Scientific Atlanta Set Top Box 4250HD

[smk613]

I would like to be able to play the set top box either through my A/V receiver or directly on the HDTV. The cable box is a Scientific Atlanta 4250HD. Is it possible to connect the HDMI cable to the A/V receiver and Component video and audio to the TV and still get the HDMI signal to carry the multichannel audio stream to the A/V reciver when I want to?

Thank you

[MrBoylan]

I would like to be able to play the set top box either through my A/V receiver or directly on the HDTV. The cable box is a Scientific Atlanta 4250HD. Is it possible to connect the HDMI cable to the A/V receiver and Component video and audio to the TV and still get the HDMI signal to carry the multichannel audio stream to the A/V reciver when I want to?

Thank you

The ability to output simultaneously from the HDMI and component video/analog audio jacks varies from cable box to cable box. On your box it may not be possible as there is a note in the 4250HD users manual saying that you should not use the component video outputs if you use the HDMI output. It's possible that this is just a recommendation of what to do, in order to avoid confusion (and get the best results), or it's possible that they put this note in there because the box does not support concurrent output over both video connectors.

I think it will probably work fine to use both - HDMI to the receiver and component video/analog audio to the TV - but you should test it out and see what happens. If you can, drop a note in the forum and let us know how you make out as it may help out the next person trying to do the same thing.

-CB

[smk613]

Thanks CB

It is exactly that note in the manual that had me wondering as to whther this would work.

I will try to see if this works. In the mean time I will also be exploring an alternate solution. I am connecting via an Onkyo SR606, the HDTV is a Panasonic, it may be possiblle to pass the signal through the HDMI ports on the Onkyo with the Onkyo in standby mode.

I will probably check out both options over the weekend

smk613

[smk613]

The ability to output simultaneously from the HDMI and component video/analog audio jacks varies from cable box to cable box. On your box it may not be possible as there is a note in the 4250HD users manual saying that you should not use the component video outputs if you use the HDMI output. It's possible that this is just a recommendation of what to do, in order to avoid confusion (and get the best results), or it's possible that they put this note in there because the box does not support concurrent output over both video connectors.

I think it will probably work fine to use both - HDMI to the receiver and component video/analog audio to the TV - but you should test it out and see what happens. If you can, drop a note in the forum and let us know how you make out as it may help out the next person trying to do the same thing.

-CB

OK here is an update:

I do not believe the HDMI and Component outputs can be used simulatanously. After hooking up the HDMI cable to the receiver, when playing copy protected material the 4250HD box would display a message saying that due to copy protection the component video output prots are deactivated.

Configuring the Onkyo to allow pass through in standby mode worked fine and my system is now configured that way.

[MrBoylan]

OK here is an update:

I do not believe the HDMI and Component outputs can be used simulatanously. After hooking up the HDMI cable to the receiver, when playing copy protected material the 4250HD box would display a message saying that due to copy protection the component video output prots are deactivated.

Configuring the Onkyo to allow pass through in standby mode worked fine and my system is now configured that way.

That's cool. I assume it only works with the "HDMI 1" input or is it the one that was last selected? I didn't even know the Onkyos had that feature.

Which model is it and where did you set up the pass-through to be enabled when the unit it in stand-by?

Thanks,

-Chris

[smk613]

Hi Chris

I had posted the reply on another thread where amilo inquired about the Onkyo SR-606, that is the unit I have. I am copying the instructions below. The feature is actually pretty cool as it also allows automatic switch off of the receiver if the TV is turned off. All that is required seems to be support of RIHD as my TV is a Panasonic, the Onkyo also seems to pass the signal on to my Panasonic Blu Ray player; truning off the TV will turn off the TV, receiver and Panasonic Blu Ray palyer.

And yes, it will work with any of the 4 HDMI input ports if they have been previously switched (no automatic detection of signal presence).

Here is what you need to do:

In the setup menu go to #7 Hardware setup, then select #5 HDMI set Control to ENABLE and Power Control to ENABLE, leave TV Control as DISABLED.

This will result in the signal from a previously selected HDMI port being passed through to the HDMI OUT port when the receiver is in Standby Mode. (Note: select the source you want to be outputted prior to going to standby mode.)

If you enable TV control then turning on the TV will turn on the receiver, so you do not want to turn that on if you want to only play TV sound. If you do set it to enable, you can then still simply switch the receiver to standby after it turns on and the TV will still play in pass-through mode.

Interstingly enough if your TV is RIHD compliant, if you are using the reciver to play TV content, shutting of the TV will also shut of the receiver.