An Onkyo 706 set up that has problems

[techmine]

Here is my Amazon review for Onkyo 706 and the setup I am doing. The screen is turning blue. Please let me know what am I doing wrong?
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Got my 706 last Wednesday. Ever since I hooked my cable box (moto via component) the blue screen problem started. Any surge in brightness makes the screen blue i.e. the VIDEO signal goes out of sync. Now this thing is happening in upconversion only. Down conversion is ok from my BD player to 720p TV. This is the first issue and has been happening pretty consistently.

The second issue is, there is a lot of lag between switching from one source to the other. If I switch from BD player to Cable the screen goes blue for 5 seconds. This is too big a lag. The audio switching is pretty instantaneous.

The third problem is, when I press setup button on the remote, the screen goes blue again and for an agonizing long time. Thankfully the setup screen does come up !!So it is "ALL BLUE" story so far.

To add to my blues, Onkyo support is trying to convince me that this is some problem with my cable box, which has been working fine for two years now. I am pretty convinced that the Faroudja DCDi chip is overheating. Found out now, in various forums. Talking about Onkyo support, they think they can fool people around. They have long waiting times on support calls. There are no experts to solve your issue. The call reps go back and forth adding to the wait time. I am waiting for another call on monday and if they try to convince me that it is my cable box issue, I will have to return this to Amazon.

I have given 2 stars for the sound and ease of setup. I would not recommend this receiver to anybody until Onkyo fixes this stupid problem.
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UPDATE- The problem of blue screen starts when the receiver becomes a little hot (after running for 15-20 minutes)
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UPDATE 2: Got the replacement finally. Hooked Cable box via Component to Receiver and HDMI from receiver goes to TV. Same issue. After heating up a bit, gives blue screen. All HDMI setup is having no issues. This cannot be a TV issue. If somebody has a similar setup and not having this issue then please advice in comments about how to setup correctly.

 

[3db]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Is this a new receiver and is it still covered under waranty? Can you can exchange it for another? Did you buy it from an authorized dealer?

 

[bandphan]

what is the cable box model? Does this happen when viewing, or switching channels? Also when switching sources you might be Having HDCP issues

 

[tcarcio]

Bad cable??????

 

[billy p]

Most of the reported issues by other Onyko owners which can relate to the issues your having are because they bought refurb products?

Just checking.

 

[markw]

I'm a simple kinda guy.

I like simple solutions.

What I would do here is connect the cable box directly to the TV.

If the problem still manifests itself, then it's not the receiver. Back to ground zero.

If the problem disappears, then it's the receiver. Simply send it back. No ifs, ands or buts. It matters not what it is. It's broken.

 

[tattoo_Dan]

I like simple solutions.

What I would do here is connect the cable box directly to the TV.

If the problem still manifests itself, then it's not the receiver. Back to ground zero.

If the problem disappears, then it's the receiver. Simply send it back. No ifs, ands or buts. It matters not what it is. It's broken.

 

[jostenmeat]

TBH, techmine, most cable boxes I've ever run into cannot pass thru a receiver at lack due to a complete lack of HDCP repeaters. When you say it worked fine before, do you mean directly to TV, or thru a different receiver? It seems we all here are assuming the first.

While Onkyo CS has the worst reputation, last time I tried to reach them, I actually got thru pretty quickly. OTOH, there was a different time a while ago, where there was no one at all to reach!

Its your first issue that is truly something with the receiver. Its not working as advertised. If this really bothers you, I would opt to look for a different receiver altogether.

It appears that Onkyo, at least in one instance with the 805, uses resistors that are not strong enough. With the 805 its the display panel. When set to high, its ultra mega bright, and on low setting, its similar to other components' high setting. People who have had failed displays seemed * to be leaving it on high.

I remember the above, because I wonder if its possible that your upscaling issue could be due to something like that. OTOH, the video sections of Onkyos do run hot.

While its not related to your issues, techmine, Im going to link the resistor swap instructions here just for good measure. Start at post #17,340:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=857502&page=578

I'm sorry for your troubles.

