Weird lines in IPG screen 8300HD - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

rfig · 2010-05-03, 01:26 PM

Hi,
I have been getting some weird horizontal and vertical lines in the IPG on a SA8300HD box. If I reboot the box, everything goes back to normal, but it happens again after a few hours. So far it hasn't affected the performance of the box, but it is certainly annoying.
Any ideas?
Thanks!!

57 · 2010-05-03, 02:01 PM

Check your signal strength and S/N ratio and all connections including from the STB to the TV and from the wall to the STB:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719 SA Tips:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19694 Things to check

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741 Useful post.

Paolo · 2010-05-03, 03:27 PM

this happens to me in 720p, but the minute i change it to 1080i, the problem disappears. ive made an appointment with LG Electronics to get a software update flash done on my TV.

rfig · 2010-05-03, 03:59 PM

Thanks for the answers. I don't think it has anything to do with the tv, because those lines only appear when I display the IPG or the info banner. I have tried rebooting the STB, but it only fixes the problem temporarily. I noticed it started happening a couple of weeks ago, after finding the box off when I got home, probably because of some firmware update from Rogers.
I'll try to take a picture and post it here, so that you guys have a better idea of the problem. Is it possible to post pictures?? I cannot find a link for that.
Thanks!!

Paolo · 2010-05-03, 04:18 PM

Well, I hear ya, I never said I thought it was the TV, but I might as well TRY it, it does not harm in getting it done, it might fix some other issues with handshaking, or what not. but I have the SAME Problem, but it goes away in 1080i mode, but it persists exactly like you said in 720p. so try changing resolutions, you never mentioned if you changed it or not

secotton · 2010-05-04, 08:34 AM

You're not by chance viewing any channels which have permanent hoizontal and veritcal lines? On my TV, after I've had CP24 on for any more than 20 minutes, the white lines tend to stay with the TV for a good 8 to 10 minutes longer after I've switched channels or pull up the guide. And they staty there sometimes for even longer. I didn't think LCD's were supposed to do this, but I guess they do. Just a thought.

rfig · 2010-05-04, 10:16 AM

Hey guys,
Thanks for your thoughts. Paolo, I'll try changing the resolution on the tv and see what happens. What puzzles me is that I have had this setup for over 2 years, and the problem only started a few weeks ago, and it doesn't affect any channel, not even the list of recorded programs, only the IPG and the information banner (the one you get when you press INFO).
I got pictures taken that I wish I could post, but again, I don't see any option here that would allow me to do so (maybe because I'm a new member?) If any of you guys can post files, I could perhaps PM you a picture and you could post it for me.
Thanks!!

Paolo · 2010-05-04, 12:20 PM

you need an online storage acount to host your pictures and you need to link to the url of the image with the VBuletin code. secondly, just because it was working fine for all this time and happened to show lines, try not to think like that when it comes to cable co equiptment. lots of times cable companies roll out silent firmware and updates overnight, and they can have small glitches here and there when you least expect it. you also need to change the resolution in the set top box's menus, not your tv's just so you know.

hope this helps

rfig · 2010-05-04, 12:38 PM

Thanks Paolo, I'll try switching the resolution between 720p and 1080i on both the box and the TV tonight and will post results tomorrow. I agree with you that it might just be a glitch from a firmware upgrade, so maybe it'll be fixed next time they run another.
Cheers!!

57 · 2010-05-04, 07:12 PM

You can't change resolutions on the TV.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=73528

You may wish to revisit (or visit) the links in post 2.

rfig · 2010-05-05, 09:20 AM

So, the box is in 1080i, and that didn't solve the problem. I ended up calling Rogers Customer Support this morning to see if they could load a new firmware into my box and the woman said it was not possible to do it to one individual box, so I guess I'll have to wait until they do it again, and see if that solves my problem.
I own the box, so I cannot exchange it. If it so happens to be a problem with the box, then I'm screwed.
I've posted a picture on Flicker, so you guys can see what the problem looks like exactly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15508058@N07/4581376838/
Thanks!!

snorlax · 2010-05-05, 03:38 PM

You've said rebooting the box fixes this temporarily. Might be a heat problem in the PVR. Try moving it so that it has more ventilation if it is in a cablnet now.

secotton · 2010-05-05, 09:43 PM

Try using a different output on the Rogers box. See if the problem follows it, or try a different input on your TV. Check your cables too. It could be a cable gone bad.

Someone else mentioned it could be heat, and along those lines, try blowing the box out of any dust. It can really kill those boxes.

I don't know why it would only show the lines while in the IPG and not while watching programming. The lines do disappear after you close the guide out - right?

