HD Channels Black??

[RebeccaD7]

I just got an HD DVR (H21) last weekend and have had a couple problems. Last week one show I recorded came out black, but I said oh well it just happened once.

Well last night another show on the same channel did the same thing. When I turned my TV on my whole tv was black, so I changed the channel and I noticed that all my local HD Channels were all black. After switching a few times the HD Channels came back. Then this morning the exact same thing happened!

I'm scared that none of my HD channel recordings are going to record now. Has anyone had this happen? I'm in the Los Angeles area. We do have high winds right now, but why would it affect only HD channels? PLUS my parents have the HR-20 and they are completely fine, so this is probably reciever related, right? Should I call directv and get a replacement? I've only had it for a week. Thanks for any info anyone can give me!

[calwan]

I had this happen just over the weekend. I recorded a show, went to play it and it was a black screen with no sound. I rebooted the receiver and then the show was ok. I have no explanation why, but I decided to try that after reading other similar posts.

[Stuart Sweet]

:welcome_s to DBSTalk.com!

The first thing I would do is reset your receiver and see if it helps. Then, if you're still seeing a problem, I would carefully note the exact channels (it sounds like the local ones) that are having the problem. Is it only the locals or are you having problems with other channels like 278 Discovery HD or 229-1 HGTV HD?

Now is the time, while you're still under warranty, to get a new receiver if you need one. For what it's worth, there have been some other issues lately with black screen recordings but I haven't read any recent reports of someone losing all of their HD locals.

[Mavrick]

I have been having this problem alot and only on channel 607 Speed HD a reboot always fixes it but if I have the receiver on 607 for a long period of time or leave the receiver on that channel when I turn it off at night the black screen problem appears and takes a reboot to correct.

[dtrell]

I have been having this problem alot and only on channel 607 Speed HD a reboot always fixes it but if I have the receiver on 607 for a long period of time or leave the receiver on that channel when I turn it off at night the black screen problem appears and takes a reboot to correct.

i have seen this as well on my HR21-700, whether on NR or CE.

[jp41]

I just got an HD DVR (H21) last weekend and have had a couple problems. Last week one show I recorded came out black, but I said oh well it just happened once.

Well last night another show on the same channel did the same thing. When I turned my TV on my whole tv was black, so I changed the channel and I noticed that all my local HD Channels were all black. After switching a few times the HD Channels came back. Then this morning the exact same thing happened!

I'm scared that none of my HD channel recordings are going to record now. Has anyone had this happen? I'm in the Los Angeles area. We do have high winds right now, but why would it affect only HD channels? PLUS my parents have the HR-20 and they are completely fine, so this is probably reciever related, right? Should I call directv and get a replacement? I've only had it for a week. Thanks for any info anyone can give me!

I have had a similar problem and it is very frustrating. I spend about five minutes switching back and forth between channels before my receiver finally ‘catches’ and starts displaying the picture. This only happens on my local HD channels (the OTA and national HD channels are fine). I will be watching something on a local HD channel and switch during a commercial to a different channel. When I switch back to my local HD channel it is like the receiver gets stuck and I will just get a blank screen. At first I thought the receiver was having a problem if I was going from a 720p to 1080i switching resolutions. I would try to go to a non-local channel that was the same resolution as the local channel and switch back. Sometimes this would work but now I just think it was coincidence. I have done a red button reset and have unplugged the receiver but the problem still comes back. The blank screen doesn’t happen all the time but happens enough to make the wife upset…and that’s never a good thing. :) Thanks for any help or suggestions.

I have a HR-20 and a Mits WD52631 DLP television connected via HDMI.

[RebeccaD7]

I have been having this problem alot and only on channel 607 Speed HD a reboot always fixes it but if I have the receiver on 607 for a long period of time or leave the receiver on that channel when I turn it off at night the black screen problem appears and takes a reboot to correct.

So if something recorded with the "black screen" and you rebooted the receiver then your show actually shows up? I deleted my "black screen show" so I can't test this out anymore.

[yarrumc]

I have had a similar problem and it is very frustrating. I spend about five minutes switching back and forth between channels before my receiver finally ‘catches’ and starts displaying the picture. This only happens on my local HD channels (the OTA and national HD channels are fine). I will be watching something on a local HD channel and switch during a commercial to a different channel. When I switch back to my local HD channel it is like the receiver gets stuck and I will just get a blank screen. At first I thought the receiver was having a problem if I was going from a 720p to 1080i switching resolutions. I would try to go to a non-local channel that was the same resolution as the local channel and switch back. Sometimes this would work but now I just think it was coincidence. I have done a red button reset and have unplugged the receiver but the problem still comes back. The blank screen doesn’t happen all the time but happens enough to make the wife upset…and that’s never a good thing. :) Thanks for any help or suggestions.

