'Flickering' on BD playback?

[Proteus]

I've had a new issue pop up recently on my PS3 while watching BD's.

It seems an odd 'flickering' happens throughout some BD's.

I checked the usuals... Cables, etc. Then I started getting more detailed.

Turns out the 'flickering' happens at the exact same spot on the BD's each time.

I've only noticed it happening a couple times during Happy Feet; however, tonight watching a new copy of Flight of the Phoenix it was completely off the hook throughout the movie, particularly in the last scene in track 34.

The BD's have no signs of any damage at all and are pristine (Flight of Phoenix being brand new out of the package). Yet, all I can think is that these must be bad BD's, though through all my research this seems to be a _very_ low probability and even lower since two BD's now have shown the issue and one of them, Happy Feet, did not have the issue during first viewing prior to latest firmware from Sony.

Finally, I have played several other BD's without flickering. Enter the Dragon and Night at the Museum being among the most recent. This leads me to believe it's not simply a 'dirty eye' at this point (plus, the non-randomness of events when it occurs).

The signal is running into a Sony Amp via component and into a Panasonic 50" plasma (1080i source from PS3). The PS3 runs cool and has never had heat issues. When the 'flickering' occurs there is no picture freezing or loss of audio... it seriously looks like it is simply a 'short in the line'. I'm at a loss.

What am I missing here?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

(First time post, long time reader, can't keep up with all the forums I'm on so never got around to registering until now)

[Ascended_Saiyan]

I would try it bypassing the A/V receiver (go straight into the TV via component) and see if it still happens on Happy Feet. If it does, replace the component cables or use the HDMI connector if possible (to see if that solves the issue).

Another option would be to change the video to a lower resolution, then change it back to 1080i.

[Filterlab]

It could just be a touch of motion judder. Part of the pulldown process.

[Proteus]

The 'flickering' is along the lines of the screen going temporarily black, often with residual artifacts present (this is only for a quick flash). The 'artifacts' are usually a white line of some sort and some color bar looking stuff (majority is black however). It looks exactly how I would imagine a short would look or some type of interference.

It's driving me crazy.

[BTBuck1]

I guess we need a more accurate description of whats happening.
I know in the past, when I've went through a receiver or switchers with analog sources (component video) it introduced weird anomalies I wasn't happy with such as vertical roll, and ringing type effects. Each and every time I went from Source directly to TV it cured the problem. SO I would say, that would be a start...I know it's convenient using your receiver, but it may not be optimal.

[chawknz]

I have the same problem when viewing HD content at 1080i. Thin white lines seem to do it the most, but it also happens with some greens, especially out door jungle scenes (Lost is really bad with flickering).

Someone has said it has to do with the way the TV does interlacing. A lot of TVs have failed interlacing tests, my Samsung included, so the flickering is bad at 1080i. If I watch something at 720p, it's not bad at all. Unfortunately the PS3 doesn't support 720p Blu-Ray playback, so that's a bit of a bummer.

Adjusting the brightness/contrast/sharpness of the TV helped a bit, but some shots in movies cause the entire screen to flicker and it stands out like a sore thumb to me. A great example is the third chapter of The Prestige when the far away shot starts to close in on the moving train. All the trees around the train flicker. Also in Planet Earth's "From Pole to Pole" when they show the first shot of birds migrating.. the smaller the birds get, the more they flicker.

It's enough to make me save up to get a new TV, especially one that does 1080p.

[Proteus]

The flickering is full screen... Not just on objects or colors.

I've tried the cables in all ways possible to no effect.

I can play videos or games or whatever off the PS3 fine for most things... After going back a day later and going to a particularly bad chapter (34) in Flight of the Phoenix I noticed the flickers were no longer in the same places. So, it's random. Since other blurays, etc., do not have the flicker it's pretty safe to say it's not 'outside' the ps3 but something going on in it (like the old problem of freezing up the screen sometimes if you were connected online while watching a bluray).

The only remaining explanation I can find currently is that a rogue cathair, or some foreign object, managed to get inside the drive and is messing with the laser... hence, the randomness. Been trying to find a solution to try and clean it but not sure how I can do that. Maybe I'll just twist the unit all around and hope it 'falls' to a safe spot inside, ha!

[thunderhawk]

If it were just that easy...

[Filterlab]

I haven't tried it, but is there a setting on the PS3 where you can tell it which type of output your display has?

i.e. If you selected 720p only, would the PS3 output Blu-ray at 720p?

I'm going to have a dig about tonight.

[john_1958]

Originally Posted by Proteus

I've had a new issue pop up recently on my PS3 while watching BD's.

It seems an odd 'flickering' happens throughout some BD's.

I checked the usuals... Cables, etc. Then I started getting more detailed.

Turns out the 'flickering' happens at the exact same spot on the BD's each time.

I've only noticed it happening a couple times during Happy Feet; however, tonight watching a new copy of Flight of the Phoenix it was completely off the hook throughout the movie, particularly in the last scene in track 34.

The BD's have no signs of any damage at all and are pristine (Flight of Phoenix being brand new out of the package). Yet, all I can think is that these must be bad BD's, though through all my research this seems to be a _very_ low probability and even lower since two BD's now have shown the issue and one of them, Happy Feet, did not have the issue during first viewing prior to latest firmware from Sony.

Finally, I have played several other BD's without flickering. Enter the Dragon and Night at the Museum being among the most recent. This leads me to believe it's not simply a 'dirty eye' at this point (plus, the non-randomness of events when it occurs).

The signal is running into a Sony Amp via component and into a Panasonic 50" plasma (1080i source from PS3). The PS3 runs cool and has never had heat issues. When the 'flickering' occurs there is no picture freezing or loss of audio... it seriously looks like it is simply a 'short in the line'. I'm at a loss.

What am I missing here?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

(First time post, long time reader, can't keep up with all the forums I'm on so never got around to registering until now)

I suggest cleaning the disc could be a smudge on the BD disc or a scratch

[scook]

Originally Posted by Proteus

(like the old problem of freezing up the screen sometimes if you were connected online while watching a bluray).

WOW way off subject but I looked for the thread and never found it but it makes me so happpy because that is exactly what I thought was happening (internet connected) I took back the Departed because it got stuck, It was driving me crazy.

-Cook

[Proteus]

Discs have been thoroughly cleaned and are in pristine condition. Flight of the Phoenix did it after a approximately three inch long trip from box (after opening) to ps3 intake and is the worst offender so far.

[Deciazulado]

Have you tried turning Networking off, and having the PS3 in a well ventilated place (I have mine standing up, but one time when the room A/C was off and room temps were in the 90's it flickered for a moment after playing a long movie. Has never happened again with that title or any other title)

[Proteus]

It sits completely out in the open on the floor with air moving all around it.

I've turned networking off too...

Just baffling at this point.

[HDViewer]

Have you tried a can of CO2? A slight burst of air from that might move the cat hair off the lens.

But take care NOT to blast the compressed air directly on the lens.