Troubleshooting HDPVR stopping mid recording

[Spectrum]

I have noticed that my HDPVR has been producing what looks like missing spots in the middle multiple recordings. It's like dropped frames only more pronounced, like it's missing 20-30 sequential frames. I happened to be in the room with the HDPVR the other day when it was recording and noticed the bling lights go off then back on in the middle of a recording. I checked the recording, and at 7:40 (22:07:40 system time) there is definitely a missed section of the recording. Because I have logging turned on trying to track down another issue, I checked the logs at that time and there is nothing there that looks like Sage noticed the hiccup; section of the log is attached (22:05:00 - 22:10:00) in case anyone wants to take a peek. Also Sage has never issued a yellow ! or a red ! for this occurring so I'm assuming Sage never notices the lack of data in the stream.

I guess this brings up 2 questions:

1. Has anyone else noticed this happening?
2. Is there anyway to troubleshoot whether this is the HDPVR or a problem with the cable box output, or something else?

I don't know of any logs that the HDPVR drivers create, or TME for that matter. So I'm all out of troubleshooting ideas

[UgaData]

You are not alone. I too have drop outs in my HD-PVR recordings and no indication from Sage that anything is amiss.

I suspect it to be a momentarily weak signal to my STB or sometimes even a resolution change (720P to 480P/i, as in the show is HD but some of the commercials are in SD. Yeah, I know the resolution shouldn't be changing during the show.)

[darcilicious]

My vote is for an issue with the set-top box output. I have noticed that my HD-PVR can be sensitive to messy signals from the STB -- I had a a lot of macroblocking and just generally noisy signal recently and it locked up the HDPVR.

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by UgaData

You are not alone. I too have drop outs in my HD-PVR recordings and no indication from Sage that anything is amiss.

I suspect it to be a momentarily weak signal to my STB or sometimes even a resolution change (720P to 480P/i, as in the show is HD but some of the commercials are in SD. Yeah, I know the resolution shouldn't be changing during the show.)

I don't think it is the box doing a resolution change because it always happens in mid-scene of a show. If it was happening on commercials I would never notice because of Comskip

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

My vote is for an issue with the set-top box output. I have noticed that my HD-PVR can be sensitive to messy signals from the STB -- I had a a lot of macroblocking and just generally noisy signal recently and it locked up the HDPVR.

This is what I was afraid of. I don't really see anyway to troubleshoot other than watching live TV through the passthrough of the HDPVR (ewwww live TV) and putting the HDPVR in a visible location to see if the drop-outs are occurring in time with something the box is spitting out.

[UgaData]

As I mentioned previously, I think it may be a poor signal to the STB (this could be read as I blame the cable provider even if it is my fault for using splitter(s) to get additional drops).

In the morning, I sometimes use the TV's tuner to surf the different morning news shows. I still see glitches and short drop outs in the picture/sound and this is by-passing the STB/HD-PVR combo just straight cable to the tuner in the TV.

[gtd885a]

Originally Posted by Spectrum

This is what I was afraid of. I don't really see anyway to troubleshoot other than watching live TV through the passthrough of the HDPVR (ewwww live TV) and putting the HDPVR in a visible location to see if the drop-outs are occurring in time with something the box is spitting out.

I am noticing the same issue and was thinking about doing the same thing (I'm using DirecTV HD23). I have the HDPVR sitting next to my desk and notice the blue light goes out for a second or two during a recording sometimes. I think I'm going to set up a live feed and just keep it on mute. Lol, I guess I could set up my camcorder to make sure I don't miss it.

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by gtd885a

I am noticing the same issue and was thinking about doing the same thing (I'm using DirecTV HD23). I have the HDPVR sitting next to my desk and notice the blue light goes out for a second or two during a recording sometimes. I think I'm going to set up a live feed and just keep it on mute. Lol, I guess I could set up my camcorder to make sure I don't miss it.

LOL let me know how it works out if you do this before I do. I still haven't been able to bring myself to just watch live TV. Maybe I should find a movie on STARZ to watch so I don't have to be irritated with commercials If I catch it in action, I'll be sure to post back here but I don't have a camcorder to document it