The TV's a Sony SXRD (i.e. LCoS, thus relatively new) - combine that with the HDMI input, and the TV has to be HDCP compliant. That's why I suspect the cable box is to blame. The cable seating poorly in the cable box's HDMI port is a good thought. If that did prove to be the issue, there's a "port saver" available from MonoPrice ( here\'s a link ) that can help reduce the strain on the port by transferring the weight of the cable to the shelf below the component.