The Motorola HDT100 is a Digital Off-Air Set-top Box used for the Viewing of Digital Standard & High-Definition Programming Provided by the Local Network TV Broadcasters.
STB - Set Top Box - Refers to the Digital Cable Box OTA - Over The Air - Refers to television signals broadcast & picked up with an antenna SPDIF - Sony/Phillips Digital Interface - Refers to Digital Audio Connections A/V - Audio/Video HDTV - High-Definition Television (720p/1080i) SDTV - Standard Definition Television (480i) EDTV - Enhanced Definition Television (480p) Y/Pb/Pr - Refers to Component Video (3 Cable) RGB/HV - Refers to Component Video (5 Cable/VGA) VGA - Refers to Computer Monitor Style Connection (15-pin)
General
Where can I get a copy of the HDT100 Owners Manual?
What are the dimensions of the HDT100?
The HDT100 is 16.9" wide x 11.4" deep x 3.1" tall.
What is Motorola's refund policy for broadband products?
Unfortunately, Motorola does not provide refunds for returned products. All requests to return products and obtain a refund must be handled at the place of purchase consistent with the retailer/reseller returns and refund policy. If you believe that the product is defective and is covered under a Motorola warranty as provided in Motorola's Warranty Information Statement accompanying the product, you will need to follow Motorola's warranty return procedures. Proof of purchase is required to ensure the product is under warranty.
Installation
What should I have to be ready for the installation of my new HDT100?
You will need an HD-ready TV and an outdoor or indoor UHF antenna. As a suggestion you should have a good set of Component video cables, an optical cable (also known as a Toslink cable) if you have a Dolby Digital surround sound system, and if possible the owners manual for the TV.
For a good selection of both indoor and outdoor UHF antenna please visit your local electronics store. When purchasing a new antenna, ensure it is designed to work with HDTV frequencies (UHF).
I installed my HDT100 myself and can't seem to find any OTA channels. What is wrong?
There are a number of reasons this could occur:
The broadcaster may be having difficulties with their transmitter - check other channels in your area.
Ensure the antenna is pointing to the transmitter - even 'omni-directional' or 'multi-directional' antennas still need to be pointing in the general direction of the transmitter to be able to receive stations. Use www.antennaweb.org to find where to point your antenna, and also to find what channels are available in your area.
If there are hills or large buildings in between your location and the transmitter, you may experience problems. Usually these can be overcome by pointing the antenna in a slightly different direction to pick up a reflection. If other people in your neighborhood have antenna on their roofs, check to see the direction they are pointing and match with your antenna, or ask the sales associate where you purchased the HDT100.
Settings
What do 480i, 480p, 720p, & 1080i mean?
This relates to the horizontal lines of resolution. When dealing with HDTV & television in general, the more lines of resolution the better.
Regular Cable TV (NTSC) is 480i (analog). This stands for 480 horizontal lines of resolution in Interlaced format. Interlaced Format only shows you half of the horizontal lines of resolution on every cycle of the displayed picture. Each cycle displays every other line in the picture scan. For example, with 480i you only see 240 lines on every cycle of the picture scan. The first scan is lines 1-3-5-7-9-11, etc. The next scan is lines 2-4-6-8-10, etc.
Some DVD players and broadcasters use 480p, which is 480 horizontal lines of resolution in Progressive Scan format. Progressive Scan is the ability to produce all of the lines of resolution at the same time, similar to the way computer monitors operate. Example, at 480p you see 480 lines of resolution on every cycle of the picture scan.
HDTV uses 720p (progressive) and 1080i (interlaced).
Use the V.FORMAT button on the remote control to cycle through the different formats to select the format you like best. The default is 480i.
Decoding
Can the HDT100 decode HD signals from the cable or satellite company?
No. Cable and Satellite companies each use different standards for transmitting HD signals that are incompatible with the HDT100.
Where can I find a list of HDTV broadcasters and their programming?
Use www.antennaweb.org for a list of the stations available in your area, and then other web sites such as TitanTV.com or HDTVgalaxy.com, for a daily list of HD broadcasts.
Audio
What type of Audio Output options does the HDT100 have?
The HDT100 supports Analog Audio via Left/Right RCA output and Digital Audio via Optical SPDIF output. Both audio outputs are active at all times, on all channels, regardless of whether the program is in Dolby Digital or not.
Video
What type of video outputs does the HDT100 support?
Analog video transfer can be done by Composite & S-Video. HD video transfer can be done by Component (Y/Pb/Pr).
I have a TV that only has RGB/HV inputs, how can I get the 3 Wire Component output of the HDT100 to 5-Wire or VGA(15-pin) RGB/HV?
