HDTV STB Blanks out every now and then

[Chris Shooter]

I hope this is the right place to post this....

I have a Scientific Atlanta 3100HD HDTV STB from my cable company (Brighthouse). When I'm watching any of the HDTV programs every now and then the audio cuts out and the video goes black at the same time. It only lasts for about a second or two, but now it's getting annoying. Is this 'normal' when viewing channels like HBOHD, SHOWHD, HDNET, DiscoveryHD, INHD, etc.? It doesn't matter which HD channel I'm on. Or maybe there's a problem with the box? It does it maybe once every 10-15 mins or so. Any suggestions would be helpful...

 

[rgriffin25]

You are experiencing a drop in the signal and there can be several things that could cause this. First, check all of your connections to make sure they are good and tight (on the back of the cable box and the jack on the wall). You also need to make sure you are not splitting the signal to another TV or cable modem. This also can cause the signal to become weak and the result will be exactly as you described.

If all else fails call your cable company and let them know about the problem. If none of the mentioned solutions help, there might be a few things they can do outside your house to boost your signal.

 

[Chris Shooter]

You also need to make sure you are not splitting the signal to another TV or cable modem.

I do have the coax from the wall going into a splitter provided by the cable company. From there one coax goes into the HDTV STB, and the other going to the standard digital cable box. This is only until they release the single box that will provide digital AND HD in the same unit. They say sometime in September... What should I do in the meantime? Call them and let them know what's going on?

 

[Unregistered]

What's the rated bandwidth of the splitter? Its possible that the splitter can't fully pass the HD signal; ie if the splitter is rated up to 250Mhz and the HD signal is greater than that, then you will either get nothing or a very attenuated signal (which sounds like the case you describe). Its also possible that your reception is just lousy - time for a service call to the cable company.

Where I live the HD box can decode the normal digital channels as well. It would be pretty silly to have a box that can only decode HD signals. Out of 200+ channels only 10 or so are HD.

 

[Chris Shooter]

What's the rated bandwidth of the splitter?

I will check today when I get home from work. I would *HOPE* that they gave me the right splitter for the job, considering I explained to them how I would have to connect/split the signal for the 2 boxes....