Very Aggravated !!!! - Blu-ray Forum

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 05:41 PM

So my cable box constantly loses video signal via hdmi cable. The screen will go black but audio will remain and usually the only way to retrieve signal again is to cycle through my reciever until i reach the hdmi input again. In turn the video will come back but only for awhile. so i call bright house and they sent a technician out today to "fix" the problem. He comes inside and and turns the cable box around and goes"well there ya go, one of those silver tipped cheapy hdmi cable." He proceeds to ask me what i payed for it and i told him $40 at wal-mart. He tells me thats the problem for all of this and i need a $140 monster hdmi cable. I laughed and said "oh man you are suckered in by that bullshit." I said "dude its all the same, dont waste your money." So he goes to his truck and grabs a solid black hdmi brighthouse tester cable and comes back in. We A&B with his cable and mine and his works fine and mine keeps blacking out the picture. On the last test (i made him do it like 5 times) his blacks out as well and mine shows the picture. He still insists its my "cheap" cable and i need to spend about $140 to fix this problem. Well **** him hahaha. He trys to compare and contrast tv's with hdmi cables. He says "well you have a really nice tv that you couldnt buy in wal mart, its the same with cables, you spend more you get more." Seriously guy, come on!!! My only thought possibly and i doubt it, is that a "cheaper" cable isnt built as rugged as a pricier one? Now i sound as dumb as him. Any and all feed back and suggestions on my box blacking out is much appreciated. This guy just put me in a bad mood on a day i was enjoying . . . Thank you.

Uniquely · 11-05-2008, 05:44 PM

Your tech was an idiot, and you have a bad box. Make them give you a replacement box.

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinandtami

Your tech was an idiot, and you have a bad box. Make them give you a replacement box.

i have had 3 replacements already. my wife is on his damn side and is convinced its our cable. more solid proof people!! haha the wife needs proof!!

Steve · 11-05-2008, 05:50 PM

I agree. Switch out your box and see what happens. If that doesn't work, then maybe the problem is with that input on your receiver. Even the guys at Cnet, who are constantly swapping out cables and put them through more wear than all of us combined ever will, say to use the cheap cables.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11276_7...content;rb_mtx

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtothecanvas

i have had 3 replacements already. my wife is on his damn side and is convinced its our cable. more solid proof people!! haha the wife needs proof!!

also if the hdmi cable transfers audio and video signal in the same cable why would JUST the video go out? The audio always remains even with a black screen.

brett_day · 11-05-2008, 05:53 PM

all the explinations have been in regards to the cable box or HDMI Cable.....maybe it is your TV? have you tried a different HDMI input on your TV? Just a thought...

Uniquely · 11-05-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtothecanvas

i have had 3 replacements already. my wife is on his damn side and is convinced its our cable. more solid proof people!! haha the wife needs proof!!

I've had to replace the sat box in my bedroom three times and the one in my living room twice. I still think it's the box. Were all three of your replacements for the same issue? Did the issue get better with replacement and then come back? Or did the issue remain even after the replacements?

Steve · 11-05-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtothecanvas

also if the hdmi cable transfers audio and video signal in the same cable why would JUST the video go out? The audio always remains even with a black screen.

They're carried over the same cable, but there are quite a few wires in an HDMI cable. It's possible that just the right wire in the cable is damaged or that there's a problem with that particular input on your receiver. Have you tried switching to a different HDMI input on your receiver? I seriously doubt it's the cable, though, since the tech's did it too.

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett_day

all the explinations have been in regards to the cable box or HDMI Cable.....maybe it is your TV? have you tried a different HDMI input on your TV? Just a thought...

its def not the tv because the hdmi goes from the cable box to the receiver, not to the tv.

brett_day · 11-05-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtothecanvas

its def not the tv because the hdmi goes from the cable box to the receiver, not to the tv.

maybe the receiver is on the fritz....easy way to find out is to just run the cable box straight to the tv and bypass the receiver. if issue clears up then it is your receiver

Zman2k2 · 11-05-2008, 05:59 PM

If you're running the signal through the A/V receiver, then to the TV, there is a possibility that it's the receiver that's the problem. If the scaling chip is screwed in the receiver, the picture might go blank while the audio would continue to come through. Cycleing through the inputs would allow the chip to cool, or reset, and then the picture comes back for a time. I would try it directly connected to the TV, or try another input on the receiver.

