Contour 2 resolution and audio settings

Hi Bjensen,

Do you find that the audio and video settings read that way, but behave differently? Does the picture and/or sound behave like you wanted but simply display the opposite setting in the menu?

Erica W -Cox Forums Moderator

Erica,

The settings are certainly reverting to some default state and do not keep the higher resolution/audio selection I choose. There is a noticeable difference in both video and audio quality. I can also see that my audio receiver is not decoding the Dolby signal once it reverts back. I'm familiar with my TV and sound system capabilities but new to the Contour 2 box.

This only happens after the cable box sits overnight (maybe goes though an update cycle?). I have tried turning off the sleep functions to no avail. It will keep the settings I select in the morning through the evening. After doing a little searching, I've noticed other customers having a similar issue. 

Bjensen,

The video and audio output will vary depending on the broadcast program and network. Not all channels will have all the output formats and the TV will register what is available. This will also vary for OnDemand titles and the formats provided to us from the network. What channel number, time, and show title are you seeing in the morning and I can review the available output format for that title.

Stephanie,

I understand that the output will vary depending on how that particular show/movie or network is being broadcasted. The problem I'm having is with the video and audio settings/preferences of the contour 2 box.

But, for the sake of this discussion, I did check this morning before I went to work. As usual, my preferences had reverted to 720p and stereo. I tuned to many different channels and those preferences did not change. At the end I tuned to a premium channel (HBO) at 7:30 this morning and was watching a movie (Adventures of Narnia). Again, the preferences showed 720p and stereo. I then changed them to 1080p and Dolby 5.1 and the resolution was better and the Dolby signal was being decoded on my surround system.

Those settings will now stay like that all day, no matter what program I tune to, regardless of how it is being broadcasted. I also understand that just because my preferences are set that way, I'm not always watching/hearing to those preferences and that's to be expected. But I guarantee that during the overnight hours, those preference will revert back to 720p and stereo vs 1080p and Dolby 5.1 just as they have done since I had this system installed in the last couple of weeks.

Greatly appreciate everyone's time and assistance.

 

Bjensen,

What type of TV and surround sound system do you have? What type of cable are you using to connect everything? How is everything connected? Once I get more information on your setup, I can review the situation further. Also, is the receiver turning on to the same channel that it's turning off? What channel is it? Please provide the specific channel number (SD or HD).

Perhaps your TV changes it.  If you have HDMI-CEC enabled on your TV, it can automatically change settings on its connected device, such as your Contour 2.  Different TV manufacturers have different trade names for HDMI-CEC, so, yeah, Stephanie will need more info.

It'd be nice if Contour just had a Native setting for the TV to decide the best picture quality.

Ok, my somewhat older TV and Audio info :

TV - Samsung model # UN46D6003SFZA (connected to Contour via HDMI)

Audio - Sony surround amplifier model # STR-DE595 (connected to Contour via optical cable)

My test this morning was on channel 1301 (HBOHD)

I checked numerous channels at lunch and the Contour preferences remained set at 1080p and Dolby 5.1 for each. I can provide a list of specific channels if this info is needed but that list would get long quickly. I do tend to view only HD channels.

I did initiate a re-boot of the Contour box (actually, the re-boot was due to a lack of signal detected since a Cox employee was installing a new line between the house and the nearest junction point in my neighbors yard while I was home at lunch) and the Contour preferences reverted back to 760p and stereo. Not sure if that is normal for theses preferences to re-set during a re-boot or not, just thought I would add the info.

Turning Contour/TV/Audio off and back on numerous times during the day or letting Contour go to sleep mode does not alter video and audio preferences of the Contour box. The only time it appears to revert is during overnight hours or if I manually re-boot the Contour box.

Does Contour normally perform routine maintenance actions or re-boot itself in the middle of the night?

Hi Bjensen, the cables boxes receive updates frequently and may reboot as a result.

Michaelj,

Well, if true, that seems disappointing for two different reasons:

1 - The contour cable box must update every night (since my preferences never make it more than 24 hours)

 2 - The contour cable boxes don't hold user preferences after updates and associated re-boot. 

Bruce,

Perhaps, but I have not been able to find an HDMI-CEC or similar setting for my particular television.