I bought my tv in August of 2005 and have been having this error code pop up soon after I had the card installed. Now it seems to occur more frequently. If I pull out the card I reset the tv it goes away. But the code has been coming back quicker. I have had Comcast switch the cable card recently but it still comes back. Comcast has no idea how to fix the problem. I believe the CC is a Scientific Atlantic.

Is the issue with the card or the tv.

I bought my tv in August of 2005 and have been having this error code pop up soon after I had the card installed. Now it seems to occur more frequently. If I pull out the card I reset the tv it goes away. But the code has been coming back quicker. I have had Comcast switch the cable card recently but it still comes back. Comcast has no idea how to fix the problem. I believe the CC is a Scientific Atlantic.

Is the issue with the card or the tv.

A Cable Industry leter to the FCC stated that:

A number of our systems have been asked to troubleshoot Sony sets which have
displayed the “161-4” or “161-6” error codes. These errors, which result in the display going
blank, are apparently due to a faulty component in certain Sony DTVs. Despite initially blaming
cable operators and CableCARD manufacturers, Sony now seems to acknowledge that this
problem was with their devices.

This is from Sony eSupport Knowledgebase:


http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=235002

It states that the problem may be with the TV and requires a service call for a firmware update.

I assume that since my tv is out of warranty, then I am screwed.

Btw, that link doesn't take me to an article.

Here is what the link shows.
Some digital channels are available but they are on the wrong channels when using the CableCARD™ device.

Do you have a different link to the actual article? Thanks

I assume that since my tv is out of warranty, then I am screwed.

Btw, that link doesn't take me to an article.

Here is what the link shows.


Do you have a different link to the actual article? Thanks
According to the letter to the FCC that was the link. I had the same problem, couldn't get to the actual article. There is a case number at that site, but I couldn't figure out how to search the site with the case number. You'd think there was some way to do that.

This is the link to the letter that the Cable Industry sent to the FCC concerning problems with DTVs and their lack of testing for Cablecard functionality.

Page 34 has a specific reference to your problem, and Item 60 on page 45 may also be similar.

www.ncta.com/DocumentBinary.aspx?id=459

Also, in case you haven't seen it, there is a separate forum just for your TV model. It is:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=446406

On page 4 there are several reference to cablecards and loss of digital channels.

Thanks for your links. Sony rep seems to still blame it on COmcast.

here is what I got when I chatted with Sony rep today.

user Joe has entered room

analyst Simon. has entered room

Simon.> Hi Joe. Welcome to Sony Online Support. I'm Simon. Please allow me a moment to review your concern.

Joe > Hi

Simon.> Thanks for waiting, Joe. I understand that there is an error message .Is that correct?

Joe > That is correct. 2 errors 161-6, 161-4. I get both and they say to contact cable company

Simon.> Thanks for confirming. I'll be glad to assist you with this.

Joe > Its very frustrating as Comcast has no answers how to fix this.

Simon.> I'm sorry Joe while you are getting this error message at this position I'll also suggest you to contact your cable Service Provider but for your reference and convience I would like to forward a link to a page where you can find some troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue.

Simon.> http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autores...4.asp?id=350026

Simon.> When you receive the link please click on it to open the page and let me know if you are able to view it.

Simon.> Are you able to view the page?

Joe > I am able to view it. Comcast is coming out again tomorrow. So its not a firmware issue then?

Simon.> Yes, it may be due to the same reason.

Simon.> Is there anything else I may assist you today? I'll be glad to do so.

Joe > I am a little confused. Are you saying it may be a problem internally with the tv firmware, in that case Comcast will not be able to resolve the issue.

Simon.> No, Joe Error 161-6 - The symptom appears as a recurring error message stating that a technical problem is preventing you from receiving all cable services at this time.

Simon.> 161-4 - The CableCARD device and the television are not communicating temporarily. This usually happens when the cable company is downloading firmware to the CableCARD, making the card unable to respond to user commands

Simon.> So, I suggest you to follow the steps mentioned in the provided link and if the issue still persist contact your cable service provider.

Joe > Okay, Thanks. Hopefully they will be able to resolve the issue then. I had seen other messages on the internet where they say Sony needs to do a firmware update.

Joe > I was just worried since I am out of warranty that I would not be able to get this fixed if it was a Sony issue.

Simon.> I'm sorry Joe but first I suggest you that let the Cable Service Provider inspect the cable Card, and after their troubleshooting then suggest you to contact Sony Service center because this issue normally occurs from the Cable Service Provider end.

Simon.> I hope this information is helpful to you.

Simon.> Is there anything else I may assist you today? I'll be glad to do so.

Joe > Thanks, thats all.

It almost appears that you were chatting with an automated response system, rather than a live person.

I wasn't able to follow the link. I think it got abbreviated when you pasted it here.

Good luck with Comcast. I'd be interested in hearing what they say and do.

Well, finally a quality Comcast tech. This guy I had was so thorough, and a very nice guy. He knew what he was talking about, and has dealt with many CC issues. He brought his test set that had a confimed good card.

He hooked up both tv's to a splitter and was having some tiling on his LG 26in LCD. So he went and reconfigured my basement cable box wiring. That fixed the tiling problem. He confirmed my tv was having issues. Didn't get the error, just the picture would cut out about every 8-10 minutes. So he traded cards. He put my card in his tv and confirmed that the card was bad. I think that was my 4th bad card. His card was working great no cut outs. Then about 1.25 hours after he left the tv cut out again. then again about another 1.25 hours later. At least it wasn't the every 8-10 minutes. I can live with that. He said to call him if I was still having issues and if I called Sony to come check out the issue, he'd come over when they were there. Unfortunately, I am out of warranty and will not call a Sony Tech. So I guess I will have to live with this intermittent cut out.