Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

Last week our old Virgin Tivo box died, and an engineer visited on Saturday and switched the box over for a new V6. There's been next to no issues in the few days with it so far - picture and sound quality when watching live TV and recordings is pretty much spot on, and the box is responding a hell of a lot quicker. However, there's one little quirk that wasn't present with the old Tivo, and it's niggling away at me enough to ask if it's normal or a cause for concern.

There's no odd noises, dropouts or anything else sound-wise when actually watching anything live or recorded. However, when we press the standby button on the remote, after the message has finished displaying and the screen goes black, some of the time there's a quick split-second noise through the speakers of the television that sounds like a cross between a popping noise and static.

I'd say it happens less than 25% of the time when putting the box in standby, and it's only for around 0.2 seconds (most likely less), but I can't remember the Tivo box it replaced ever doing it. As it's not something I've experienced before with a Virgin Media box, I don't know if it's just a standard thing for when the signal drops off as the box enters standby, or anything that should be worried about.

So - normal, or unusual?



Side notes, if required:
- Our television (Sony Bravia XE8004) always thought the old Tivo box was sending a signal, even when in standby - only now on the V6 does it come up saying there's 'no signal being received from source' once it's in standby mode. So maybe that was something to do with it...?)
- Have tried switching between Dolby Digital and PCM on the box, still happens with both.
- Sound is outputted just through the television - there's no surround sound system, soundbar or anything.

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

It's the sound of the sound source being disconnected.

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

My V6 has always caused a POP to come through the TV speakers when it is entering standby.

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

Well, that's good that it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about - was just alerting somewhat by the change over the Tivo.

Now I can get to worrying about a different thing instead - specifically, the light click / tick noise it's making once every 30-60seconds when it's on standby and recording something, that it started to do as of last night.

Not multiple times at once, not particularly loud.. but noticeable, and louder than the general hard disc noise. Can hear it from the sofa, while for the hard disc noise I have to be right next to the box itself.

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

Hard disc noises vary, depending on how far the head has to move. As the drive gets older, the data will tend to become more fragmented, so requires more big head movements. Try putting something soft under the box feet, such as a cut up old mouse mat. (But don't block the vents)

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

Thanks for the reply Spiderplant, and understood. However, should 'as the drive gets older' style issues be a factor already, given I've had the V6 a whole six days and counting at this point?

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

Yes, that's easily enough time for fragmentation to have started. Bear in mind a V6 is recording from all six tuners all the time it is on. That's a lots of "recordings" created and deleted in six days, even without you explicitly recording anything.

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

True enough!

Thanks for your replies, they've been most helpful. Will keep an eye (ear?) on it in case it gets noticably worse or actually starts affecting viewing, but in the meantime, I shall (try to) cease worrying...

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

I wonder if the V6 does "housekeeping" tasks such as defragmenting during downtime?

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

Regarding the noise when going into standby, have you tried turning the TV off before the V6? Shouldn't get anything out of the TV if it's off.

My habit is long press on V6 standby button to turn the TV off followed by a double press on the standby to turn the V6 off (double press turns it off instantly instead of the wait for the standby message to disappear)

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

Why turn the V6 off anyway, it surely can't be using much power, if that's the reason why it's turned off?

Re: Odd split-second noise through TV when V6 box put on standby
 

And it can switch itself off a little later anyway.