Six Steps To Get More HD From Your Scientific Atlanta Set-top Box
If you are currently getting your cable TV from Time Warner Cable or Comcast using a Scientific Atlanta 8300 cable box, then you have an HD cable box that can do a lot more than its default settings. Out of the box, the cable box is set to pull video at a handful of resolutions (480p and 720p), but with a few minor hacks you can really trick out its capability. Here’s how:
Step 1: Turn off the power to the box and hold down the “Guide” and “Info” buttons at the same time.
Upon holding the buttons down, you’ll be brought to a page that welcomes you to the set-up and asks you if you’d like to proceed.
Step 2: Press the yellow “A” key on your remote to proceed with configuration.
This will take you to a new screen that allows you to configure the box via “Easy Mode” or “Advanced Mode.” I’ve used both and the only real option here is “Advanced.”
Step 3: Press the blue “B” key on your remote to enter the “Advanced Mode” menu.
If you’re following this guide and you’re using an HD box to do it, you’re likely viewing shows on a 16:9 screen.
Step 4: Choose the “Wide-Screen Mode” option by pressing the blue “B” button on your remote.
Next, the set-up will show a screen that explains the procedure. It basically says that it will run through screen resolutions. If you can see an image on the screen, your HDTV is capable of viewing video at that resolution and you should select it.
If the screen is black, you won’t be able to view it and you shouldn’t select it. For example, if you have a 720p/1080i HDTV, you won’t be able to view any content in 1080p, although you won’t have to worry about that on cable shows just yet.
Step 5: Start running through your the resolutions.
At this point, the operation becomes quite self-explanatory. Start with the lowest resolution (480i) and start testing each with the blue “B” key. If you can see the screen, select it and move on. If not, your HDTV doesn’t support that resolution.
Step 6: Complete the set up by pressing the “Exit” button.
Now that you have found all of the resolutions your box can pump through your HDTV, you’re ready to go.
Believe it or not, this actually works quite well. After configuring each of my HDTVs, the picture quality noticeably better, all due to my box’s ability to show video without conversion. I have very few complaints.
One thing to watch out for, though: Once you set this up, the cable box will need to switch resolutions to match the source signal. Because of this, your HDTV screen will blink through black with each channel change. This is not an issue and will not harm your screen.
Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who covers everything from Google to HDTVs. He currently writes for over 15 popular technology publications, including CNET’s Digital Home, InformationWeek and Future Publishing in the UK.
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Six Steps To Get More HD From Your Scientific Atlanta Set-top Box · HDTV Information, Reviews, and Deals on December 15th, 2007 at 2:21 am - Permalink
I have Cablevision in NY and just picked up the same box last week. In the installation guide they show you how to run through this procedure after you hook up all the cables. Not sure why the other companies using the same box don’t point it out.
Allan Bressler on December 15th, 2007 at 7:10 am - Permalink
Any tips for improvments on other boxes? I have a Motorola DTC6416III with Cox Cable.
Thanks!
Jered on December 15th, 2007 at 9:03 am - Permalink
don, i too am on long island, NY with Cablevision and just got the box. thanks for the advice.
what’s amazing to me is that savvy consumers have no clue that they need to use special cable connections and reset their TV.
Much obliged! It looks great.
Andy
andy plesser on December 16th, 2007 at 7:17 pm - Permalink
i held down the 2 buttons and nothing happens…i tried it with the box on and off…any suggestions?
Sahu on December 16th, 2007 at 9:36 pm - Permalink
This is great – I’ll give it a shot as soon as I get home!
Thanks,
Andrew
Andrew Baisley on December 17th, 2007 at 7:38 am - Permalink
Hey Sahu,
Try unplugging the box from the outlet and plugging it back in after about 30 seconds. Once rebooted, press both the buttons with the power off. Let me know if that works.
Don
Don Reisinger on December 17th, 2007 at 4:56 pm - Permalink
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Plasma and LCD HDTV Price Comparison - Coupons, Discounts & Price Drops » Simple hack yields extra resolutions from Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR on December 18th, 2007 at 12:23 pm - Permalink
No luck on a Time Warner SA 8300HD. I unplugged from the wall for 30 seconds as well…let it boot up…then tried the 2 buttons. Nothing happens. Anyone else with Time Warner experience this? Perhaps the lock out this setup.
Justin Walther on December 18th, 2007 at 12:37 pm - Permalink
I have this box on Time Warner in NYC. I can already choose from 1080i, 720p and 480p with the built-in settings so I’m not sure how useful this hack is. I only enable 1080i and have the box upscale. I’ve noticed that after power outages this setting seems to reset itself and all formats are enabled. This means a flicker when switching between SD and HD channels as my TV has to do the scaling.
