Sky+ HD intermittent black screen on HDMI output only - Sky+ HD

rjfisher · 28-10-2009, 19:55

I've got a Pace Sky+ HD box connected via HDMI to my Samsung TV. I'm suffering with a problem where intermittently the screen just goes black & there is no sound. After 4 or 5 seconds it just comes back.

It seems to only affect the HDMI output. I also have other TVs around the house connected to the RF2 socket and whilst my HDMI TV is dead the other TVs are still working fine.

It appears to usually happen when watching BBC1 or BBC HD, it might do it on other channels but haven't noticed so much. It also does it when playing back recordings from BBC1 and BBC HD.

Any suggestions? I've tried different HDMI cables, disconnecting the SCART leads to the DVD recorder etc but to no avail.

I don't want to change the box, it's my 4th one and the amazingly the most reliable!!

Thanks

Richard

Nigel Goodwin · 28-10-2009, 20:57

Could be box or TV, it's probably an HDCP problem.

gianni · 28-10-2009, 23:15

I have a Samsung HD+ connected to a Pioneer 5090. Mine has done that a couple of times in the last week after being stable for 8 months since install. On both occasions I was listening via the SPDIF output and there was no break in sound so it is obviously down to the connection between the devices or the TV itself. I agree that it is an intermittent HDMI glitch.

aerofly2 · 29-10-2009, 19:37

My HD box (Thomson) has been doing this occasionally for a few months now

From other threads on here and AV forums I think the concensus is that it's an HDMI handshake problem. Seems to affect some box/tele combinations more than others, and also mainly BBC stations.
When my HDMI drops out, I can restore it by switching my TV (Panasonic LCD) off then on again, but still a PITA!!

Steve

ccursons · 29-10-2009, 21:14

My box had been doing it for about a month, samsung box and Panasonic TV. I tried different cables but the result was the same, then while swapping all the cables back forth and about I accidently plugged the Sky HDMI lead into the second socket on the Tv instead of the first and its been perfect since. It might be worth giving it a go and trying a different HDMI socket on your tv if you have a spare, luckily I only need one as everything goes through my av amp first so only one input needed on the TV.

rjfisher · 30-10-2009, 22:07

Thanks for feedback. I will try swapping my Sky HD box to the second HDMI socket & see what happens.

I did wonder if it was a Samsung problem, I have another Samsung TV connected to my PS3 by HDMI and that does so weird things with sparkly interference on screen that disappears when you put the TV in and out of standby.

I thougt connecting two devices by HDMI was meant to be easy!!

aerofly2 · 30-10-2009, 22:20

Unfortunately my Panasonic only has one HDMI socket so i'm up $hi£ creek unless they (either Sky or BBC or whoever is responsible) do something about it.

rjfisher · 31-10-2009, 21:48

Well I tried the secondary HDMI socket and it was just as bad. My wife got so annoyed with it we've gone back to a scary connection, there's progress for you! I'm starting to think SkyHD was a waste of time!

ccursons · 31-10-2009, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjfisher

Well I tried the secondary HDMI socket and it was just as bad. My wife got so annoyed with it we've gone back to a scary connection, there's progress for you! I'm starting to think SkyHD was a waste of time!

Did you try a different cable?

ccursons · 31-10-2009, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjfisher

Well I tried the secondary HDMI socket and it was just as bad. My wife got so annoyed with it we've gone back to a scary connection, there's progress for you! I'm starting to think SkyHD was a waste of time!

It was a waste of time if you are going to keep it connected via scart as you are not getting a HD picture.

coopermanyorks · 31-10-2009, 22:40

If its when you change channels ?

Then try changing the HD resolution output on the HD box

press Services > settings > picture> scroll down to the bottom option and change the HD resolution output to 1080i instead of Automatic

DoubleDoom · 01-11-2009, 17:02

On my Panny TV, we used to get the same when switching channels. it doesnt do it any more after I altered some of the settings.

I believe from memory changing the HD resolution from 1080i to automatic fixed it (opposite to suggestion posted above - so try it both ways).

antonymp5 · 02-11-2009, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by coopermanyorks

If its when you change channels ?

