Skybox F3: Video Interface

[dabedwe]

Im in the USA and i have a dish on my roof. I know that this forum isnt focused on satellite issues in the USA, but i have learned a lot here and really value this forum. i ordered a skybox f3 off amazon. i received my receiver, but it was mess up; At least i thought it was messed up. it would not send and output to the hdmi or the rgb, but i did get a signal through the rca cables; however, the horizontal hold is flipping so fast you can barely read what is on the screen. i sent it back to the manufacturer and they just sent me a new box. I received my new receiver today, but im having the same problem. is this a PAL issue? i have hooked up the receiver to multiple high res tv's, but have the same problem. i only get a signal through the rca cables, but it is flipping really fast. im hoping i can fix this by changing a setting. obviously there is a configuration problem, since both boxes are displaying the same issues on multiple tv's. please help. I would appreciate any advise. i am new to the fta hobby and really want to get everything running. if the problem is on my end and can solve it with a setting change that would be great. Please help.

 

[dabedwe]

Ahhhhhh!!!!!! this is so frustrating! i have multiple hd tv's and the skybox will not output to the hdmi or rgb, only the rca cable output anything, but the horizontal hold is off so bad you can barely read anything on the screen. i attached a picture.

 

[Hughes]

I'm sure help and advice will soon be on its way as European members rise and shine! I have a Skybox, but am not technical enough to assist!

 

[Llew]

While you're in composite mode, I would think you could switch it from PAL to NTSC in the menu somewhere.

 

[Lazarus]

I'll have a look and see later on. Just got out of bed!

 

[Lazarus]

Menu >> System Setup >> Video Out gives choices only of YUV or RGB.

Mine is set to YUV.

But over HDMI, surely the PAL/NTSC conundrum becomes irrelevant? And in any event there is no PAL/NTSC toggle of any form.

So, I wonder if this is to do with the Video Resolution setting - easy enough to establish by cycling through all the options using the designated VFORMAT button on the Remote Telecommander.

The button is on the row just under the Navigation Keys, next to the Info button.

Mine is set to 1080i_50, but other options are 1080i_60, 1080p_50, 1080i_60, (Assumed) 1080p_60, By Source, By Native TV, 480i, 480p, 570i, 570p, 576p, 720p_50, 720p_60,


"Assumed" ............. because it shows as Out of Range on my TV (Can't see the proper Video at all).

Now, when I set mine up, I used the Menu >> System Setting >> Video Out Menu to get to this and panicked when the Video went off and I got "Out of Range": Thought I'd bricked it.

So I strongly suggest you use the VFORMAT button and cycle through until it bursts into life via HDMI.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Adam792]

The VFORMAT button is definitely the one you want. You're on a 50Hz setting (European PAL refresh rate) and you need to be on a 60Hz one, that's why it's flickering. Press that button until the picture is clear and it says 1080i_60 on the screen (that's the setting I'd recommend for HDMI).

Here in Europe it's pretty standard for newer TVs to support NTSC-style 60Hz natively, but as far as I'm aware in America it doesn't work the other way with relatively little 50Hz support.

 

[dabedwe]

Tivu you are a genius. even though the picture was flipping i got into the display settings and pressed over a few times and SUCCESS!!! The picture is now perfect through the rca cables. hopefully i can now change to hdmi. i have my fingers crossed. Thanks for the help.

 

[Lazarus]

No problem at all - it's what we are here for.

And enjoy your F3 >> I now have two of them and think they are brilliant for the price.