Dan on December 18th, 2007 at 12:51 pm - Permalink
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Plasma and LCD HDTV source! - News, Channels, Coupons, Discounts & Price Drops. » Simple “hack” yields extra resolutions from Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR on December 18th, 2007 at 1:14 pm - Permalink
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Plasma and LCD HDTV Price Comparison - Coupons, Discounts & Price Drops » Simple “hack” yields extra resolutions from Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR on December 18th, 2007 at 1:14 pm - Permalink
The 8300HD uses at least two types of software. The two widely distributed versions are “SARA” by Scientific Atlanta, and “Passport Echo” by Aptiv Digital. If you press the play button and you see a yellow triangle marking your current position in the program, you have SARA. If you see a line with the time above it, you have Passport Echo. This hack doesn’t seem to be included in Passport Echo. This is probably because the output options are always available in the Setting menu with Passport.
Kevin McKee on December 18th, 2007 at 2:02 pm - Permalink
[...] Reisinger at NewTeeVee has a quick tutorial on getting more HD resolutions out of your Scientific Atlanta cable STB. No hacking required, just [...]
TiVo Lovers Blog » Blog Archive » A Quick Way To Get More HD Resolutions From Your SciAtl HD STB on December 18th, 2007 at 2:44 pm - Permalink
I also had no luck with a Time Warner NYC SA 8300HD. I just got it a week ago. Nothing happens when I hold down the 2 buttons with the power off.
Sam K on December 20th, 2007 at 9:17 pm - Permalink
Time Warner customers using the new Navigator software Take Note: This ‘hack’ doesn’t work with Navigator. Time Warner, in their infinite wisdom (or patronizing view) have decided that their customers are too dumb to work this out, so they have completely disabled the ability to change resolutions. If you are using HDMI (and lets face it, if you want HDTV why wouldn’t you) then you cannot set any resolutions. The STB will select it for you automatically. This is very unfortunate because when you have a 1080p capable TV, it would be nice to output everything at 1080 so that screen resolutions and aspect ratios will display properly. The only option to get around this is to dump your HDMI cable and connect with component. Then you are “allowed” to select the resolution yourself.
Hopefully someone will come up with a REAL hack that can re-enable the resolution setting ability that the 8300HDC actually has on-board.
I really cannot understand a company that deliberately disables a machine so it is ‘dumbed down’ for their customers.
David M on December 27th, 2007 at 11:49 am - Permalink
Help! My Sony DVD Recorder only has composite-in (R,W,Y). That means I will be using composite-out from the cable box, into it. Am I losing valuable HDTV or HDMI signals from the start? Even though the DVD-out goes on to include more choices: optical digital audio-out, hdmi-out, and s-video-out, do the HD or HDMI signals filter through and go on to produce an HDTV picture? Or, am I killing myself from the start? Do I need a better DVD recorder?
Pat on December 29th, 2007 at 3:34 pm - Permalink
hOW DO YOU RESET AFTER DOING THIS and you dont want the black screens?
ED on January 7th, 2008 at 6:03 pm - Permalink
These instructions will NOT work for the 8300HDC. What is curious is how you obtained an 8300HD now, as 99% of the rest of the country who has Time Warner is being forced to use the HDC with the new “Navigator” software. The real story here, and what i find interesting, is that I can find NO refrence to how unhappy customers are with this software. I think that major news media, and even major news bolgs such as ones from CNET, are afraid to report on this disaster. Go ahead Don, investigate. Then try and publish the story. You will be blocked.
Mitchell on January 19th, 2008 at 4:41 pm - Permalink
This is the HD Setup Wizard, nothing more. It’s referenced in the documentation that comes with it.
Eric on January 27th, 2008 at 1:08 pm - Permalink
Yes, you can get this at the Scientific Atlanta website.
Unfortunately my 8300HD can not bring up the setup
wizard. I called Time Warner and the tech said it wasn’t possible. Unfortunately, my component video inputs are 480p and 1080i, the hdmi/dvi are 480/720/1080, but the
only resolution the box puts out is 480p. So the tech is
coming next week.