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinandtami

I've had to replace the sat box in my bedroom three times and the one in my living room twice. I still think it's the box. Were all three of your replacements for the same issue? Did the issue get better with replacement and then come back? Or did the issue remain even after the replacements?

yes each replacement was for the same thing. i had one box that never messed up but i moved and lost the box due to county changes. i suppose its possible that its the hdmi input on the receiver, after all it is a samsung htib, but i have never had a problem with it in any other regards. I dont have a spare receiver handy to A&B with hahaha. I really wish all electronics could receive internet firmware updates, that would be amazing.

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett_day

maybe the receiver is on the fritz....easy way to find out is to just run the cable box straight to the tv and bypass the receiver. if issue clears up then it is your receiver

unfortunately its a very large wall mounted tv lol, easier said then done.

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

If you're running the signal through the A/V receiver, then to the TV, there is a possibility that it's the receiver that's the problem. If the scaling chip is screwed in the receiver, the picture might go blank while the audio would continue to come through. Cycleing through the inputs would allow the chip to cool, or reset, and then the picture comes back for a time. I would try it directly connected to the TV, or try another input on the receiver.

i think its time for the new onkyo 806 anyways. maybe the wife will allow it seeing as our current one sucks hahaha.

brett_day · 11-05-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtothecanvas

unfortunately its a very large wall mounted tv lol, easier said then done.

well that sucks

other than giving that a go, i do not know any other way to eliminate and isolate the problem, unless you can get hold of a friends receiver to give that a try

Warjack Prime · 11-05-2008, 06:13 PM

I had a similar problem that I resolved by upgrading my receiver to lessen the load on the TV. The problem was originally happening with my HD DVD player. The picture would just go black for a few minutes and then return and it would repeat that over and over, but only with the HD DVD player.

I returned the HD DVD player but it didn't fix the problem. I tried other HDMI cables but that didn't help. Then it started happening on my PS3 (never my DVR though). I upgraded my older Denon receiver to the new 3808CI and used video switching which allowed me to only have one HDMI cable going to the TV instead of 3 (plus 2 component). That fixed the problem.

I have a Westinghouse TV so I think although the TV has 4 HDMI inputs I don't think it could handle it. I'm not saying it's your TV but it could be. Also, it's not the HDMI cable. I used expensive and cheap ones and it didn't matter.

Do you have multiple HDMI cables running into your TV?

FreddieFerric · 11-05-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

...Even the guys at Cnet, who are constantly swapping out cables and put them through more wear than all of us combined ever will, say to use the cheap cables.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11276_7...content;rb_mtx

Thanks for that link. It should be required reading for all.

As to the problem of blackouts, I had that same experience in the past. It is typically a software compatibility issue in either the cable box or the receiver. I realize the tv is a wall mount, but I have to echo the other suggestion that you really need to run the cable straight from the cable box to the tv to see if the problem persists. Something tells me it will go away. If that's the case, then the selling job on a new receiver just got a whole lot easier.

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warjack Prime

I had a similar problem that I resolved by upgrading my receiver to lessen the load on the TV. The problem was originally happening with my HD DVD player. The picture would just go black for a few minutes and then return and it would repeat that over and over, but only with the HD DVD player.

I returned the HD DVD player but it didn't fix the problem. I tried other HDMI cables but that didn't help. Then it started happening on my PS3 (never my DVR though). I upgraded my older Denon receiver to the new 3808CI and used video switching which allowed me to only have one HDMI cable going to the TV instead of 3 (plus 2 component). That fixed the problem.

I have a Westinghouse TV so I think although the TV has 4 HDMI inputs I don't think it could handle it. I'm not saying it's your TV but it could be. Also, it's not the HDMI cable. I used expensive and cheap ones and it didn't matter.

Do you have multiple HDMI cables running into your TV?

If i ran hdmi straight to tv from cable box i would lose cable through the home theatre and be reduced to tv speakers when watching tv.

FreddieFerric · 11-05-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtothecanvas

If i ran hdmi straight to tv from cable box i would lose cable through the home theatre and be reduced to tv speakers when watching tv.

