Television Interference Problem?

[elliot_s]

Good evening all,

I am looking for any sort of advice/help with an on-going possible interference problem that I am experiencing with my television. I posted it in here as being my first post, I was unsure exactly where this belongs. I have searched and searched the internet for related issues without success.

The television is a 1 year old Sony 42" and I currently have my television box plugged into HDMI1 with a PS3 plugged into HDMI2. This issue has occurred through both HDMI slots and also through the component with my previous cable company. It has never happened when I have been on the PlayStation or when my laptop, only when I am watching TV.


The issue is that when I am watching television, the screen will suddenly go all pixilated (screenshot below) and a loud screeching/bleeping noise will occur for around 5-8 seconds. Occasionally the sound will not occur and just the screen will be the problem. The television will then turn itself off and then back on again. Once back on, the picture will be fine until the issue re-occurs. It can happen multiple times in a single hour and will happen on any channel, only when I am watching television.





I have had three technicians from one cable company come to try and fix the problem but without luck. I then changed companies to a Fibre Optic connection but the problem still persists. I have changed the power plug the TV is connected too, used power surge bars, used extensions, plugged the TV directly into the wall, everything that I can think of. The issue has been so bad lately that I have had to stop watching television.

Can anyone help or provide some advice to what is causing this problem? Everyone I have asked has never seen this before and seems to have no answer or solution for a fix.

Any help is much appreciated.

Elliot

[johns0]

If you can try another hdtv and see if the problem still happens.

[jagabo]

Swap the HDMI inputs (ie, PS3 into HDMI1, TV box into HDMI2). Does the problem follow the HDMI input or the device plugged into it?

[johns0]

Sounds to me like a problem with the cable receiver box or the tv itself.

[pandy]

Looks like typical HDCP problem (HDCP handshake fail) - check TV vendor site/contact service - perhaps there is newer firmware for TV to upgrade your TV.
Also please check cable - cable can be cheap, hi-speed (i.e. at least certified for HDMI 1.3), no longer than 1.5m . Place both plugs firmly in sockets.

Additionally - there can be problem with STB - incorrectly designed STB - there is lot of issues related to interoperability (poor) between HDCP devices - in your case it can be related to fact that probably TV use HDMI switch but STB have problems to recognize correctly moment where you switch to STB input on TV.
You can verify this easily, when problem occurs, replug HDMI connector on STB (take out plug, insert plug) this should trig proper hot plug detection sequence - if this solve your problem (i.e. everything will start work correctly) but problem will reaper after switching sources on TV (i.e. switch to PS3 input, then back to STB) then probably you are victim of the poor HDMI standard.
You may try to solve problem by upgrade of the firmware on TV and perhaps STB side or buy so called "smart" HDMI cable (usually those cables are equipped with small uC that trying to restore correct sequence and thus eliminate main problem) for example http://us-shop.elbox.com/en_US/p/iHDMI-1.8-m/93 - they was designed to solve problem with first generation HDMI devices - they not modify video or audio signals but they operate on I2C bus used to exchange various data between HDMI source and sink - one of those data are HDCP and correct sequence of transition on this bus can be a serious problem that will produce HDCP error.

[Bjs]

Get back onto the cable company, they should be able to verify if there's issues with output from their device.

Second ... no-one can identify the tv correctly without knowing the model number involved as to its hdmi status.

[mammo1789]

I have had three technicians from one cable company come to try and fix the problem but without luck. I then changed companies to a Fibre Optic connection but the problem still persists. I have changed the power plug the TV is connected too, used power surge bars, used extensions, plugged the TV directly into the wall, everything that I can think of. The issue has been so bad lately that I have had to stop watching television.

How can be the cable company or the box when the op said that he changed provider and method( optical connection)

If you can try another hdtv and see if the problem still happens.

Op didn't said if he changed the TV to see if the same thing happens with another TV it could be it


Or maybe this can help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrite_bead just a thought i didn't try them on a digital connection but on analog (especially svhs cable from vhs to pc tv card)it makes wonders.

[pandy]

Guys - this is typical HDCP problem - source (STB) have no correct response form TV thus dropping HDMI, TV thinks that signal is OFF thus going to power Standby but Sink in this moment see change on HDMi thus start sending picture, TV detect HPD on HDMI waking-up... 5 - 8 sec interrupt, looping sequence etc are related to HDCP problem between STB and TV.

[elliot_s]

Thank you everyone for your very helpful responses. The issue occurs on both HDMi slots and through the component. My television is a Sony and the part number is KDL-42EX440.

I have just ordered a new HDMi smart cable with the ferrite beads to see if this can resolve the problem.

If it continues then as suggested, I will try with another HDTV.

I will post again once the cable arrives and/or when I try with another HDTV.

Thanks again!

[Megahurts]

Since you said it happened on component it would eleminate the hdmi input as the problem.

Turn down the back light setting and see if the frequency of the problem changes. It may be a heat related problem. I know you say the ps3 works fine but try it any way.