Audio/Video Chat → Defective HDMI cable or Videotron HD cable box?

Hi all,

I am truly hoping someone can help on this. Just got the Videotron HD terminal (no PVR) which is a Pace 551 model. It has an HDMI output which is why I got that particular model to use with my Sony Grand Vega with HDMI input.

The issue I have is when I use the HDMI output my screen colours are heavily purple and unwatchable (even adjusting the colours does little). If I use component out on the Pace then it is fine, same with S-Video.

Anyone seen this before? Is it more likely the HDMI cable, or the Pace box in your humble opinions?

Thanks for the help
John

It could be any of the three. The easiest is probably swapping out the HDMI cable for a different one, unless you bought it online, then swapping the Pace box would be the easiest. If I had to guess I would put the blame on the Pace box first then the tv.

I'll try and return the cable to FutureShop tomorrow morning and see if that is the problem. Maybe they can test it on something there to see if it is good or not. Next step will be the Pace box.

Sure hope it isn't the TV's HDMI connection though...

Thanks for the help, if anyone else has an opinion, please let me know.

Cheers
John

I remember hearing that people down in the states were having trouble with scientific atlanta cable boxes. Turns out the cable boxes didn't even have the hdmi port activated! I'd get in contact with videotron and ask them if any other consumers have had specific issues. I doubt it's the tv if so it would be the first time I've heard that. The only other thing I can think of is that your HDMI port is non HDCP compatible which would be odd considering they go hand and hand. One thing you could try is buying an HDMI upconverting player like the sammy 850 (available at local Quebec wal-marts) hook it up and if it works you have your answer regarding the HDMI port. Then just return it .

huh? SA released the 8300HD(which is currently the only SA box with a HDMI port) with the port active. Where do you get that it wasn't? Besides, his issue is with a Pace Micro box, the only thing it has in common with SA is that they both use the same conditional access system. If the port wasn't active he would get a black/blank screen, not one that has too much purple in it. If his tv didn't support HDCP he would then get an error saying this and then a blank screen. So that isn't the case either.

I do remember reading it in S&V, and I do believe it was only short term affecting only a certain cable company. Then again I could have got that wrong. And regarding the HDCP thing you're absolutely right. Anyways the conclusion stays the same either swap the cable box or try something else with an hdmi out.

Another bizarre thing... I guess since I activated the box I get a bunch of channels free for a bit. So now I am looking at the ABC HD channel (WOW!) and all the colours come in just perfect.... but the other regular DIGITAL channels are with a major purple tint.

HDMI does carry regular digital channels without issue, right? Or do I actually need, for the regular digital channels, to use either s-video, composite or anything else?

Really bizarre but I am loving watching the football in HD....

Cheers and thanks for the comments!

It does. It sounds like the box is messed up. Get it swapped out, your HDMI cable is more than likely good if ABC HD looks like it should.

Agreed.

Thanks for the help!

Your welcome. Good luck.

FInal follow-up on this. The issue was soled by connecting an s-video cable, removing the HDMI cable, powering on the unit and being able to go into the configuration and set my Aspect as 1080i, and only 1080i. After that, removed S-video cable, reconnected HDMI, powered off and on the cable box and all worked well.

Guess the biggest issue was with the HDMI cable the system detected an HDTV and set itself to Auto HDMI.

Hopefully this will help others in the future, or maybe change the way Pace does it's firmware detection.....

Cheers

Hi,

You need to disable (turn off) 480i and 480p options on the Pace 551. In order to do this, you go into the Pace 551 setup by pressing and holding the # key until the setup menu pops up...

Good luck...;)

LT