HD-PVR -> Dead with a Blinking Blue Light

[reggie14]

My HD-PVR seems to have died on me. When I plug it into my Sage server the blue LED on top that usually acts like a recording indicator blinks about once per second. The blue power LED on the front also blinks. My Sage server (usually) doesn't detect that its plugged in at all, and when it does detect something it gives me an error that it can't tell what it is.

I bought it less than 2 years ago, so it should still be under warranty. But, Hauppauge is giving me a bit of a run-around because I don't have a paper copy of the invoice (only an electronic one). Apparently I'll have to wait until Tuesday to hear back from a Hauppauge supervisor on whether or not they'll give me an RMA number.

So, I have a few days to troubleshoot it some more. Is there anything I should try?

[stevech]

Does it show up in the Device Manager's hardware list (unplug/replug the USB)?

I've read a couple of reports that the wall wart power transformer poops out. It's a generic 5VDC, 2Amp unit.

[reggie14]

Nope, it isn't showing up in the device manager anymore.

I've heard about HD-PVR power supplies going bad too. But, I haven't seen anyone else describe the blinking lights.

[stevech]

If you unplug the USB and power-cycle the HD-PVR, do the LEDs still show an abnormal pattern (eliminate software doing odd things)

[EnterNoEscape]

I had something just like this happen to mine. Unfortunately it happened right after a lightening storm. Funny thing is I had 3 of them and only one did this after the power flashed on and off about 5 times. Because of that I wasn't sure there was a surge due to everything else working and thought it might have been the power turning on and off so many times in a row, I contacted Hauppauge, but it turned out I was out of warranty. The box was not detected when plugged in and there was little I could do to troubleshoot it. It sat around for about 2 months before I tried it one last time and then threw it out. Sorry to say, you may have a busted unit. Also, since I had other units, I swapped power bricks and USB cables; no dice there either.

[reggie14]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its a bad HD-PVR.

It's not always doing the blinking light thing. Sometimes the blue power light comes on as it should. Sometimes it blinks. Sometimes Windows doesn't detect something was plugged in via USB at all. Sometimes it detects something, but I get an error message from Windows saying there's a problem with the device.

[stevech]

I'd try a generic 5V, 2A power supply before declaring the HD-PVR toast.

[reggie14]

I don't have another power supply to try, otherwise I probably would give it a try. If I saw some reports of other folks fixing the same problem with a new power supply I might go out and try to buy one, but its probably not worth it (as long as Hauppauge lets me return it).

I have a Colossus sitting in a box. I might give that a try.

[stevech]

some gizmo around your house may have a 5V, 2A power transformer.
Radio Shack has them for about $12.

[dead_ferrets]

Hauppauge will also send you a new power supply for free. Also if you do RMA the unit you might want to explicitly ask to have another power supply shipped with it. I've RMA'ed two and they didn't come with a power supply.

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by dead_ferrets

Hauppauge will also send you a new power supply for free. Also if you do RMA the unit you might want to explicitly ask to have another power supply shipped with it. I've RMA'ed two and they didn't come with a power supply.

I looked around and I don't have any 5v 2A power adapters. Almost everything I have is 1A.

If this sounds like a power supply problem I would go out and buy one, but to me it sounds like more of a problem with the HD-PVR itself. Do you think I'm wrong?

[stevech]

Originally Posted by reggie14

I looked around and I don't have any 5v 2A power adapters. Almost everything I have is 1A.

If this sounds like a power supply problem I would go out and buy one, but to me it sounds like more of a problem with the HD-PVR itself. Do you think I'm wrong?

No, you're probably right. Just a simple test to confirm. But faulty regulation/filtering in power supplies can cause weird symptoms.

[HuMan321]

I have the same issue with mine starting yesterday. I thought it might be the power supply as well, but checked it with a Fluke meter and it is putting out 5.3VDC.

Any other ideas out there? What is the warranty period?

I am now deciding whether to get another HD-PVR or maybe Colossus? I was hoping to get a Colossus in the future when it appeared the DD was worked out. Witout DD it is a deal breaker for me. What is the latest on that?

[HuMan321]

Update:
Looked up warranty and see it is 2 years. Looked up order info and was ordered on 5-7-2009... Go figure

[stevech]

Originally Posted by HuMan321

I have the same issue with mine starting yesterday. I thought it might be the power supply as well, but checked it with a Fluke meter and it is putting out 5.3VDC.

You'll need to check the power supply while it's under load. And the meter might not show, under load, that there is high noise on the DC, such as 60Hz or the switching power supply's KHz frequency. That takes a 'scope. So it's best to substitute a known-good 5V/2A supply. If you're into hacking a bit, you could take ground and 5V from an unused disk drive power connector in a PC; that should have 2A to spare. As a test instead of buying a power supply.

I have a few voltage-adjustable power transformers with an assortment of plug styles; these come in handy .

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by reggie14

I bought it less than 2 years ago, so it should still be under warranty. But, Hauppauge is giving me a bit of a run-around because I don't have a paper copy of the invoice (only an electronic one).

What idiots... who keeps paper copies of invoices these days? Perhaps you should print it... then you'd have the paper copy they want

[HuMan321]

Originally Posted by stevech

You'll need to check the power supply while it's under load. And the meter might not show, under load, that there is high noise on the DC, such as 60Hz or the switching power supply's KHz frequency. That takes a 'scope. So it's best to substitute a known-good 5V/2A supply. If you're into hacking a bit, you could take ground and 5V from an unused disk drive power connector in a PC; that should have 2A to spare. As a test instead of buying a power supply.

I have a few voltage-adjustable power transformers with an assortment of plug styles; these come in handy .

You are correct in stating testing under load. I will look around for something to work

[HuMan321]

Update:

Just tested HD-PVR with matching power supply from a D-Link 8 port switch and this appears to have fixed the problem. I have not fully tested as I need the switch and HD-PVR to both be powered in my setup, but it does give me enough to run out and purchase a new power supply.

Good luck to OP.

PS
Went ahead and ordered this off Amazon. Will reply if it is a match as only the tip is in question...polarity, output voltage and amperage is a match
http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Extern.../ref=de_a_smtd

[stevech]

Seems like that power supply has a high failure rate. Bad design or 2Amps isn't enough.

[HuMan321]

The above power supply did not have the correct tip. I went to Radio Shack and could not find and exact match so I ended up cutting the tip from the broken power supply and slicing it on the $5 Amazon PS. My HD-PVR is now working and recording as well as it ever was.