Then try changing the HD resolution output on the HD box

press Services > settings > picture> scroll down to the bottom option and change the HD resolution output to 1080i instead of Automatic

Thanks for that coopermanyorks and DoubleDoom.
I've been having the intermittent problem of the screen going blank when changing the channels since the EPG upgrade last Wednesday morning, so i've done as you mentioned and changed the setting from automatic to 1080i and it's sorted it.

bobcar · 02-11-2009, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonymp5

Thanks for that coopermanyorks and DoubleDoom.
I've been having the intermittent problem of the screen going blank when changing the channels since the EPG upgrade last Wednesday morning, so i've done as you mentioned and changed the setting from automatic to 1080i and it's sorted it.

That will fix a very minor problem (it only does it when you change channels) and cause a much bigger one. Now you will either have to watch 4:3 programmes in fattyvision (why do you have HD in the first place?) or you'll have to manually switch aspect ratios which is surely much more of a hassle than a brief blanking when changing channels?

None of this will help the OP because presumably his box does it randomly (if it did it only on changing channels he would have mentioned this).

gaznik · 02-11-2009, 09:58

MY old samsung bx died and i had an Amstrad replacement, and this exact same problem occured on my 42in samsung. I got in touch with sky and they replaced the box witha new samsung and no more problems.
They say there are no reported compatability problems but it appears there maybe.......

philthy · 02-11-2009, 10:31

If it's any consolation (Probably not)
I had a Samsung B650 TV for 5 weeks (Before it went back for other reasons!) and it's handling of HDCP was terrible, with 3 different sources it would randomly not negotiate and give me a black screen, or a screen full of snow. Swapping inputs cured it on the TV cured it for that session. I tried umpteen cables, and direct connection taking my amp out of the equation and it still did it.

If your Samsung TV has AnyNet+ (Or another manufactures propriety HDMI control system) Make sure you turn it off if you aren't using it. I found the issues was far worse with this enabled!

New TV (Not a Sammy) with the same gear perfect HDCP handshake every time.

woodd2 · 02-11-2009, 11:03

Im having this problem too. It does it three or four times then works perfectly for weeks, if not months. Then it happens again. Then nothing for ages. I have a samsung tv and a samsung hd box...and i have only had the problem since i got the samsung box, the old thompson one i had was fine.

jthspace · 02-11-2009, 13:57

Not really directly connected . . but I have an LG Freeview TV with Hard Disk recorder. If I turn on the sky box first, then the TV, I get sound but a blank screen. If I turn the TV on first and wait a couple of seconds, then switch the sky box on, works every time!

I have set my box to 1080i a few months ago to stop the screen blanking occassionally.

Jeff

Up_North · 04-11-2009, 12:33

I wonder if this is the same problem we're having. We have a Samsung Series 6 TV and Sky+ HD (Thomson I think) connected by HDMI.

If we're watchin Sky live, the screen goes blank with a message "No signal". If I then use the TV remote to change sources (eg to DVD player) and then change back to Sky - it's fine again.

If we're watching a recorded programme, the "No signal" message apeears - Sky+ goes into pause and the Sky+ remote becomes inoperative. Doing the above source change thing brings the signal back with the picture paused and the Sky+ remote now working.

It's driving us crazy as sometimes it can happen 3 or 4 times in one programme - for some reason it's particularly bad during Formula 1.

Ian

RMM · 04-11-2009, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Up_North

I wonder if this is the same problem we're having. We have a Samsung Series 6 TV and Sky+ HD (Thomson I think) connected by HDMI.

If we're watchin Sky live, the screen goes blank with a message "No signal". If I then use the TV remote to change sources (eg to DVD player) and then change back to Sky - it's fine again.

If we're watching a recorded programme, the "No signal" message apeears - Sky+ goes into pause and the Sky+ remote becomes inoperative. Doing the above source change thing brings the signal back with the picture paused and the Sky+ remote now working.

