Help stop static bars on my tv
August 4, 2011 8:24 AM Subscribe
What is causing these static bars with my television?
Please help me figure out what is causing my television problems.
My set up: HD Insignia tv connected to Comcast DVR box and Sony Bluray player (I have a LAN from the router to the BluRay to watch Netflix.) The television, BluRay player and router are fairly new, bought 3 months ago. Everything was working great until yesterday.
What is happening: I get these occasional quick flashes of static-like bars across the screen. In addition to this, every now and then the screen goes black for a quick second (and the sound drops too), a little "HDMI3 1080i" box from the tv pops up in the upper right corner of the screen and there may be a chirping noise sometimes. When the tv comes back from the quick blackout, the volume seems a bit lower and has to "build" again.
What I have tried:
- changing the HDMI port to the television from the cable box (from HDMI 1 to HDMI3) - didn't help
-played a DVD on the BluRay player - it played totally fine, no problems with the picture or sound
-played a Netflix movie through the BluRay player - it played totally fine, no problem with the picture or sound
-double checked all connections and wires are all securely in place.
-played something from my Comcast DVR and it also had the static problem
At first I thought there was a problem with the television, but since there are no problems when I use the BluRay player, I'm thinking it's either a problem with the HDMI cable (which is only 3 months old) or with Comcast or the box (ugh) - been there done that. Or could it still be the television?
Has anyone had anything like this? Any suggestions for troubleshooting or help? Thanks so much!
Please help me figure out what is causing my television problems.
My set up: HD Insignia tv connected to Comcast DVR box and Sony Bluray player (I have a LAN from the router to the BluRay to watch Netflix.) The television, BluRay player and router are fairly new, bought 3 months ago. Everything was working great until yesterday.
What is happening: I get these occasional quick flashes of static-like bars across the screen. In addition to this, every now and then the screen goes black for a quick second (and the sound drops too), a little "HDMI3 1080i" box from the tv pops up in the upper right corner of the screen and there may be a chirping noise sometimes. When the tv comes back from the quick blackout, the volume seems a bit lower and has to "build" again.
What I have tried:
- changing the HDMI port to the television from the cable box (from HDMI 1 to HDMI3) - didn't help
-played a DVD on the BluRay player - it played totally fine, no problems with the picture or sound
-played a Netflix movie through the BluRay player - it played totally fine, no problem with the picture or sound
-double checked all connections and wires are all securely in place.
-played something from my Comcast DVR and it also had the static problem
At first I thought there was a problem with the television, but since there are no problems when I use the BluRay player, I'm thinking it's either a problem with the HDMI cable (which is only 3 months old) or with Comcast or the box (ugh) - been there done that. Or could it still be the television?
Has anyone had anything like this? Any suggestions for troubleshooting or help? Thanks so much!
Best answer: In addition to this, every now and then the screen goes black for a quick second (and the sound drops too), a little "HDMI3 1080i" box from the tv pops up in the upper right corner of the screen...
This means whatever is delivering the signal to your TV has stopped delivering the signal. If it happens with more than one device, I'd suggest trying a new HDMI cable.
posted by griphus at 8:33 AM on August 4, 2011
This means whatever is delivering the signal to your TV has stopped delivering the signal. If it happens with more than one device, I'd suggest trying a new HDMI cable.
posted by griphus at 8:33 AM on August 4, 2011
Okay, wait, re-reading everything: which devices does this happen with? You seem to have determined that it doesn't happen with the BluRay player. Does that mean it only happens with the Comcast box?
posted by griphus at 8:37 AM on August 4, 2011
posted by griphus at 8:37 AM on August 4, 2011
You might find that swapping the Comcast DVR output from 1080i to 1080p helps (if that's possible). I had a similar problem with an upscaling DVD/Bluray player and that fixed it.
posted by alby at 8:49 AM on August 4, 2011
posted by alby at 8:49 AM on August 4, 2011
Response by poster: pupdog: ooo good idea, I have to wait for help to move the furniture to get back there, but i will try that.
griphus: yes, the Bluray is fine, just trouble with the DVR box/cable. Don't want to call Comast to come out if it's an HDMI cable issue.
posted by NoraCharles at 8:51 AM on August 4, 2011
griphus: yes, the Bluray is fine, just trouble with the DVR box/cable. Don't want to call Comast to come out if it's an HDMI cable issue.
posted by NoraCharles at 8:51 AM on August 4, 2011
Also, don't fret if it is the cable: HDMI cables are dirt-cheap, unlike what retailers want you to assume.
posted by griphus at 8:53 AM on August 4, 2011
posted by griphus at 8:53 AM on August 4, 2011
Do you keep a cell phone near the television? Cell phones can cause some pretty weird interference problems.
posted by ErikaB at 9:43 AM on August 4, 2011
posted by ErikaB at 9:43 AM on August 4, 2011
Response by poster: It was the HDMI cable.
Thankfully it was very easy to fix, but ticks me off that it's only 3 months old and crapped out like that.
Thanks griphus and pupdog!
posted by NoraCharles at 1:35 PM on August 4, 2011
Thankfully it was very easy to fix, but ticks me off that it's only 3 months old and crapped out like that.
Thanks griphus and pupdog!
posted by NoraCharles at 1:35 PM on August 4, 2011
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posted by pupdog at 8:32 AM on August 4, 2011