI to HDMI cable. The
picture is sharper using the DVI output compared to the component output. I
have the SA3250 HD set to "auto dvi" which just passes the signal to the TV
in whatever the format broadcast and let the Sony upscale it which is also
an improvement from setting the box to upscale everything. The SA3250HD will
only output component with those cables connected to it...you are correct in
that assumption. There's a forum on the SA3250HD that starts he
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8&page=1&pp=20

Bob


I guess it depends on the cable company and how they have programmed the box but
I don't seem to be able to do the things that you and Dennis can do. Nor the
various button presses in the link. The front panel buttons do exactly the same
thing as they do on the remote. Nothing more.
I have the choice of all the resolutions under Settings but I don't have this
"auto dvi" or "pass thru".

I did not mention the Auto DVI.... but you need it selected....

That menu is found on the SA-3250-HD remote by pressing "settings"
twice...

As you scroll down both Auto DVI or Pass Thru show up in a sub menu..

I use Auto Dvi with the DVI cable installed between the 3250-HD & the
HDTV.







Even though all the resolutions are "dotted" when you
"Accept" the only one that shows as selected is the 1080i.
So I can't use the component AND DVI outputs at the same time. That sucks as I
was hoping to plug the component into the DVR. I do still get the regular AV
outputs so I'll have to use them I guess.
Guess I'm stuck with what I've got. Probably like everyone else I don't have a
choice of cable company.
Thanks guys.

On Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:36:14 -0600, Dennis Mayer wrote:



wrote:

On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 08:08:36 -0500, "Bob" wrote:


"Dennis Mayer" wrote in message
...


JP wrote:

Previously had my local cable companies 3250HD connected to my LG HDTV
via
component connection.
Needed to free up one of the two component connections for a DVR so
decided to
try the DVI output.
Works but I have a few questions -
1] The basic digital cable package only comes with 4 HD channels (the
network
stations).( Channels up to 125 are still sent as analogue but higher
stations
are digital). The HD channels look great although not much better than
with the
component hook up. However, some of the non-HD channels are actually
worse with
a lot more noise. Is it possible that the DVI signal gives a "sharper"
picture
causing the "noise" to be clearer whereas using component outputs tend to
smooth
the "noise" out making it less noticatble?
2] If I go to Settings on the 3250 and Video Output the only setting it
will
allow is 1080i even though you select and Accept all the others. Is this
normal?
3] I still have component cables attached but once I connected the DVI
cable it
seems to stop outputting on component. Is this normal?

Jeff


I run a Time Warner SA-3250-HD box to my Sony CRT 34HS510 using only
DVI.

It has worked fine for 2 years+... Still works fine... Also, I
believe

that you can not use both the Component Cable & DVI at the same time.

I have programmed the SA-3250-HD box to the advanced 6 resolution mode
output

via the DVI video cable: 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480p wide, 480i, &

480i wide..... All are 'green dotted' (selected) as a pass thru

function to Force the SONY HDTV to do all the video processing.

I think the SONY unit has better video processing than the SA-3250-HD
unit.

I have Charter Cable and use the SA3250HD connected with the DVI out to the
HDMI input on my 46" Sony XBR2 LCD set using a DVI to HDMI cable. The
picture is sharper using the DVI output compared to the component output. I
have the SA3250 HD set to "auto dvi" which just passes the signal to the TV
in whatever the format broadcast and let the Sony upscale it which is also
an improvement from setting the box to upscale everything. The SA3250HD will
only output component with those cables connected to it...you are correct in
that assumption. There's a forum on the SA3250HD that starts he
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8&page=1&pp=20

Bob


I guess it depends on the cable company and how they have programmed the box but
I don't seem to be able to do the things that you and Dennis can do. Nor the
various button presses in the link. The front panel buttons do exactly the same
thing as they do on the remote. Nothing more.
I have the choice of all the resolutions under Settings but I don't have this
"auto dvi" or "pass thru".

I did not mention the Auto DVI.... but you need it selected....

