LCD TV Question

[Stixx]

I know we have alot of tech experts on these forums so I thought I'd ask for suggestions here.

I have a Memorex 32" LCD HDTV connected to my grandson's X-Box 360 and his computer.
His X-Box is set at 1081i using an HDMI cable to connect.
His computer is connected via a standard VGA cable with the resolution set at 1024 x 768.

When he plays games on his X-Box, after about an hour, the screen will go blank at random times. To fix it he has to bring up the TV menu, then close the menu, and the screen resets it seems. The game continues to play while it's blacked out.

This does not happen when he uses his computer.

I have tried keeping the TV hot with a blanket folded over the top, (as was suggested at the Memorex tech support site.)as well cool with a fan drawing the heat away and it continues to black out no matter what I do. I have also tried each screen resolution setting on the X-Box with the same results.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I did purchase this TV as a close out model and all warranties have expired. It did not start doing this until recently, ie: the last few months.

[SIK1]

Possibly an issue with the xbox and not the tv. Have you looked at xbox forums for similar issues?

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I know we have alot of tech experts on these forums so I thought I'd ask for suggestions here.

I have a Memorex 32" LCD HDTV connected to my grandson's X-Box 360 and his computer.
His X-Box is set at 1081i using an HDMI cable to connect.
His computer is connected via a standard VGA cable with the resolution set at 1024 x 768.

When he plays games on his X-Box, after about an hour, the screen will go blank at random times. To fix it he has to bring up the TV menu, then close the menu, and the screen resets it seems. The game continues to play while it's blacked out.

This does not happen when he uses his computer.

I have tried keeping the TV hot with a blanket folded over the top, (as was suggested at the Memorex tech support site.)as well cool with a fan drawing the heat away and it continues to black out no matter what I do. I have also tried each screen resolution setting on the X-Box with the same results.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I did purchase this TV as a close out model and all warranties have expired. It did not start doing this until recently, ie: the last few months.

Sounds like DRM problems. The HDCP shuts down the image when it receives an error in the hdmi connection.

That 'advice' from the tech support was irresponsible by the way. You should never _ever_ block the cooling vents of any electrical device with a cloth. They should be sued for even suggesting this. This is the most common reason for electrical fires.

[Fulmar]

Sounds like DRM problems. The HDCP shuts down the image when it receives an error in the hdmi connection.

That 'advice' from the tech support was irresponsible by the way. You should never _ever_ block the cooling vents of any electrical device with a cloth. They should be sued for even suggesting this. This is the most common reason for electrical fires.

LOL seriously, how many electronic devices run too cool?   That blanket deal sounded like a fire hazard to me.

[Stixx]

Sounds like DRM problems. The HDCP shuts down the image when it receives an error in the hdmi connection.

That 'advice' from the tech support was irresponsible by the way. You should never _ever_ block the cooling vents of any electrical device with a cloth. They should be sued for even suggesting this. This is the most common reason for electrical fires.

I failed to mention he had the same problem while connected via the TV cable that came with his Xbox (yes it was set on HD) I purchased an HDMI cable in the hope it would resolve the issue, it hasn't.

I personally supervised, and remained with him, when we tried the blanket trick. I thought it was a bit odd as well, suggesting that we block the cooling vents, but thought what the heck, if it works. It didn't.

Thanks for the replies, I've checked the Xbox forums with no success.

[Shuffler]

Hook the xbox to another tv to test.

[Jenks]

As Shuffler just suggested, try a different Xbox or TV if possible, to see if the symptom changes.

Wrapping a unit in a blanket or using a heat gun to heat up a component is a common troubleshooting technique. You are trying to see if the problem is thermal related. i.e. It happens more often when it's warm. I can only think that perhaps the tech guy wanted you to check if it happened more often the warmer it got.

Is the Xbox or TV still under warranty by any chance?

[trigger2]

Sounds like an Xbox issue. Not really into consoles, but it seems similar to when a display driver stops responding on a computer...
Could be something along those lines.

Good luck 

[Shuffler]

Well? Did you figure out the cause?

[Dago]

I would suggest calling in a medium to check for evil spirits or cantankerous ghosts.   

[Stixx]

Well? Did you figure out the cause?

Not yet, grandson only comes on weekends and I've been busy, will try hooking the Xbox up to a different TV this week to
see what happens. Sent a description of the problem to Microsoft support but only received a cut and pasted response from
their support page.

[Stixx]

I would suggest calling in a medium to check for evil spirits or cantankerous ghosts.   

Evil spirits I'm not too worried about, but those cantankerous ghosts, now that's another issue