D*, Tivo HD 10-250 and HDMI/Pink

[Stanley Kritzik]

When the 10-250 comes out of "standby" and begins to send video, if one is connected with an HDMI cable, there is an overlay of pink, along with the normal video.  This can be defeated by changing resolution or by using DVI output on the Tivo (as Tivo DMI <-------> HDMI Video).

After some weeks, D* now says it is a "known problem", but the support people don't yet know when a solution will be available, and whether it will be a software upgrade or a box swap.

The work-around isn't the end of the world, even though for $1000, one wants a perfect result, but at least D* acknowledges the problem, and it is one that they own.

Stan Kritzik

[Stanley Kritzik]

Whoops -- that should read:

Tivo DVI <---------------> HDMI Video

Sorry.
Stan

[borghe]

yeah, there is also an issue with 58-1/58-2 that requires a hacked tivo to work around....

but still... they CAN be worked around and in the meantime I am running 500GB in my unit, callerid to the screen, and have around 200 DVDs worth of programming saved...

so I deal with it with a smile

[Stanley Kritzik]

I'm probably older than most, and spent my early adult years doing computer work when IBM had a near-monopoly on computers.  At that point in history, they would announce products a year before delivery, would never tell their good customers what was coming, and would fix problems only when clubbed over the head with a number of 2X4s.

My point is that DirecTV behaves that way regarding the Tivo problems -- pink screens and Ch 58 mapping.  It is virtually impossible to get up the line with one of these problems and get a meaningful answer (so-called "level two" is useless).  What the heck good is Tivo if it won't map 58-1, etc. correctly, and they won't fix it?  Why isn't there an e-mail path for problems (try it and they'll tell you to call the same old dumb number)?  This stonewall approach to customer support will, in time, lose them customers and good will.

One would think that they'd want to satisfy and keep customers, to have us recomment their product to the next potential buyer, etc.  By the way, my Sammy receiver maps 58-1, etc. OK.  So, why not Tivo, for Pete's sake.

Stan Kritzik

[borghe]

I ahve talked extensively with DirecTV and other station managers on this (though not 58 as they have been very unresponsive on the issue).

At this point it seems very likely that this is NOT a Tivo issue (58 channel mapping that is). You argue that your Samsung maps 58 just fine. I argue that the Tivo maps every other channel in Milwaukee just fine.

But to get on a more technical note with this, it seems all other Weigel stations who map to 1-1 have this problem with the Tivo. And to let you in on something, they aren't supposed to be mapping to 1-1 and in fact will have to stop this year.

So yes Tivo could loosen up their ATSC decoder a bit to account for the way WDJT is sending out PSIP mappings, but is that really the answer we need? No, we need 58 to fix things on their end and actually comply with North American ATSC standards.

To give you an idea on things.. Most boxes have no problems seeing 58 on 1-1.. However 1-1 is not a valid North American ATSC channel mapping. No one is supposed to be using 1-1 (2-69 only). yet most boxes can see 1-1. HOWEVER, if someone comes out with a box that can't see 1-1 (as Dish did previously), they are technically within their right to do so and are in fact not the ones in wrong for not being able to see the channel. Now Dish of course fixed the box so it could see 1-1. And it would probably be a good idea on DirecTV's part to fix this to appease customers. Part of me believes that DirecTV is just waiting out the compliance requirement later this spring. Why spend resources coding the box to accomodate for the violation when the violation itself will have to be fixed within the next 4 months?

who knows.. either way the problem should be gone by May.

as for pink HDMI... I have no idea.. I hooked my Tivo up to th bedroom TV once (living room doesn't have DVI) and the picture was fine. Though I do know the pink HDMI thing is not unusual. One thing I can say is maybe open up the tivo and push down on the card and make sure it is seated properly..

[Stanley Kritzik]

I buy what you say regarding 58, since everything else works fine regarding mapping, etc.  It would just be nice for D*/Tivo to say: "Hey, it isn't us, it's Weigel", instead of remaining silent.

As for the pink HDMI screen, they have said it is their problem, but what they won't say is whether software will fix it, a box swap will be needed, or that they don't know at this point, but that there will be resolution within 60 or 90 days.  Just say something to let the installed base know that they "own" the problem, and that it will be fixed.

Stan Kritzik

[borghe]

mhz40 posted in the recording forum that WDJT plans to change their PSIP mapping and guide data on 1/31 to come into mandated compliance. If this really is a PSIP issue I would hope/imagine that things will be fixed by then.

ironically that will break my temporary fix Luckily it isn't at all hard to set things back.

[Stanley Kritzik]

Now that would be nice -- having WDJT back where they belong, at 58-1, etc.  Now, if they and our friends at Fox would up their power a bit (a big bit for Fox), more of us would be able to enjoy the new digital channels, without pixelization and loss of signal altogether.

Stan Kritzik