Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

Hi,

I have a 5540 that is about 2 years old. Recently I have been
experiencing the the following:

1. Live mode: Picture is frozen and audio keeps repeating
about 5 secs in endless loop. It started doing it
when changing channels but recently it seems to get
stuck even after a reboot.

2. Replay mode locally: Playing already recorded shows is OK.
It does take a while to get the menu due to (1).

3. Replay mode to a 5040: Works fine

4. Replay mode from a 5040: works fine

5. Other Issues: Occassional severe pixelation on local channels.
I was thinking that this is an issue with the satellite
but does not happen on the 5040 (but could be due to the
different DirecTV receiver).

Has anyone seen this? Is this a hard drive issue (I wanted to
rule that out since recorded shows play fine).


Any info appreciated.

Thanks
Felix

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 09:46:25 -0800, F. Chung <f@nospam.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I have a 5540 that is about 2 years old. Recently I have been
>experiencing the the following:
>
> 1. Live mode: Picture is frozen and audio keeps repeating
> about 5 secs in endless loop. It started doing it
> when changing channels but recently it seems to get
> stuck even after a reboot.
>
> 2. Replay mode locally: Playing already recorded shows is OK.
> It does take a while to get the menu due to (1).
>
> 3. Replay mode to a 5040: Works fine
>
> 4. Replay mode from a 5040: works fine
>
> 5. Other Issues: Occassional severe pixelation on local channels.
> I was thinking that this is an issue with the satellite
> but does not happen on the 5040 (but could be due to the
> different DirecTV receiver).
>
>Has anyone seen this? Is this a hard drive issue (I wanted to
>rule that out since recorded shows play fine).
>

It may still be one. Note that when buffering live TV (rather than
playing a recorded show), the Replay is doing BOTH recording and
playing at the same time (with a controllable delay that's at least 1
sec or so). The disk may be fast enough for either one, but not both
at the same time (the playback is effected first). Try it with a new
drive (or just a new software image, it that doesn't fix it use a new
drive)..

>
>Any info appreciated.
>
>Thanks
>Felix

--
Mark Lloyd
has a Replay 5xxx
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"The idea that there is an invisible being who
created and still runs this old universe is so
childish, so obviously contrived, that it is hard to
believe anyone with even a modicum of education can
still fall for that scam."

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

F. Chung wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a 5540 that is about 2 years old. Recently I have been
> experiencing the the following:
>
> 1. Live mode: Picture is frozen and audio keeps repeating
> about 5 secs in endless loop. It started doing it
> when changing channels but recently it seems to get
> stuck even after a reboot.

Since everything is digital this could be due to any of the following

Bad LNA (Dish head unit) Bad cable, staple through cable (or nail) bad
cable box, bad drive in the Replay, bad other in the replay. and most
likely a bad connection somewhere on the signal path TO the replay
(Check all connections for corrosion and pulled wire)




>
> 2. Replay mode locally: Playing already recorded shows is OK.
> It does take a while to get the menu due to (1).
>
> 3. Replay mode to a 5040: Works fine
>
> 4. Replay mode from a 5040: works fine

Different signal paths, different LNA (Lo, Noise Amplifier) at the dish,
Different cable, Different cable, box,,, Different EVERYTHING
>
> 5. Other Issues: Occassional severe pixelation on local channels.
> I was thinking that this is an issue with the satellite
> but does not happen on the 5040 (but could be due to the
> different DirecTV receiver).

Do you watch local channels locally or via the sat? (Your own antenna or
what)

>
> Has anyone seen this? Is this a hard drive issue (I wanted to
> rule that out since recorded shows play fine).

One thing I have noticed about the replay is that it will pixelate if
it's not getting a strong enough signal when watching "Off the air"
(Connected to an antenna) I ran mine for a while on a set of rabbit ears

To test the replay you need an alternative video source, A dvd player
would be nice... Hook it up to LINE 2 and see how it records... I it
records fine and plays through fine, then you have elimanted almost all
of the replay as the culprit (How much is left to elimante depends on
how you are hooked to the cable box.

To test the cable box,,, Hook up a tv or video monitor in place of the
replay....

This is an elimination test... A very definitive test as far as it goes

If the picture off the cable box is defective, stutters, pixelates, and
such..... Suspect it and it's upstream devices (Call your cable/sat
provider) if the pic suffers when viewing/recording from a DVD player...
Suspect the Replay