I have question about using Scientific Atlanta’s 3100HD Coax Digital “OUT” to my new Outlaw 1050 Digital “IN”. I’m getting audio out of channels 2-13 (analog) and channels 100 and above (Digital). I’m getting no audio out of channels 14-99 (analog).

Has anyone experienced this situation? I emailed Time Warner and they said that not all the channels broadcast Dolby Digital. I felt their answer still did not address the question. Even if the channel broadcasts 2-channel stereo, the Digital “IN” should be able to process the audio, right? Do I have to switch the “Digital select” from coaxial to analog? Is there a tweak I need to adjust?

Thanks for the input!!!


Jon


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Your Scientific Atlanta box is not providing a digital audio output at all on channels 14-99. Those channels broadcast only in analog audio, leaving the digital output from the cable box blank. It's woefully common (actually, universal) among digital cable services.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

One of the 'pro' sides of a satellite feed. Although it has its cons.

The 950 'sees' whatever the feed is for my digital capable/HD STB. All I have to do is overlay my preferred SM at the moment for that particular BC.

Just helped the neighbor cable his new HTIB to new HD display. Glad I did not have to deal with that, I have a great lack of knowledge on dealing with a Cable feed. He does not use a descrambler his cable coax is straight from the wall. He not getting digital (but he's blissfully unaware for the moment) and loves the hall/etc modes applied to analog and the addition of his new .1 which came in the box. It's an improvement over what he had before (mini 5.1 Vs Display speakers) and he can surf any channel without audio interruptions.

I don’t think I have his progressive feed from the Sony HTIB DVD player portion going for him yet, (I’m not seeing his screen lock to full during DVD playback and it should). Got to figure out what, I’ve missed
And spend some time figuring out his display/player native resolution and menu setup. Although I enabled all the menus I could find. I don’t’ think it is a prog feed yet. (He doesn’t understand why I ‘want’ to make sure he is getting his prog feed during DVD playback). Looks ‘great’ to him !

Scrid:

Gronk summed up the situation currectly. I contacted TimeWarner Customer Support regarding this exact same issue and was told there are no workarounds with the SA box. However, they are supposedly implementing a new box from Pioneer which will route the analog signals to the digital connector. However, I have also been told by another TW employee that this was not for HDTV (go figure). The new box was supposed to be ready for June, so try calling them then.

In the interim and as long as you are going to have to switch something on the 1050 to hear every channel, you may want to split the antenna input from the cable before your cable box (with a splitter that supports 900mhz or higher) and feed one side directly into your HDTV. You can then feed your HDTV's speaker outputs (which I presume you have) into the 1050. You may find this has several advantages:
1) I believe you get a better picture on the analog channels as your HDTV probably has a better comb filter than the SA 3100HD.
2) You should be able to get Pictue in Picture as well.
3) You can record one station on a VCR (fed off of the SA-3100HD) while watching analog on your HDTV.

73Bruin -- That is some interesting news about a new box from Time Warner. I don't have HDTV, so I'm using an Explorer 2000 and 2100 (2000 in the main system, 2100 in the bedroom). A new box would be mighty handy. I'll start checking in with my local Time Warner in June, as well, and keep folks here informed of what I discover.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Here is the link to the press release that Pioneer put out. Whether TWC enables all of these features (or is using a downgraded unit) is probably a local franchise issue.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/CompanyOverview/PressDetails/0,1479,92868,00.html

Our digital cable box is a Motorola, and it may not work the same way as the SA. I have a digital coax from the box to the 1050, but the Motorola manual says to also connect RCA audio cable which I have done. With this hookup, I need do nothing to the 1050 to have sound on all channels.

With this hookup, I need do nothing to the 1050 to have sound on all channels.

True, but you will need to activate back and forth from the coaxial to rca with the "digial select" button, right?

Now you have me questioning whether I am getting an analog signal on all channels, even though I have a digital coax connected. Will check to see what indicator lights are on when and then update.

It's possible that the Motorola always provides a digital output by including some A/D conversion for stations with only an analog feed, in which case the analog audio cables would be there solely for recording to a VCR -- since many people's systems (the 1050 and 950 included) do not convert digital audio inputs to analog for the receivers's VCR audio record output.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review