I have a HR-20 and a Mits WD52631 DLP television connected via HDMI.

I have the same problem and called support. They didn't know what I was talking about. Certainly sounds like a receiver/tv issue so far. Maybe a handshake issue? I thought it was my signal, as I have low reading on 103c, but when the picture is showing, it is fine.

[jacksonm30354]

I just had this issue recording Big Brother and Jericho tonight. Big Brother was recording and I decided to start watching fromt he beginning. Black screen. I changed the channel to 46 (CBS) and it was fine. I reset the receiver after 11PM, went back to try BB and it was still black all the way to the end of the show eventhough as I said I actually tuned to 46 (the other tuner was recording NBC at the same time and that recording is fine). I decided I would just watch Jericho. Black screen as well. I unplugged my HR20. Both shows still black upon reboot. I will try resetting again to see maybe 3rd time is the charm.

[MLBurks]

This is happening as well on my HR21-200. Some HD channels go black and some HD recordings end up black. The channels that go black are always HD and are random every time.

[Satchaser]

I had this same problem yesterday evening (3/04). Only the local HD channels were affected, but all of them were affected. The SD broadcasts of all the channels were OK. within 10 minutes all returned to normal broadcast. I don't think in my case that it is a receiver issue-- maybe a multiswitch problem. I have 4 HD receivers (MPEG4) and on HR20.

I checked with a neighbor of mine and he experienced the same blackout problems WHEN I did. Could it be they are moving "Locals" (MPEG4) around preparing for D-11 launch and activation?

[calphin]

I am on my second HR21-700 and have had the same "freezing" "Black Screens" when changing from say NBC to CBS. You lucky, I could not even to to CBS to watch Big Brother. Black Screen! A number of issues with the HR21-700 DVR. Not a pleasant experience for a service we pay for from D*. I monitor the D* forums as well and people are having the same issues. I am a technology, by trade, person and can do basic troubleshooting. When I have a H20-600, connected to the same service, same dish and never have a problem with freeze, its pretty much a "no brainer" has to be combination of the hardware / software issues in the HR boxes.

[bcherry]

I had this same problem (i.e. no video, no audio) come up a few days ago while recording Unhitched, a new show on my local FOX HD channel. Last night I wasn't recording anything but I was switching between CNN HD and MSNBC watching election coverage. First my TV screen went black without audio when I swtiched to CNN. When I switched back to MSNBC that channel was also black without audio. I tried a lot of other channels and had the same results. I unplugged my receiver and when it restarted everything was back to normal.

[Steve]

So if something recorded with the "black screen" and you rebooted the receiver then your show actually shows up? I deleted my "black screen show" so I can't test this out anymore.Not in my case. I've tried rebooting the receiver, and after the restart, the "blank" recordings are still blank. I've had about 7-8 of them in the past 2-3 weeks, on both an HR20 and an HR21. Completely random, and the same shows recorded fine on other receivers in the house. /steve

[sbgbxxxi]

I have been having this problem alot and only on channel 607 Speed HD a reboot always fixes it but if I have the receiver on 607 for a long period of time or leave the receiver on that channel when I turn it off at night the black screen problem appears and takes a reboot to correct.

I'm getting the same thing.. If I watch Speed (607hd) , after awhile it freezes the screen, I'll switch to the non-HD and it's fine, then I'll switch back to the HD version and it's blank. I lose some other HD channels as well until I reboot the HR21-700 receiver. It's fustrating! :mad:

One thing I don't have yet, is the correct multiplexor (switch) which is going to be installed on Saturday. I'm hoping this helps..

[calphin]

Not sure what you refer to a "multiplexor (switch)". Only a "B" Band Convertor is needed for each feed to the HR21-700.

[sbgbxxxi]

Not sure what you refer to a "multiplexor (switch)". Only a "B" Band Convertor is needed for each feed to the HR21-700.

It was recommended on another forum that I try and use a multiplexer. DTV is putting it in for free, so it's worth a shot. (plus I have another receiver to install)

[yarrumc]

I have the same problem and called support. They didn't know what I was talking about. Certainly sounds like a receiver/tv issue so far. Maybe a handshake issue? I thought it was my signal, as I have low reading on 103c, but when the picture is showing, it is fine.

I am certain this is a signal issue (but what is the cause). Last night, after watching about 1.5 hours of HD on 11, the picture had pixelization, audio cutting out, picture freezes, then to a black screen. Until the picture decided to come back, there was absolutely no 'searching for signal' message or any message of any sort displayed on the screen. I quickly checked my signal strength on 103c (my worst signal) and all the transponders had the usual 40,50,60's strength, so unless it was a fast dip in signal, then is this really the signal or a bug/problem with this receiver or hardware?

