hobx
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Screen flickering to black

My ATV is flickering intermittently. It flickers black and then back again, literally taking only seconds, but then keeps happening on and on, making everything unwatchable.

This is NOT the negative image problem, however it is a Sony Bravia KDL-W4000.

Anybody else having this problem, suggest a fix?

ATV2, iOS 4

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 2:24 PM

by rof-x,Solvedanswer
rof-x rof-x
Level 1 (10 points)
A:

I contacted a Sony service centre here in Norway, and they sent me a new firmware, though they couldn't tell if the firmware was supposed to fix this particular HDMI issue. After the firmware upgrade, I thought the flickering was gone, but later on the problem reappeared.   :-(

 

Then, after some more searching around, I found some discussion about the problem being related to ATV2's use of 50Hz refresh rate in combination with Sony's "full pixel" mode on some models. Switching the TV back to "normal" display area seems to solve the problem!   :-)

 

Using the old-fashion "overscan" mode nowadays seems quite strange, since the technique was actually used to compensate for old CRT-screens (1930-1970) not being able to properly display the outer edges of the picture. Today, 1:1 pixel mapping should be standard, at least for digital signal sources.

 

Hope to see a(nother) fix from Apple...

 

See discussion threads:

https://discussions.apple.com/message/13320335#13320335

https://discussions.apple.com/message/15277789#15277789

Posted on May 31, 2011 8:38 AM

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hobx

Q: Screen flickering to black

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  • by vazandrew,

    vazandrew vazandrew Jan 25, 2011 3:28 PM in response to hobx
    Level 6 (19,190 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 25, 2011 3:28 PM in response to hobx
    Have you tried another HDMI cable?

  • by hobx,

    hobx hobx Jan 25, 2011 3:52 PM in response to vazandrew
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2011 3:52 PM in response to vazandrew
    Yep, two different hdmi cables, three hdmi ports, and my ps3 and xbox do not have the problem.....

  • by MartoC_01,

    MartoC_01 MartoC_01 Jan 26, 2011 1:23 AM in response to hobx
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2011 1:23 AM in response to hobx
    I have the same problem. I tried two different HDMI-cables and my PS3 and my XBOX360 do not have that problem. I also have a KDL-40W4000. I tried my AppleTV on an KDL-32W5800 and the problem does not appear. I still want to try another AppleTV on my TV to be sure, if the problem is with the TV or with ATV. When I do, I'll post the result.

  • by hobx,

    hobx hobx Jan 26, 2011 7:54 AM in response to MartoC_01
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2011 7:54 AM in response to MartoC_01
    Its hard to tell, but it seems that turning the playstation on and switching HDMI slots initiates the problem when I return to the apple tv.

    However, try this, turn on the apple tv, make sure no other HDMI devices are on, switch to another inactive hdmi input, and switch back. Its a bit early to tell, but the problem doesn't seem to present in this order.....maybe forcing some sort of HDMI handshake when switching channels and then back again?

  • by Moonwalker83,

    Moonwalker83 Moonwalker83 Jan 26, 2011 8:46 AM in response to hobx
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2011 8:46 AM in response to hobx
    Unfortunately it seems the Apple tv's don't get on terribly well with Sony tv's. We're all hoping the next update is going to fix the hdmi handshake issues us sone users are experiencing. Apparently those with the beta say that it does cure our woes, Apple just need to get the update out!

  • by hobx,

    hobx hobx Jan 26, 2011 9:08 AM in response to Moonwalker83
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2011 9:08 AM in response to Moonwalker83
    Its so frustrating, you'd think that something as generic as this wouldn't be difficult to implement. Can we please just go back to component that doesn't ahve to deal with all this drmed handshaking nonsense? Grrrr...

  • by youngstreet,

    youngstreet youngstreet Jan 30, 2011 12:28 PM in response to hobx
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 30, 2011 12:28 PM in response to hobx
    Same here. Intermittent flickering (it flashes to black for a couple of seconds) is driving me nuts. Sometimes it will go minutes without flickering and then it will flicker many times in a row. I have a Sony XBR. If anybody has a solution, please let me know.

  • by FriarNurgle,

    FriarNurgle FriarNurgle Jan 30, 2011 2:41 PM in response to hobx
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2011 2:41 PM in response to hobx
    Had the same issue with a Vizio E420VO. Determined it was the TV. Returned it and picked up a Philips. No issues since.

  • by Gareth Burleigh,Helpful

    Gareth Burleigh Gareth Burleigh Feb 22, 2011 2:02 PM in response to hobx
    Level 2 (245 points)
    Feb 22, 2011 2:02 PM in response to hobx
    Yes Im also have this (46W4000) its really annoying. Best work around Ive found is put ATV into sleep, switch to another HDMI say Sky or PS3. Return to the ATV's HDMI and leave it for a couple mins after 2 mins wake the ATV.

    This works 98% of the time for me, hopefully it gets fixed with a firmware update.

    Good luck

    Gareth

  • by MartoC_01,

    MartoC_01 MartoC_01 Feb 28, 2011 11:18 PM in response to MartoC_01
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 28, 2011 11:18 PM in response to MartoC_01
    Now I got the chance to try another ATV on my TV. The issue is exactly the same.
    I tried both on a Samsung TV and there is no problem. So let's hope they fix this problem with the next update.

  • by MartoC_01,

    MartoC_01 MartoC_01 Mar 9, 2011 11:54 PM in response to Gareth Burleigh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2011 11:54 PM in response to Gareth Burleigh
    The new software is out and the issue hasn't changed a bit.

    So, let's hope and wait for the next update!

  • by mikpete,

    mikpete mikpete Mar 19, 2011 4:47 PM in response to FriarNurgle
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2011 4:47 PM in response to FriarNurgle
    Hi, brand new Philips TV and I have the same problem. Any other solutions?

  • by shadowrider,

    shadowrider shadowrider Mar 20, 2011 10:51 PM in response to mikpete
    Level 1 (90 points)
    Mar 20, 2011 10:51 PM in response to mikpete
    I'm sorry if this has already been suggested but I have found that with my Sony TV if I set the video to RGB low on the Apple TV the flickering has stopped. I know they are working on a fix and hopefully it will be out soon.

  • by MartoC_01,

    MartoC_01 MartoC_01 Mar 25, 2011 4:25 PM in response to hobx
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 25, 2011 4:25 PM in response to hobx
    The new 4.2.1 update didn't help either.
    I tried something else today, which seems to work so far:
    I updated the Firmware of my TV.
    The latest software for my TV (KDL-40W4000) is from 12/2010, so it's pretty new.
    I watched a few TV-Shows and still no flickering. I'm still not entirely convinced, but I'll let you know what happens in the next days.
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