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Pixelation > Freeze Frame ?
We have four televisions in our home. Three are analog and one is HDTV. Three are fine, including the HDTV. One analog TV (projection) is displaying pixelation on most of the channels. We have the mini-box.
Tried resetting the box via Cox. We reset the mini box three times via the settings, unplugged the box from TV and cable outlet. In addition to this, the picture has frozen intermittently on the aforesaid TV, as well as the HD TV. When this occurs, the remote is unable to function, thereby forcing a shutdown by turning the remote to 'off'. At this point, the mini box displays a red light when turning 'on' the TV. The TV is re-scanned, and again pixelation is visible. Re-scanned the channels at least three times and still no change in signal.
At one point, the TV was turned to the 'off' position, then back 'on' and signal was functioning. When changing the channel with the remote, "using the 'last' button, the frame froze. Performed the above steps again and pixelation is still present. This is 'only' happening on the analog TV.
Anew cable cable drop was installed in July 2015, an amplifier was installed, and each and every connection was replaced; 'even though there was 'nothing' wrong with the connections. This was performed as a safety precaution by the tech (David), who stated that he does this each time to insure no problem. Meter readings were taken to adjust the amplifier as close as possible. The only problem I could possibly see is that the Mini Box is faulty.
I requested the same tech David, for his experience was far and above many technicians. His I.D. number is 66134. Today, being October 19, 2015, 'Juan' called for the scheduled appointment when I specifically requested David. David knows all of the work performed, as he could pinpoint the problem without going over any other steps by another technician.
We have had Cox since its inception and would like a Cox technician to visit our home (David); not an independent contractor. A reply at your eariest convenience is truly appreciated.
* Now, Juan said that he would pass the information to dispatch on having David return. Have not heard anything in return from Cox and have no idea when the problem shall be resolved.
Synoptic12
New Contributor
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Your synopsis is somewhat incorrect. In fact, there was no issue in the tech requested coming to our home today. We have Verizon for internet (FIOS) and never experience any problems. We did have Cox internet in the past and I must agree with some of your points regarding technicians. You just can't beat FIOS, that simple.
Back to the TV, everything was checked as I have made mention of, including a new drop being installed. Again, the only problem I can see would be the mini-box being defective. Believe it or not (Remember that program), once the TV was turned off last night and turned back on, 'pixelation was not present'. However, I did take video of the pixelation which was present on practically every channel. This is a mystery to me, unless some work was performed at a sub-station. We're well within range of the mainframe, so there should really be no issues.
The uplink and downlink were checked and there was no interruption in frequency or loss, or degradation of the signal. There was not anything David left out as mentioned in the previous post. We're local, not in the woods per say, so this really has no bearing on the problem.
When David arrives today, I'll re-post with further details on the possible causes. There is no 'diagnostic screens' on the mini box or convergence features that we're aware of.
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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What is incorrect about my synopsis? I was talking about the process of getting a Cox technician Vs getting a contractor. A lot of it is luck of the draw. Do you have data saying other wise? I don't see what this has to do with FIOS? Are you saying FIOS doesn't use contractors as often?
Sure, if your OK using their gateways which are junk IMO. Google Fiber blows FIOS out of the water. Both in customer satisfaction and performance.
Saying "everything was checked" is not accurate. If "everything" was checked, you wouldn't be having a problem. Something is causing the problem, and thats why I am asking questions. You did not mention the ground being checked in OP.
Was just the TV turned off? Or the cable box too?
Exactly how is the picture effected? See here for different kind of visual problems and TVs.
That question wasn't directed to you, but to the forum as a whole.
BTW, this is a customer forum. Cox employees moderate, but I am not one. I am a customer just like you. Heck, I think we may live in the same town.
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Synoptic12
New Contributor
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The ground was verified as being 'grounded'. There is not anything that David left unchecked. He was at our home for nearly the entire day.
We have had no issues with FIOS nor their gateways which is really not the focus of this post. However, there have been problems with Cox gateways in the past which can be verified by us. Verizon uses a moving or 'variable' signal, whereas Cox employs a steady state (unchanging) signal. We prefer the 'changeable' signal by Verizon. We are well within the radius of the sub station, so there really should not be any problems associated with the mainframe.
