@muppet what TV are you running into ??

Step one - swap out the HDMI cables (the one from the Freeview box to the Denon AND the one from the Denon to the TV).

Step two - connect without the Denon AVR in the way...

If removing the AVR doesn't fix things, try updating the amp to the latest firmware and then try a micro-processor reset on the amp (some say to do 8 micro-processor resets in a row, then leave the amp unplugged for 10 minutes afterwards).

If that doesn't fix it, the box may be the issue.

To the other poster, the HDMI splitter is most likely the issue... HDMI handshakes seem to be a common theme in both instances - and both times, HDMI splitters and switches are involved.

Just saying.

Yup, agree it certainly sounds like a HDMI issue.

But I've never had the problem watching DLNA content, only when watching Freeview.  This is also the same setup, except for the Panasonic Box instead of the MySky HDI box, we've had for the last ~2 years and it's never been an issue.

But yes, I will remove the splitter and see if it helps.

@MSpec, we have an LG thingy, can't be bothering going and looking at it's model number but it's nothing special.  It has no Viera Link or anything at all.

Dunnersfella:

 

Step one - swap out the HDMI cables (the one from the Freeview box to the Denon AND the one from the Denon to the TV).

 

Step two - connect without the Denon AVR in the way...

 

If removing the AVR doesn't fix things, try updating the amp to the latest firmware and then try a micro-processor reset on the amp (some say to do 8 micro-processor resets in a row, then leave the amp unplugged for 10 minutes afterwards).

 

 

 

 

 

If that doesn't fix it, the box may be the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

To the other poster, the HDMI splitter is most likely the issue... HDMI handshakes seem to be a common theme in both instances - and both times, HDMI splitters and switches are involved.

 

Just saying.

 

Yup have swapped out all cables , have not seen it do it so far tonight.

@muppet mine is a panny TV but like you I have turned everything off. No issues playing back dlna or anything else just freeview.

I have the DMR-HWT260 and have been getting the black screens as well. I've been fiddling around with HDMI cables, settings etc. and have noticed that it doesn't seem to happen when FreeviewPlus is disabled. Probably just coincidence?  It's a bit annoying that I have to disable a feature but at the moment it seems to be working (and that it could be fixed with a software update)

luked:

 

I have the DMR-HWT260 and have been getting the black screens as well. I've been fiddling around with HDMI cables, settings etc. and have noticed that it doesn't seem to happen when FreeviewPlus is disabled. Probably just coincidence?  It's a bit annoying that I have to disable a feature but at the moment it seems to be working (and that it could be fixed with a software update)

 

Interesting - nice one!

I will have a play with this too and see if it fixes it.

It happens so little that it's not really a major, but I can imagine it'll really piss me off if we're watching a movie (on TV though, unlikely) and it blanks out for a second at a good bit.

@muppet have you had it happen tonight that you know of ??

Mspec:

 

@muppet have you had it happen tonight that you know of ??

 

Haven't seen it happen tonight, no.  Didn't watch for that long though.

No all good here tonight very strange how random it is.

For anyone else reading along, I've written a review of this unit.

@mspec & @luked I'd love if you could have a read and point out anything I've missed/gotten wrong.

@muppet , Excellent review and covers every thing I could think of.

One setting I have changed and I don't know if you guys have but it turns itself off after 4 hours of no activity. To stop it doing this you have to disable rewind live tv and you can then disable it going into standby mode.

In the same setting menu I turned off all going into standby stuff, no idea if this helps with the black screen but seen nothing tonight so far. (Freeview plus is still turned on)

Just as a side note dropped my sky equipment off today at a random time and had to wait in line as 5 other people were doing the same in front of me. Oh dear that can't be good.

muppet:

 

For anyone else reading along, I've written a review of this unit.

 

@mspec & @luked I'd love if you could have a read and point out anything I've missed/gotten wrong.

 

Overall I like the unit, but one thing I don't like about it is recording 2 consecutive programmes on one channel ties up the 2 tuners. I just work around it (manual timer or fix the overlap, but I hoped the unit would be smarter about it). At least the unit is more stable than the aerialbox I had. That thing froze and needed the plug pulled on it twice.

luked:

 

 

 

Overall I like the unit, but one thing I don't like about it is recording 2 consecutive programmes on one channel ties up the 2 tuners. I just work around it (manual timer or fix the overlap, but I hoped the unit would be smarter about it). At least the unit is more stable than the aerialbox I had. That thing froze and needed the plug pulled on it twice.

 

I can't see us recording more than the odd thing every now and then, so I haven't noticed this. Hopefully something that could be fixed with a firmware update.

I've got the older Panasonic PWT550GZ myFreeview Plus bluray recorder and on occasions have noticed random black screens. We get 10/10 for signal strength and quality and have no issues with our other 2 Panasonic TV's or older MagicTV MTV3600 recorder. Must be an issue solely with the Panasonic recorders.

luked:

 

Overall I like the unit, but one thing I don't like about it is recording 2 consecutive programmes on one channel ties up the 2 tuners. I just work around it (manual timer or fix the overlap, but I hoped the unit would be smarter about it). At least the unit is more stable than the aerialbox I had. That thing froze and needed the plug pulled on it twice.

 

This is my biggest complaint about the Panasonic recorders, they aren't very intelligent with how they deal with concurrent recordings. My old MagicTV MTV3600 just used the one tuner, if an older generation device can do it surely these Panasonic can do it.

The other thing that frustrates me is you can't use the ondemand apps while the unit is recording.