Black screen with no playback

[MarcusKeeler]

Hi All.
Well, we had the HD8300HD unit for a fair while now and while it's fairly ok (except the clumsy interface) it's been doing something which bugs the Hell out of us, since day One.

Often, (75% of the time) if we go to list view and select a recording to play, I just get a Black screen with no playback. The interface remains resposive, we cam flick back to live or back to the menu if we try, but it won't play the recording. We have to switch off, switch on, then she'll play the recording.

I went into Rogers service centre in town and they weren't interested as I'd bought the box a month before at Future shop which was next door, (On their advice as they were out of stock when I tried to buy from then )

Anyway, Future shop were like "yea, bring it in with the box and all accessories and we'll send it off to have it checked, if there's a fault we'll replace it".

Hmm, seemed like a lot of trouble, especially as I'd already chucked the box etc away

Fast forward a month and I bought (From Rogers) another 8300HD box for the basement.
Yep, guessed it, it does the SAME DARN THING !!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTH???

So I guess I must definately be missing something simple, but I don't know what hence my call for help.

BTW, how do I a) check my firmware revision and b) force an update?

Thanks
Marcus
Barrie. ON.

[jlet]

A cold reboot (unplug power cord, wait 10 sec, plug power cord) often clears "funny" problems. This FAQ "Tips For SA STBs. (also Pace)" explains how to access the diagnostic mode to read information like signal strength and firmware version.

You can't force a firmware update, but after a cold reboot, the box updates the IPG. It may also check for a firmware update (not sure). Firmware and IPG updates are initiated by the head-end. Firmware updates usually cause the box to reboot but not the IPG updates. You may also want to read this FAQ "Tips & Tricks for SA8300HD".

[57]

Also, if you're connected using HDMI, that can cause problems. Please see:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=71112

And try switching to component video cables. The problem will probably go away.

See also: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741