It's driving us crazy as sometimes it can happen 3 or 4 times in one programme - for some reason it's particularly bad during Formula 1.

Ian

Exactly the same problem as I reported in June here http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...=hdmi+dropping

The good news is that the problem is intermittent, sometimes disappearing for several weeks, or months as in my case. Not had any issues for months now.

Greywizard · 05-11-2009, 16:39

Got the same last night while watching BBC4 - Toulouse Lautrec - Intermittant dropout of picture and sound for a few seconds and then both returned OK - Live rewind and watch same stream again and all OK - Pace SKY+HD box and Sony KDL40W 4500 LCD TV - Have swapped HDMI input to see if problem has been resolved

AirComet · 05-11-2009, 22:50

I have the same issue, primarily when watching something that we have recorded.
This has only started happening since the New Sky HD EPG was installed and was fine before then.

Can other people confirm if they had the issue before the EPG as sounds like its time to contact Sky.. Although im guessing we will get the usual (its a one off and only affecting you).

My Setup is a Samsung HD Box and Samsung 1080p LCD TV

coopermanyorks · 05-11-2009, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjfisher

Well I tried the secondary HDMI socket and it was just as bad. My wife got so annoyed with it we've gone back to a scary connection, there's progress for you! I'm starting to think SkyHD was a waste of time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcar

That will fix a very minor problem (it only does it when you change channels) and cause a much bigger one. Now you will either have to watch 4:3 programmes in fattyvision (why do you have HD in the first place?) or you'll have to manually switch aspect ratios which is surely much more of a hassle than a brief blanking when changing channels?

None of this will help the OP because presumably his box does it randomly (if it did it only on changing channels he would have mentioned this).

Surely better than using Scart ?

Who really knows what the op means until he comes back and tells us

neon-lightning · 06-11-2009, 05:58

Had a Samsung Sky+HD box, it got replaced on Tuesday because a lot of the time it would not come out of standby, it would lose everything in the planner and the anytime tv red button would vanish. Plus when you where watching a programme you had recorded, from time to time the whole box would freeze up.

The replacement box is a Pace, which got downloaded with the new sky hd epg, this box works ok, except for the blank screen, hdmi issue. It only seems to do it on BBC channels.

Had no hdmi issue with Samsung box.

The tv is a Sony KDL-S5500.

I use a Microsoft Xbox 360 on the same tv and have no issues with it.

By the way, the Samsung box still had the old sky hd epg.

DazCM · 06-11-2009, 08:52

I had my Samsung HD box swapped out for a Pace when it failed too. Never had the HDMI drop-out problem with the Samsung, but it happened 5 times during the F1 race on BBC1 on Sunday. TV is a Sony KDL-V5500.

Not watched any BBC channels since, and problem has not re-occurred.

28-10-2009, 19:55	#1
rjfisher Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Godalming, NR Guildford, Surrey Services: Sky Digital, Pipex ADSL, Sony PS2, DTT Posts: 291	Sky+ HD intermittent black screen on HDMI output only I've got a Pace Sky+ HD box connected via HDMI to my Samsung TV. I'm suffering with a problem where intermittently the screen just goes black & there is no sound. After 4 or 5 seconds it just comes back. It seems to only affect the HDMI output. I also have other TVs around the house connected to the RF2 socket and whilst my HDMI TV is dead the other TVs are still working fine. It appears to usually happen when watching BBC1 or BBC HD, it might do it on other channels but haven't noticed so much. It also does it when playing back recordings from BBC1 and BBC HD. Any suggestions? I've tried different HDMI cables, disconnecting the SCART leads to the DVD recorder etc but to no avail. I don't want to change the box, it's my 4th one and the amazingly the most reliable!! Thanks Richard

02-11-2009, 09:58	#15
gaznik Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: midlands Services: Sky+,Sky BB, LG32in, samsung home cinema, Posts: 39	BLack screen MY old samsung bx died and i had an Amstrad replacement, and this exact same problem occured on my 42in samsung. I got in touch with sky and they replaced the box witha new samsung and no more problems. They say there are no reported compatability problems but it appears there maybe.......

