LED madness on DigitalStream DTV converters

[Roger Blake]

I have a couple of DigitalStream DTX-9900 DTV converter boxes where
the dual-color power-indicater LEDs have suddenly gone crazy.

Normally the LED is red when the unit is on standby and yellow when
powered up. Within the last two weeks on both of these converters
the LEDs started at first flickering between red and yellow, then
finally staying red whether the box is powered up or not. (The
converters otherwise work OK with no apparent issues.)

Anyone else seen this problem? It is feasible to fix? (Maybe just
replace the LEDs? Or is it more likely a circuitry problem?)

--
Roger Blake
(Subtract 10s for email. "Google Groups" messages killfiled due to spam.)
"Obama dozed while people froze."

 

[bz]

Roger Blake <rogblake10@iname10.com> wrote in
news:slrnh4g5ti.t7u.rogblake10@otaku.freeshell.org:

I have a couple of DigitalStream DTX-9900 DTV converter boxes where
the dual-color power-indicater LEDs have suddenly gone crazy.

Normally the LED is red when the unit is on standby and yellow when
powered up. Within the last two weeks on both of these converters
the LEDs started at first flickering between red and yellow, then
finally staying red whether the box is powered up or not. (The
converters otherwise work OK with no apparent issues.)

Anyone else seen this problem? It is feasible to fix? (Maybe just
replace the LEDs? Or is it more likely a circuitry problem?)

I had one die recently. No led. No powerup.
On opening the box, I found an electrolytic capacitor with a bulging top.

Replaced with one with same or greater cap, dc voltage, and temp rating.
Box works again.




--
bz 73 de N5BZ k

please pardon my infinite ignorance, the set-of-things-I-do-not-know is an
infinite set.

 

[Arfa Daily]

"Roger Blake" <rogblake10@iname10.com> wrote in message
news:slrnh4g5ti.t7u.rogblake10@otaku.freeshell.org...

I have a couple of DigitalStream DTX-9900 DTV converter boxes where
the dual-color power-indicater LEDs have suddenly gone crazy.

Normally the LED is red when the unit is on standby and yellow when
powered up. Within the last two weeks on both of these converters
the LEDs started at first flickering between red and yellow, then
finally staying red whether the box is powered up or not. (The
converters otherwise work OK with no apparent issues.)

Anyone else seen this problem? It is feasible to fix? (Maybe just
replace the LEDs? Or is it more likely a circuitry problem?)

--
Roger Blake

Sounds like it could easily be the green element within the LED that is
failing (yellow showing = red and green LEDs both on). Should be easy enough
to measure the volts at the two driven pins when the box is on. If one of
the drives is high compared to the other, and only the red element is
alight, then the green one is open circuit. If on the other hand, one of the
drives is close to zero, then I guess it's going to be the transistor which
switches it, or something between the transistor and the system control
micro.

Arfa

 

[Mark Zenier]

In article <slrnh4g5ti.t7u.rogblake10@otaku.freeshell.org>,
Roger Blake <rogblake10@iname10.com> wrote:

I have a couple of DigitalStream DTX-9900 DTV converter boxes where
the dual-color power-indicater LEDs have suddenly gone crazy.

Normally the LED is red when the unit is on standby and yellow when
powered up. Within the last two weeks on both of these converters
the LEDs started at first flickering between red and yellow, then
finally staying red whether the box is powered up or not. (The
converters otherwise work OK with no apparent issues.)

Anyone else seen this problem? It is feasible to fix? (Maybe just
replace the LEDs? Or is it more likely a circuitry problem?)

That's strange, my DTX-9900 power indicator is either red or green.
Although, it's a rather pale green. (I think my sister's DTX-9950 is
the same).

Sounds like the red side driver was shorted from the start, and things
got worse since then. If it's lit yellow, a close look may show both the
red and green die lit up. (Or maybe it's just your color classification
as to what to call it, it's right on the border of yellow and green).

Anybody crack one of these open? My guess is a couple of $.01 (or
less) surface mount transistors. Or the solder.

Mark Zenier mzenier@eskimo.com
Googleproofaddress(account:mzenier provider:eskimo domain:com)

 

[Roger Blake]

On 2009-07-02, Mark Zenier <mzenier@eskimo.com> wrote:

That's strange, my DTX-9900 power indicator is either red or green.
Although, it's a rather pale green. (I think my sister's DTX-9950 is
the same).

I guess you could call it a pale green, it looks more yellowish to
me but that may be splitting hairs. Also I think these units are
actually DTX-9950s -- they have the analog pass-thru feature. (I
do also have an early DTX-9900, so far it has not exhibited the
LED problem.)

Anybody crack one of these open? My guess is a couple of $.01 (or
less) surface mount transistors. Or the solder.

Have not had time to open it up yet, but do plan to check it out
soon as I get the chance.

--
Roger Blake
(Subtract 10s for email. "Google Groups" messages killfiled due to spam.)
"Obama dozed while people froze."

 

[rleigh]

On Jun 29, 11:53 am, bz <bz+...@ch100-5.chem.lsu.edu> wrote:

Roger Blake <rogblak...@iname10.com> wrote innews:slrnh4g5ti.t7u.rogblake10@otaku.freeshell.org:

I have a couple of DigitalStream DTX-9900 DTV converter boxes where
the dual-color power-indicater LEDs have suddenly gone crazy.

Normally the LED is red when the unit is on standby and yellow when
powered up. Within the last two weeks on both of these converters
the LEDs started at first flickering between red and yellow, then
finally staying red whether the box is powered up or not. (The
converters otherwise work OK with no apparent issues.)

Anyone else seen this problem? It is feasible to fix? (Maybe just
replace the LEDs? Or is it more likely a circuitry problem?)

