Question about digital converter boxes

I'm posting this question in the newsgroup since I can't seem to find an
answer on the web. I currently have analog cable service that doesn't
require a set top box. That setup will probably change to digital cable
service with a converter box. Does anyone know if the digital converter box
outputs (for example HDMI + composite + component) are all active at the
same time. In other words, can I run the HDMI output to my TV and
simultaneously run the component output to my DVD recorder with both outputs
active? I realize that cable box features may differ between brands (or
cable companies), but I'm interested in seeing if most boxes have this
feature.

N.Morrow

"N.Morrow" wrote:
I'm posting this question in the newsgroup since I can't seem to find an
answer on the web. I currently have analog cable service that doesn't
require a set top box. That setup will probably change to digital cable
service with a converter box. Does anyone know if the digital converter
box outputs (for example HDMI + composite + component) are all active at
the same time. In other words, can I run the HDMI output to my TV and
simultaneously run the component output to my DVD recorder with both
outputs active? I realize that cable box features may differ between
brands (or cable companies), but I'm interested in seeing if most boxes
have this feature.

N.Morrow

Like you said, different boxes will have different settings.
Without knowing the make and model of the box you will use,
there is no point in knowing what other boxes do. I would
contact your cable company and ask them what box they use.

Chip

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In article ,
wrote:
"N.Morrow" wrote:
I'm posting this question in the newsgroup since I can't seem to find an
answer on the web. I currently have analog cable service that doesn't
require a set top box. That setup will probably change to digital cable
service with a converter box. Does anyone know if the digital converter
box outputs (for example HDMI + composite + component) are all active at
the same time. In other words, can I run the HDMI output to my TV and
simultaneously run the component output to my DVD recorder with both
outputs active? I realize that cable box features may differ between
brands (or cable companies), but I'm interested in seeing if most boxes
have this feature.

N.Morrow

Like you said, different boxes will have different settings.
Without knowing the make and model of the box you will use,
there is no point in knowing what other boxes do. I would
contact your cable company and ask them what box they use.

What he said. To go one step further, and considering where you're
starting at right now, the cbale company may offer you a minimal,
barebones box which does nothing additional other than allow you access to
the channels formerly available on analog cable. My sister did this, and
the equipment they gave her was a box the size of a cell phone with no HD
outputs whatsoever.

On Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:14:48 -0800, "N.Morrow" wrote:

I'm posting this question in the newsgroup since I can't seem to find an
answer on the web. I currently have analog cable service that doesn't
require a set top box. That setup will probably change to digital cable
service with a converter box. Does anyone know if the digital converter box
outputs (for example HDMI + composite + component) are all active at the
same time. In other words, can I run the HDMI output to my TV and
simultaneously run the component output to my DVD recorder with both outputs
active? I realize that cable box features may differ between brands (or
cable companies), but I'm interested in seeing if most boxes have this
feature.

As a matter of policy, cable companies typically allow only 1 _HD_
output on a box to be active at any one time. Which is to say; that if
you connect a TV via HDMI, the Component outputs will either be dead
or only work at 480i, and visa versa.

A_C

On 2/28/2010 7:28 AM, Agent_C wrote:
On Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:14:48 -0800, wrote:

I'm posting this question in the newsgroup since I can't seem to find an
answer on the web. I currently have analog cable service that doesn't
require a set top box. That setup will probably change to digital cable
service with a converter box. Does anyone know if the digital converter box
outputs (for example HDMI + composite + component) are all active at the
same time. In other words, can I run the HDMI output to my TV and
simultaneously run the component output to my DVD recorder with both outputs
active? I realize that cable box features may differ between brands (or
cable companies), but I'm interested in seeing if most boxes have this
feature.

As a matter of policy, cable companies typically allow only 1 _HD_
output on a box to be active at any one time. Which is to say; that if
you connect a TV via HDMI, the Component outputs will either be dead
or only work at 480i, and visa versa.

A_C

I'm not too sure about that. I have my TV hooked up to both the HDMI
and component outputs from the DVR. I can easily switch the TV back
and forth between them. In fact I'm not sure how the box would know
that anything was hooked to the component output. That is strictly
a one-way connection. I can see that it might be possible to come
up with a circuit that would detect the impedance connected to the
port, but it would hardly seem to be worth the effort.

