The index for the drive is contained on the internal drive of the original PVR it was attached to. That's why you can't swap.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=23773

I'm not sure this is an HDMI issue - Have you tried rebooting the STB with the TV connected via component video cables?

I didn't realize this was an HDMI section. I reformatted the drive and now will see if this fixes the problem. It started after the last firmware update 1.89.

I've been using HDMI for almost a year with just the occasional momentary re-synchs. Monday or Tuesday I started to get a constant jittery picture. Replugged HDMI cable,unplugged TV & tried a couple of quick reboots. No change. Component, OTA & HDMI DVD were OK. Yesterday I left STB unplugged all day. Now picture is stable again.

I've read in the forum that Rogers officially doesn't support HDMI but does anyone happen to know which version of HDMI the 8300 HD is compatible with, i.e 1.0, 1.1, 1.2a???
According to SA's web site, it's HDMI 1.0 for the 8300HD:

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/products/consumers/new_explorer8300HD.htm

Cheers.

I've been using HDMI between my Sony A2000 and the SA8300HD since November and it was working with flying colours...

tonight I turned on the set and got a message from the SA saying that the HDMI connection is/was not supported and that I had to switch to component. I understand that Rogers "does not support HDMI"... but the SA box obviously does/did. I spent nearly 40 mins on the phone with a Rogers CSR and got nowhere.

It's still not working through HDMI. Component works but is obviously not my preferred route. Does anyone know why the HDMI would all of a sudden stop being detected between the SA and the Sony?

I'm at my wits end. Any help would be much appreciated!

Try unplugging and replugging the cable at both ends several times. The HDMI connection is a poor one from a mechanical/electrical standpoint and sometimes comes loose. Turn on the TV first, then the STB.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19694

I tried unplugging and replugging the HDMI cable multiple times. No dice. Also tried a few of the tips in the FAQ to no avail.

I have a Rogers tech coming tomorrow morn, but I expect that will be useless as he won't want to help with an HDMI issue. The connection will work via component, but that's not acceptable.

Any other tips? TIA

Did you try another HDMI cable? Get one from a friend or from a store with a good return policy. Try swapping ends on the HDMI cable - put the end that was in the TV into the STB (sounds weird, but works sometimes). No need to buy a luxury cable:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=30452

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719

Yeah, I tried swapping ends of the HDMI cable. I'll take your suggestion and pick up another one to try. The existing cable was bought at Active Surplus for $20, so I figure I can get another one of those. Thanks for the tips.

Rogers guy came this morn. We figured out that the problem was with the SA8300. He swapped in a new one and the HDMI connection worked fine. Only downside is that I lost all of the content stored on the PVR. Thanks for the tips.

I have been happily watching my Samsung HLS5687W with Rogers 8300 since December using HDMI. I also have HDMI for my Samsung DVD Player.
Worked fine up until Sunday evening (March 25th), then voila - no picture on the input for the 8300....
I've tried swapping cables and there seems to be some general flakiness - specifically:
If I plug both inputs in, neither the DVD nor the STB work. If I plug only the DVD in on either input with either cable, seems to be fine.
It now seems the DVD player will "drop" the signal - i.e. I'll load a DVD, it shows up fine, I'll switch inputs, go back to the DVD HDMI input and receive a "Weak or no Signal".
If I power cycle the DVD player, it comes back.
I've a little bit more testing to do to eliminate cables/ports and various combinations.
I noticed when I enter the setup menu on the 8300, HDMI is replaced by Pass Thru option. Either it seems to not recognize the HDMI or it's been disabled (remote firmware upgrade/change by Rogers?)
However, my question is:
Does it seem like this might be a problem with the TV HDMI inputs, or the cable box?
It's easy enough for me to swap the cable box at a Rogers location, and the TV is only a few months old, so covered by warranty.
Is anyone else witnessing a problem since the weekend, or had an experience whereby it worked perfectly and for seemingly no reason, "stopped" working?
Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
ckc

The fact that your DVD player is also acting up makes it sound like it might be the TV.

With the STB only offering Pass-Through instead of Auto DVI/HDMI it sounds like it's no longer recognizing the HDMI connection to the TV.

