[jfh3]

I'm happy to see TiVoPony chime in on the problem-- he has been a good voice of reason, and source of information all the years I have been lurking around these forums--- He is one of the reasons I have so few posts--- My questions are answered by simply searching the forums-- no need to post!

That said, his post here makes me a little nervous--- that TiVo feels the majority of the issues have been fixed, where as it seems to me that almost an equal number of us still have less than acceptable picture quality....

Should those of us TiVo HD owners that are still experiencing picture quality issues consolidate, and post our specific issues into one new "uber" post--- leaving out our opinions, suggestions and arguments, and just post the facts of what we are experiencing? Maybe this will show the magnitude of the issue, and provide TiVo the facts without the conjecture....

If ya'll think this idea is sound, I ask that TivoPony start the thread-- and we post our Tivo issues there-- thoughts?

Good idea, but someone would invariably hijack the thread.

If some of the Chicken Littles will just chill a bit, keep the emotion out of the posts and just post info on the problem, I'm sure the Tivo folks that monitor TCF will get the problem reports to the right people.

But I do hope that folks will also call Tivo and open a case if they see what they think may be a hardware or software problem. Just report the problem to a CSR and get a case number.

 

[GoldenTiger]

Hey guys,

We are aware that some of you are still reporting macroblocking or pixelation on certain channels. The team here continues to gather information to understand possible causes - they're making good headway.

The update we released on August 1st has proven to fix the issue for some customers, and we are working hard on a fix for the remaining cases. We will provide more concrete information as we can.

In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and the detailed feedback you've been providing.

Pony

Thanks SO much for the update... also good to see you're still around (familiar face to me). Should people experiencing the issue still call to report it?

 

[Chimpware]

I'm happy to see TiVoPony chime in on the problem-- he has been a good voice of reason, and source of information all the years I have been lurking around these forums--- He is one of the reasons I have so few posts--- My questions are answered by simply searching the forums-- no need to post!

That said, his post here makes me a little nervous--- that TiVo feels the majority of the issues have been fixed, where as it seems to me that almost an equal number of us still have less than acceptable picture quality....

Should those of us TiVo HD owners that are still experiencing picture quality issues consolidate, and post our specific issues into one new "uber" post--- leaving out our opinions, suggestions and arguments, and just post the facts of what we are experiencing? Maybe this will show the magnitude of the issue, and provide TiVo the facts without the conjecture....

If ya'll think this idea is sound, I ask that TivoPony start the thread-- and we post our Tivo issues there-- thoughts?

I posted a poll thread in hopes that this would show the magnitude of the problem. If you have not added to this thread please do.

 

[SCSIRAID]

Hey guys,

We are aware that some of you are still reporting macroblocking or pixelation on certain channels. The team here continues to gather information to understand possible causes - they're making good headway.

The update we released on August 1st has proven to fix the issue for some customers, and we are working hard on a fix for the remaining cases. We will provide more concrete information as we can.

In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and the detailed feedback you've been providing.

Pony

Pony,

Does your statement only pertain to the HD or does it also include the S3? My issue has been open since October on pixelation and dropouts with no aparrent progress or admission that there is a problem that is being worked on.

 

[ed_esi]

I have a series 3 with mild pixelation. Time Warner came out and said that the signal booster that I had for my digital phone was providing too strong a signal.

The Tech stated that too strong a signal can cause pixelaton like too weak a signal. I have noted no change but my TW digital phone is acting up.

Question has anyone heard that too strong a single can effect HD TV and cause pixelation and freezing.

Thanks

 

[aaronwt]

I have a series 3 with mild pixelation. Time Warner came out and said that the signal booster that I had for my digital phone was providing too strong a signal.

The Tech stated that too strong a signal can cause pixelaton like too weak a signal. I have noted no change but my TW digital phone is acting up.

Question has anyone heard that too strong a single can effect HD TV and cause pixelation and freezing.

Thanks

Yes. With the DirecTV HR10-250 you sometimes had to attenuate the OTA signal if it was too strong.
It's always been that way with analog. I have that problem on my Comcast signal. Since they upgraded the cableplant my signal is too hot. If I conect it straight to the TV it will be a lousy picture. One I attenuate it 7dB the picture is crystal clear.

 

[ed_esi]

That makes sense. My signal was a 15 at the main box and even split 5 ways it still was a 12 at my HD TV. By the way I know many have issues with the S3 and with the new HD. I am in Charlotte. It has been a learning curve with the TW techs here but it only too 3 visits to get my cards installed. The work great but there has been channel loss. Rebooting brings them back normally. Talking to TW the loss is on their end and not TIVO. Nice of them to admit it. Thanks for the input.

 

[Flot]

I'm still on the fence with mine - honestly as much as I loathed the Motorola DVR, I rarely if ever saw pixelation on it. In watching a 1 hour HD program last night, I must have seen 6-8 visual glitches and a second or two of dropped audio. I don't know if I should blame the cablecards or the tivo, but it's definitely not up to par with the motorola box. (can't believe I just said that)

Browsing the guide is a little slow, but did seem to speed up a bit once I removed about 50 channels that I'd never watch from the list.

 

[TiVotion]

As I posted just now in another thread, TiVo HD initally as of now seems to be working without issue with 2 Moto (SCARD) cablecards with Verizon FIOS in Tampa. Ditto for my Series 3 box.

I wonder what the variables are causing problems on some, but not all, systems? Must be fluctuations in the signal strength.

