Why does my LCD HDTV screen occasionally flash to black?

[tutley25]

Six weeks ago I purchased a 42" LG 1080p LCD TV along with a 1080p up convert LG home theater system. They are connected with a quality 4' HDMI purchased from Best Buy. However, when I'm watching DVDs, the video signal will often cut out for 1-2 seconds and the screen goes black. The audio continues to play when this happens. I don't think it's the TV because I have digital cable hooked up with a HDMI cable that I watch quite often, and I've never had the problem while watching cable. Any ideas?

 

[PaulinSanDiego]

I get that problem a lot with the DVR on my digital cable, especially when playing back HD programs or when the hard drive is nearly full. Disruptions to or high bit error rates in a digital video signal (or low RF signal level on a digitally modulated RF signal) can result in either pixelation or freezing or the displayed video image, or momentary black screen flickering. In your case, you just have to try to figure out what component is causing the problem.

Try swapping out the HDMI cables and the input connection ports for the different sources (if you're running your DVD video through the surround receiver, also try going directly to the TV input). If the problem only exists with the DVD player, that's the source of your problem. If it occurs with a particular cable, that's the problem. If it only occurs when going through the receiver, that's your problem. And, if it occurs with a particular input port, that's the problem.

If it occurs with just the DVD player regardless of the connection, try using component video cables and see if the problem still exists. If so, the DVD laser pick-up lens could be dirty or there is something wrong with particular DVDs (scratches, smudges, etc.).