FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
jj14xx
Newbie

Hi

        I had my FIOS STB (multiroom DVR - Motorola) hooked up using HDMI cable (only) to my Pioneer VSX-1021K receiver, and the HDMI output from the receiver was going to the HDMI input of my LG TV.

This setup worked perfectly.

I had a problem with the DVR (hard drive was failing) - verizon replaced it. Now, when I hooked the new one back in, it works fine for a few minutes, and then, in the middle of watching a program (std def or HD), it blanks out for half a second or so, and then, the picture comes back. This happens again and again every few minutes (sometime in less than a minute) and is VERY annoying.

I tried to use component video cables from FIOS box to Receiver, and that eliminated this problem, but when I change channels, after some time, the TV completely loses signal and I then have to switch the receiver/STB off and on for it to start working again.

Verizon tech support tried to help, but gave up after an hour and told me to skip the receiver (direct HDMI from STB to TV works fine). But now, I have an extra HDMI cable running across the wall, and I also have to get an optical/digital audio cable to get sound from my receiver.

This setup worked just fine before with the old receiver, and all other devices (BD DVD, PS3) connected thru' HDMI to receiver (even the Wii using composite cable upscales to HDMI). - so I'm guessing it is not a receiver problem.

Any suggestions?

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
Anthony_VZ
Master - Level 3

It could be a unique combination thought between the Verizon box and the surround sound system. Do you ever get these dropouts with the box connected directly from the box to the TV?

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
jj14xx
Newbie

Hi Anthony,

        Thank you for your response. If I connect the new STB directly to the TV, everything seems to work ok. The problem happens only when I route it thru' the receiver.

The old STB (that was replaced) worked just fine thru' the receiver... and the other devices like blu-ray player, PS3 that are routed thru' the receiver work fine too... so there must be something with this new STB when it is routed thru' the receiver that is causing the issue.

Any suggestions?

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
HokieJason
Newbie

I m having a very similar problem as you are.   I am trying to run my STB through my Pioneer Receiver using HDMI connections and it is not working properly.  The Receiver is working fine with the Blu Ray player but when I try to use the STB, there is no signal reaching the Insignia LED TV.  All of the equipment is brand new.  The STB works fine when hooked directly to the TV but through the receiver, I don't get any audio or video.

I called Pioneer support and they suggested that there was inadequate power coming from the STB.  I called Verizon to ask about that possibility and they referred me to this site.  Would appreciate any help you could provide or suggestions for troubleshooting.  Thanks!

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
Anthony_VZ
Master - Level 3

@jj14xx -There are a bunch of different Audio/Video options that could be changed. I am not sure what is it about your surround system that's causing these drop outs. If there was a defect in the box it would not pass the signal correctly to the television. Since you are not getting these cutouts when connected directly to the TV, there is a constant feed being sent out by the box.

@HokieJason - "I called Pioneer support and they suggested that there was inadequate power coming from the STB" . There is obviously a good enough signal for the TV to process it. There is no setting that can be changed to effect the power level. Please try different resolutions and audio options to see if you have any luck with those.

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
jj14xx
Newbie

@Anthony - I thought so too, but the same AV receiver input (with exactly the same settings) is handling any other device video/audio perfectly - even the old STB (the one that was replaced) worked fine with that same input and same settings...

Not sure what else to try

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
retiredme
Specialist - Level 1

I noticed on other sources that several owners of the VSX1021 also complained of HDMI pass-through problems. The receiver apparently has a history. Owing to the nature of HDMI and it's squirrely behavior at times, it is not a good idea to daisy chain if you can help it. Sometimes the results of mixing various components from various manufacturers can be serendipitous at best. You might try avsforum.com and go to the vsx1021 owner's thread to see how others dealt with the problem. There are quite a few pages to wade through, but at least you will know that others also have a similar issue. Good luck.

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
jj14xx
Newbie

@retiredme

Thanks - I did look at the avsforums - and actually got several responses from there as well 🙂

Their responses indicated that it was probably a STB issue rather than the AV receiver (given that other devices are working ok).

The sad part is that the problem worsens (see op) if I switch to component video output from STB to receiver (and HDMI from receiver to TV) - and the HDMI/HDMI connection worked fine thru' the same ports on the same AV receiver with the old STB (that unfortunately developed a hard drive issue)

I wonder if I should try to get this STB swapped out again...

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
retiredme
Specialist - Level 1

You could certainly try another STB, but if the same problem manifests I would be inclined to look at the HDMI protocol and its tendancy to not play nice with others as the culprit. That said, ensure you are using good quality 1.4 HDMI cables. You might even look at the new amplified HDMI cables that boost the signal a bit. They are a bit more expensive, but if it works...   Good luck.

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Re: FIOS STB to Pioneer Receiver to TV - problems
CYBDiver
Newbie

I have  been dealing with this issue for 5 years! Verizon actually came to my home wih 3 techs and a guy from Motorola/New York and set up shop in my living room for 3 hours. They connected a laptop to the STB and tried to find the issue. All equipment was brand new out of the box for a week.! They tried several different setting adjustments to no avail. They deduced, like what has been said previously, that the motorola STB wont communicate with Pioneer Elite. Very aggrivating when trying to clean up the wire mess in my cabinet. These guys promised to take all the info they pulled off the STB and send to R and D and get back with me. 5 years later, nothing! Typical of Verizon. Lots of promises, terriible service. We have since replaced the box and same issue. Its a waste of time to call, so we ran component to TV and optical to Elite. The Toshiba TV only had 1 HDMI, so we chose to use it for DVD/Video. We just got a new Samsung 60" and it has two HDMI inputs so now we have HDMI from STB and optical to Elite Reciever. Pain to set up. I had hoped that when watching the more expensive HD movies from Verizon On Demand that the video would improve. NOT!!! The HD videos still pixelate and thats the only way to get correct audio for action movies since standard definition doesnt offer 5.1 surround.

We are happy with everything FIOS offers outside of TV. Oh yeah, we live in a neighborhood where FIOS was first introduced as a pilot program. I had hoped Verizon/Motorola would have fixed this issue by now, but customer support isnt their strong suit.

Bottom line is dont expect Verizon to correct this issue until more people like us demand better hardware for our home theaters, and not remanufactured units. Maybe someone from Verizon will see this and find out what happened to all that data that went to R and D.

Good luck with getting this resolved.

PS I do have to say, since I beat up on Verizon, that regular TV is pretty good quality and does work when its stormy and bad weather, sorry Direct TV. Verizon has you on that.

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