 

[techmine]

Sorry guys. I have been down with fever. Still not recovered.
To answer some of the questions:
1. It is not refurb
2. It is bought from Amazon(reputation )
3. I changed the cable box from the one having only component outputs and sending 480p only to the one having HDMI and goes upto 1080p.
4. There are 2 issues now with the setup.
a) The issue I explained about the blue screen (happens when there is bright light example in ads).
b) The other issue cropped up with new cable box is, it displays the picture only at the center i.e. there are black bands on both sides. I change the settings on the cable box to make it display the full picture but a restart switches it back to smaller display area.

My TV is 720p LCD and is set as 16:9 in both cable box and receiver.
Receiver resolution is "Through".

Should I go back to a receiver like Yamaha that does not do upscaling?

The answer to the simple setup-
When I use component from Cable Box to TV or HDMI from cable box to TV, the problem of smaller viewing area comes. I hate Component because that needs a separate coax or digital cable for sound. For me the simpler setup would be 1 HDMI cable from cable box to receiver and receiver to TV.

 

[tattoo_Dan]

Sorry guys. I have been down with fever. Still not recovered.
To answer some of the questions:
1. It is not refurb
2. It is bought from Amazon(reputation )
3. I changed the cable box from the one having only component outputs and sending 480p only to the one having HDMI and goes upto 1080p.
4. There are 2 issues now with the setup.
a) The issue I explained about the blue screen (happens when there is bright light example in ads).
b) The other issue cropped up with new cable box is, it displays the picture only at the center i.e. there are black bands on both sides. I change the settings on the cable box to make it display the full picture but a restart switches it back to smaller display area.

My TV is 720p LCD and is set as 16:9 in both cable box and receiver.
Receiver resolution is "Through".

Should I go back to a receiver like Yamaha that does not do upscaling?

The answer to the simple setup-
When I use component from Cable Box to TV or HDMI from cable box to TV, the problem of smaller viewing area comes. I hate Component because that needs a separate coax or digital cable for sound. For me the simpler setup would be 1 HDMI cable from cable box to receiver and receiver to TV.

this might be basic stuff,and I know I am a noobie here,but I have a 806 and a motorola cable box,here is what works for me,maybe this will help if your menu is similar in your 706 ?

.

 

[techmine]

I don't have that extra option

I don't have the first option in my setup. i.e. Monitor out.
This is hardware setting --> HDMI.
806 is different indeed.

 

[jostenmeat]

TBH, I would probably never consider running a cable box thru my receiver. There is absolutely nothing to gain in performance, and the only thing I can possibly think of is what you are probably thinking: the convenience of hitting one less button on a remote (if that).

You would OTOH gain video calibration flexibility per source by running to its own input.

I am not, however, am making an excuse for poor Onkyo VP. I believe this has been known at least for component (up)conversion of even last year's models, for anything that would not sport Reon HQV. But like many of the more savvy folks on these boards, I do not look towards an entry level (sub $500) receiver to do my VP. I expect my display to do at least as well, if not a lot better.

I cannot say if the Yamaha would be guaranteed to work better.

I do not understand why one needs to hate component. Do you like to go to the back of the TV on a daily basis and enjoy how it looks like?

After reading your problem, I am not entirely positive that Onkyo is stupid here. The fact that your cable can even pass thru a receiver surprises me. Like I said, most don't even have repeaters from what I've seen, let alone ones that don't work so well.

When you hit the setup button on the remote, how long are you talking about before the GUI is up? Agonizing means... ?

Welp, sounds like you want a new receiver anyways. Amazon has great CS. I bet they'll take it back, np. There are many other choices out there, such as Denon, Pioneer, Marantz, Yamaha, etc.

 

[markw]

Some observations for your consideration.

You say this is a new cable box.

Your first mission, should you choose to accept it, is to connect it directly to the TV.

When connected directly to the TV, does it pass the signal properly to the TV? That is, does it pass a 16:9 image when receiving a HD signal? Does it do what you want it to with a 4:3 image?

