The lnb (low noise block downconverter) is the small box that the coax cables connect to on the end of the arm. Basically it collects microwave energy from the dish, downshifts in frequency so it can be used on a coax cable. If it's got an intermittent fault that could easily explain the problem. They only cost a few pounds and can be changed in minutes depending on how difficult it is to reach the dish.

eg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-SK...item2c5c61b734

I could possibly expain why I dont get this problem on Blu ray, TV etc. For what they cost, I might as well get it done, at least it will eliminate something!!!

As the problem appears intermittently, Hughs might test and pass it whilst they are at your home, but then it plays up once they have gone! I still think it is the LNB. It could even be heat/cold or slight temperature changes that cause it to play up.

My original post also suggested cables as another potential source. An intermittent poor contact on one or both cables could also have the same effect. If you get the LNB changed, then it might be wise to have all the F connectors checked too, both at the box end and LNB. The very act of changing the LNB will mean the cable connections to the LNB will have to be checked or at least "moved" to the new LNB.

Good Luck!

I have def. checked the cables in the box, as Hughs had pulled one completely out when they bought the last box back.
Will have to get the ladder out again, and check the connections outside!!!

Thanks for all the comments, guys.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
4th box, same problem. After getting home last night, we watched a RECORDED programme, only for the picture and sound to blank out AGAIN .
As this was a recorded programme, surely the incoming cable / LNB would not be a factor here?

That it is a recording increases the possibility of a problem with the signal getting to the box rather than reduces it.

p.s. If you replay the recording several times then if the drop outs occur exactly at the same place would confirm that the problem is not with the sound reproduction - which would not be consistant.
Last edited by REPASSAC : 09-04-2012 at 08:20

No, it is random. When played back, no problem occurs.

4 boxes? If LNB is ok I would look closer to home, check the HDMI connection to tv. I run one humax per in my home and another in the demo vehicle, I've had only one issue and that was a faulty HDMI cable connection with the tv.

Have tried differnet HDMI cables, have tried them in all 3 TV HDMI ports. Same random problem.

Looking back I see none of these suggestions has been addressed?

Sat dish has been checked by Hughs, who tell me the signal is perfect, there is no laptop anywhere near the FOXSAT, and Hughs refuse to offer an altenative make, without an extra cost to me. I am an electrician by trade, and I know there is no problem with the power.
When we had the replacement television and Humax box, we had no problems.
So yes, I have looked into the alternatives.
I have spoken to Hughs AGAIN today, who have offered a service call!!!

So you have tried it with all other electronic equipment in the house turned off and uplugged (as far as is practicable)?

The only things near the TV, are the Hi FI, which is only switched on when we are using it, and the other units, under the tele, IE DVD and Blu ray
We never had any problems with these units with the old television, and would be suprised if this was the problem, but I cant rule it out. I can only give it a go. Had tele and Humax on for three hours today, and no problem. It is such a random fault, I cant believe 4 Humax units are at fault.

I am not talking about just near the TV but anything in the house on your side of the consumer unit.

That's very interesting. This leads me to believe that it could be random failures of the HDMI handshaking, the interchange of signals between TV and Humax. I have recently solved a random HDMI handshaking problem between a BluRay player, PC, and PC monitor. The PC is a built heavily over-clocked high performance device. I had random picture, sound blackouts, indeed the PC even blue-screened. It turned out to be random timing errors between the motherboard and the HDMI equipped monitor. We believe that it was a case of very slight jitter on the handshaking signals. The handshaking does not occur just at initial connection but regularly whilst the signals are running. So breaks in the handshaking could occur at odd times, sometimes minutes, sometimes hours and even days between glitches. Bl...y annoying.

I do not suspect the HDMI lead. They either work or they don't in my experience, and you have changed them anyway. I think it is an electronic timing issue causing the HDMI handshaking between TV and box to fail randomly. When it re-tries it seems to find the connection and the handshaking succeeds. The problem is that there is no reliable way to measure this as the jitter, or slight mis-timing on the handshaking signals will be very small and may depend upon signal content at the time.. The whole point of HDMI is to prevent people breaking in to see what is happening (to prevent copying HD material)!!! If the TV has been the constant in all your woes, and Hughs have been replacing the boxes, then the sensitivity to HDMI handshaking timing errors would seem to be in the TV. You say that when BOTH TV and box were replaced, it worked. Therefore this must be a possibility?

I cant recall a problem, when we had the replacement TV and box. I would of bet money it was the box when this all started. At the moment, I have gone back to a scart lead. I am amazed at the difference in picture quality, but have told Hughs I will give it a go for 2 weeks. At the moment, we have had no problems!

I am still convinced it is your TV. It is sensitive to HDMI handshake timings! I believe that the SCART connection bypasses this handshaking circuitry completely. The rest of the TV circuitry looks to be working OK.

When you say you are amazed at the picture quality (SD!), it may prove my point. If your TV's HDMI handshaking is intermittently faulty, then the Humax box and TV will probably degrade the signal to SD from HD. The TV and/or Humax will revert to SD if the handshaking fails i.e. it is designed to deliberately degrade from HD to SD. The HDMI circuitry should do this because it may appear that the HD signal path has been compromised or hacked. Are you really sure you have been watching HD via HDMI or has it been degraded to SD, which is why you are amazed at SD via SCART?

How about just changing the TV and keeping to an HDMI connection?

After a week and a half with the scart plugged in, I can report no problems. Put the HDMI back in, picture and sound blanked out within 15 minutes.
ANOTHER call to Hughs TV and Audio...

I think this proves that the SCART connection on your TV works but your HDMI on your TV doesn't. Get them to just change your TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You've gone quiet, Paul15!

How is your TV?