Pete on February 6th, 2008 at 11:45 am - Permalink
Piece of crap the SA Explorers are. The UI is totally bush league. It’s laughable. TiVos, DirecTVs, Dish Network/Bell ExpressVu blow this most basic dinosaur technology away. Wake me when you CAN tell me how to hack to get free channels. Zzz….. (7+ year-old “technology”)
Corey Carrier on May 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 am - Permalink
There is an instruction booklet that goes over this process in quite detail – therefore I wonder why it’s being referred to as a hack here, it’s more like a setup wizard than a hack – if you go into the menu while you’re watching tv you can set picture format/display as pass through and this will usually not make the flicker happen when it converts the signal, seems to be more seamless – should also be noted that in most cable systems HD boxes do not output HD signal through Coax cable – to answer any past or future questions on issues with dvdrecorders and such and picture qualities -
Joe on May 6th, 2008 at 5:34 pm - Permalink
Has anyone figured out how to get to the “Settings” menu when using a Comcast remote (which doesn’t have a “Settings” button)? Thought perhaps there was a key combo that would bring it up.
Jeff H on May 11th, 2008 at 7:26 am - Permalink
Found an answer. For Comcast remotes, hit Menu twice to get the General Settings menu.
Jeff H on May 11th, 2008 at 8:11 am - Permalink
i have time warner cable in kansas city mo and i have an 8300 dvr box and i it has the new navigator software witch i hate because it is not as easy to use and i did what you said but when i turn off the power to the box and hold the info and gudie buttons down nouthing happens does this matter wather our not if it is an 8300hd our 8300 i dont have hdtvs yet so i dont have the 8300hd box just the standard 480p sdtv 8300 the outher thing is i see that in the book that came with both of my boxes it has one front usb port and one rear sata port how do i hook up an exterinal usb hard drive our sata drive to use as more storage for the dvr when the dvr hard drive inside the box gets full in the book it says that is what the usb and sata ports are for but time warner does not have them activaded so how do i activat them can any one help please?
benjamin stroud on July 27th, 2008 at 3:26 pm - Permalink
I just got an 8300HD box from Cablevision. In response to the comments from December about nothing happening when the Guide and Info buttons are pressed, note that the “hack” photo above (taken from Cablevision’s guide) shows the buttons being pressed on the box itself (pressing the corresponding buttons on the remote did not work for me; you have to get off of your couch and go to the box).
Michael on July 27th, 2008 at 7:22 pm - Permalink
I have this box. My TV is a 1080P. When I am watching programs I can press the “INFO” button on my remote and see the resolutionn that is being recieved by my TV from the SA 3800HD. I already get some channels at 1080i and 720p from the SA 3800HD. I assume that there is no point in going through this process. Am I wrong?
David F on September 10th, 2008 at 4:06 pm - Permalink
If your TV is reporting 1080i on some channels and 720p on others, then it’s probably set correctly. (To others, an important menu option is to set preference “Set: Picture Format” to “Auto DVI/HDMI”, otherwise it will always output in a single format (1080i by default); if it’s set right, AUTO will display in the LED display on the front of the unit.)
George S on September 14th, 2008 at 3:19 pm - Permalink
I am not sure if this did anything for me, but…….. It was cool to see a new menu screen! Actually… I think it did tweak my screen. Things looks nice! Thanks!
Russ on October 20th, 2008 at 8:07 pm - Permalink
hi, i live in NYC and Long Island, tried to bring my time warner scientific atlatic 8300 dvr out here for a while, i am a cablevision of long island subscriber,, anyway to hook this up without getting in touch with my cable out on long island, in other words, will my time warner 8300 work out here?? hacking or real set up?? HELP!! thanks…vikki
vikki on November 4th, 2008 at 11:25 pm - Permalink
I am in oklahoma city which is a cox cable area. Dose this work on cox cable. thanks for any info.
Bob Sauerwine on November 5th, 2008 at 1:02 am - Permalink
Awesome! Thanks for the help!
Eric on November 18th, 2008 at 4:46 pm - Permalink
Has anyone had any problems with the SA-8300 freezing up while watching recorded programs.It requires me to completely reboot the DVR then restart the program from the beginning. I’m trying to figure out if I have a defective box
Carl on November 29th, 2008 at 8:39 am - Permalink
Carl – yes, my SA 8300 started doing that about a week ago. Tech support had me reboot the box to fix it the first time. Since then, I’ve been able to get by the subsequent lockups by simply waiting them out (usually 30 seconds or so). I found it to be the case that it only locked up when I was watching one program and another program was recording at the same time (the recorded program would stop recording after the lockup). However, I only had this issue for a couple days since I’ve since replaced my 8300 with the 8300HD (since I got a new TV). I’ve only had the 8300HD for a day so I don’t know if it has the same problem. I find it funny that you recently experienced the same problem with the 8300… maybe it’s not the unit?
