[j0ly]

So, I was installed with OPTIK service yesterday and have come across my first issue.

We have the PVR (430) hooked up via HDMI to our main floor tv - which is mounted above a fireplace with no way to fish any component cables + Audio down to the mantel shelf that the box was on.

anyhow, hooked up the PVR to the TV via HDMI and now we are getting audio/video dropouts - it happens randomly, the screen goes to snow, and then back. It is pissing me and my wife (more importantly) off.

we called in to tech support and the person that answered was pretty ignorant, telling us they don't support it because there is no standard worldwide (I thought was had a standard, like hsmi 1.3 1.3a 1.4 ect..). She wouldn't tell me any fixes, or anything - no firmware updates, no nothing... basically told me unless its component to dont call back as they dont troubleshoot.

Does anyone here know whats up with it?

Thanks

 

[57]

Here's the FAQ on HDMI Issues and a list of things to check. Good Luck.

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

 

[SpoiledByHD]

I was so glad when I went from Minerva to Cisco when I changed over to Mediaroom (now Optik), partially because the Cisco box has had no HDMI issues at all.

That would lead me to believe that your situation should be able to be fixed.. unfortunately, I have no answers for you, other than making sure you are using a decent HDMI cable & that it's not too long...

 

[myteammytown]

HDMI still isnt supported with the Cisco boxes, and there are still occasions where it (HDMI) causes issues

 

[j0ly]

Yea, nothing could be done... i checked out as much as i could on it.. in order to have WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) i actually ended up cutting up some drywall above my mantel to fish down some Component and a optical cable to the box. Patched it up last night and mudded it... ill be sanding it when i get home and painting tonight... My rule of thumb is, if it doesn't pass WAF, I can't have it.. so far so good with the service however... loving MediaRoom and can't wait for the remote programming..

Optik sure kicks the old systems ass on quality and performance, I actually think it may be better then Shaw - at least for sure the experience of watching TV is better...

I read up on the HDMI issues and I guess the Telus tech support chick was right about the different versions and compatibility to them, I do wish they could fix it however seeing as HDMI is such a cleaner install.

 

[latinoheat]

Sorry to hear about your problem, I have all my 3 tv's hooked up HDMI and don't have any issues whatsoever. But I'm gald you worked around your problem and didn't cry and give up.

 

[Blaine]

HDMI Cable from Telus STB

Hi

Hoping for help with the following:

1) Had the Telus Optix installed a few days ago and when using the HDMI cable from the Telus PVR anywhere box to a Sony TV it works. However, once TV turned off and back on the cable is not recgonized unless you switch to a different tv input then back to the HDMI. Anyone else had this issue? This was not an issue with our old Telus PVR.

Using Component Video cables for now and it works ok. Trouble is then need seperate cables for the sound from STB to TV as opposed to with HDMI.

2) Telus wired Optix TV through apt using coaxial cable. Does this carry
1080p ok?. Is using the built in ethernet CAT 5 a better idea?

Regards

Blaine

 

[Dr.Dave]

Hi Blaine,

1) It sounds like your TV falls into this category (from 57's FAQ).

28. Sometimes, especially with some older TVs, you need to power up devices in a certain sequence. For example, it's usually best to power up the TV first, then a STB to ensure a good handshake.

With Optik TV, the STB is never off so there is no other workaround. When your TV is turned on it doesn't initiate an HDMI handshake.

2) There is no broadcast TV signal using 1080p so that is not an issue. The digital signal is transmitted from the Telus head-end to the STB exactly the same whether it is coax or Cat5. If you don't have problems with the picture breaking up or freezing there is no reason to change anything. The only benefit you might see is a slightly faster response to skip or fast forward command with Cat5.

 

[TNSF]

With Optik TV, the STB is never off so there is no other workaround. When your TV is turned on it doesn't initiate an HDMI handshake.

I run all my HDMI sources into a switch and then from the switch directly to the TV. Separately, I run all audio to my receiver using optical cables. This method does allow control over the order in which the TV is "turned on" in a workaround kind of way.