05-11-2009, 16:39	#21
Greywizard Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: East Devon Services: Pace HD+ (9F3004), Orange-Livebox, Sony KDL40W4500, JVC Home Cinema Posts: 17	Black screen dropout Got the same last night while watching BBC4 - Toulouse Lautrec - Intermittant dropout of picture and sound for a few seconds and then both returned OK - Live rewind and watch same stream again and all OK - Pace SKY+HD box and Sony KDL40W 4500 LCD TV - Have swapped HDMI input to see if problem has been resolved

05-11-2009, 22:50	#22
AirComet Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 14	Same Issue and a Samsung..... I have the same issue, primarily when watching something that we have recorded. This has only started happening since the New Sky HD EPG was installed and was fine before then. Can other people confirm if they had the issue before the EPG as sounds like its time to contact Sky.. Although im guessing we will get the usual (its a one off and only affecting you). My Setup is a Samsung HD Box and Samsung 1080p LCD TV

06-11-2009, 08:52	#25
DazCM Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: York Services: Pace Sky HD, Sony 37" LCD,LG BD370, Onkyo TXSR307, Virgin 10MB BB+Phone Posts: 91	Snap! I had my Samsung HD box swapped out for a Pace when it failed too. Never had the HDMI drop-out problem with the Samsung, but it happened 5 times during the F1 race on BBC1 on Sunday. TV is a Sony KDL-V5500. Not watched any BBC channels since, and problem has not re-occurred.

28-10-2009, 20:57	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 19,154	Could be box or TV, it's probably an HDCP problem.

28-10-2009, 23:15	#3
gianni Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Londinium Services: SkyHD+, Hotbird @ 13, Astra @ 19, Freeview, BT Broadband Posts: 225	I have a Samsung HD+ connected to a Pioneer 5090. Mine has done that a couple of times in the last week after being stable for 8 months since install. On both occasions I was listening via the SPDIF output and there was no break in sound so it is obviously down to the connection between the devices or the TV itself. I agree that it is an intermittent HDMI glitch.

29-10-2009, 19:37	#4
aerofly2 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hertfordshire Services: SkyHD+BT Broadband Max+Panasonic TX32lxd500 + Slingbox Pro Posts: 110	My HD box (Thomson) has been doing this occasionally for a few months now From other threads on here and AV forums I think the concensus is that it's an HDMI handshake problem. Seems to affect some box/tele combinations more than others, and also mainly BBC stations. When my HDMI drops out, I can restore it by switching my TV (Panasonic LCD) off then on again, but still a PITA!! Steve

29-10-2009, 21:14	#5
ccursons Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Swindon Wiltshire Services: Pana 42"plasma,PS3, Yamaha DD amp + Mordaunt short 7.1, 18meg 02 BB Sky HD+ Posts: 946	My box had been doing it for about a month, samsung box and Panasonic TV. I tried different cables but the result was the same, then while swapping all the cables back forth and about I accidently plugged the Sky HDMI lead into the second socket on the Tv instead of the first and its been perfect since. It might be worth giving it a go and trying a different HDMI socket on your tv if you have a spare, luckily I only need one as everything goes through my av amp first so only one input needed on the TV.

30-10-2009, 22:07	#6
rjfisher Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Godalming, NR Guildford, Surrey Services: Sky Digital, Pipex ADSL, Sony PS2, DTT Posts: 291	Thanks for feedback. I will try swapping my Sky HD box to the second HDMI socket & see what happens. I did wonder if it was a Samsung problem, I have another Samsung TV connected to my PS3 by HDMI and that does so weird things with sparkly interference on screen that disappears when you put the TV in and out of standby. I thougt connecting two devices by HDMI was meant to be easy!!

30-10-2009, 22:20	#7
aerofly2 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hertfordshire Services: SkyHD+BT Broadband Max+Panasonic TX32lxd500 + Slingbox Pro Posts: 110	Unfortunately my Panasonic only has one HDMI socket so i'm up $hi£ creek unless they (either Sky or BBC or whoever is responsible) do something about it.