If not, correct those before even thinking about inserting the receiver into the signal path.

I don't know about your past or current cable box, but my comcast/motorola HD box (no HD recorder) passes up to a 1080i signal via component. ...and a damn fine picture it is.

Unless the station is broadcasting in 720 or 1080, all the box will pass is 480 anyway.

The only source that currently benefits from HDMI for technical reasons is Blu-Ray with it's 1080p output. Component is good up to 1080i, but I hear laws may limit it's implementation on futurte hardware,

Since all TV's upscale (or downscale) to their native format, passing anything above 720 to your set and simply forces the TV to perform addional processing.

Likewise, some TV's have bettter upscaling circuitry than many (not all) external upscalers, such as those in receivers and DVD players.

Finally, the more things a signal passes through between the source and the monitor is another possibility of a problem and signal degradation. I don't think I've ever seen a signal improved.

 

[techmine]

For Jostenmeant and MarkW - Thanks for your thoughts.
I am not crazy about running all my cables through receiver. The idea is to use less and less cables and seamless switching. Onkyo does not advertise that my kinda setup is not supported and that pisses me off. Also I have not read or heard this exact problem in other receivers - Why? I am not sure. Do the others support this kind of a setup?
Another thing that bothers me is, the blue screen problem is not something constant. It starts when the receiver heats up. This is surely a problem with the system. Bad circuit design?

My cable box is right now directly connected to TV with component. So that is a problem I guess. Seems Cable Box is not sending the right signal. When I reset the settings, for some time the picture is ok but just a restart will bring back the problem.

I have already replaced once. This one has the same issue. Since this is not solving my problem or I guess I am not fully satisfied I might have to switch brands.

And it takes around 10 seconds for the setup screen to appear on the TV (first time) then it does within 5 seconds...haha...

I don't hate component. In fact I believe it is a great option. Just more cables with audio.

 

[allargon]

TBH, I would probably never consider running a cable box thru my receiver. There is absolutely nothing to gain in performance, and the only thing I can possibly think of is what you are probably thinking: the convenience of hitting one less button on a remote (if that).

You would OTOH gain video calibration flexibility per source by running to its own input.

I am not, however, am making an excuse for poor Onkyo VP. I believe this has been known at least for component (up)conversion of even last year's models, for anything that would not sport Reon HQV. But like many of the more savvy folks on these boards, I do not look towards an entry level (sub $500) receiver to do my VP. I expect my display to do at least as well, if not a lot better.

I cannot say if the Yamaha would be guaranteed to work better.

I do not understand why one needs to hate component. Do you like to go to the back of the TV on a daily basis and enjoy how it looks like?

After reading your problem, I am not entirely positive that Onkyo is stupid here. The fact that your cable can even pass thru a receiver surprises me. Like I said, most don't even have repeaters from what I've seen, let alone ones that don't work so well.

When you hit the setup button on the remote, how long are you talking about before the GUI is up? Agonizing means... ?

Welp, sounds like you want a new receiver anyways. Amazon has great CS. I bet they'll take it back, np. There are many other choices out there, such as Denon, Pioneer, Marantz, Yamaha, etc.

Amazon will take it back. However, I see nothing wrong with running DIGITAL HDMI video through a receiver. I run my Blu-Ray, HD DVD, Dish Network DVR and another HDMI device through my HK AVR.

The blue screen part sounds like HDMI. Techmine, what are you using for your display (a Mitsubishi perhaps)?

 

[techmine]

Amazon will take it back. However, I see nothing wrong with running DIGITAL HDMI video through a receiver. I run my Blu-Ray, HD DVD, Dish Network DVR and another HDMI device through my HK AVR.

The blue screen part sounds like HDMI. Techmine, what are you using for your display (a Mitsubishi perhaps)?

I am using a 3 year old Vizio 32" LCD.
So do you run some of your devices via component into receiver and HDMI from receiver to TV?

 

[nickw]

Can I ask, what was the outcome of this issue for you?

I have exactly the same issues, on a brand new device, and would appreciate if you can help!