HR20 HDMI Problem, Suggestions Needed

[bwgfc5]

Hello All,

Long time lurker, 1st time poster...Anyways, having an issue with my Vizio P50HD or my new DirecTV HDMI HR20-700 DVR. Here is the setup and issue:

The TV is connected to the DirecTV DVR through a relatively inexpensive HDMI cable. After I turn off the TV (not the DVR) and then turn it back on there is total 'snow/static' (with no noise). To fix the problem all I have to do is pull the HDMI cord from the back of the DVR and then plug it back in. After this the picture comes back. I never have to reset the DirecTV DVR. Do you guys think this is an issue caused by:

A. The TV
B. DirecTV DVR
C. HDMI cable

I will do further investigation tonight. I have another HD DirecTV box I can trying hooking up with HDMI (to see if it's the DVR box) and I also have HDcomponent cables I can try (to see if its the HDMI).

So what do you guys think?

Thanks,
Brian

[Earl Bonovich]

I have this happen on occasion with my Pioneer Plasma.
I normally just have to turn off the TV, then turn it back off.

I got the same type of snow when I had the HR10-250 working via HDMI (and my DVD player)... So it is more of the TV then the receiver.

The HDMI cable could be the culprit if it is happening way to often.

[deppblueme]

Apparently, the HDMI spec is not perfect yet. This has something to do with the digital "handshake". When it happens, try switching to another video input and then back to the HDMI input, this seems to work for me.

[ckyee]

I had such a big problem with the HDMI connection that I just went back to component. I had issues with the connection giving me a blank screen every othe time that I shut the directv hr20 down. I'm also attribiting the HDMI cable to problems with playback and skipping on playback - I had reset my HR20 first with the HDMI cable connected and nothing was fixed. Next, by chance, I reset my HR20 again but with me HDMI off and it seemed to reset perfectly.

[rmingee]

I already posted a response on another thread, but I wish I'd read this one first, as it seems to point me at the solution -- just switch to component video, since I have an extra component input free on my TV. The static screen happens to me every single time I turn the HR20 and TV (a 36" Sony HDTV 3-4 years old) off and back on when connected with the HDMI cable that came with my HR10. I suppose I could try a better cable, but I bet anything it has to do with the TV and HR20 not getting along, especially given the info about there being wiggle room in the spec.

Thanks for the input -- this place is great!

-- robert

[w6fxj]

The digital "snow" you see occurs when the HDTV fails to decrypt the HDMI digital video. That can happen if the handshake with the HDMI source is not sucessfully completed. The trouble can be on either end of the HDMI chain.

Bill

[llupin]

I'm no expert, but I read on a forum somewhere that the benefits of HDMI over component will not appear until broadcasts are in 1080p (which will require a new receive, I assume). Since I was having the same problem with HDMI, I went back to component.

From what I'm reading, it appears to be a DirectTV issue, not a TV issue, since it appears on so many different models (I have a Westinghouse LVM42w2), and had this problem with both the H20 and the HR20.

[Earl Bonovich]

From what I'm reading, it appears to be a DirectTV issue, not a TV issue, since it appears on so many different models (I have a Westinghouse LVM42w2), and had this problem with both the H20 and the HR20.

But the "problem" is not exclusive to DirecTV receivers.

Dish receivers have had this problem.
HDMI - DVD Players have had this problem
And the HR10-250 had the problem as well.

[rmingee]

And the HR10-250 had the problem as well.

I saw your request on the other thread, and I'll definitely post my TV model number here this evening.

I wanted to point out that I very rarely saw this on my HR10-250 in almost 2 years of use, and even that I'm not sure was the same thing (probably is), because I got a blank screen with the HR10 and I get a snowy screen with the HR20, and it has happened every time I turn on my TV with the HR20. I plan to do more experiments tonight. I finished activating and scheduling the dish install past my bedtime last night, so I haven't had much playtime :)

-- robert

[ChadDavis]

I have the exact same configuration as the original poster and have the same issue. DTV swapped out my H20 with the new MPEG4 DVR today. I never had the issue with the old high def box so I would definitely attribute it to the new box. Please let me know if you figure out a way to fix it without changing the cable. I would like to keep using my HDMI cable if I can since the picture is much better on the Vizio with the HDMI.

[lmurphy]

I agree with the post above. My DVI worked perfectly with the HR10-250 on a Sony KF-42WE610 connected with a HDMI to DVI cable straight into the tv. But with the HR20 it gets the gray snowy screen until I cycle thru the different resolution. I really like the new box so Iam just using component until it is fixed. I do notice that the picture quality is a little sharper and crisper with the DVI over the component on my tv anyway.

[SParker]

Looks like I will be connecting my HR20 to the component and leaving my HD Tivo connected to the HDMI :)

[Chimpo414]

Hello All,

Long time lurker, 1st time poster...Anyways, having an issue with my Vizio P50HD or my new DirecTV HDMI HR20-700 DVR. Here is the setup and issue:

The TV is connected to the DirecTV DVR through a relatively inexpensive HDMI cable. After I turn off the TV (not the DVR) and then turn it back on there is total 'snow/static' (with no noise). To fix the problem all I have to do is pull the HDMI cord from the back of the DVR and then plug it back in. After this the picture comes back. I never have to reset the DirecTV DVR. Do you guys think this is an issue caused by:

A. The TV
B. DirecTV DVR
C. HDMI cable

I will do further investigation tonight. I have another HD DirecTV box I can trying hooking up with HDMI (to see if it's the DVR box) and I also have HDcomponent cables I can try (to see if its the HDMI).

So what do you guys think?

Thanks,
Brian
I have the same tv with the hr20 and have the same exact prblem. I just switched to component.

[bwgfc5]

Hello All,

Long time lurker, 1st time poster...Anyways, having an issue with my Vizio P50HD or my new DirecTV HDMI HR20-700 DVR. Here is the setup and issue:

The TV is connected to the DirecTV DVR through a relatively inexpensive HDMI cable. After I turn off the TV (not the DVR) and then turn it back on there is total 'snow/static' (with no noise). To fix the problem all I have to do is pull the HDMI cord from the back of the DVR and then plug it back in. After this the picture comes back. I never have to reset the DirecTV DVR. Do you guys think this is an issue caused by:

A. The TV
B. DirecTV DVR
C. HDMI cable

I will do further investigation tonight. I have another HD DirecTV box I can trying hooking up with HDMI (to see if it's the DVR box) and I also have HDcomponent cables I can try (to see if its the HDMI).

So what do you guys think?

Thanks,
Brian


Just in case anyone else runs into this problem, I bought a high quality HDMI wire and the problem went away. I don't think we are supposed to post vendors, but here are the specs:

HDMI to HDMI Cable (24AWG) w/ net jacket -10ft (Gold Plated)

Thanks for the suggestions.