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All Forums > Tech Talk > Tech Talk Forum Page 17 > WTF? Comcast trouble.
AuthorPost
RandomPrecision
Senior Member

Enjoy!
8175 Posts
3/06
Posted - May 9 2011 : 3:52PM
I'll try to be brief -
1. I have Comcast cable.
2. I have my cable box stacked on top of an old Panasonic DVD player
3. The DVD player is not directly connected to the cable box in any way. The DVD player is connected directly to the TV's composite AV jacks and the cable box is connected directly to the TV's RF jack.
4. Every time I play a DVD my cable goes out and doesn't come back on until I've turned the DVD player off and left it off for about 20 minutes or so (sometimes longer).
5. The only output I get from the cable box during this time is the Comcast screensaver, a message that the channel I want isn't available and an error code.
I gather it's probably some kind of interference caused by the cable box being so close to the DVD player. Unfortunately, the way my A/V setup is, I really need to keep it stacked this way. Does anyone have any idea what's going on and how to solve it?

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ninja1
Senior Member

2939 Posts
1/08
Posted - May 9 2011 : 4:59PM
Your TV probably has a feature whereby it automatically switches to the AV source when it senses a signal at the AV source.
But this only partially explains why your cable box "goes out". It does not explain the Comcast screensaver.
Other considerations:
Interference through the AV cable; Make sure your AV cable is the 'shielded' type. Unless it's really cheap it is probably shielded. If possible/available use an S-video cable (instead of the yellow RCA connectors) to transmit the video signal between the TV and DVD player. You'd still need to use the red and white RCA's for the audio signal.
Another possibility is heat. By stacking the boxes you're likely messing up the airflow and cooling. The heat from the activated DVD player is causing the comcast box to overheat and go berserk. As I write this, this is my #1 suspect. It explains the 20+minutes, because of cool-down period.
Maybe you create some breathing space between the boxes, any kind of spacer would help. And make sure the ventilation holes or grates are not obstructed. Or swap and put the dvd player on top. Or something.
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Goldstein All-Star Supporter
All-Star Member

"You have sacrificed nothing and no one."
3689 Posts
8/10
Posted - May 9 2011 : 6:07PM
Comcast has been reworking their systems recently as they "upgrade."
Some of the symptoms you describe are to be expected during this period.
As a Comcast victim myself, I found it very annoying.
Also, a new powering-up of the cable box (after it shut itself off), can also be causing the "Comcast screensaver" as the box resets itself.
And, yes, the Comcast cable box is very sensitive to heat.
In fact, they specifically tell you not to stack it with other components.
My components are also stacked.
I have my Comcast cable box on top -- so that the ventilation holes are all open and unobstructed.
I once covered-up a few holes with a notepad, and did experience the thermal shutdown.
Be sure the cable box is on top.
If you can, try to open-up some space between the DVD player and the cable box.
For example, try using a couple of pencils between the units to open-up some air space.
Better yet, find something taller than pencils -- but keeping the width narrow like pencils.
A trip to your local home improvement/lumber yard molding section could be helpful, if you don't already have something on hand.
I do not believe there is any RF interference in any way taking place.
Deal with the heat issue.
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RandomPrecision
Senior Member

Enjoy!
8175 Posts
3/06
Posted - May 9 2011 : 6:58PM
Well, I could try some felt spacers or something. Thing is that the DVD player is already on the bottom. The air holes on the top of the cable box are completely unobstructed. In addition to this, I have had this DVD player since 2001 and never noticed it getting very warm, which is why I didn't even hesitate to stack them. I'll have to check and see how warm it gets. There's already about an inch of space between the two cabinets.
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