You need a part called a Transcoder. This converts 3-wire Component to 5-wire RGB/HV or VGA (15-pin). These can be purchased online for about $150. *See the TV list at the end of this article.
Why does the programming on my channels sometimes have bars on the sides and the top and bottom?
There could be couple of reasons. It could be the TV you are watching HD on, or the broadcasts, or both.
Bars on Widescreen TV:
Bars on the sides — The program that you are watching is NOT in true High-Definition and is most likely the Digital feed from that broadcaster. Not all programs a broadcaster sends out are in HD. Example: ABC, NBC, & CBS only show selected programs in HD, mostly Primetime shows & special events.
Bars on the top and bottom — Sometimes movies are broadcast in "anamorphic" (2.35:1) format (just as the movie was filmed). These movies will have bars at the top & bottom (letterbox).
In either case, use the A.RATIO button on the remote control to adjust the picture size to your liking.
Bars on 4:3 format TV:
For bars on the sides refer to the reason stated above.
For bars on the top & bottom — This could be due to the TV showing the "Widescreen" view inherent with HDTV broadcasts, and your TV not being "wide" enough to display all of the information.
In either case, use the A.RATIO button on the remote control to adjust the picture size to your liking.
My TV has the ability to Zoom, Stretch, Expand, etc. Why do these not work when tuned to an HD channel?
Some TV's will NOT allow you to modify the picture when the TV receives an HD signal (720p/1080i). This is a function of the TV not of the HDT100. Your TV is only able to use these functions when your TV is receiving a 480i or 480p signal. There are some HD televisions that allow you to stretch HD material, however, with the convenience of the A.RATIO button on the HDT100 remote control, stretching can be done by the HDT100 instead of your TV.
Should I use 720p or 1080i for the Y/Pb/Pr output?
The HDT100 will "scale" the incoming format to whatever you select, although the default is 480i. If you select "1080i", the STB will output 1080i even if the broadcast comes in at 720p. Whether you select 1080i or 720p is usually personal preference as it is sometimes extremely difficult to tell the difference between the two picture qualities.
Most HDTV programming is broadcast in 1080i format. ABC is the only network currently using 720p, and Fox uses 480p.
I couldn't record HD programming on my VCR. What should I do?
Refer to the HDT100 User Guide to ensure your VCR is connected correctly to the HDT100. If you continue to have problems, please refer to your VCR's User Manual for taping HD programming through an HD Off-Air Tuner.
Understanding Common TV Situations/Problems
Panasonic
Models affected:
4:3 RPTV's
Problem:
TV will not stay on 16:9 Format, when TV is turned off and back on, it defaults to 4:3 mode, on the HDTV input.
Solution:
This is a function of this TV that cannot be changed.
Mitsubishi
Models affected:
RPTV's with the "Integrated" HDTV decoder
Problem:
When tuning into an HD channel from an analog channel, the television takes a long time to "sync" on HD signal.
Solution:
This seems to be a problem with the TV that cannot be changed. Nothing can be done to fix this as of now. Non-integrated TV's are NOT affected.
Models affected:
Most RPTV HDTV's
Problem:
After connecting the HDT100 into the "DTV" input on the back of the TV, the picture is Mostly "Green" in color.
After connecting the HDT100 into the "DTV" input on the back of the TV, there isn't a selectable "DTV" input using the TV's remote "input" button.
Solution:
These problems happen when the TV's DTV input is set to "RGB" or "Off". Mitsubishi TV's can accept RGB/HV & Y/Pb/Pr into the "DTV" input and they can also turn off select inputs. These are selectable via the TV's Menu. To fix, go into the TV's "Menu" ' select "Setup" ' select "Input assignment" ' arrow to "DTV" ' you will see it say "Off" or "RGB" select "Y/Pb/Pr".
AKIA, Samsung, Phillips
Models affected:
Some
Problem:
When trying to view Analog channels through the HD input on the TV the picture is distorted, or doesn't come in at all.
Solution:
These TV's only accept 480p & 1080i on their HD input. To fix this you must set the "480 override" to "480p" & not "480i".
*Remember that when you set this to 480p, the on-screen info will NOT be displayed on the Analog outputs.
Models affected:
Certain high-end displays (typically plasma, projectors, LCD, etc.).
Problem:
The inputs on the back of the TV only have BNC style connectors instead of RCA style.
Solution:
You need to either get adapters that convert Male-RCA to Male-BNC, or get cables that have RCA style connectors on one end & BNC on the other. Visit a local electronic store to obtain these adapters.
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