[harsh]

Dish says it's the HDMI cable (untouched since installation) and a service person told me next time it happens ask for a replacement unit. A Dish tech. supervisor told me to use composite cables.

Both of these suggestions are valid. HDMI is pretty tightly coupled with the TV and the connectors used in the ViP622 have a track record for poor reliability.

I'd try to impress upon them that you have a lemon and that a replacement is needed. Tell them that your display doesn't have component capability so they'll shut up about that.

Speaking of close coupled HDMI, what brand is your display?

 

[harsh]

The display is a Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK (commercial HD Plasma with user selectable input circuit boards).

With some of the more rarified equipment, there may be HDCP compatibility issues. Probably not with a Panasonic, but maybe.