Channel Feed Cuts Out When Two TVs Are Tuned to the Same Channel

A problem has developed when my two TVs are tuned to the same channel. For example, if the living room TV is tuned to Channel 7 (ABC) and the den TV is tuned to Channel 9 (CBS), there is no problem. However, if I then change the den TV to Channel 7, the feed to both TVs is lost. Similarly, if I change the living room TV to Channel 9 when the den TV is already tuned to Channel 9, the feed to both TVs is lost.

It does not matter what channel the two TVs are tuned to -- if they are each tuned to the same channel, the feed to both TVs is lost. Does anyone know what the problem is?

Thanks -- I have already called Verizon, and they are planning to send out a technician on Monday, but I am hoping to avoid that.

Accepted answers

Ccanino53

@rodneysm
wrote:
Thanks for those educational comments. Verizon did try a number of remote fixes and none worked.

It sounds like one of the 6 tuners in the VMS isn't working properly. The mini has no internal tuners, it tells the VMS what to send it, then the VMS uses one of its tuners to send the correct station. I would get Verizon to send you a New VMS box and see if the problem goes away. You shouldn't have to watch an SD station on one set while watching an HD version on another.

All comments

Ccanino53

@rodneysm
wrote:
A problem has developed when my two TVs are tuned to the same channel. For example, if the living room TV is tuned to Channel 7 (ABC) and the den TV is tuned to Channel 9 (CBS), there is no problem. However, if I then change the den TV to Channel 7, the feed to both TVs is lost. Similarly, if I change the living room TV to Channel 9 when the den TV is already tuned to Channel 9, the feed to both TVs is lost.
It does not matter what channel the two TVs are tuned to -- if they are each tuned to the same channel, the feed to both TVs is lost. Does anyone know what the problem is?
Thanks -- I have already called Verizon, and they are planning to send out a technician on Monday, but I am hoping to avoid that.

What kind of boxes from Verizon are you using? Did you check all coax connections? Did you try replacing the splitter? Have you tried removing power to all the boxes then plugging them in one at a time?

rodneysm

I have used Arris boxes since July 2019, when I became a Fios customer. This problem began only two weeks ago.

rodneysm

Whoops, I did not initially see the rest of the post. The coax connections are okay, but I have not replaced the splitter nor tried turning on the boxes one at a time. What would be the reason doing the latter two things would resolve the problem? I'm trying to understand the basic problem here. Thanks.

pacmusicman

Unplugging all of the STBs, waiting for a few moments and then plugging them back in is like a soft reset. Something may have gotten messed up, and a reset might clear the trouble.

If I were to reset all of the STBs in our house, I would power down the minis first and the VMS (the main unit) last....and then plug them back in in reverse order...but that is just me.

Coaxial cable splitters can go bad. While not a common occurrence, it does happen. Also, Verizon uses splitters that are MoCA 2.0 compatible. Older splitters may not be, and those should be replaced.

Open/unterminated ports on splitters are bad news. If there are any, purchasing a few 75 ohm termination plugs and using them to fill the open ports is recommended.

I also like to suggest inspecting coaxial cable terminations. Often coaxial cables are found to be poorly prepped before connectors are applied. Some DiY videos on YouTube that show how to terminate coaxial cable should be renamed how NOT to terminate coaxial cable.

Because the television service has operated properly for years, that would discount a cable problem, but it is still good to inspect once in a blue moon...even to check for loose connections.