When we turned 'off' the television, the green light on the mini-box remains lit. Current is still passing through the box but the television is 'off'. Is this not correct?
As mentioned earlier, 'Pixelation' was continuous accompanied with audio popping. Many frames of video can substantiate our facts. The freeze frame occurred when selecting the "last' button on the remote. When performing this function, 'the picture froze'; rendering the remote inoperable with the exception of the power button. As the television was turned 'off', a red light appeared on the mini-box. Turned the television back on and the process of self scan took over in which 'pixelation' was still present.
After nearly four to five hours of television viewing, the television was turned "off", then back on about ten minutes later. When the television was turned back on, the 'pixelation' was not present. There is no indication that any hardware on our end was at fault. There is no known explanation of why the signal is working properly at this point in time. Again, we have four televisions, as one being a HDTV, and only one analog television was experiencing this signal loss. The HDTV did freeze once about a month ago, but there has really been no significant issues with pixelation on the HDTV.
1. Disconnected mini-box from wall outlet
2. Ran self testing scan which certified the mini-box as functioning.
3. Ran channel scan at least three (3) times
4. Checked all connections
5. Had Cox perform a test on their end to reset the box.
* After nearly three weeks, the television seems to be relaying a steady signal with no pixelation, "magically". Maybe not, the problem could have been associated with the COX sub-station. This occurred before as Cox stated they had to reset OR repair a so-called switch for analog televisions, "If you can believe that". We can fully verify these facts and have all information documented from years past. So, maybe an expert can determine the cause or someone can chime in to provide further details.
The link you provided entails HDTV, not Analog but they are basically the same when referring, or speaking of pixelation. We are well aware of the technical aspects of pixelation.
* By the way, I had to call Cox to verify the appointment for today (October 20, 2015) in which Cox stated was for the following day. We can fully corroborate verbatim that the scheduled appointment was for the aforesaid day as mentioned. Cox apologized and the tech is 'hopefully' to arrive tomorrow (October 21, 2015). Again, we can prove this fact, along with all the other facts we have previously stated.
Thank you very much for the insight you have provided, and maybe you were not that far off speaking of Cox service technicians returning.
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Synoptic12
New Contributor
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After nearly a year, the issue of pixilation (tiling) has hopefully been resolved. Through a process of elimination which had taken about two hours the problem was found to be the attenuator which was causing the interference on only one analog television, an analog projection television. The remaining three televisions were not affected by the attenuator which was previously installed in the RF out, accompanied with an amplifier to obtain a flat signal. Being in the electronics field for some time, this has always been known as the proper step to take when trying to obtain a steady signal with no fluctuation.
However, I am at a loss to explain as to how an attenuator only affected one television, that being a projection television. The amplifier provides gain as an attenuator compensates for loss. By using an attenuator, one can adjust the signal to a flat plane, whereas this has always been the right course. I know this for a fact in using a power modulation meter to tune the signal of a citizen’s band radio to match the antenna. We would only believe that the same principles are relevant with all signal types. As mentioned, the attenuator was used by the previous technician with the amplifier (11+ Db) to provide the flattest signal as possible, compensating for the amount of amplification in using an attenuator. I believe that a 19+ value was the main focus by using an amplifier in accordance with the loss at the splitter, and throughput.
Steps taken by the Cox technician were reasonable an appropriate. The barrel was replaced on the wall plate which we believed may have been defective by an opening which was a bit over sized. However, in all my years of electronics, I never replaced a barrel connector. The technician then bypassed the wall outlet to make a direct connection which resolved the problem. When connecting back, the problem reoccurred. A jumper cable was replaced, along with an additional cable which was not the issue. The VCR was then disconnected in unison with the removal of the attenuator. At that point, there was no tiling. The VCR was reconnected and the signal was good. The meter readings were not on a flat plane as with the attenuator being inserted in the RF output. The limits, or levels allowed are within the range of known values.
If anyone could provide a response to this unknown, it would be truly appreciated.
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