[molloybe]

This is my first post, so hopefully I'm putting this in the right place.


Yesterday afternoon, my Panasonic TV and Motorola DVR box were getting along fine. When I got home from work, it was a different story. The tv now gives no indication (flashing, etc) that anything is being plugged/unplugged from the HDMI2 input. Plugging the PS3 (which is working fine on HDMI1) in to the HDMI2 results in a black screen...leading me to believe that the input has a problem. However, when I plug the cable box into HDMI1, I have the same problem. No picture/sound.


It may be important to mention that there was a big thunder storm in my area last night, although it doesn't look like there was a power failure. Is it possible that a surge could have taken out both the cable box and the input? (Also, the cable box appears to work normally otherwise...lights on, changes channels). Kind of stumped.


Edit: After re-reading, I just want to clarify. The cable box was initially on HDMI2.

 

[Selden Ball]

Yes, voltage surges due to nearby lightning can damage anything connected directly or indirectly to the CATV system. The failure modes can be quite strange and are not always "logical". You'll have to get your equipment repaired. You also should contact the cable company to have them check the grounding of the cable coming into your home.


Some power-strips include some surge protectors which work with coax cable connections. While nothing can protect against a direct lightning strike, they can help limit damage caused by distant strikes. Some also include insurance against damage to electronics connected to them.

 

[gregzoll]

Doubt lightening, unless you know that it did a strike within 1 mile of your residence, due to you live there. My guess is that you had a power surge. The other night, I was up, and the lights did a flicker, so I looked at what my Ted500 recorded, and saw about a 15 volt drop, which without surge protectors would have caused problems. Now on the other hand, if this was through coax or my Uverse telco connection, I would have lost a lot of gear.

 

[mikepier]

HDMI connections sometimes get locked up.Try unplugging everything from the wall outlet ( TV,cable box,PS3). Wait about a minute. Then make sure all HDMI connections are plugged in. Then plug all plugs back into the wall outlet. Turn the tv and cable box on and see if it works.


This happened to me about 3 times over a few years, and everytime I tried this, it cleared it up.