[Liverpud]

For the last 3 wks I have experienced intermittent 5 second freezing on my HDTV. It started out on Tues and Thurs only. The tech was asked to come yesterday being a Tues to see for himself the problem. Strangely enough, my picture was perfect yesterday. He checked my signal and wiring and everything was normal. I checked with my building manager (condo) and no issues. I suspect my HDPVR 8300 is starting to malfunction. I've tried to reboot a few times a day and no luck. My PVR is 3 yrs old. I bought it and if it needs replacing I would rather leave Rogers altogether. Does anyone else have any ideas what could be the issue ?
My box is well ventilated and exposed so I've ruled out heat as a problem. Could it be the external HDD ? I want to add when the freezing starts I get it on ALL channels SD and HD including recorded shows on my PVR. Today is Wed, and I've never had freezing on Wed but I am getting it now on all channels. This morning it was freezing and now at 5.30pm it is still freezing after I did a full reboot. 1 thing to add is ROD is ok when I get freezing. That's the only thing unaffected for now. Thanks for any suggestions. I live downtown in the Yonge and King area and the Tech said there are no upgrades, rewiring, maintenance. In summary, last 3wks freezing issue on all channels Tues and Thur ONLY, that's the strangest thing...weekends ok and my football not affected or I would go crazy!!!....yesterday Tues ok and today Wed freezing which breaks the trend...... Signs of my PVR going dead slowly....???..Please help..desparate...

 

[57]

1. Check the signal strength yourself when you have the problem, on the channel(s) with the problem.

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

2. Temporarily remove the eHDD. It could be the cause of the issue. I had similar issues after 3 years with my eHDD. I replaced the eHDD a few months back.

3. The issue could also be with the iHDD if you still have the problem after disconnecting the eHDD. Pretty easy to replace with say a 500 GB iHDD - see the iHDD sticky thread in this forum - cost well under $100.

 

[Liverpud]

Thanks for the quick reply 57. I assume signal strength is on page 5 of the diagnostics and it shows 37db. The tech showed me and I went in to check again today. He also told me on page 5 there are 2 variables Corr Bytes and Uncor Bytes. They should read zero (0) which is normal. Yesterday they were zero (0) with a great picture and today they are also zero (0) but I have intermittent freezing. I have just unplugged and will disconnect the ext HDD to see what happens. Thanks.

 

[Liverpud]

Not the ext HDD. Unplugged and still freezing. My QAM Lev is 0 and S/N is 37 but Freq is 507 is that right ?.

On page 14 Sara Info I have in orange writing
Software anomalies.......
4 "warning and invalid parameters". Is this a problem ?

Finally, what about opening up the box and cleaning the dust ? Outside is clean but inside could be dusty. Thanks.

 

[Liverpud]

I did a reformat of the iHDD and the freezing is gone. Let's see for how long.

 

[Liverpud]

The reformat last 1 day. Freezing has returned. It's definitely the iHDD. Now I have decisions to make: 1. Clean inside, Reboot again - last time 2. Repair 3. Swap cheaper rental -downgrade or 4. Cancel TV if they allow me- should have no contract. Just fed up with Rogers.

 

[Liverpud]

Reformat 2nd time. Freezing gone. Will probably last till tomorrow. I will then disconnect the eHHD before my next reformat. Eventually, I know I cannot keep doing this.

 

[Liverpud]

Freezing Tues morning after 3 days of normal tv. Reformatted and left the tv switched off for 9 hrs. Switched back on now and back to normal, no freeze. Not sure how this can continue to go on. I lose all my recordings whether I disconnect the eHDD or not. Going on vacation soon, so if still a problem upon my return, I'll have to change box. Rent a cheap one. No choice but to stay with Rogers until Jul 2011 or fork out $200 cancelling fee.

 

[57]

As I mentioned earlier, why not try replacing the iHDD? Cost under $100. If you wish to keep the recordings on the eHDD, you'll need to clone the internal. All discussed in the iHDD sticky thread.

If you don't "need" the programmes on the eHDD, simply swap out the iHDD for 500GB - should be large enough for all your time-shifting and should keep you going for another 3-4 years.

 

[Liverpud]

Thanks 57. My contract is over in Jul 2011, so I'm leaving Rogers. I'll go OTA or no TV at all. It's a sacrifice I am willing to make. I promised myself, once my box is kaput I will move on. I have no intention of forking out more money for repairs or increase in prices. 3-4 more years with Rogers ? They dont deserve my business and they could care less losing a mthly $50 sub.

 

[Liverpud]

Freezing is back Thur morning. Noticed last night the box powered down. Could be after a power down overnight the freezing returns. Will try to set recordings all night to avoid power down. Secondly, I've disconnected my wireless surrounds. Just in case they are causing some interference.