I have a HLS4265W and use HDMI from my 8300HD PVR and a Panasonic DVD player. Both are working fine.

When diagnosing the problem, also only use one connection type at a time. Sounds like you have component video (or something else) and HDMI hooked to the STB at the same time. Here's a thread on setting up the STB properly.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719

Here's a thread on items to check:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19694

I went through a very methodical approach this evening to isolate connections, devices et al.
What I discovered leads me to believe it's an issue with the TV.
The STB does not work on either HDMI connection (1 or 2) with either of the two cables I have.
The STB works fine with Component or S-Video for that matter (each tested in isolation with no other connections or components).
Though the DVD player seems to work with HDMI - in fact it exhibits strange behaviour - controls freeze (not just remote, tried front panel), and other anomalous results. I'm not well versed enough with HDMI to understand how it can affect connected devices aside from not displaying the signal.
DVD player works fine wth Component Video.
Ergo, all in all, it seems to be a problem with the HDMI jacks on the tv.
I followed all the useful tips - time for a call to Samsung service!
ckc

I've been using the HDMI port on my 8300HD. Over this past weekend it stopped working - no video, no audio - and I use a direct connection from the 8300HD to my Samsung LCD. I swapped my DVD component cables with my PVR HDMI cable and both worked that way. I discovered the same party line Rogers support response - HDMI is not supported.

So - did they recently enforce this policy with a new code download? That was too complicated a question when I asked the Rogers support person. ;)

Mine stopped working sometime between Sunday evening and Monday evening.

Going through the box, HDMI still shows "initialized".

I continue to have some weird problems when using HDMI on my Samsung DVD - it seems to drop the video single if you change inputs, and it doesn't come back - all new problems. The controls on the DVD don't work at all with HDMI hooked up - everything works fine on Component.

I had a repair person today who shrugged (didn't communicate that well and showed up late) and said he would order the part and replace the whole board that has all of the inputs and logic for HDMI.
I'm no HDMI expert, but is it possible that HDMI input issues can mess with the logic of other parts of the device? I.E. the inability of the DVD player to function (video, but no controls work) when connected with HDMI all of a suddent.

Also, my 8300HD doesn't seem to even recognize it's connected to an HD port - the option isn't there in the menu - it's replaced by Pass Thru.
The odds of two identical problems around the same time?
DigitalGreg - interesting to note you also have a Samsung - mine is the 5687W 56" DLP.
ckc

DigitalGreg, many times the HDMI cable simply becomes loose. Try replugging and unplugging it a few times and it should work again. Also, do a hard reboot of the STB (unplug/replug) and only have one video connection when troubleshooting.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719

covelc, you may wish to try the same.

If you have the option, simply use component video cables, fewer issues and equivalent picture quality.

Thanks for the suggestions - I have tried every permutation/orietnation of device/cable (I have multiple devices and cables) without success.
It wasn't for the fact I was having trouble wtih both ports on the tv regardles off device/cable/end etc..I wouldn't suspect the TV.
Samsung repair agent has attended and plans to replace the entire board with all the inputs/outputs and logic.

Yeah, I didn't go into gory detail regarding my problem determination process, but after checking that the HDMI cable worked fine between DVD and TV, I moved the cable back to the PVR after a cold boot of the PVR both with and without the HDMI cable attached. I gave up...

I swaped the component cables from my DVD to the PVR and the HDMI cable from the PVR to the DVD player.

You're right, picture quality is the same. My receiver does not do switching (an older Yamaha HTR 5240, IIRC) and TV is not something I always want to pipe thru my receiver. So HDMI was a convenience choice for 8300HD hook up to my TV which has 2 HDMI ports and only one component port. I also use the coax digital out for those times I want to crank up a TV show or TMN / On Demand movie.

So far my needs have not justified a receiver technology refresh. :(

I'm still convinced Rogers may have done something to disable the HDMI port.

I could not find something to tell me how I look at diagnostic screens or something that would tell me what my code level is and any detail regarding the box configuration. I'd appreciate a link or two.

Greg.

SA STB diagnostics/tips link:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719

If the HDMI had been disabled, we'd have hundreds of posts here and my Dad would have called me. ;) (He uses HDMI)

When you have time:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741