Comments on: Diagnosing Pixelization – Hard Drive or Tuner?

By: Bob the Dissenter

Bob the Dissenter — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 03:01:41 +0000

Having a relative who works at DTV, I do know that years ago they ‘optimized’ bandwidth by increasing channel compression to allow for more channels (and therefore profit). This may also be a factor when you see a fast pan at long
camera focal lengths.

Good luck finding out the compression ratios and methods employed, but then
we threw away our vinyl for mp3 technology so no one really cares anyway.

By: Roger

Roger — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:49:01 +0000

My problem is pixelization (on only the bottom 10% of the screen) PLUS a “push up” of the screen so that the top 10% of the program disappears whenever I fast forward or backward. The pixelization disappears whenever I “reset” by going to the Tivo menu then back to either the current unrecorded “live” broadcast or to something recorded. Hitting the fast forward or backing-up causes the problem. Everything seems to be recording fine and the play fine as long as I don’t try to skip a commercial.

This problem does not occur when I patch the FIOS box directly into the TV monitor and eliminate the Tivo. Of course, so does the ability to jump around the commercials.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:21:59 +0000

I have been having pixelization problems for years–but with cable (Comcast). I have always assumed it was a cable problem and have had them reset my signal, come check my cables, etc. And the problem returns. So you are saying it could be the hard drive on the Tivo box itself? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:55:19 +0000

I have a TIVO series 3 that only pixilates at two megahertz frequencies. There are several channels on I think it is 567,000 and one HD channel on 561,000. All other channels work fine. These channels work fine in analog through the cable but do act up in the SD or HD channel. The cable company has tried many many things but the problem remains,,,TIVO keeps blaming the cable company signal. Any suggestions?

thanks

By: manuel

manuel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:21:03 +0000

I am seeing this problem on one tuner with the same channels. I agree that the problem may be with certain transponders.

I am considering purchasing a replacement box, but I have a question. Will the drive from the malfunctioning system work on the new system? Can I simply take it out of one and in to the other without any problems?

Please let me know, I am looking for a workable solution as soon as possible.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:11:57 +0000

This is a good question, and we’ve gotten it a lot recently:

Why is there pixellation only on certain channels, and what does that mean?

In our experience, we often see boxes here that have pixellation on some channels, but other channels look fine. Our theory is that the chips on the motherboard that have damage have problems with specific transponders. So there’s pixellation on any channel coming through that specific transponder, but the next channel may be on a different transponder, so it comes in perfectly.

In any event, our motherboard repairs of failing tuners to fix the problems when they’re only on certain channels.

Further, if you’re sending in your unit, and your problems are limited to certain channels, please note that in your order so that when can see the problems when we do our pre-repair testing.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:53:15 +0000

What if the pixelization is on certain channels only? Directv has been truly awful in their customer service and said I have to pay for a service call and buy a new receiver. Once I canceled certain channels (HBO), the pixelization is gone for the most part. But i miss HBO…

By: Roger Knopf

Roger Knopf — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:59:12 +0000

One other possibility – if you have a directional OTA antenna that is not aimed correctly for the station you are viewing, or the signal is too weak, it will pixelate and look like a bad tuner.

By: Laurie Bennett

Laurie Bennett — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:07:38 +0000

“If your tuner is bad, then the fix isn’t as clear-cut. We can repair tuners on DirecTV units, and we also have replacement DirecTV TiVos still. If you have a standalone TiVo, and you don’t have lifetime service, it’s probably better to consider a new unit. See our list of new TiVos.” Can you tell me why you would recommend a new unit rather than a cheaper replacement tuner?

By: DIRECTV TiVo Tuner Problems at WeaKnees Blog

DIRECTV TiVo Tuner Problems at WeaKnees Blog — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:42:05 +0000

[...] could be a drive or a bad tuner, and we previously wrote about ways to diagnose the source of a pixellating DIRECTV TiVo. If you rewind, the pixellation is in the same place [...]