31-10-2009, 21:48	#8
rjfisher Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Godalming, NR Guildford, Surrey Services: Sky Digital, Pipex ADSL, Sony PS2, DTT Posts: 291	Well I tried the secondary HDMI socket and it was just as bad. My wife got so annoyed with it we've gone back to a scary connection, there's progress for you! I'm starting to think SkyHD was a waste of time!

31-10-2009, 22:40	#11
coopermanyorks Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pontefract -In Gods Own County Services: Pace & Thomson HD & Pvr3's in Multiroom-Sky 6 mix & Sports - BB Max Posts: 16,760 Blog Entries: 1	If its when you change channels ? Then try changing the HD resolution output on the HD box press Services > settings > picture> scroll down to the bottom option and change the HD resolution output to 1080i instead of Automatic

01-11-2009, 17:02	#12
DoubleDoom Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 73	On my Panny TV, we used to get the same when switching channels. it doesnt do it any more after I altered some of the settings. I believe from memory changing the HD resolution from 1080i to automatic fixed it (opposite to suggestion posted above - so try it both ways).

02-11-2009, 10:31	#16
philthy Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Newcastle Services: SKY+, DVD, HC, Posts: 47	If it's any consolation (Probably not) I had a Samsung B650 TV for 5 weeks (Before it went back for other reasons!) and it's handling of HDCP was terrible, with 3 different sources it would randomly not negotiate and give me a black screen, or a screen full of snow. Swapping inputs cured it on the TV cured it for that session. I tried umpteen cables, and direct connection taking my amp out of the equation and it still did it. If your Samsung TV has AnyNet+ (Or another manufactures propriety HDMI control system) Make sure you turn it off if you aren't using it. I found the issues was far worse with this enabled! New TV (Not a Sammy) with the same gear perfect HDCP handshake every time.

02-11-2009, 11:03	#17
woodd2 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Derby Services: Sky HD, Samsung LE32R74BDX 32in Freeview, Vodafone At Home Broadband Posts: 37	Im having this problem too. It does it three or four times then works perfectly for weeks, if not months. Then it happens again. Then nothing for ages. I have a samsung tv and a samsung hd box...and i have only had the problem since i got the samsung box, the old thompson one i had was fine.

02-11-2009, 13:57	#18
jthspace Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 49	Not really directly connected . . but I have an LG Freeview TV with Hard Disk recorder. If I turn on the sky box first, then the TV, I get sound but a blank screen. If I turn the TV on first and wait a couple of seconds, then switch the sky box on, works every time! I have set my box to 1080i a few months ago to stop the screen blanking occassionally. Jeff

04-11-2009, 12:33	#19
Up_North Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7	I wonder if this is the same problem we're having. We have a Samsung Series 6 TV and Sky+ HD (Thomson I think) connected by HDMI. If we're watchin Sky live, the screen goes blank with a message "No signal". If I then use the TV remote to change sources (eg to DVD player) and then change back to Sky - it's fine again. If we're watching a recorded programme, the "No signal" message apeears - Sky+ goes into pause and the Sky+ remote becomes inoperative. Doing the above source change thing brings the signal back with the picture paused and the Sky+ remote now working. It's driving us crazy as sometimes it can happen 3 or 4 times in one programme - for some reason it's particularly bad during Formula 1. Ian

06-11-2009, 05:58	#24
neon-lightning Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland Services: Freeview (Blackhill Tx), Sky+HD, Sky Multiroom, Windows 7 Media Center Posts: 25	Had a Samsung Sky+HD box, it got replaced on Tuesday because a lot of the time it would not come out of standby, it would lose everything in the planner and the anytime tv red button would vanish. Plus when you where watching a programme you had recorded, from time to time the whole box would freeze up. The replacement box is a Pace, which got downloaded with the new sky hd epg, this box works ok, except for the blank screen, hdmi issue. It only seems to do it on BBC channels. Had no hdmi issue with Samsung box. The tv is a Sony KDL-S5500. I use a Microsoft Xbox 360 on the same tv and have no issues with it. By the way, the Samsung box still had the old sky hd epg.