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Black screen- firmware bug or HDMI fault?


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Old 03-03-2009, 23:11
emdee
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Same problem here (Panasonic plasma). It seems that the HDR does one thing re: HDMI when it starts from cold, and something different when it's "powered on" when it was already recording. Which I would say is an HDR bug.
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Old 04-03-2009, 09:32
b33k34
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I can see this being difficult to solve - my failures were not related to me or the box doing anything specific which will make fixing it difficult.
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Old 15-03-2009, 09:17
mastanlem
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I too get the Black screen issue. Re booted then ok. I have only had mine a few days. The software is issue 03.

I also get a clicking noise through my speakers when changing channels which disappears when the info banner goes off screen.

This noise was also in a previous box which I returned.

Mastanlem
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Old 19-03-2009, 15:01
u006852
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Just thought I would let people know about this.

Like many I have had problems with the HDR giving blank screens at turn on from standby etc.

It has nothing to do with HDCP compatibility in my set up, it happens with or without the HDCP menu option set, SD or HD channel and anyway my video scaler tells me if it cant negotiate HDCP.

The foxsat HD didn't do this but the HDR does.

Anyway to the point, I have just inserted a 3 way hdmi switcher between the HDR and my video scaler and guess what - the problem has COMPLETELY gone away.

The switcher I used is this:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-1-HDMI-CABLE...4.c0.m14.l1262

£20 and excellent next day delivery.

Obviously this won't sort out genuine HDCP compatibility issues but it [i]may[i] sort out the blank screen problem for some.

Don't send me the bill if it doesn't work for you
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Old 19-03-2009, 16:37
wastedyuthe
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Thanks, but there is NO way I am shelling out £20 for something my set up doesn't actually need, just to work around a bug that should have been sorted out LONG ago by a firmware update. I paid good money already for this unit, and am very angry that Humax have ignored my emails and seemingly ignored users requests for smaller bugfix updates rather than having to wait so long for an update just because it's got to have bloomin' iPlayer on it- I just want a box that works as it's SUPPOSED to! Poor customer service- I don't care what Bobcat says.

(I am not ranting at you, u006852, rather at Humax)
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Old 19-03-2009, 16:56
u006852
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I totally agree, I don't want to spend money on it, I also want Humax to fix it, BUT it is simply too frustrating to live with black screens 80% of the time I switch it on.

So I had a choice - wait for a firmware update from Humax which may or may not address the issue.

or

Take the box back to the shop

or

Try to fix the problem myself and spend a small amount.

Considering I don't want to wait any longer for a possible fix, too frustrating, and I didn't want to take the box back for a refund - it is otherwise an excellent box and there is NO alternative, I went for the last option.

Basically my take on the problem is that after the splash screen the HDMI output momentarily goes inactive.

For some reason with certain combos of equipment, the HDR simply then thinks that it is not plugged into anything and the hdmi remains inactive.

With the hdmi switch in circuit it does think it's plugged into a device and goes ahead and handshakes.

It's a guess of course, I can't prove this, but I am confident it is a HDR issue and not the fault of peoples TVs or scalers/AV amps.

This problem is not to be confused with HDCP issues.
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Old 19-03-2009, 20:43
beberex
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Just thought I would let people know about this.

Like many I have had problems with the HDR giving blank screens at turn on from standby etc.

It has nothing to do with HDCP compatibility in my set up, it happens with or without the HDCP menu option set, SD or HD channel and anyway my video scaler tells me if it cant negotiate HDCP.

The foxsat HD didn't do this but the HDR does.

Anyway to the point, I have just inserted a 3 way hdmi switcher between the HDR and my video scaler and guess what - the problem has COMPLETELY gone away.

The switcher I used is this:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-1-HDMI-CABLE...4.c0.m14.l1262

£20 and excellent next day delivery.

Obviously this won't sort out genuine HDCP compatibility issues but it [i]may[i] sort out the blank screen problem for some.

Don't send me the bill if it doesn't work for you
My telly has only got one HDMI input (It`s DVI actually) and I`ve gone down this road as well out of neccessity rather than having a problem with black screen scenario.

Check this if you want a splitter/switch.

It`s a 5 way with remote and is described as a slight second which they are (some slight scratches on top). There is a switch on the box itself in case the remote battery goes.

http://www.cableuniverse.co.uk/catal...-extender.html

Last edited by beberex : 19-03-2009 at 20:47. Reason: Mispelling
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Old 20-03-2009, 08:43
sadbiker
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It must be a HDMI handshaking fault generated by the HDR. Would love to see the messages being generated when the HDR is in normal standy and thne switch on, to the HDR being in standby and a recording is in progress and then switched on. I would suspect that in the suspect scenerio a HDMI message to active the screen is not being generated and this is where the manufacturer needs to investigate.
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Old 20-03-2009, 09:36
rent-a-nuke
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It must be a HDMI handshaking fault generated by the HDR. Would love to see the messages being generated when the HDR is in normal standy and thne switch on, to the HDR being in standby and a recording is in progress and then switched on. I would suspect that in the suspect scenerio a HDMI message to active the screen is not being generated and this is where the manufacturer needs to investigate.
I agree there's an isue, I have a Panasonic TX-37LZD85 and if my Humax box is recording when I turn the TV on, I get a black screen via HDMI 2. If I switch to HDMI 1 and back to 2, I get a picture. I haven't reported this to Humax - what is the recommended channel to report such issues?
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Old 20-03-2009, 11:20
arthur32
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I reported it 15 Jan, still waiting for a reply
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Old 20-03-2009, 11:24
u006852
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rest assured it has been reported to Humax by quite a number of people including myself just before xmas.

The reply I had:-

Thanks for the feedback. We will be looking into any outstanding issues on the HD and HDR units next year (not that far away now).

I will be in contact with any updates.


Still waiting......

You find the support email on the humax website
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Old 20-03-2009, 11:45
rent-a-nuke
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rest assured it has been reported to Humax by quite a number of people including myself just before xmas.

The reply I had:-

Thanks for the feedback. We will be looking into any outstanding issues on the HD and HDR units next year (not that far away now).

I will be in contact with any updates.


Still waiting......

You find the support email on the humax website
I've reported it to and had the following in reply:

Dear Sir,

Most handshake issues are being reviewed and resolved when possible, im sure you understand that it isn’t always down to the box and the TV plays some part,

Many Thanks,

Humax Customer Support

And also when I asked on a firmware update date:

Dear Sir,

At the moment updates are in cycle so we expect it within a few weeks but nothing is definite,

Many Thanks,

Humax Customer Support
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