Hi,

I hope this hasn't been covered elsewhere.

I have an odd issue with my HDR, which hasn't gone away with any of the new firmware upgrades.

I'm a single cable user using only the HDMI and Optical Out (no Scart etc). I think these steps reproduce it consistently:

1. Set up a recording for a show on BBC HD (not sure if its just this channel)
2. Switch to another channel which you know is a valid channel to be tuned into (eg BBC 1 East(Cambridge) or ITV2), as it can usually be watched simultaneously during recording even on a single cable operation.
3. Turn off the PVR and TV (before the recording begins)
4. Let the recording begin, so the clock is displaying on the LED screen
5. Turn the TV and PVR on while the recording is still going on.

Basically what happens next is you're tuned into BBC 1 East (Cambridge), or ITV2, you can hear the sound, but nothing is displayed on screen. No matter what channel you change to, or how many times you turn the box off and on (soft), the video doesn't come back. In the end, you have to hard-reset and lose your mid-recording. I'm usually too impatient to see what happens when the recording finishes.

This happens to me pretty frequently, coz I watch BBC Breakfast before work, and come back while BBC HD is recording something, I turn the box on and the whole thing is screwed.

I haven't gone to all the hassle to see whether anything is coming out of scart at this point.

Main reason for my post is, I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this issue with the PVR, or is it just me? And have I got my steps and circumstances correct? If others can recreate the bug, I'll send a mail to Humax support to see if they can take a look at it.

Cheers

It sounds very much like a hdmi handshaking problem. Have you tried selecting a different input on the TV and back to the hdr input to force a new regotiation ?

Sounds like it could be auto switching on the TV and handshaking problem as grahamlthompson suggests.

I had a similar problem with my Panasonic FREEVIEW HDR on HDMI only. Changed the Input on the TV from HDMI input 1 to HDMI input 2 and have my DVD player on HDMI input 1 with my Foxsat HDR on HDMI input 3 and no problems.

Mikembe

ps. On my Panasonic TV HDMI input 1 is auto switching.

I've tried switching inputs on the tv to other HDMI sources (dvd player) and scart (Wii) and back again but unfortunately no luck. Turned the TV off and on again, which made me think maybe it was the HDR not transmitting the video.

More likely an HDCP handshaking issue - might help if you mention what TV you have?.

Sure, its a Hitachi L37V01U A.

I only get the problem under those circumstances. Do you think it's because the HDR is doing something different if you're waking from recording?

I don't get any such problems. Try a factory reset this seems to often fix odd ball problems like this. Make a note of your recording reservations you will need to put them back.

Ok thanks, will give that a go.

I should know when BBC HD kicks off later this evening if it's fixed it.

Just set a manual timer to record some of the HD Preview loop

On the odd occasion this has been reported here, before, I think it was only when the box started recording in Active Standby, that triggered the condition. i.e. box in Standby before a scheduled recording starts.

I don't get this condition any time, though.

Rgds.


Les.

I couldn't recreate it by creating a manual timer, but I noticed when I turned the HDR off, the LED clock was still on. So the box must have realised there was a recording coming up pretty soon and not gone into standby.

I've set up another recording for 25 minutes time, the box seems to think that's far enough into the future to turn itself off into the deeper sleep, so should know the results soon.

The box goes into recording sby about 15 mins before a recording is due to start so you need to have the recording set for at least say 20 mins away.

Bam, still happens.

I think the key points are. I'm a single cable user. Setting a recording on BBC HD. Before turning off the box, I tune it to BBC 1 East (W). The box needs to go properly into standby.

When the recording is taking place, turn on the box.

Then, it looks like you are one of the unfortunate ones

I did a quick search of the forum in the threads discussing HDMI switching/handshaking/Green/Black Screen, and Hitachi came up a few times.

Perhaps you could contact Hitachi to see if there's a known problem, or a firmware update?

Rgds.


Les.

Have you got the link cable in place ?. If not the only channels the tuner can get while recording 108 is 951 and 954

Yes, got the link cable in place so it's using both tuners.

Bum, I hope it's not my tv. Although it does give me another excuse to get a new one .

I'm gonna give it another go, but with "Auto" on, as I usually use the HDR set to 1080i for all sources.

"Auto"? Do you mean "Original"?

If so, it's unlikely, as some people have reported that setting the HDR to 1080i, instead of letting the TV do the scaling, has actually helped a few with their HDMI blank screen problem and/or Aspect Ratio switching.

Rgds.


Les.

Yes, sorry mean "Original"

No it didn't help. It's a frustrating issue. Am trying a few other variations now to try to pin down exactly when it does and doesn't happen.

If it happens for some channels and not others, I think it's more likely to be a PVR issue. But if it's simply caused consistently by turning on the PVR and TV from active standby, then I guess it's the TV. Does that sound about right?

Yes, and I haven't seen it mentioned before as limited to BBC HD.

But, if you find a difference at "Original" between BBC HD, and SD channels (unlikely), it may be an HDMI/1080i handshaking problem, but I've never seen that actually isolated like that before. i.e HDR sending 576i through, wakes up your TV, but sending 1080i doesn't.

Rgds.


Les.

Ok,

Thanks for all your help, i think you're all right, it's my TV.

I've tried just recording any channel and then waking up from active standby. Basically it just doesn't work .

So any one looking to get a Hitachi L37V01U, for a Foxsat HDR, don't bother (even if it is £299 at Richer Sounds). You get what you pay for

Richer Sounds have an excellent reputation for taking back goods like this that don't work as they should. Have a chat to the branch manager. They replaced a 2 year old CD player that would not play the longer newer CD's with no argument whatsoever