I let Verizon leave 1 Moto DVR box when they originally installed my service just so I could check it out. I absolutely hated it, and when they came to install my cablecards, I had them remove it (I still maintain their HD STB's in all rooms just for the on-demand stuff). Far as I'm concerned, those STB DVR's can't even begin to compete with TiVo in terms of features and ease of use.

 

[jmpage2]

As I posted just now in another thread, TiVo HD initally as of now seems to be working without issue with 2 Moto (SCARD) cablecards with Verizon FIOS in Tampa. Ditto for my Series 3 box.

I wonder what the variables are causing problems on some, but not all, systems? Must be fluctuations in the signal strength.

I let Verizon leave 1 Moto DVR box when they originally installed my service just so I could check it out. I absolutely hated it, and when they came to install my cablecards, I had them remove it (I still maintain their HD STB's in all rooms just for the on-demand stuff). Far as I'm concerned, those STB DVR's can't even begin to compete with TiVo in terms of features and ease of use.

Fluctuations in the signal strength?

Come on.

This is obviously some sort of driver/hardware interaction problem, possibly with the cable cards. However, seeing as some users are reporting the problem even with analog cable I suspect it's far more likely that some of this is being caused by problems with hardware or firmware.

 

[GoHokies!]

Fluctuations in the signal strength?

Come on.

This is obviously some sort of driver/hardware interaction problem, possibly with the cable cards. However, seeing as some users are reporting the problem even with analog cable I suspect it's far more likely that some of this is being caused by problems with hardware or firmware.

Obviously, as your single data point of experience, coupled with your extensive knowledge of the internals of the THD and cable plants around the country leads to the rock solid conclusion that signal strength has nothing to do with pixelation problems on any THD in the country.

Right.

 

[tgmii]

cablevision re-wired my whole house today (it needed it, other box was failing).

Still pixelating. Perhaps a little less often, but again its very annoying to see it at all.

I'm hoping tivo will release frequent updates as they see improvements with the problem. I do believe they will solve it, and I'm sure there are late nights nowadays in Tivo software engineering.

I'm going to wait as long as I can, but in its current state, the reasonable course is to return it.

Tivo, if you can pull log data of any kind from my box to assist in trouble shooting... go for it.

Tom

 

[jmpage2]

Obviously, as your single data point of experience, coupled with your extensive knowledge of the internals of the THD and cable plants around the country leads to the rock solid conclusion that signal strength has nothing to do with pixelation problems on any THD in the country.

Right.

Numerous people have indicated that improving signal strength has had no effect on pixelation with these boxes.

And btw, I am a telecom engineer with extensive experience with signal levels, DS3s, etc and I am probably as qualified as anyone to say "doesn't sound like signal strength has anything to do with this".

 

[jhershauer]

I called Tivo Tech Support this morning, and they told me they're working on a software fix for the macro blocking issue and hope to have something within a week or so. I get these pixelation events every few seconds both on cable and OTA signals. My cable signal strength is typically in the 90 to 93 range after Cox came out and boosted the signal, and my OTA Antenna signal strength is listed as being 97 to 100.

Tech Support didn't seem concerned about any of the details of my installation (cablecard brand, signal strength, etc.); just acknowledged that there is a problem and they're working on it.

I guess I'll hang loose until my 30 day window draws nearer...hopefully they'll get a fix out.

Jeff

 

[tgmii]

Thanks for that.. good news.

In the mean time I'll stock up on $0.99 Unbox rentals

Tom

 

[mike_camden]

Numerous people have indicated that improving signal strength has had no effect on pixelation with these boxes.

And btw, I am a telecom engineer with extensive experience with signal levels, DS3s, etc and I am probably as qualified as anyone to say "doesn't sound like signal strength has anything to do with this".

Very nicely done. And oh by the way, I greatly appreciate the advice you have offered to me with my CC problem on the Comcast thread. Now if only I could find someone at Comcast who could actually follow your suggestion points. You wouldn't be willing to drive to Pittsburgh, invade the Comcast office, take over a computer for about 15 minutes and fix my account so this actually worked would you? I'd be eternally grateful! Seriously, I appreciate the advice you have offered. The guy at Tivo the other night concurred with what you suggested.

 

[lessd]

Fluctuations in the signal strength?

Come on.

This is obviously some sort of driver/hardware interaction problem, possibly with the cable cards. However, seeing as some users are reporting the problem even with analog cable I suspect it's far more likely that some of this is being caused by problems with hardware or firmware.

Its been reported on the TiVo menu and I did see it once on the TiVo menu, for such a short time if this thread did not exist i would not have reported it but the TiVo Menu takes the pixelation problem out the tuner system, cable system and CC, the issue must be in the output electronics/control. Does the output setting make any difference as I do not see this pixelation as other are and I am using 1080i fixed and HDMI.

 

[TiVotion]

Well, all I know is, when I check the signal strength on the cards, it doesn't waiver from 100%. It's 100% solid.

And for the record, I had a S3 the week they were released.

I obtained my HD box the day after it came out.

Prior to having FIOS with the S3 box, I had Brighthouse Cable. No issues with the S3 then, no issues with either box now.

So, I have 2 HD boxes, FIOS, and 4 Moto cable cards. And I have no problems.

If it is a hardware or software issue - and I have the same hardware and software as everyone else does - why am I not seeing the issue?

If it's not the FIOS/signal installation at the premesis, then what is it?

 

[steve614]

Looks like we need to change the term "early adopter" to "consumer beta tester".

 

[megory]

Numerous people have indicated that improving signal strength has had no effect on pixelation with these boxes.

And btw, I am a telecom engineer with extensive experience with signal levels, DS3s, etc and I am probably as qualified as anyone to say "doesn't sound like signal strength has anything to do with this".

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