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S3 Glitches - What Minor / Annoying Prolems Have You Had?

6K views 96 replies 39 participants last post by  Krenath 
#1 ·
Lot's of threads on major problems, but I wanted to start one on minor issues so we can share what we've run into and how the problems were resolved (assuming they were). I've had two so far:

1) A couple of days after setting up the unit (10 days ago), some channels would not tune in.... just got black screens. At one point there was a message that said: "There was a problem during authorization of this device. Please call your cable provider". I did (Cablevision in NJ). They set up an appointment. I also called Tivo - they said it was a problem with the cable card(s). On a lark, I simply rebooted the system (unplugged & reconnected the power) and after reinitializing everything was fine. So far the problem has not recurred (four days) and I canceled the service appointment.

2) This morning there was a glitch with audio. We were watching Today on NBC HD and all of a sudden the audio essentially cut out (there were a few "spurts" of intermittent sound). I changed the channel and that seemed to be all that was needed to correct the problem.

So far, these are the only issues we've run into. I realize this is a newly designed unit and some bugs are not to be unexpected. Still, after owning both an SD Tivo and a couple of DirecTivo's that were 100% problem-free (and spending a lot of money for the S3), it is annoying and disheartening to not be able to depend on the system just doing what it's supposed to do.

Your experiences?
 
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#77 ·
GoHokies! said:
Actually it does, it tells you that the service isn't down, so you have more troubleshooting to do.
By the time I'm posting here about an issue, I'm beyond trying to determine if it's the service being down (since if it were, there would be a few hundred complaints about it) and now lookng for specific troubleshooting information that might solve the problem for my Tivo.

But, according to Heather on Tivo Tier 2 technical support, the applications on the "Music, Photos, Products, & More" menu (aside from the items that connect you local network computers) connect to a Yahoo! application server. This server experienced a failure on December 29th and has been worked on since that time to restore functionality. It's partially functional now, but some items are still down or intermittent.

A little while ago, the title screen for Skull & Bones managed to pop up, but didn't get any further and then crapped out again.

On a separate problem, the "black screen on my second tuner" issue turns out to apparently be an instance of the "Disappearing Analog Channels" issue that version 8.1 software is supposed to address. Further testing revealed that none of my local cble channels display, but HDTV air channels display fine yet analog air channels also display a black screen.

Heather didn't mention a rollout date for 8.1 and says her information on the topic doesn't specify one, but says she's sure they'll roll it out "soon".
 
#78 ·
My only real problems are minor, but do frustrate. The first is seeking with FF / RWD. It's relatively ok in HD, but in SD there are major glitches. I'll see this weird multi-colored diagonal line reminiscent of old school channel encryption. It happens about 85% of the time when I fast forward. It is impossible to time the fast forwarding because it is sort of like a gap in time. If I go three frames past it, 30 seconds are bypassed. If I rewind those 3 frames, I end up having to watch a commercial for 25 seconds.

The other is really minor... Tivo online shows channels I don't receive OTA even though I've explicitly uncheck them as channels I receive. I think they are from milwaukee. I live 60 miles away in madison.
 
#80 ·
TAsunder said:
The other is really minor... Tivo online shows channels I don't receive OTA even though I've explicitly uncheck them as channels I receive. I think they are from milwaukee. I live 60 miles away in madison.
Tivo isn't wrong! You just need a bigger antenna!!! ;)
 
#81 ·
ADG said:
Okay, now I just had the pixelation problem reported by others. While watching a show there was sever pixelation accompanied by loss of sound. Eventually the screen froze. I've just done a warm reboot.
Would you be good enough to give us an update over the next couple days/however long this thread lasts as to if you no longer have the pixelation issue?

I would be suprised if that would fix the problem but I would welcome it if it were to resolve things. Also what kind of show HD? SD? I presume HD. Was it live or TV show?

Thanks

Craig
 
#82 ·
I was watching an old "The District" on SD (Biography Channel). After the reboot the problem continued for a few minutes - but now I'm not so sure it was the Tivo's fault. During the reboot I switched inputs and watched the show through my SA8300 and there was a brief recurrence of the pixelation there too. Once the show was over everything was fine. I tend to believe the problem was on the transmission end (at least I hope so). I will post back if the problem recurs.
 