Bill

"Bill Gill" wrote in message
...
On 2/28/2010 7:28 AM, Agent_C wrote:
On Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:14:48 -0800, wrote:

I'm posting this question in the newsgroup since I can't seem to find an
answer on the web. I currently have analog cable service that doesn't
require a set top box. That setup will probably change to digital cable
service with a converter box. Does anyone know if the digital converter
box
outputs (for example HDMI + composite + component) are all active at the
same time. In other words, can I run the HDMI output to my TV and
simultaneously run the component output to my DVD recorder with both
outputs
active? I realize that cable box features may differ between brands (or
cable companies), but I'm interested in seeing if most boxes have this
feature.

As a matter of policy, cable companies typically allow only 1 _HD_
output on a box to be active at any one time. Which is to say; that if
you connect a TV via HDMI, the Component outputs will either be dead
or only work at 480i, and visa versa.

A_C

I'm not too sure about that. I have my TV hooked up to both the HDMI
and component outputs from the DVR. I can easily switch the TV back
and forth between them. In fact I'm not sure how the box would know
that anything was hooked to the component output. That is strictly
a one-way connection. I can see that it might be possible to come
up with a circuit that would detect the impedance connected to the
port, but it would hardly seem to be worth the effort.

Bill


Or a normally off contact switch in the jack
Again, tho, as you say ...why???
--
Regards,
Richard Harison

Bill Gill wrote:

As a matter of policy, cable companies typically allow only 1 _HD_
output on a box to be active at any one time. Which is to say; that if
you connect a TV via HDMI, the Component outputs will either be dead
or only work at 480i, and visa versa.

A_C

I'm not too sure about that. I have my TV hooked up to both the HDMI
and component outputs from the DVR. I can easily switch the TV back
and forth between them. In fact I'm not sure how the box would know
that anything was hooked to the component output. That is strictly
a one-way connection. I can see that it might be possible to come
up with a circuit that would detect the impedance connected to the
port, but it would hardly seem to be worth the effort.

The box itself knows when HDMI is being used, and shuts off component.
I have a Cisco/SA8240HDC DVR. I was using component until my HDMI cable
arrived. As soon as I connected the HDMI, the box turned off the component
output. I'm sure it varies from model number to model number, and also
from cable company to cable company.

On Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:20:38 -0600, Bill Gill
wrote:

In fact I'm not sure how the box would know
that anything was hooked to the component output. That is strictly
a one-way connection. I can see that it might be possible to come
up with a circuit that would detect the impedance connected to the
port, but it would hardly seem to be worth the effort.

Bill

I setup a friend's Mitsubishi 60" DLP, adding an old DVD player,
component out only. When we turned the TV on, it said something like
"new hardware found, how should we identify it for you?"

I don't know how, either ...

On 3/6/2010 11:43 AM, GeorgeB wrote:
On Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:20:38 -0600, Bill
wrote:

In fact I'm not sure how the box would know
that anything was hooked to the component output. That is strictly
a one-way connection. I can see that it might be possible to come
up with a circuit that would detect the impedance connected to the
port, but it would hardly seem to be worth the effort.

Bill

I setup a friend's Mitsubishi 60" DLP, adding an old DVD player,
component out only. When we turned the TV on, it said something like
"new hardware found, how should we identify it for you?"

I don't know how, either ...

I think it is asking you to choose a name, such as "DVD Player" for the
component input that the palkyer is connected to. That input is
probably named "Component 1" by default.

"GeorgeB" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:20:38 -0600, Bill Gill
wrote:

In fact I'm not sure how the box would know
that anything was hooked to the component output. That is strictly
a one-way connection. I can see that it might be possible to come
up with a circuit that would detect the impedance connected to the
port, but it would hardly seem to be worth the effort.

Bill

I setup a friend's Mitsubishi 60" DLP, adding an old DVD player,
component out only. When we turned the TV on, it said something like
"new hardware found, how should we identify it for you?"

I don't know how, either ...

I have a Mits DLP as well.

It does indeed know when something is plugged into one of the outputs and
asks for an ID for it when it is first plugged in.
That's because the new remote is "activities based" like a Logitech Harmony.

It doesn't want you to select an input, it wants you to select what activity
you want to do.. like "Watch DVD"