Purple Screen of Death - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

edn88 · 01-26-2010, 01:30 PM

So, over the last few months my Shaw Digital PVR (not the latest version) has been 'locking up'. Symptoms start with 'lines' in the display (especially in HD channels) and usually the box becomes slow and/or unresponsive - ultimately leading to a purple screen of death.

The times I have called Shaw they have just reset my box, but when my wife called yesterday the tech indicated that the way we have our system setup is causing the problem.

Currenlty I have HDMI out from my cable box to my reciever (along with many other HDMI components) then a HDMI cable from reciever to TV. The tech indicated that this was causing the problem. This seems far fetched to me - as this issue has only recenlty popped up and I have had the reciever setup this way for some time.

Wondering if anyone else has had this sort of problem and or has their system setup the same way.

edn88 · 01-26-2010, 01:44 PM

And can a mod move this into the right forum - meant to post in tech talk...

KTrain · 01-26-2010, 01:45 PM

Did you try going directly from the PVR into the TV with the HDMI to rule out the receiver as the problem?

Jason14h · 01-26-2010, 01:53 PM

Ours did this, then eventually died. Had to buy a new one.

I think some are just faulty and get old and die

GoinAllTheWay · 01-26-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edn88

Currenlty I have HDMI out from my cable box to my reciever (along with many other HDMI components) then a HDMI cable from reciever to TV. The tech indicated that this was causing the problem.

I would have told that techy to pound sand, there is nothing wrong with that setup.

I'd be quite interested to hear how he suggested you set it up.

KTrain · 01-26-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

I would have told that techy to pound sand, there is nothing wrong with that setup.

Unless the receiver is faulty. =)

OBCT · 01-26-2010, 02:19 PM

Normally, the way you have it set up should work. I'd be surprised if the Shaw tech was correct in his assertion that the problem is being caused by a limitation of your receiver with regards to the HDMI connection.

Beyond that, there are other possibilities. The receiver could be defective/improperly configured (maybe a button was pressed to change an input or setting?), an HDMI cable could be slightly out of it's socket or defective, the PVR could be malfunctioning (heaven forbid, right?), etc, etc.

I agree with KTrain. Apart from the obvious (which you've surely tried), I'd start at one end of the chain and sequentially rule out each component as the problem. Trial and error is your best bet when the company's tech department turns out to be unhelpful.

GoinAllTheWay · 01-26-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTrain

Unless the receiver is faulty. =)

For sure, but the way it was written it sounded to me as though the techy figured the setup was the problem, not an issue with some of the hardware.

Ironhorse · 01-26-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edn88

Currenlty I have HDMI out from my cable box to my reciever (along with many other HDMI components) then a HDMI cable from reciever to TV. The tech indicated that this was causing the problem. This seems far fetched to me - as this issue has only recenlty popped up and I have had the reciever setup this way for some time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

I would have told that techy to pound sand, there is nothing wrong with that setup.

I'd be quite interested to hear how he suggested you set it up.

x2.

I have that same setup since last June, with no problems. Sony Receiver /w Shaw PVR.

Hemi-Cuda · 01-26-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

For sure, but the way it was written it sounded to me as though the techy figured the setup was the problem, not an issue with some of the hardware.

basic troubleshooting, though the TSR probably worded it badly. same if you call in with an internet issue and have a router, the first step is to bypass the router and connect directly to the modem. if the issue still happens when you connect the PVR directly to the TV, then call again and ask for a service call. a tech will come out and swap the box at no charge

Nage Waza · 01-26-2010, 10:11 PM

I have the same setup - HDMI to receiver to TV. The word from Shaw is that the units are not programmed to work with HDMI, only component is supposed to be used. So HDMI can suffer from lipsync issues and other problems. The PVR certainly works with HDMI, but from what I understand Shaw recommends only component (this is what they told me more than once).
I would try PVR to TV with HDMI and see if it works. If it does, then try a different HDMI input in the receiver. Keep switching things around to replicate the issue. Try another HDMI cable as well. Unplug everything for a few minutes, then plug it all back.

Will they still replace the PVR if the connection is through HDMI, or does Shaw now support that cable?

edn88 · 01-27-2010, 12:47 PM

Thanks all for the inputs (pun) - my actual next step will be to swap PVRs from upstairs and down, but I was hoping not to do anything at all (laziness).

My fear is that the PVR is about to crater (guess I better check my warranty).

Hemi-Cuda · 01-27-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edn88

Thanks all for the inputs (pun) - my actual next step will be to swap PVRs from upstairs and down, but I was hoping not to do anything at all (laziness).

My fear is that the PVR is about to crater (guess I better check my warranty).

you didn't hear it from me, but the warranty on equipment you buy from Shaw doesn't really mean much. they would rather replace your DCT for no charge no matter how old it is than risk losing a customer if you decided to shop around when buying a new one and look at the competition's product