Digital TV blinking

[David Nebenzahl]

I've been observing a phenomenon that's puzzling me. I have an analog TV
connected to a DTV settop converter (Zenith DTT901). For the most part,
it works fine.

But every so often the program I'm watching blinks. Every few seconds
the picture blinks black. No corresponding breaks in the audio.

It only does it on certain channels, at seemingly random times.
Switching to another channel gives an unblinking picture. So this tends
to rule out the converter box, even though it *could* be blinking just
on that one channel (but why?).

And if the station is putting out a blinking signal, you'd think the
station would notice this and correct it.

Anyone else seen this?

 

[Sjouke Burry]

I've been observing a phenomenon that's puzzling me. I have an analog TV
connected to a DTV settop converter (Zenith DTT901). For the most part,
it works fine.

But every so often the program I'm watching blinks. Every few seconds
the picture blinks black. No corresponding breaks in the audio.

It only does it on certain channels, at seemingly random times.
Switching to another channel gives an unblinking picture. So this tends
to rule out the converter box, even though it *could* be blinking just
on that one channel (but why?).

And if the station is putting out a blinking signal, you'd think the
station would notice this and correct it.

Anyone else seen this?

Your reception is bad, or your settop, or both, most likely the
settop, it looks as if it cannot keep up with the
datastream/conversion.

 

[PeterD]

I've been observing a phenomenon that's puzzling me. I have an analog TV
connected to a DTV settop converter (Zenith DTT901). For the most part,
it works fine.

But every so often the program I'm watching blinks. Every few seconds
the picture blinks black. No corresponding breaks in the audio.

It only does it on certain channels, at seemingly random times.
Switching to another channel gives an unblinking picture. So this tends
to rule out the converter box, even though it *could* be blinking just
on that one channel (but why?).

And if the station is putting out a blinking signal, you'd think the
station would notice this and correct it.

Anyone else seen this?

Sure your signal is not dropping out at the antenna?

 

[Adrian C]

Bad reception is NOT indicated; that would cause the audio to
drop out, and the screen would freeze, not go black.

Two possibilities: your picture circuitry (possibly a video driver
power
supply) has a loose connection, or the TV station is having 'video
difficulties'.

Another: The TV set concerned is correcting for different aspect ratio
(widescreen / normal) between program material and that shown during the
advert breaks?

 

[Sjouke Burry]

I have two different US DTV converters,and the signal meters only measure
signal strength,not "quality"(bit error rate?),and they are different in
their operation and response.

Mine drops out depending on where my upstairs neighbor is at the time. :-(

He should go on a diet!