This Is our Village

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Question for Cable Chairman Dave re: HDMI Cable

Hi Dave,
I recently bought a high definition TV and hooked it up to the Comcast high definition cable box. I used the HDMI cable that was recommended to me when I purchased the TV. I had problems with the picture, so I called Comcast and they sent out a Comcast repairman to check the cable box. The repairman told me that in Century Village, you do not use the HDMI cable. He said you have to use the component hookup wires (color-coded) that are supplied by Comcast. After the repairman took the HDMI cable off and put the color-coded component on the TV, it seemed to be working ok.

I thought that by using the HDMI cable, you would get the best picture clarity.

Dave, could you give me your thoughts on this?
Thank you,
Topper

6 comments:

  1. I have a Digital HD box(I pay extra) and you can hook up with HDMI which does give better clarity...Great on HD channels..

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  2. Hi Topper,

    Please advise; what is the designator on the front of your Cable Box.
    We will work from there.

    What is HDMI?
    HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV).

    HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.

    I have a Comcast HD Box which is connected to my TV with an HDMI cable.

    It works perfectly.

    Dave Israel

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  3. Thank you Barbara C and Dave for the information.

    The designation on the front of the box says - "Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250 HDC". We do pay extra for the HD box, as Barbara said.

    Now we have had to take the TV back because of the muffled sound. So we will be buying a new TV.

    When we get the new TV - do you have any suggestion which HDMI cable to buy?

    Also - any suggestions on reasonably priced HD TVs?

    This stuff is all very confusing.

    Thank you,
    Topper

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Topper,
    December 20, 2009 8:31 AM,

    Please slow down, do not get a new TV, yet.
    The box you have; SAE 4250 HDC is a well proven robust converter, which I also have.

    To properly pass signals to your set the Box must be programmed. This should have been done by the Tech. at installation.

    Obviously the Tech that told you "we do not use HDMI cable in CV, was full of prunes".

    Please re-connect your HDMI cable and do the following:

    1) Take up your Remote Control and point it at the box

    2) Press "Menu" twice

    3) Scroll to -
    AUDIO: Digital out, and set it to HDMI.

    4) Scroll to -
    AUDIO: Range, and set it to "narrow"

    5) Scroll to -
    SET: Picture Format, and set it to
    "Auto DVI"

    That's it, you should then have a beautiful picture and sound..

    If you have a problem with all of this, send me and Email at "nsasigint@comcast.net" and we will arrange a house call from the Doctor of Digital who is also the Sultan of Signals and The Count of Converters.

    Dave Israel

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  5. Dave, this is wonderful, valuable information - and yes, that technician was full of "prunes"!

    As you advised, we haved decided to slow down and not buy a new tv yet. We are relocating an older model to the living room for now.
    However, I am going to make a copy of these instructions, and when we do purchase the HD TV, we will set it up as you instructed.

    If we have any problem, we will call for help from the that Doctor of Digital who is also the Sultan of Signals and The Count of Converters. By the way, is this person related to that famous family from the Carolinskaya region of Alsace- Lorraine?

    Thank you again,
    Topper

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  6. Hi Topper,
    December 20, 2009 7:34 PM,

    Yes, The Sultan of signals and the Duchess Le Titfly share a distant cousin who currently resides in Barataria.

    Dave Israel

    ReplyDelete

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