#84 ·
ADG said:
Last night I tried to record two shows overnight only to find zero-length recordings (and a blank channel) this morning. Really starting to get annoying.
That explains why you had zero length recording. Blank channel. Not good, but I don't know who to point the blame at. I would guess cable card issue?

Hope you get it straightened out, ADG. I would be totally p.o.'d at this point if I were you.

On another thread I discovered why I have had 2 partial recordings on my S3 in the two months I've had it. It appears when an amber alert comes on and jumps the S3 to live, it stops the recording. I don't know if TiVo can do anything about this. I know it sucks.
 
#86 ·
hookbill - yes, I realize the zero-length recording is due to the blank channels - you were kind enough to point that out to me in another thread and I do appreciate it. And no, I'm not really pissed at this point, just annoyed. I checked the cc status before rebooting and both showed cp failure. After the restart both show cp authorization received and all channels appear to be working. This is happening every day or two.

I'm still within my 30 day return / exchange period, and I have not asked Cablevision for new cards yet. Based on the number of people with the same problem on this forum I have to believe this is a connectivity issue between Tivo and Cablevision and I'm hoping that 8.1 will indeed provide a fix. If not, well, I don't know.

Meanwhile, I was smart (or lucky) enough to program BOTH the series 3 and the 8300 to record the shows overnight just in case this happened :)
 
#87 ·
ADG said:
hookbill - yes, I realize the zero-length recording is due to the blank channels - you were kind enough to point that out to me in another thread and I do appreciate it. And no, I'm not really pissed at this point, just annoyed. I checked the cc status before rebooting and both showed cp failure. After the restart both show cp authorization received and all channels appear to be working. This is happening every day or two.

I'm still within my 30 day return / exchange period, and I have not asked Cablevision for new cards yet. Based on the number of people with the same problem on this forum I have to believe this is a connectivity issue between Tivo and Cablevision and I'm hoping that 8.1 will indeed provide a fix. If not, well, I don't know.

Meanwhile, I was smart (or lucky) enough to program BOTH the series 3 and the 8300 to record the shows overnight just in case this happened :)
I seem to recall a post about cablecards losing authorization on a particular cable system as being a tivo FW bug. I dont recall the specifics so some searching may be in order.
 
#88 ·
ADG said:
And no, I'm not really pissed at this point, just annoyed.
I was really pissed initially when it kept happening every day or two. So much so that I was at the point where I was going to return it and get my money back. But TiVo offerred to exchange the unit, and I went that route instead. It didn't fix the problem though.

Lately it has been better, meaning I only see the problem every 5-8 days, and even then only on one of my CableCARDs. Now I am just annoyed. I record most of the shows on both my S3 and S1, just to be safe.

I update a contact within TiVo every time I see the problem happen. They are definitely aware of this problem.
 
#90 ·
I get zero-length recordings because on the second tuner, the Tivo refuses to acknowledge the existence of analog signals even though the first tuner can see and record the signals just fine.

The second tuner will even refuse to display video/audio on HDTV channels that aren't actively broadcasting HD programs at the time.

The channel itself isn't blank, it's just the second tuner refusing to cooperate, an dno amount of rebooting or unplugging makes the slightest difference.

Yeah, I'm definitely hoping for 8.1, but it seems from forum posts and talking with Tivo support techs that 8.1 won't be out until after my brand-new unit's 30-day guarantee is over, meaning that if 8.1 doesn't magically fix my problem and the tuner really is bad, I'll be stuck with a nearly $800 tivo that's not even as functional as my Series 1 because it can't be trusted not to try to record an analog program on the second tuner.
 
#91 ·
Krenath said:
I get zero-length recordings because on the second tuner, the Tivo refuses to acknowledge the existence of analog signals even though the first tuner can see and record the signals just fine.

The second tuner will even refuse to display video/audio on HDTV channels that aren't actively broadcasting HD programs at the time.

The channel itself isn't blank, it's just the second tuner refusing to cooperate, an dno amount of rebooting or unplugging makes the slightest difference.