[tider]

Add me to the list of having this problem.
I posted in another thread about the same problems.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=121619

[FlugPoP]

I have gone through 4 HD DVRS. In the end the all end up doing the same thing. Black recordings. Black channels. I'm on my 4th and it started doing it right out of the box the next day. These boxes are junk and this is a problem that can not be resolved. I've had DTV replace almost everything. Another new slim line dish LNBs, and new multi-switch. Nothing fixes it.
I have had 1 HR-21 AND 3 HR-21's. I'm sick of it and from what I hear there's no getting out of the contract.

[RebeccaD7]

I have gone through 4 HD DVRS. In the end the all end up doing the same thing. Black recordings. Black channels. I'm on my 4th and it started doing it right out of the box the next day. These boxes are junk and this is a problem that can not be resolved. I've had DTV replace almost everything. Another new slim line dish LNBs, and new multi-switch. Nothing fixes it.
I have had 1 HR-21 AND 3 HR-21's. I'm sick of it and from what I hear there's no getting out of the contract.


I emailed directv and they told me that there are no known cases of this problem! what liars!!! I asked if I can replace it for a regular DVR because it seems all HD-DVR's have this problem, and they will replace it but I won't get the difference in price reimbursed, so I'm not doing it. I'll just wait until I move out and get cable and get my tivo back :)

[Gryphon]

I had this happen soon after my HR21-200 was first installed last Friday. Up to then, everything was great. On the Saturday morning, some but not all channels were black. These were network channels, not locals. SpeedHD and FuelHD eventually gave me a still picture and occasionally one more frame.

Oh crap...

I opened the manual, and 'troubleshooting' told me to do a red button reboot. I did, and it has been perfect for the 3 days since. No black recordings so far.

[RebeccaD7]

I had this happen soon after my HR21-200 was first installed last Friday. Up to then, everything was great. On the Saturday morning, some but not all channels were black. These were network channels, not locals. SpeedHD and FuelHD eventually gave me a still picture and occasionally one more frame.

Oh crap...

I opened the manual, and 'troubleshooting' told me to do a red button reboot. I did, and it has been perfect for the 3 days since. No black recordings so far.

Yea I went about a week with no blank recordings, but today I got one again! It's always on CBS HD. Luckily most shows are on the web now so I have a backup, but how annoying is it to spend all this money for directv and an hd dvr and not be able to trust it??

[KCWolfPck]

I've also had recordings of the "black screen" over the past month or so. I always assumed it was the fact that I only had one sat input connected...because I never have the same problem with my other HR20 that has both sat inputs connected.

Do all of you having this problem have it on a DVR that has only 1 sat input connected?

[Brian Hanasky]

I had the same problem this past weekend. I found that on my HR-20 100 that only Sat input 2 was giving me the black screen. I first tried to switch BBC's to see if one was bad but no change. Next I tried to swap input lines 1 to 2 and vice versa. Same problem.

Next I tried to record one show while switching the other tuner to different channels. When Tuner 2 was recording the SD show (found out which was recording by disconnecting sat lines) the other tuner was able to pick up HD channels and SD channels. When Tuner 1 was recording the show Tuner 2 would only pick up SD channels but not HD (the HD was simply black). Called and spoke to tech support. Told the nice lady what was happening and what I had already tried. She had me do a complete system restart and the problem still was happening. She sent me a replacement HR-20 100 and I received it yesterday. So far no problems.

Seemed to me like it was something bad internally. Will keep an eye on this one but my other HR-20 100 (living room) has worked fine since I installed it.

[Rich]

I have gone through 4 HD DVRS. In the end the all end up doing the same thing. Black recordings. Black channels. I'm on my 4th and it started doing it right out of the box the next day. These boxes are junk and this is a problem that can not be resolved. I've had DTV replace almost everything. Another new slim line dish LNBs, and new multi-switch. Nothing fixes it.
I have had 1 HR-21 AND 3 HR-21's. I'm sick of it and from what I hear there's no getting out of the contract.

You gotta have patience. This sounds like a software glitch. Calling D* about this will result in nothing more than another replacement being sent and doing the same thing. Or if you are really lucky, they will send out an installer to "fix your software". That happened to me once. I actually let it happen, wanted to see what the installer thought about it. He did nothing. Knew nothing about the software. Just a means of pacifying a customer.

Rich

[Rich]

Not in my case. I've tried rebooting the receiver, and after the restart, the "blank" recordings are still blank. I've had about 7-8 of them in the past 2-3 weeks, on both an HR20 and an HR21. Completely random, and the same shows recorded fine on other receivers in the house. /steve

Yet another reason to have multiple 20/21s and backup, backup, backup.

Rich

[Rich]

It was recommended on another forum that I try and use a multiplexer. DTV is putting it in for free, so it's worth a shot. (plus I have another receiver to install)

That would be a multiswitch. Try to get the 6x16 powered Zinwell.

Rich