I have a Philips DVDR3576h that keeps dropping the video when I play back something I have recorded. I recorded the season final of Warehouse 13 on the SciFi channel and went to play it back and got about 30minutes in to the recording when the screen went black. I tried going forward but there was nothing but black video. I could scan backwards and get back to where there was video but then when I play it again the video goes black in the same place. The audio is still there but the video is just black. It has happened a couple of times now - does anyone have any ideas what might be wrong?? I am thinking it must be happening when it is recording but dont know for sure. I am recording using the component audio/video inputs from an HD cable box.

thanks

We can rule out a couple of things, I believe.

1. It's not the tuner dropping the signal.

2. It's not typical broadcast copy protection if you're recording to the HDD since the PhilMag DVDRs are set for "00" or "Copy freely" for both CGMS and APS (analog) copy protection when recording to the HDD... unless you're recording to a DVD, which might be more explainable.

This is a difficult problem to discover a cause for unless you notice it on a certain channel or program, or you're actually watching live then review the recording and "catch it in the act" so to speak.

For right now, that's all I got! :confused:

I am recording using the component audio/video inputs from an HD cable box.

The 3576 has only RF, composite (yellow video, white and red audio) and S-Video (plus white and red audio) inputs for recording from a cable box. There are no component (red, blue, green video) inputs on a 3576.

As DigaDo mentioned, the 3576 has no "component inputs", so first thing to do is make sure you didn't assume it did and have it hooked up wrong. Check that you have three wires running from the back of the cable box connected to Video Out (Composite, jack color is yellow) and Audio Out (Left White, Right Red) going to the exact same inputs on the back of the 3576. If thats how you have it connected, then its installed correctly.

In that case the two most likely culprits are a bad video wire or the cable company crapping out on you. I have noticed with my own gear that cable boxes are very picky with what wire you use to connect their video out to the recorder video in. If theres the least bit of play or looseness in one of the plugs, or a weak section inside the wire, it can cause degraded image or loss of the image- especially if the cable has any pressure on it (stretched tight to reach the recorder, etc). Try replacing the video cable connecting the two and see if that eliminates the problem.

Also, beware of the cable company: many of them are in the middle of their own messy analog>digital transition, and some are shifting to new box software at the same time (you don't necessarily see this at home, its mostly behind the scenes stuff). If the recorder is picking up video and sound, but then the image drops out while the sound keeps running, it can be a typical cable company glitch. I notice this all the time on some channels, and since SciFi channel is considered "lowest man on the totem pole" by most cable companies it is often plagued with dropouts, quality loss and other issues- they just don't care. (Maybe its revenge for the utterly silly name change to "SyFy": were they out of their minds? Who came up with that idea, cause I really want to know why they think "SyFy" is more "upscale".:rolleyes: The ads they plastered on all the New York City payphones with the big proud new "SyFy" logo come off as completely stupid.)

CitiBear, two things. First, the new name of the SciFi channel is Syfy, NOT SyFy. :rolleyes:

Second, if bad cables start to be an issue, I have found this (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-CT100-CABLE-TESTER-Regular?sku=150930) to be very useful in finding bad RCA cables. Plug them into this unit and shake them, twist them, and even tug on them gently. If there is even a momentary glitch the unit show it. It doesn't have S-Video or HDMI, but it's great for what it does. If I could find on that does S-Video and hdmi, I would be happy, but for RCA (and other audio connectors) it is very good.

I still prefer the old name, it actually made sense for a abbreviation for Science Fiction TV, where the heck to they come up with Syfy:confused:
Luke, I checked your link but it doesn't look like it does RCA connectors, only 1/8", 1/4" and some other audio looking plug. Did I miss something or did you post the wrong link?
Kind of a cool idea though, I had a problem with a flaky S-video cable that had me scratching my head for quite some time.

I still prefer the old name, it actually made sense for a abbreviation for Science Fiction TV, where the heck to they come up with Syfy:confused:
Luke, I checked your link but it doesn't look like it does RCA connectors, only 1/8", 1/4" and some other audio looking plug. Did I miss something or did you post the wrong link?
Kind of a cool idea though, I had a problem with a flaky S-video cable that had me scratching my head for quite some time.
I never said that I liked the name Syfy, just that it isn't SyFy. I think it's rather stupid, but now thay can at least claim that wrestling is okay with Syfy, when no one believed it was okay with SciFi.

I know what you mean, it is a poor choice of photo. The page from the manufacturer here (http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/CT100.aspx) has the same photo, but in the description it says...
Accepts XLR, mono and stereo TRS phone ( 1 /4 ", 1 /8 ",TT), RCA and MIDI Connectors
I have one and I promise you that it does RCA cables. The RCA connectors are on the other side of the tester, and not shown in the photograph. This (http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ebtech-Swizz-Army-Cable-Tester?sku=369100) is a photo of virtually the same unit showing the RCA connectors. This unit is over three times the cost of the other one and is functionally identical.