I had one die recently. No led. No powerup.
On opening the box, I found an electrolytic capacitor with a bulging top.

Replaced with one with same or greater cap, dc voltage, and temp rating.
Box works again.

--
bz      73 de N5BZ k

please pardon my infinite ignorance, the set-of-things-I-do-not-know is an
infinite set.

YES ,

I bought two DTX - 9900 boxes and now BOTH units flicker
between red , dim red and yellow when the unit is on . When the unit
is off the LED is bright red .
I have tried to contact many people associated with the Digital Stream
to no avail . I'm sure this problem is inherent to this unit as well
as other models . I'm ticked that the unit does this but so far I've
not opened the unit . I tried all sorts of solutions to try to
alliviate this problem ( except opening the unit ) but nothing so far
has worked . The L.E.D. must be more than just an ON / OFF device . Or
some sort of signal is messing up the voltage to the unit . This
L.E.D. is probably one of those double L.E.D.'s that when biased one
way is red and biased the other is yellow . Why they would design it
with a marginal voltage feeding the L.E.D. is anyone's guess .

In any event I'm going to jerk the top off the unit soon and try to
remedy this annoying problem .

 

[Allodoxaphobia]

On Mon, 6 Jul 2009 07:31:15 -0700 (PDT), rleigh wrote:

Roger Blake <rogblak...@iname10.com> wrote:

I have a couple of DigitalStream DTX-9900 DTV converter boxes where
the dual-color power-indicater LEDs have suddenly gone crazy.

Normally the LED is red when the unit is on standby and yellow when
powered up. Within the last two weeks on both of these converters
the LEDs started at first flickering between red and yellow, then
finally staying red whether the box is powered up or not. (The
converters otherwise work OK with no apparent issues.)

Anyone else seen this problem? It is feasible to fix? (Maybe just
replace the LEDs? Or is it more likely a circuitry problem?)

YES ,

I bought two DTX - 9900 boxes and now BOTH units flicker
between red , dim red and yellow when the unit is on . When the unit
is off the LED is bright red .
I have tried to contact many people associated with the Digital Stream
to no avail . I'm sure this problem is inherent to this unit as well
as other models . I'm ticked that the unit does this but so far I've
not opened the unit . I tried all sorts of solutions to try to
alliviate this problem ( except opening the unit ) but nothing so far
has worked . The L.E.D. must be more than just an ON / OFF device . Or
some sort of signal is messing up the voltage to the unit . This
L.E.D. is probably one of those double L.E.D.'s that when biased one
way is red and biased the other is yellow . Why they would design it
with a marginal voltage feeding the L.E.D. is anyone's guess .

In any event I'm going to jerk the top off the unit soon and try to
remedy this annoying problem .

I would think that fixing "this annoying problem" could be done the same
way one fixed the flashing *12:00* on the old VCRs: black electrical tape.

Jonesy
--
Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux
38.24N 104.55W | @ config.com | Jonesy | OS/2
* Killfiling google & XXXXbanter.com: jonz.net/ng.htm

 

[rleigh]

On Jul 6, 6:04 pm, Allodoxaphobia <bit-buc...@config.com> wrote:

On Mon, 6 Jul 2009 07:31:15 -0700 (PDT), rleigh wrote:
Roger Blake <rogblak...@iname10.com> wrote:

I have a couple of DigitalStream DTX-9900 DTV converter boxes where
the dual-color power-indicater LEDs have suddenly gone crazy.

Normally the LED is red when the unit is on standby and yellow when
powered up. Within the last two weeks on both of these converters
the LEDs started at first flickering between red and yellow, then
finally staying red whether the box is powered up or not. (The
converters otherwise work OK with no apparent issues.)

Anyone else seen this problem? It is feasible to fix? (Maybe just
replace the LEDs? Or is it more likely a circuitry problem?)

YES ,

       I bought two DTX - 9900 boxes and now BOTH units flicker
between red , dim red and yellow when the unit is on . When the unit
is off the LED is bright red .
I have tried to contact many people associated with the Digital Stream
to no avail . I'm sure this problem is inherent to this unit as well
as other models . I'm ticked that the unit does this but so far I've
not opened the unit . I tried all sorts of solutions to try to
alliviate this problem  ( except opening the unit ) but nothing so far
has worked . The L.E.D. must be more than just an ON / OFF device . Or
some sort of signal is messing up the voltage to the unit . This
L.E.D. is probably one of those double L.E.D.'s that when biased one
way is red and biased the other is yellow . Why they would design it
with a marginal voltage feeding the L.E.D. is anyone's guess .

  In any event I'm going to jerk the top off the unit soon and try to
remedy this annoying problem .

I would think that fixing "this annoying problem" could be done the same
way one fixed the flashing *12:00* on the old VCRs: black electrical tape..

Jonesy  
--
  Marvin L Jones    | jonz          | W3DHJ  | linux
   38.24N  104.55W  |  @ config.com | Jonesy |  OS/2
    * Killfiling google & XXXXbanter.com: jonz.net/ng.htm- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Tape it Up ?

I would like to see if the unit is ON or OFF . As it is I can tell the
unit is OFF by the bright RED status of the L.E.D.
When it's ON the L.E.D. flickers or is dull RED .

By the way , who's Brilliant idea at Digital Stream was it to have a
Bright RED light shining even when the unit is OFF .
I can read by the stupid light .

 

[Jeroni Paul]

By the way , who's Brilliant idea at Digital Stream was it to have a
Bright RED light shining even when the unit is OFF .
I can read by the stupid light

This is so you can see there is power to the unit.
i-joy also sold some DTV receivers that when set to stand-by would lit
a red led and three leds on the 7-segment panel (dashes). What a waste
of power... sure just a bit in the firmware would fix this.