That menu is found on the SA-3250-HD remote by pressing "settings"
twice...

As you scroll down both Auto DVI or Pass Thru show up in a sub menu..

I use Auto Dvi with the DVI cable installed between the 3250-HD & the
HDTV.


My 3250-HD must be different to yours. If I hit Settings on the remote, I get
the settings menu but hitting Settings again closes the settings menu.
When the Settings menu is up there are about 4 basic settings you can adjust
like Favorites, Parental control etc. If you hit the "A" button it takes you to
"More Settings" where you have the whole list that includes Output Format,
Aspect Ratio etc
But nowhere is there an Auto DVI or Pass Thru choice.

You need to press settings twice within 2 seconds.
Bob



wrote in message
...
On Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:36:14 -0600, Dennis Mayer
wrote:



wrote:

On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 08:08:36 -0500, "Bob"
wrote:


"Dennis Mayer" wrote in message
...


JP wrote:

Previously had my local cable companies 3250HD connected to my LG
HDTV
via
component connection.
Needed to free up one of the two component connections for a DVR so
decided to
try the DVI output.
Works but I have a few questions -
1] The basic digital cable package only comes with 4 HD channels
(the
network
stations).( Channels up to 125 are still sent as analogue but higher
stations
are digital). The HD channels look great although not much better
than
with the
component hook up. However, some of the non-HD channels are actually
worse with
a lot more noise. Is it possible that the DVI signal gives a
"sharper"
picture
causing the "noise" to be clearer whereas using component outputs
tend to
smooth
the "noise" out making it less noticatble?
2] If I go to Settings on the 3250 and Video Output the only setting
it
will
allow is 1080i even though you select and Accept all the others. Is
this
normal?
3] I still have component cables attached but once I connected the
DVI
cable it
seems to stop outputting on component. Is this normal?

Jeff


I run a Time Warner SA-3250-HD box to my Sony CRT 34HS510 using only
DVI.

It has worked fine for 2 years+... Still works fine... Also, I
believe

that you can not use both the Component Cable & DVI at the same
time.

I have programmed the SA-3250-HD box to the advanced 6 resolution
mode
output

via the DVI video cable: 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480p wide, 480i, &

480i wide..... All are 'green dotted' (selected) as a pass thru

function to Force the SONY HDTV to do all the video processing.

I think the SONY unit has better video processing than the
SA-3250-HD
unit.

I have Charter Cable and use the SA3250HD connected with the DVI out to
the
HDMI input on my 46" Sony XBR2 LCD set using a DVI to HDMI cable. The
picture is sharper using the DVI output compared to the component
output. I
have the SA3250 HD set to "auto dvi" which just passes the signal to
the TV
in whatever the format broadcast and let the Sony upscale it which is
also
an improvement from setting the box to upscale everything. The SA3250HD
will
only output component with those cables connected to it...you are
correct in
that assumption. There's a forum on the SA3250HD that starts he
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8&page=1&pp=20

Bob


I guess it depends on the cable company and how they have programmed the
box but
I don't seem to be able to do the things that you and Dennis can do. Nor
the
various button presses in the link. The front panel buttons do exactly
the same
thing as they do on the remote. Nothing more.
I have the choice of all the resolutions under Settings but I don't have
this
"auto dvi" or "pass thru".

I did not mention the Auto DVI.... but you need it selected....

That menu is found on the SA-3250-HD remote by pressing "settings"
twice...

As you scroll down both Auto DVI or Pass Thru show up in a sub menu..

I use Auto Dvi with the DVI cable installed between the 3250-HD & the
HDTV.


My 3250-HD must be different to yours. If I hit Settings on the remote, I
get
the settings menu but hitting Settings again closes the settings menu.
When the Settings menu is up there are about 4 basic settings you can
adjust
like Favorites, Parental control etc. If you hit the "A" button it takes
you to
"More Settings" where you have the whole list that includes Output Format,
Aspect Ratio etc
But nowhere is there an Auto DVI or Pass Thru choice.