[lorelevitt]

Since the 9.1 update was released last week, my S3 continues to drop HDMI-output signal and then go unresponsive to the remote or on-unit controls. The only resolution from the "screen of black" is to unplug the unit.

Last night I downloaded and updated the S3 to 9.2j. This does NOT resolve the problem. HDMI signal output still random drops even when I'm not formally recording anything.

This morning I was playing back a program I recorded last night (standard definition program). About 1/2 way through-- the screen went black, the receiver reported no signal and the unit was unresponsive until it the power plug was pulled and it was rebooted. I've added all this to my case number but it doesn't seem that anyone at TiVo is treating this as a high priority item.

Meanwhile, I've decided to pull the HDMI connection and hook it up via component+optical audio. Tonight I'll see if I still get the Screen of Black or the problem introduced in 9.1 is an HDMI/HDCP issue. I'll post a followup over the weekend.

I still can't believe the QA on the 9.1/9.2 release. I guess they have a bunch of monkeys sitting around the room and banging on remotes to test their software.

 

[bkdtv]

This appears to be a HDMI compatibility issue with a small minority of displays.

The box isn't unresponsive, you just can't see the video on your screen. In another thread, a member reported that they were able to regain video by unplugging and replugging in the HDMI cable. A reboot wasn't necessary.

You might try switching video inputs on your TV (i.e. switch to HDMI2 then back to HDMI1) to see if that fixes the problem. You might also try a different HDMI cable; it's possible that your current HDMI cable could be contributing too the problem.

 

[pagefault]

This appears to be a HDMI compatibility issue with a small minority of displays.

The box isn't unresponsive, you just can't see the video on your screen. In another thread, a member reported that they were able to regain video by unplugging and replugging in the HDMI cable. A reboot wasn't necessary.

You might try switching video inputs on your TV (i.e. switch to HDMI2 then back to HDMI1) to see if that fixes the problem. You might also try a different HDMI cable; it's possible that your current HDMI cable could be contributing too the problem.

This has happened to me, and no amount of cable switching or power cycling of the TV or receiver was able to bring the video back. Only rebooting the Tivo fixed the problem.

On the plus side, recordings that were occuring at the time were fine. I couldn't see anything, but it was being recorded.

 

[jaredmwright]

My TiVo Series 3 HD downloaded 9.2j today and afterwords, everything was working fine until half way through watching a program the screen went black and I lost all audio. The TiVo seemed OK and after I switched to a different HDMI input and then back, it was OK.

I sure hope this bug gets fixed soon, it is a showstopper.

I guess what bothers me is that I have signed up for beta testing and never been contacted, yet whoever is involved in the latest beta testing is not catching quite a few bugs.

Also, there is still a problem with menu navigation while in "Find Programs", if you go to any items listed underneath "To Do List", when you return it always highlights the "To Do List" instead of staying on the last option you selected.

I hope TiVo is monitoring these threads to fix these issues.

 

[mikesay98]

This is happening to me as well. Unplugging the HDMI cable did nothing to fix the problem. I don't see how replacing the HDMI cable would fix this...I'm using the cable that came with my S3. Additionally, I have the audio through optical going into my stereo, and that cuts out as well, so it can't be an HDMI problem as well, it has to be one with TiVo. Does rebooting the unit fix the problem altogether? I know after a minute or so, the box starts to send a signal again.

 

[jaredmwright]

Try changing the input on your TV, that is what I did. I didn't try to unplug my HDMI. I also use optical to my receiver from my TiVo and I lose all sound as well.

 

[Gai-jin]

I'm getting this same issue, but using component cables through my receiver to the TV.

HDMI is connected, but not doing much good since adding the cablecards to the mix (another thread...) Unless the TiVo is blocking all video and menu backgrounds, but not the menus themselves, on all outputs, based on something funny in the HDMI, I'm not sure why this would be an issue.


ETA: This happened both with the 8.1 that shipped with my TivoHD and with 9.2 that it updated to last night.

 

[Joybob]

Try changing the input on your TV, that is what I did. I didn't try to unplug my HDMI. I also use optical to my receiver from my TiVo and I lose all sound as well.

Firmware upgrade for the television mebe?

 

[SCSIRAID]

Any chance you guys have the same displays?

 

[Gai-jin]

Doubtful. Toshiba 46H84 series, just over 2 years old.

 

[pagefault]

I'm getting this same issue, but using component cables through my receiver to the TV.

HDMI is connected, but not doing much good since adding the cablecards to the mix (another thread...) Unless the TiVo is blocking all video and menu backgrounds, but not the menus themselves, on all outputs, based on something funny in the HDMI, I'm not sure why this would be an issue.

ETA: This happened both with the 8.1 that shipped with my TivoHD and with 9.2 that it updated to last night.

If you're seeing menus, I'm not sure you're seeing the same issue as the rest of us. When this happens to me, there is no video output whatsoever.

 

[mikesay98]

I have a Westinghouse. This doesn't seem to be a TV-specific problem. Also, changing the input on the TV does nothing, as I tried that the last time it happened (last night) and it did nothing to fix it.

I'll also add that it was recording Ugly Betty last night during the TiVo "blackout" and it did NOT record during the time it was blacked out, though the LED screen in the front of the unit continued to display it.