Just some thoughts. It's worth trying whatever you can before you have to buy a new box (which I have a feeling you may need to do in order to fix this one).

rfig · 2010-05-06, 08:09 AM

Hi guys,
Here are some answers to your ideas.
The box is not in a cabinet, but in an open shelf, and it's sitting on its own, nothing around, beneath or above, so I don't think it's a ventilation issue. Also, I recently upgraded the internal hard drive to a 500GB WD5000AAKB (which by the way, works awesome), so I removed all the dust inside the unit. I know what you're thinking, but no, the problem was there before he upgrade, as I only did it last weekend. I actually made an image of the 160GB Seagate drive that came with the box to keep my wife's recordings, so maybe the problem got dragged to the new HDD? (although I believe the firmware which runs the IPG is not in the HDD, am I correct?)
Now, I'll try a different output, and a different input too. I'm now using HDMI out, and the box is connected to a DENON AVR889. I'll swap HDMI ports in the receiver and see if it helps. I'll also bypass the receiver and try hooking up the box directly to the TV. I'll also try component and composite cables. And yes, the lines disappear when you leave the IPG, which leads me to think it has nothing to do with my TV or receiver.
I'll keep testing and I'll post results tomorrow.
Thank you very much for your help. It's greatly appreciated!!!

secotton · 2010-05-06, 09:00 AM

You know - now that you've filled us in on the details of your setup, I'm now starting to remember I heard of something similar to this on one of the other forums with the Denon 889. I do think it was HDMI related. I never followed the thread that much since I have an 890.

Check your output too on the Rogers box. I think there is a setting where when it switches to the guide, it will change the resolution? I think it needs to be on pass through or something like that. Otherwise, when you open the guide, the output sometimes changes and the Denon's (or many receivers for that matter) sometimes they will have a fit.

As great as HDMI and some of these A/V receivers are, they can really fudge things up when they don't work the correct way. And they can cause 'odd' issues like this too. Definitely try bypassing the receiver.

I might suggest doing a processor reset on the Denon too. Google how to do it or check your manual. It's a sequence of buttons you press while powering it on.

2010-05-03, 01:26 PM	#1
rfig Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 25	Weird lines in IPG screen 8300HD Hi, I have been getting some weird horizontal and vertical lines in the IPG on a SA8300HD box. If I reboot the box, everything goes back to normal, but it happens again after a few hours. So far it hasn't affected the performance of the box, but it is certainly annoying. Any ideas? Thanks!!

2010-05-03, 02:01 PM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,293	Check your signal strength and S/N ratio and all connections including from the STB to the TV and from the wall to the STB: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719 SA Tips: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19694 Things to check http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741 Useful post. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2010-05-04, 07:12 PM	#10
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,293	You can't change resolutions on the TV. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=73528 You may wish to revisit (or visit) the links in post 2. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2010-05-03, 03:27 PM	#3
Paolo Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Regional Municipality of Durham Posts: 2,695	this happens to me in 720p, but the minute i change it to 1080i, the problem disappears. ive made an appointment with LG Electronics to get a software update flash done on my TV.

2010-05-03, 03:59 PM	#4
rfig Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 25	Thanks for the answers. I don't think it has anything to do with the tv, because those lines only appear when I display the IPG or the info banner. I have tried rebooting the STB, but it only fixes the problem temporarily. I noticed it started happening a couple of weeks ago, after finding the box off when I got home, probably because of some firmware update from Rogers. I'll try to take a picture and post it here, so that you guys have a better idea of the problem. Is it possible to post pictures?? I cannot find a link for that. Thanks!!

2010-05-03, 04:18 PM	#5
Paolo Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Regional Municipality of Durham Posts: 2,695	Well, I hear ya, I never said I thought it was the TV, but I might as well TRY it, it does not harm in getting it done, it might fix some other issues with handshaking, or what not. but I have the SAME Problem, but it goes away in 1080i mode, but it persists exactly like you said in 720p. so try changing resolutions, you never mentioned if you changed it or not

2010-05-04, 08:34 AM	#6
secotton Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 190	You're not by chance viewing any channels which have permanent hoizontal and veritcal lines? On my TV, after I've had CP24 on for any more than 20 minutes, the white lines tend to stay with the TV for a good 8 to 10 minutes longer after I've switched channels or pull up the guide. And they staty there sometimes for even longer. I didn't think LCD's were supposed to do this, but I guess they do. Just a thought.

