Video Comes and Goes

[jasmithvr6]

I guess I should probably start by giving some specs on my current configuration.

Intel PERL865 MB
P4 2.4ghz 533FSB
512mb Kingston memory (dual channel)
Radeon 128mb 9600 (non-pro)
On board SoundMax audio
Hauppage PVR 250 (only one installed with a 2nd waiting)
Sage v2.0.2
Java 1.4.2_04
Direct X 9.0b
Sonic Decoder Pack
Cat 4.6 video driver
Sony GDM-W900 display driver
1248x702p rez via PS

I think that about sums it up. All of this is being pushed through a DVI connection to a Sony 50" Grand Wega LCD projection.

Ok, so before my TV blew up I had this exact same system up and running via an S-video connection to an old 32" GE tube. Rez was pretty crappy (don't even remember what it was to be honest), but the thing was rock solid. Not sure if that helps diagnose my problem, but might be helpful information to know.

After picking up a fantastic HDTV set, I'm constantly having problems losing video. This is the story. I've tried other resolutions (even most of those posted in the avs forum board for gwiii's) and the 1248x702p seems to be the most reliable as of right now. The only problem is that after about a day of up time I lose video to the TV, but only TV video signals. For instance when I bring Sage up, I can see all of the Sage menus, scroll through recorded shows and scan the Live TV Guide sections with no problems. Everything appears to be working properly, until I try to watch a recorded show or live TV. When I hit the 'OK' button to watch either a recorded show or live TV, I get a black screen. Audio is fine and I can hear everything perfectly, but just can't see any video. I hit the 'Menu' button and I'm back at the main menu of Sage.

This happens on a regular basis and I'm completely stumped as to what may be the cause. My only recourse right now is a daily reboot of the Sage box.

It might also be worth mentioning that shows that may have recorded while there was no video, are fine after I reboot the system. So Sage is recording shows with video, but I can't see the video unless I reboot. Does that even make sense?

Again this happens about once or twice a day at most, so it's not as though I can't watch TV through the Sage box at all.

I'm fairly new to the Sage arena, so I'm hoping this is just a rookie oversight on my part. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[jasmithvr6]

Ok, so in the midst of a temper tantrum, I decided to go back to the basics. I retraced my steps on how I went about troubleshooting my video problem, hoping to come up with something that I may have overlooked.

This is what I came up with. Nothing.

So from a starting point of nothing, I figured I would try to uninstall and reinstall the Sonic Decoder pack again. Mind you, this will be the 3rd time I've uninstalled and reinstalled these drivers. And just as the saying goes, 3 times is in fact a charm. I operated Wednesday night and the Sage box is still up and running as of this morning with video intact! I'm not sure why it took 3 times for it to work, but things are finally looking up.

I'm giving it a week before I consider this case closed, but right now I'm extremely optimistic. Second PVR-250, here we come!