Additionally, the TV never sensed a cutout from the TiVo. That is, on my other inputs the TV will tell me when no signal is being received. It said no such thing on HDMI, so it's still receiving a signal from the TiVo. This all really leads me to believe it is a TiVo problem, not one with the cable or the TV itself.

This also never happened to me before (that I know of, at least) since last night. My 9.1 update was several days ago, and my Rhapsody update was probably three days ago. I have yet to receive 9.2, but it sounds to me like it won't help.

 

[dickweis]

When I turned on my screen today I could see normal video, but the Tivo would not respond to the remote. Unplug reboot #1 showed me the "Just a few more minutes" screen and then briefly showed me the main menu before it went black. Unplug reboot number 2 shows nothing on my screen.

I am using component outputs and an unmodified unit.

Bummer.

 

[Gai-jin]

If you're seeing menus, I'm not sure you're seeing the same issue as the rest of us. When this happens to me, there is no video output whatsoever.

Ahh, my mistake then. I thought this was the same issue where the screen goes all grey or black, with tivo menus over top of it, but no backgrounds or video.

 

[qili]

this is why it is important to have a release note with each software update so you know what is and isn't fixed.

sounds like TiVo is focused on introducing new features for the time being.

 

[morac]

This also never happened to me before (that I know of, at least) since last night. My 9.1 update was several days ago, and my Rhapsody update was probably three days ago. I have yet to receive 9.2, but it sounds to me like it won't help.

This sounds like a different problem. 9.1 has an issue with SA cards where sometimes one of the tuners "dies" and won't tune anymore and just shows as black or grey. This affects recordings. Based on this thread 9.2 fixes that problem so you might want to sign up for 9.2.

The problem reported by the original poster appears to be a HDMI/HDCP (ie: display only) issue which wouldn't affect recordings.

 

[mikesay98]

This sounds like a different problem. 9.1 has an issue with SA cards where sometimes one of the tuners "dies" and won't tune anymore and just shows as black or grey. This affects recordings. Based on this thread 9.2 fixes that problem so you might want to sign up for 9.2.

The problem reported by the original poster appears to be a HDMI/HDCP (ie: display only) issue which wouldn't affect recordings.

Thanks for the info, I had already signed up for 9.2 today for the eSata support I believe that comes with it.

However, does the problem you're mentioning completely disable the entire TiVo? Literally everything goes black and I can't do anything, hear anything. However, when I use the remote the TiVo light in the front blinks to indicate that it is receiving the signal. Additionally (though I can't completely confirm as I'm sure I pressed tons of buttons on the remote) it seems as if the TiVo is doing what I tell it to do with the remote. It happened today when I was watching a recording, and neither tuner was recording anything scheduled. The TiVo went black, and when it came back, it was on a TV channel. I remember pressing the TiVo button, so I suspect it went to the TiVo menu, and then reverted to live TV as it normally would. However, it was no longer on the recording I was watching before it all happened.

Also, I don't have SA CCs, I have Motorola ones.

 

[morac]

However, does the problem you're mentioning completely disable the entire TiVo? Literally everything goes black and I can't do anything, hear anything. However, when I use the remote the TiVo light in the front blinks to indicate that it is receiving the signal. Additionally (though I can't completely confirm as I'm sure I pressed tons of buttons on the remote) it seems as if the TiVo is doing what I tell it to do with the remote. It happened today when I was watching a recording, and neither tuner was recording anything scheduled. The TiVo went black, and when it came back, it was on a TV channel. I remember pressing the TiVo button, so I suspect it went to the TiVo menu, and then reverted to live TV as it normally would. However, it was no longer on the recording I was watching before it all happened.

I don't know. The only fix that was hinted at by TiVoPony is the SA cablecard issue. If you are using Motorola cards, then that obviously doesn't apply. When I read that you said the TiVo didn't record I assumed you hit the SA issue.

A black screen when playing back recordings doesn't necessarily mean your TiVo is disabled or your recordings didn't record, it could just be that the display was shut off for some reason (usually a HDCP issue). Though it seems unlikely that an ABC show would be affected by a HDCP issue since that channel shouldn't be encrypted.

Assuming you are using an HDMI cable, have you tried switching to component?

 

[mikesay98]

No, but I suppose I could. I think once I get 9.2 I'll see. If it happens again, I'll switch to component. But regardless, it worries me that something is wrong with the TiVo. My only hope can be that it's a software issue.

 

[lorelevitt]

As I said in the initial post, the 9.2j upgrade does not resolve the HDMI/HDCP syncronization/lockup issues.

My S3 does have Sci Atl cable cards from Comcast.

I switched over from HDMI to Component+optical audio out last weekend. I don't get the lockouts requiring a power reboot BUT I am still getting random drops of video. The screen goes black for a few seconds and then the S3 USUALLY resyncs and continues -- and that's over COMPONENT! Audio continues while the screen goes black. Occassionally the screen shows just complete random digital noise and I need to STOP playback-- go up the TiVO menu to regen an image and then restart playblack.

I am also seeing these weird "accellerations" where the video I'm playing occasionnaly goes into some kind of a fast forward jumping ahead -- but that lasts only a second or so.

I've had my unit for over a year since they first came out AND never had a problem with it until the 9.1 update!! (And 9.2j is NO better).