Apologies if this has been posted before.

Just recently upgraded to an LCD, got the HD-DVR box from TWC. Basically, HD channels work fine over component inputs - I can get 720p and 1080i just fine. However, if I switch to HDMI input, switching channels takes forever, and 720p generally doesn't even work. (1080i will; 720p causes a constant flicker until the DVR unit reports an error).

The TV supports up to 1080p (and I've verified this already, as I've connected an XBox 360 over HDMI, and it outputs 1080p just fine without any problems). Is there something specific to TWC / their HD-DVR box that just won't work? (i.e., is this a broadcast flag issue, do you suppose?)

1/15/2009 10:29:21 AM

then just use component cables. their quality sucks so bad anyways you aren't going to see any difference in video quality.

1/15/2009 11:09:35 AM

in short, hdmi from twc's boxes sucks. someone on here said something about how twc themselves are ignorant on how hdmi works so they don't realy support it

my workaround is to only toggle 1080i for all channels. it may not be true/correct resolution (for like ABC, ESPN, etc), but i've found it works well enough and you probably won't even notice

1/15/2009 11:11:32 AM

Quote :

" my workaround is to only toggle 1080i for all channels. it may not be true/correct resolution (for like ABC, ESPN, etc), but i've found it works well enough and you probably won't even notice"

This is the best solution. The channels take longer to switch because the box had to constantly change the output resolution.

Forcing it to 1 resolution eliminates the issue.

I also don't get why TWC doesn't list their HD channels like DirecTV does. They are fail all around.

1/15/2009 11:26:43 AM

yes the offical word on the 8300HDC and 8240HDC boxes from TWC is HDMI is not a supported connection. what I take from that is they will allow you use it but dont complain to them when it doesnt work with your value priced hdtv.

i have noticed that most of the problems resulting with HDMI in the twc boxes occurs durring the handshake period of the connection. the box tries to determine the supported resolutions of your tv, if it doesnt get a response or if its not the type of message that its looking for, all types of shit will happen durring usage. most frequently you will get no picture, or the picture will be hung in the upper right guide window...

i lucked up and when I went to add another hd box, I got one of the orginal 8300HD boxes... it works super terrific! no cable card and the software is the old version, the channels dont change with delays either. if you can, go request a 8300HD not the HDC, if you can find one1

1/15/2009 11:27:31 AM

you could always buy your own dvr

as much as we use them, its worth the money to have a nice one

1/15/2009 2:05:13 PM

true

and especially with twc finally releasing more HD channels, hard drives are gonna fill up quicker

i don't trust sata drives and twc, either

1/15/2009 2:23:07 PM

[Edited on January 15, 2009 at 2:29 PM. Reason : .]

1/15/2009 2:28:49 PM

Quote :

"then just use component cables. their quality sucks so bad anyways you aren't going to see any difference in video quality."

The only issue of concern is balancing my connections out. I'd like to have a component input free if I can, since I have more than enough HDMI inputs. Obviously, not necessarily going to happen now - it sounds like TWC isn't all that interested in supporting HDMI.

Anyhow though, the 1080i workaround may be best, should I desperately need the component input back - I tend to notice a slight difference, but it's small enough where I could probably live with it, given the fact that TWC already compresses the hell out of their channels anyways.

[Edited on January 15, 2009 at 2:44 PM. Reason : 1080i]

1/15/2009 2:41:27 PM

Im new to TWC so forgive me but I had TWC hooked up in my friend's apartment last week using their component cables and HD channels worked fine. tonight I tried using HDMI cables and now all my HD channels are either blank or I get the "USA HD is currently not available" on BOTH my boxes so fine I switch back to component but still no HD channels. Reboot does nothing. I called TWC and they were like just return your box. I explained that I thought it was odd that it was happening in both boxes but oh well.

Thanks for the tip on 1080i.

2/22/2009 8:29:12 PM

god TWC is awful.

I can't wait until AT&T U-verse gets to my neighborhood.

2/22/2009 9:17:50 PM

All HDtv is 1080i anyway. 1080p is blu-ray only.

Just set to 1080i, plug in your HDMI cable, and be happy

2/23/2009 2:06:44 AM

FWIW, I had my Panny hooked up to an 8300HDC via HDMI and it generally worked. We had a lot of issues with pixelated pictures and perhaps that was the reasoning. I never thought about trying the component cables to see if it helped. It didn't matter anyway, I gave TWC a fuck you and switched to dish and dsl (for the $125 rebate, will switch to earthlink once it is in) and I am immensely satisfied, saving about $70 month now and $50 a month once the promotion runs out...before factoring in rebates.

There is a reason dish and direct are gaining customers while TWC and Charter are losing them. I can't believe the dipshits running the cable companies haven't figured out why they are losing customers. I guess they make so much profit by raping the ones they do have that they aren't concerned about it yet.

2/23/2009 8:47:12 AM

i think overall TWC HD was funny last night, because I had the same problems.

2/23/2009 12:18:26 PM

Quote :

"All HDtv is 1080i anyway. 1080p is blu-ray only."

According to my box, some channels are 720p. Which may be functionally equivalent to 1080i once the signal is stretched, in which case I'm wrong, but it seems like you have two possibilities to consider, here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/720p#720p_versus_1080i

Quote :

"In the USA, 720p is used by ABC, Fox Broadcasting Company and ESPN because the smoother image is desirable for fast-action sports telecasts, whereas 1080i is used by CBS, NBC, HBO, Showtime and Discovery HD due to the crisper picture particularly in non-moving shots."

[Edited on February 23, 2009 at 12:32 PM. Reason : 720p v. 1080i]

2/23/2009 12:21:42 PM

ok now my regular USA channel 25 is blank on both my boxes. Im missing WWE RAW

oh and my box randomly changes channels. I aint used TWC for 2 weeks and i hate em. that goodness I still use Direct tv at my house.

2/23/2009 9:16:10 PM