 

[Blaine]

Telus Cisco PVR Hanshake issue to Sony S4100 TV

Hi

1) Our Cisco PVR box has the "handshake" problem using an HDMI cable. Turn both TV and PVR off and back on and the TV screen is blank. Switch TV input via remote to another TV input and back to HDMI then picture appears!

Using Component Video cables works ok though and picture comes back on ok from PVR to TV every time.

HDMI woked with old PVR box (Minerva?) though.

Others appear to have this same problem with the Cisco PVR?

2) Also, does anyone know if Telus TV carries FM radio feed like Shaw cable does? Telus TV carries Digital radio but a regular FM radio feed?

Regards

Blaine

 

[Cockroach]

1) I haven't had any problems using HDMI with Minerva (SA430silver ) or MediaRoom (Cisco-labelled black) boxes. TV is a Toshiba LCD. It'd take 6~7 secs to sync with Minerva, almost no time with MediaRoom. Looks like it is TV-dependent? My cables are the cheapest of the cheap Monoprice ones. My uncle has MR too and has no problems with his Panasonic plasma using HMDI.

2) TTV carries FM and AM radio stations from major markets in BC and Alberta so it has feeds from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer.

 

[Dr.Dave]

1) I have read about this problem with a Sony TV (don't know the model) on AT&T in the U.S. AT&T uses Mediaroom and has over 2 million subs. Your TV doesn't initiate a HDMI handshake when you turn it on, but it does when you change the input. I think this is a fairly rare situation. I would suggest staying with the component cables.

2) Telus doesn't carry an analog FM radio signal that you can plug into your stereo. Using the STB you can "tune in to over 100 of your favourite local AM and FM stations on Optik TV located on channels 697-886."

 

[blue20ae]

For the first probelm, I had the same thing with my LG TV and one of my old Bell PVRs. I tried a different HDMI Cabel but still the same. When this happened, I had to switch off and on my TV.

My TV doesn't have any prbolem with the new Telus PVR and the other Bell PVR.

 

[Jag Knight]

I had the same problem with my Telus Optik Box. Turns out it was the HDMI cable. Switched the cable and the problem went away. The same HDMI cable would work fine with other setups and equipment but not the Cisco box. Try using a different HDMI cable.

 

[thejoker]

HDMI issues..

same sort of HDMI handshake issues here...running a VIZIO 32" LCD....first HDMI cable the installer used resulted in a purple vertical bar occupying the right 1/4 of the tv screen...he swapped the HDMI cable out for another, and it went away...BUT, 2 days after he had installed OPTIK, same thing happened again...vertical purple bar..except the rest of the screen was SNOW....so, I swapped the HDMI cable out for some COMPONENT cables I had sitting around..seems to have resolved the issue with no further problems...anyone else finding this?? definitely think there's some weird problems between the HDMI port on the Telus box and people's tv's or something...

 

[Tedfroop]

Tried both...

Tried both once I found decent HDMI cables at a decent price (Zalman cables from Memory Express -$25 for a 6' cable). There are occasional handshake problems with the Cisco box connected HDMI and none with component cables. But the HDMI problems are all or nothing - picture or no picture.

My O!play box takes longer for the initial handshake depending on the output mode and despite the fact it only plays recorded programing it has had the odd handshake drop.

If you have had your tv for a while it may be a good idea to clean your connectors before using them for the first time.

 

[Kungpow]

I've experienced that "handshake" problem since I first got optik installed about a month ago ( although I didn't know it at the time).*

I have a Sharp quattron lcd and cisco 330 STB connected via HDMI. Basically, if my TV is off and i power off my STB using my remote, the box seems to go into this "sleep" mode where it is unresponsive. The link light is solid, the HD light blinks every second or so. Nothing will turn it back on unless I reset the STB.*

Initially I thought it was my PVR box. The Telus tech came back out a few days after install, couldn't figure out why, and simply switched the box. The problem continued so I've been dealing with the techs on the phone.