I think this is only being suggested as a temporary test scenario. You need to find out where the broken link in the chain is.

backtothecanvas · 11-05-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluRayFred

I think this is only being suggested as a temporary test scenario. You need to find out where the broken link in the chain is.

ok gotcha. im going downstairs to check now, i think i actually have an hdmi slot on the side of my tv.

11-05-2008, 05:41 PM	#1
backtothecanvas Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Home Theater Gallery:20	Very Aggravated !!!! So my cable box constantly loses video signal via hdmi cable. The screen will go black but audio will remain and usually the only way to retrieve signal again is to cycle through my reciever until i reach the hdmi input again. In turn the video will come back but only for awhile. so i call bright house and they sent a technician out today to "fix" the problem. He comes inside and and turns the cable box around and goes"well there ya go, one of those silver tipped cheapy hdmi cable." He proceeds to ask me what i payed for it and i told him $40 at wal-mart. He tells me thats the problem for all of this and i need a $140 monster hdmi cable. I laughed and said "oh man you are suckered in by that bullshit." I said "dude its all the same, dont waste your money." So he goes to his truck and grabs a solid black hdmi brighthouse tester cable and comes back in. We A&B with his cable and mine and his works fine and mine keeps blacking out the picture. On the last test (i made him do it like 5 times) his blacks out as well and mine shows the picture. He still insists its my "cheap" cable and i need to spend about $140 to fix this problem. Well **** him hahaha. He trys to compare and contrast tv's with hdmi cables. He says "well you have a really nice tv that you couldnt buy in wal mart, its the same with cables, you spend more you get more." Seriously guy, come on!!! My only thought possibly and i doubt it, is that a "cheaper" cable isnt built as rugged as a pricier one? Now i sound as dumb as him. Any and all feed back and suggestions on my box blacking out is much appreciated. This guy just put me in a bad mood on a day i was enjoying . . . Thank you.

11-05-2008, 06:13 PM	#16
Warjack Prime Senior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:*Omaha, NE USA PSN Network: WarjackPrime Blu-ray collection:172 Trading Score:2	I had a similar problem that I resolved by upgrading my receiver to lessen the load on the TV. The problem was originally happening with my HD DVD player. The picture would just go black for a few minutes and then return and it would repeat that over and over, but only with the HD DVD player. I returned the HD DVD player but it didn't fix the problem. I tried other HDMI cables but that didn't help. Then it started happening on my PS3 (never my DVR though). I upgraded my older Denon receiver to the new 3808CI and used video switching which allowed me to only have one HDMI cable going to the TV instead of 3 (plus 2 component). That fixed the problem. I have a Westinghouse TV so I think although the TV has 4 HDMI inputs I don't think it could handle it. I'm not saying it's your TV but it could be. Also, it's not the HDMI cable. I used expensive and cheap ones and it didn't matter. Do you have multiple HDMI cables running into your TV? Last edited by Warjack Prime; 11-05-2008 at 06:17 PM.

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11-05-2008, 05:44 PM	#2
Uniquely Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Mobile, AL Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:171	Your tech was an idiot, and you have a bad box. Make them give you a replacement box.

11-05-2008, 05:50 PM	#4
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	I agree. Switch out your box and see what happens. If that doesn't work, then maybe the problem is with that input on your receiver. Even the guys at Cnet, who are constantly swapping out cables and put them through more wear than all of us combined ever will, say to use the cheap cables. http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11276_7...content;rb_mtx

11-05-2008, 05:53 PM	#6
brett_day Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Moore, Oklahoma Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray collection:45 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	all the explinations have been in regards to the cable box or HDMI Cable.....maybe it is your TV? have you tried a different HDMI input on your TV? Just a thought...

11-05-2008, 05:59 PM	#11
Zman2k2 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Calgary, Canada Home Theater Gallery:5 Blu-ray collection:136 Trading Score:54	If you're running the signal through the A/V receiver, then to the TV, there is a possibility that it's the receiver that's the problem. If the scaling chip is screwed in the receiver, the picture might go blank while the audio would continue to come through. Cycleing through the inputs would allow the chip to cool, or reset, and then the picture comes back for a time. I would try it directly connected to the TV, or try another input on the receiver.

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