Static, grey screens, and picture loss

[wflanagan]

Well, with my new iPhone 3GS I finally feel like I can post this thread.

Since I purchased my Tivo Series 3, I've had intermittent (but daily) problems with static on all channels, and the screen "disappearing" to black, and then gray static screening out.

If I pull the HDMI cable out of the TV, and put it back in.. it gets better for a bit (a few hours). Then it continues. It deteriorates over a couple of days to the point where the TV is unwatchable, and we have to reboot.

Then, the problem is usually OK for about 1 day. Then, it starts all over again.

I've "linked" to 3 videos displaying the problem from yesterday, in case my description of it doesn't fit up with how others would describe it.

w*w.findfind.biz/tivo/IMG_0051.MOV
Staticy flickering, screen blanks. Happens right before it goes to a gray static screen. Happens basically regularly.

w*w.findfind.biz/tivo/IMG_0052.MOV
Screen blanks to black, like an HDMI issue

w*w.findfind.biz/tivo/IMG_0053.MOV
Goes to a gray static screen, sound is still on.

My complete setup is that the HDMI goes through a Denon 3808 receiver. It doesn't do this on other inputs.

Hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction. Thanks!

[bkdtv]

That looks like some sort of HDMI interoperability issue. I don't suppose you are able to temporarily unplug the HDMI cable from the your TV to the TiVo to see if you see the same behavior?

Generally, Denon A/V receivers tend to have very solid HDMI implementations. I also own a Denon AVR-3808ci (latest firmware) and have no problems with a Pioneer KURO. Have you updated to the latest firmware on your Denon? I know the original firmware for the 3808ci had a number of bugs that Denon has since addressed through several free updates.

To rule out any video processing issues on the Denon, I would set the AVR-3808ci to passthrough video as is without processing. You'll really want to do that anyway, because the Faroudja processor in the 3808 degrades (rather than improving) HD signals. If you don't know how to do that, send me a PM and I'll help.

[wflanagan]

When i bypass, going direct, no issues. Clean picture and sound. I've also turned off all "processing" to see if that helps. Still occurs.

Thanks for posting! Any other thoughts?

[bkdtv]

When i bypass, going direct, no issues. Clean picture and sound. I've also turned off all "processing" to see if that helps. Still occurs. So you updated to the latest firmware on the Denon using the ethernet update function? That's the first thing I would do.

On my Denon 3808ci, I set TiVo Source -> Other -> Video Convert -> Off. I also set Manual Setup -> HDMI Setup -> i/p Scaler -> Off, and HDMI Control -> Off. Did you try that? People have noted that power consumption (and heat) falls significantly with HDMI Control -> Off.

When testing, you're always using the same HDMI input, correct? When you connect the TiVo directly, you're using the same HDMI input on the TV that was used by the Denon? This is important to rule out some TV setting as the cause, because modern TVs store separate settings for every input.

Is your 3808 well-ventilated? IIRC, a few people on AVS had some HDMI sync issues that they attributed to overheating.

I assume you've also tried a different HDMI cable.