The problem continues to this day. However it was only in the last few days that I found out about this handshake problem between some TVs and STBs. Reading more about it, I'm certain that's my problem. *I've troubleshooted the connections and settings on the TV with no luck. My last try would be to use component cables as many other people on this forum and others have said. It sounds like technically there is no drop in picture quality using components as much as some sales person would have you believe. I'm fine wih that as long as I can still connect my PS3 and watch blurays using HDMI with no handshake problems.

I'm just curious to find out if anyone knows if Sharp is addressing this issue?All the forums and posts that I've come across blame the STB. But couldn't this be resolved by some firmware upgrade on the TV end? I've even read that Microsoft's Mediaroom could be the culprit, in which case I addume Telus would have to provide a firmware update for the STB. Anyone with insight on this?

 

[Dr.Dave]

@Kungpow, I've read about the Sharp Quattron on the AT&T U-verse forums and that's a common problem with these TVs. AT&T also uses Mediaroom and has over 2 million subscribers.

Basically, if my TV is off and i power off my STB using my remote, the box seems to go into this "sleep" mode where it is unresponsive.

Does the problem happen if you turn off your TV using the power button on the TV and don't turn off the STB?

From what I've read, the HDMI protocol requires the TV to send a signal when it powers off, which some Sharps don't. The STB continues trying to reestablish the dropped HDMI connection which is why the HDMI light keeps flashing.

Here are some things you can try:

• If you have the STB plugged into HDMI input on your TV which uses "Audio Return Channel" try using a different input. This is usually HDMI input 4.
• Turn off all Aquos Link features using your TV menu.
• Update your TV firmware to the latest version.
• Switch to component cables which will definitely solve this problem.

Let us know if any of these work.

 

[HiDefBob]

Anyone connecting the Telus Optik HD PVR (430) to a Pioneer Pro-141FD using HDMI?

 

[Kungpow]

@Dr Dave

Thanks for clarifying things for me. I suspected the Sharps had some issues with the STB from the Uverse forums, but I wasn't sure if that was a valid blanket statment for all their makes, or if only certain users based on their particular setup.

1) In regards to your question, I have tried keeping the STB on while I turn the TV off. The results vary. If I turn the TV back on right away (within a few seconds), then all is well. If I turn the TV off (with STB still on) and walk away for say 1/2 hour or even a few days, then one of 2 things happens on the screen

a) The screen is blank and shows flashes between 480i and 1080i - like it's searching for a signal
OR
b) The actual TV signal comes through for a split second, then an error message flashes on for another split second (too fast to read) then blank, repeat sequence...

2) I have tried plugging into all HDMI ports. I started with 4 and have moved through the ports up to 7, which it currently resides.

3) Yup. Aquos link is disabled along with some auto poweroff features

4) Firmware. This I haven't tried but will do so tonight or in the next day or so. I was hesitant to do the update as I could only find the firmware upgrade on the Sharp USA site and not Canadian site, but I don't think there's a difference or shouldn't void the warranty (I hope).

5) Component cables. I'm pretty sure this will be my solution until this issue is resolve (or if it will be resolved...). I didn't have my component cables handy over the weekend so I dug up some old RCA cables and connected both (short 2 to 3 ft run). The picture looked decent and I was able to turn both systems off and on without a hitch after leaving it overnight.

Someone in another forum mentioned keeping the HDMI plugged in and should solve the handshake problem simply by having the components plugged in. This didn't work for me as STB was not responsive and both component and HDMI input ended up having issues getting a picture on screen.

At this point, my only working solution is having the component cables plugged in. This makes sense, as during my troubleshooting phase, I unplugged the HDMI cable from the back of the STB and turned off both TV and box for a few days. I came back and turned the STB on using the remote with no issues whatsoever. However, I had major grief trying to get a picture after plugging the HDMI port back into the STB. It might have been my sequence while turning things on and plugged in? Anyways, the final fix was to reboot the STB again - not too practical.

I'll try the firmware update soon and see if that helps with the HDMI link. Thanks Dr Dave.

I'm all ears (as I'm sure many others are) if anyone hears of any new updates with this handshake issue.