2010-05-04, 10:16 AM	#7
rfig Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 25	Hey guys, Thanks for your thoughts. Paolo, I'll try changing the resolution on the tv and see what happens. What puzzles me is that I have had this setup for over 2 years, and the problem only started a few weeks ago, and it doesn't affect any channel, not even the list of recorded programs, only the IPG and the information banner (the one you get when you press INFO). I got pictures taken that I wish I could post, but again, I don't see any option here that would allow me to do so (maybe because I'm a new member?) If any of you guys can post files, I could perhaps PM you a picture and you could post it for me. Thanks!!

2010-05-04, 12:20 PM	#8
Paolo Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Regional Municipality of Durham Posts: 2,695	you need an online storage acount to host your pictures and you need to link to the url of the image with the VBuletin code. secondly, just because it was working fine for all this time and happened to show lines, try not to think like that when it comes to cable co equiptment. lots of times cable companies roll out silent firmware and updates overnight, and they can have small glitches here and there when you least expect it. you also need to change the resolution in the set top box's menus, not your tv's just so you know. hope this helps

2010-05-04, 12:38 PM	#9
rfig Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 25	Thanks Paolo, I'll try switching the resolution between 720p and 1080i on both the box and the TV tonight and will post results tomorrow. I agree with you that it might just be a glitch from a firmware upgrade, so maybe it'll be fixed next time they run another. Cheers!!

2010-05-05, 09:20 AM	#11
rfig Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 25	So, the box is in 1080i, and that didn't solve the problem. I ended up calling Rogers Customer Support this morning to see if they could load a new firmware into my box and the woman said it was not possible to do it to one individual box, so I guess I'll have to wait until they do it again, and see if that solves my problem. I own the box, so I cannot exchange it. If it so happens to be a problem with the box, then I'm screwed. I've posted a picture on Flicker, so you guys can see what the problem looks like exactly. http://www.flickr.com/photos/15508058@N07/4581376838/ Thanks!!

2010-05-05, 03:38 PM	#12
snorlax Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Thornhill, Ontario Posts: 391	You've said rebooting the box fixes this temporarily. Might be a heat problem in the PVR. Try moving it so that it has more ventilation if it is in a cablnet now.

2010-05-05, 09:43 PM	#13
secotton Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 190	Try using a different output on the Rogers box. See if the problem follows it, or try a different input on your TV. Check your cables too. It could be a cable gone bad. Someone else mentioned it could be heat, and along those lines, try blowing the box out of any dust. It can really kill those boxes. I don't know why it would only show the lines while in the IPG and not while watching programming. The lines do disappear after you close the guide out - right? Just some thoughts. It's worth trying whatever you can before you have to buy a new box (which I have a feeling you may need to do in order to fix this one).

2010-05-06, 08:09 AM	#14
rfig Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 25	Hi guys, Here are some answers to your ideas. The box is not in a cabinet, but in an open shelf, and it's sitting on its own, nothing around, beneath or above, so I don't think it's a ventilation issue. Also, I recently upgraded the internal hard drive to a 500GB WD5000AAKB (which by the way, works awesome), so I removed all the dust inside the unit. I know what you're thinking, but no, the problem was there before he upgrade, as I only did it last weekend. I actually made an image of the 160GB Seagate drive that came with the box to keep my wife's recordings, so maybe the problem got dragged to the new HDD? (although I believe the firmware which runs the IPG is not in the HDD, am I correct?) Now, I'll try a different output, and a different input too. I'm now using HDMI out, and the box is connected to a DENON AVR889. I'll swap HDMI ports in the receiver and see if it helps. I'll also bypass the receiver and try hooking up the box directly to the TV. I'll also try component and composite cables. And yes, the lines disappear when you leave the IPG, which leads me to think it has nothing to do with my TV or receiver. I'll keep testing and I'll post results tomorrow. Thank you very much for your help. It's greatly appreciated!!!

2010-05-06, 09:00 AM	#15
secotton Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 190	You know - now that you've filled us in on the details of your setup, I'm now starting to remember I heard of something similar to this on one of the other forums with the Denon 889. I do think it was HDMI related. I never followed the thread that much since I have an 890. Check your output too on the Rogers box. I think there is a setting where when it switches to the guide, it will change the resolution? I think it needs to be on pass through or something like that. Otherwise, when you open the guide, the output sometimes changes and the Denon's (or many receivers for that matter) sometimes they will have a fit. As great as HDMI and some of these A/V receivers are, they can really fudge things up when they don't work the correct way. And they can cause 'odd' issues like this too. Definitely try bypassing the receiver. I might suggest doing a processor reset on the Denon too. Google how to do it or check your manual. It's a sequence of buttons you press while powering it on.