Yeah, I'm definitely hoping for 8.1, but it seems from forum posts and talking with Tivo support techs that 8.1 won't be out until after my brand-new unit's 30-day guarantee is over, meaning that if 8.1 doesn't magically fix my problem and the tuner really is bad, I'll be stuck with a nearly $800 tivo that's not even as functional as my Series 1 because it can't be trusted not to try to record an analog program on the second tuner.
I would contact TiVo about a return. It sounds to me like you have a bad unit.
 
#92 ·
ADG said:
Last night I tried to record two shows overnight only to find zero-length recordings (and a blank channel) this morning. Really starting to get annoying.
I was having the same problem initially with my Cable Cards. They replaced the cable cards that were in question and so far no problems in a month or so. I'd call your cable provider and see if they can help. it worked for me. In fact, virutally ALL of the problems I was having initially seemed to be linked to the Cable Company and in particular the Cable Cards. Blank screens are more than likely the fault of the Cable Cards.
 
#94 ·
Higuchem said:
Has anyone been getting grey screen when changing channels or menus for a second and then goest back to normal? Does anyone knows how to fix it?
This has been explained a thousand times. Use the search.
 
#95 ·
OK. Here's a problem I haven't seen.
I had 3 what I believe are corrupted recordings this week.
They were, CSI (Wednesday), Num3ers (Friday) and Law and Order (Friday).
All recorded from HD channels.
When I started playing CSI, the time bar did not have the green bar and it started at 29 minutes (and it was half way though the show) even though the TiVo showed it had recorded for 1 hour. When we tried to fast forwarded, it would only allow the first fast forwarded. If we tried the second or third fast forward, the video would freeze and pressing play would start from the beginning.
Numb3rs started from 19 minutes with the same results.
Law and Order started from the beginning but the fast forward also had similar issues.
Also, when we tried to leave the shows part way through, the S3 would ask if we want to delete the show like we was near the end (even though we were near the start).
The pixelation problem seems to be more prominent as well.
I call Time Warner Cable out and they said the signals are all good and said it was a TiVo problem. The tech said he had two other S3 customers with the same problem and tried to suggest I sell the S3 and get their unit (damn cheek).
 
#96 ·
2farrell said:
OK. Here's a problem I haven't seen.
I had 3 what I believe are corrupted recordings this week.
They were, CSI (Wednesday), Num3ers (Friday) and Law and Order (Friday).
All recorded from HD channels.
When I started playing CSI, the time bar did not have the green bar and it started at 29 minutes (and it was half way though the show) even though the TiVo showed it had recorded for 1 hour. When we tried to fast forwarded, it would only allow the first fast forwarded. If we tried the second or third fast forward, the video would freeze and pressing play would start from the beginning.
Numb3rs started from 19 minutes with the same results.
Law and Order started from the beginning but the fast forward also had similar issues.
Also, when we tried to leave the shows part way through, the S3 would ask if we want to delete the show like we was near the end (even though we were near the start).
The pixelation problem seems to be more prominent as well.
I call Time Warner Cable out and they said the signals are all good and said it was a TiVo problem. The tech said he had two other S3 customers with the same problem and tried to suggest I sell the S3 and get their unit (damn cheek).
I also recorded those shows and am just up the road from you in Apex. I just checked CSI and N3umbers and they seemed fine. I didnt watch them all the way thru - just fast forwarded and then used the 15min skip to go thru to the end. Im watching Law and Order now and it had pixelation in it but it was recorded when it was pouring rain which may have had something to do with it. Note that I record local HD's OTA instead of using TWC's feed.
 
#97 ·
Yay. Comcast tech finally shows up and 'installs' a pair of cablecards for me and my 'Missing Analog Video' problem pretty much disappeared.

I can now get video on any program on any channel I can receive.

Not quite sure what the cablecards had to do with it, exactly, but then I wasn't really sure why my second tuner decided to ignore analog signals in the first place.

Slowly, my S3 is working its way up to full functionality. I guess all that's left is for TiVo to get over the legal hurdles and enable all the purposefully-disabled stuff.
 
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