Google TV Streamer corrupted video (bad signal?)

[LostCanadian]

It seems like my Google TV Streamer occasionally decides to output a bad video signal. It usually happens after it's been idle for awhile, most often in the morning. It manifests as several vertical bars, where you can kind of see some of the text of the home screen, but with a lot of flickering and green. Note that I'm using apps-only mode, if that's relevant.

Any idea what could be happening to cause this glitch? Do I have a dud?

Note: I can't seem to attach images to this message (new to this community), but have a photo handy if that would help.

[LostCanadian]

Update: if I switch to another input, then switch back, everything is fine. It's like it gets stuck in a bad mode. Note that I have not experienced issues like this on the TV with any other devices.

[EduardoN]

Hi @LostCanadian,

Thanks for reaching out this community! I understand the your situation with your Google TV Streamer—specifically the green vertical bars and the flickering after the device has been idle—sound very much like an HDMI "handshake" or synchronization issue. This is further confirmed by your update that switching inputs and switching back resolves the glitch; that action forces the TV and the Streamer to re-establish their connection.

While "Apps-only mode" is a great feature, it is unlikely to be the cause of a video signal glitch like this. To determine if your specific unit is indeed a "dud" or if this is a compatibility hiccup, we need to isolate the variable.

• Could you please try rebooting your Google streamer?
• Would you mind unplugging the device and trying a different HDMI port on your TV?
• To rule out the TV itself, could you please try plugging the streaming device into another TV in your home?

Please feel free to share any additional details you think might be relevant.

Best regards,
Eduardo

[LostCanadian]

I tried a different cable and a different port, but encountered the same issue. Rebooting the Streamer sometimes fixes things, but not always. There's definitely a chance it's the TCL TV, perhaps the latest system update messed something up. I don't have another TV to test on, but I have a suspicion something has changed in terms of the timing of the auto-switch to the Streamer input when HDMI-CEC is enabled. I disabled HDMI-CEC on the TV and the Streamer, set up the remote to control things via IR instead, and thus far that workaround seems to be working fine.

It's not entirely clear whether it's the Streamer or the TV that's malfunctioning, but for now I have a setup that works. Thanks for responding.

[EduardoN]

Hi @LostCanadian,

Thank you very much for the specific details regarding the troubleshooting steps you have already performed, such as rebooting the Streamer and attempting to use HDMI-CEC. I understand that you do not have another TV to perform the test, so please do not worry. I recommend using this Contact Us page. Please enter the requested information there so the appropriate team can follow up with you.

Keep me posted.

Best regards,
Eduardo