Paul on December 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 pm - Permalink
I am having a very unusual problem that just started a couple of days ago. I recently bought an LCD HDTV and went to my local Comcast office to get the Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD DVR set top box. A Comcast installer came out and connected everything and even concluded I needed a house amp to boost CATV signal. About 4 hours latert he set top box just died. Comcast came out again and replaced that with a PACE HD box and the same thing happened just after 4 hours of use. I would really like to know what is going on here. Do these HD boxes require some more or less electricity from the A/C outlet or is there too much broadband signal from the house amp. Please help, I am getting to whits end. Thanks
Paul on December 11th, 2008 at 5:38 am - Permalink
if the hack thing aint working press the settings button on your remote then right click on your remote to you see display the go up to output resolution and press select.the setting with the dot next to it is the settings that are turned on.go to each one and either click select on your remote to turn it on or select to turn it off.i have a 1080p hd tv and the only setting i have on is the 1080i and every channel i put on says 1080i on my box picture seems to be alot better than befor when some channels used to say 480 or 720.you dont need to hack your box
robby on December 13th, 2008 at 12:57 am - Permalink
also above output resolution are aspect ratio and picture size you might find these helpful also
robby on December 13th, 2008 at 1:01 am - Permalink
I have a few questions. maybe you can help.
The cable guy hooked up our SA HD-DVR today to our LG HDTV, but the picture is fuzzy. He suggested trying an HDMI cable, but I can’t get that to work.
When I plug the HDMI cable in I lose video and the audio comes and goes every few seconds.
I tried changing the resolution, but no luck.
Even with the component hook ups, should the picture really be this bad?
It’s not the TV, because when we watch a movie through our PS3 the picture is AMAZING.
Jeremy on December 19th, 2008 at 6:31 pm - Permalink
Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD – Comcast in Memphis, TN – Why does the Harddrive churn all the time? Really annoying at night in the bedroom….
John on January 1st, 2009 at 3:23 pm - Permalink
I have an SA 8300HD. The sata port has something blocking it to prevent any from being plugged in. I have 3 different (e)sata cables and I am unable to plug any of them in my unit. I have a usb 2.0 to esata hard drive enclosure. Is there a way to use it as a 2nd storage rather than the sata port on back? My unit has a usb port on the front. I have Brighthouse (time warner) here in tampa bay fl.
computerchuck
Chuck Quenzler on January 31st, 2009 at 5:23 pm - Permalink
Can the SA 8300hd be reprogrammed with a new SAB number? I acquired (legal purchase) a STB and would like to program it with the identity of my current box. Does anyone know how to do this?
eric on February 13th, 2009 at 12:44 pm - Permalink
Thats not a hack, thats the way the technician is supposed to connect it if he does his job correct
Damian on March 13th, 2009 at 12:38 pm - Permalink
for years we have had motorola cabel box’s. yes they have had problems till they produced a better one.this exploer 8300 hd,is the worst.We have had 5 box’s since Febuary 2009., and to-morrow we will get our 6th.T-warner tecs. keep telling us they know there has been more complaints then any other.This seniors apartments are only two years old,slowly going to dish.I have read all the complaints from new york to cal. Now do you have anyother excuses that why your product is no good? We have been told that t-warner cannot install the new motorola because of the area,we told them something is wrong,and 40 of us familyes from the 500 homes lost in nov. fire are going to ask the fcc,city councel,and the state,why t-warner is holding us to takeing only your cable box. do you have a hand in it? We live in porter ranch cal.
harold constantine on April 13th, 2009 at 7:07 pm - Permalink
Hi…I also am trying to download some things I recorded and I noticed I do not have any recording features as mentioned in the manual. I know the older version used to allow you to but this box (SA 8300HD) doesn’t. I’ve asked Time Waner techs and they all say it’s not possible to use the usb port. I tried setting up a DVD recorder but that didn’t work either. It seems a waste of time to try to record to VCR and then to DVD. How am I supposed to save the information that I would like to hold on to? Please help.
Lene in Mt. Vernon, NY on April 14th, 2009 at 10:14 pm - Permalink
Suddenlink here, and it works perfectly. Thanks for this amazing tip!
Coyote on May 7th, 2009 at 3:01 pm - Permalink
The usb port charges things just like a normal USB port good for charging the IPOD or cellphone or anything else that can be charged via USB
Kaz on May 21st, 2009 at 5:57 pm - Permalink
Does the usb port work on 8300 hdc? I plugged in a external drive and nothing happens… Anyone get theres to work???
Jeff on June 16th, 2009 at 7:24 pm - Permalink
No luck with 8300HD. I unplugged from the wall for 30 seconds as well…let it boot up…then tried the 2 buttons. Nothing happens. I really think that not going to work for me so please if some body have another way let me know.
thank you all
MT on July 7th, 2009 at 4:21 pm - Permalink