Color Fading / Snowy Picture - DTV Tivo Model SD DVR80

[cws1970]

On occasion my TV picture is snowy and other times the color fades to various random shades. This occurs only when watching DTV via a Hughes SD DVR80 box. It occurs whether I am actually watching TV or if I am in the Tivo menu. If I put a DVD on, the picture is fine (so I don't think I have a television set issue). Audio is always fine. The problem is not constant but it is happening at least every week or so (randon times and weather as far as I can tell). The bedroom TV (not a Tivo box) does not have this issue. I am just looking for a starting point to troubleshoot the problem (i.e. connections, box hardware, etc).

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[rbtravis]

On occasion my TV picture is snowy and other times the color fades to various random shades. This occurs only when watching DTV via a Hughes SD DVR80 box. It occurs whether I am actually watching TV or if I am in the Tivo menu. If I put a DVD on, the picture is fine (so I don't think I have a television set issue). Audio is always fine. The problem is not constant but it is happening at least every week or so (randon times and weather as far as I can tell). The bedroom TV (not a Tivo box) does not have this issue. I am just looking for a starting point to troubleshoot the problem (i.e. connections, box hardware, etc).

Thanks in advance for any ideas.The color fading can usually cleared by hitting the pause button the releasing after 2 seconds. How old is your hard drive. If it is the original it may be the problem. The older drives were 5400 rpm, the new drives are 7200 rpm. Remember drives tend to slow down with age. Hard drives are usually 75% of the problems with TiVo's. If you have ruled those out all that is left is the motherboard.A good place to have that repaired is http://www.ccscorporation.net/dss.htm They are reasonable and fairly quick. Its the green thing to do. :D Much better than Ebay as all you are doing there is getting someone else's problems.:eek:
If you need a new drive.
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/5090665
Snowy picture probably tuner.

[JimSpence]

The first thing I'd check are the connections between the TiVo and the TV. Make sure they are secure.

A hard drive failure would present pixelation, not snowy or fading pictures.

[ms6480]

Colors on my TiVo have been fading and the picture eventually goes to total black and white. I first tried switching to a S video cable. That improved the picture quality and made the image not be distorted along with being black and white. Now it is a clear black and white image when this problem arises. If I restart the system through the TiVo Central software or pull the plug and re-plug, the picture returns to color. I discovered a much faster fix is to go to Standby and then exit Standby. This also returns the unit to a color picture. TiVo tech support has suggested that the only fix they have is to exchange the box. If the problem continues, I will take them up on that option. By the way, I am already on my second unit since September 2007. The hard drive died in my first one.

[Dkerr24]

Colors on my TiVo have been fading and the picture eventually goes to total black and white. I first tried switching to a S video cable. That improved the picture quality and made the image not be distorted along with being black and white. Now it is a clear black and white image when this problem arises. If I restart the system through the TiVo Central software or pull the plug and re-plug, the picture returns to color. I discovered a much faster fix is to go to Standby and then exit Standby. This also returns the unit to a color picture. TiVo tech support has suggested that the only fix they have is to exchange the box. If the problem continues, I will take them up on that option. By the way, I am already on my second unit since September 2007. The hard drive died in my first one.

You sure you actually have a Directv with Tivo unit? If Directv sent you a replacement in Sept 2007, it was a R15 unit which is a NDS unit, not Tivo.

[cws1970]

Since my original post and tightening the connections in the back, my problem pretty much disappeared (of course now that I am typing this, it will return). I am still thinking about switching to S-video cables, though, but since I am one of the cavemen who still does not have a high-def, flat screen TV, true perfect picture quality is not my main goal right now. The color fading was quite annoying, however.

[dtremain]

I am still thinking about switching to S-video cables, though, but since I am one of the cavemen who still does not have a high-def, flat screen TV, true perfect picture quality is not my main goal right now. An S-video cable would be well worth the price of a few dollars to buy it and a few minutes to hook it up. It is not for hi-def. It is the best way to send the picture for standard def and I think you would be plesaed you bothered.

[CrashHD]

I thought component (not composite) was supposed to be better than s-vid. I just recently got a tv with a composite input, but I'm using s-vid because it was the cable I already had.
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<smack forehead> dtivo's don't do component. I guess that's means it's free when I get around to adding the dvd player</smack forehead>

[JimSpence]

Typically, s-video is the better connection. However, depending on the source and the TV, you may not see much of a difference.

[dtremain]

Typically, s-video is the better connection. However, depending on the source and the TV, you may not see much of a difference.Okay. with both my TV's, an old CRT and a hi-def LCD, it makes a considerable difference displaying SD Directv. The LCD is getting Hi-Def programming ota.

[JimSpence]

So, you made my case. :) And, you aren't using either s-video or composite video for your LCD TV.