This is a Sony issue where the set sees interlaced and progressive signals as separate inputs. The "insert link" option seems to be broken, so in the search box at the top of the page, type "dynamic switching", and then read the first thread - "Picture twitches across cuts..." This explains how to set your panel settings so that interlaced and progressive signals are seen as the same input rather than separate inputs.

I had exactly this issue with my KDL-40HX723 on firmware PKG3.807 in that all the HD channels exhibited very noticeable switching between 1080i and 1080p signals in the same broadcast. Sony Support suggested that as part of the troubleshooting process I try resetting the unit to it's factory defaults (there's an option to do this in the System menu I beleive). Having done a factory reset on my unit it now doesn't exhibit this issue any more.

So my suggestion would be to make sure you are on the latest firmware for the unit and then try restoring it to it's default factory settings. Obvioulsy if you've tweaked any settings i.e. brightess/contrast/colour balance etc. I'd make a note of these frst as you'll lose them during the reset.

Just realised why the factory reset had solved the issue. It had reset the option for optimising the freeview digital signal from Video back to Text/Graphics . If I have it set to Video I still get the weird switching issue, on Text/graphics no switching issue. Also tried the fix suggested by Testcard, but that didn't seem to work.

Oh well time to contact Sony Support about it again

Apologies for getting anyones hopes up that I'd got a fix.

Ewan

Are you sure what you are seeing is blanking, or in fact the picture zooming in and out on the transitions, or different picture settings on 1080p and 1080i (you do mention changing settings).

The original blanking problem was fixed for me ages ago by an earlier update.

What still exists however, and still catches people out, is the fact that you can have two different lots of picture settings, one for 1080p and and other for 1080i transmissions. You can only change the picture settings when that picture format is actually being broadcast.

If you have changed the screen format on 1080i, say, to 'Full Pixel', but failed to repeat the setting when 1080p was being broadcast, the TV can jump between overscanned and full pixel display, which appears to make the picture jump in and out. If you have changed other picture settings these will change at the transitions, and may be why you are seeing a 'blank' when the TV changes.

Whilst useful to a minority who like to fine tune settings between sources, for the majority of normal TV viewers this arrangement is beyond them!

Message was edited by: copicke45

Message was edited by: copicke45

I've been working with Sony Customer Support on this issue since I noticed it. They contacted me yesterday about the new firmware, which I had already installed OTA, and asked me to repeat some troubleshooting steps for them. Having done so I reported back that the issue still persisted and told them the steps I took to recreate it.

They have contacted me by phone today to say that they have been able to replicate this issue on the same model as my unit (KDL-40HX723) and on another HX unit in their office. So they now acknowledge that there is an issue and have written it up and sent it through to the folks responsible for investigating and resolving these issues at head office. Unfortunately they couldn't be specific on when this fix would arrive, but at least they are taking it serioulsy and working on it.

The person I spoke to admitted that this isuse probably hasn't been more widely noticed because the Text/Graphics -> Video option is buried in the settings menus in a location where most average users of the TV wouldn't go digging. And as it defaults to Text/Graphics out the box most people won't even encounter the issue.

Hope this news is of help to the folks that are suffering with the issue like me. Just have to keep an eye on the firmware updates now and if we don't see anything in a month or so I'll give Support a gentle prod

This sounds promising, let's hope Sony are working on a fix.

Earlier in this thread it was mentiioned that all panel settings should be identical when receiving 1080i and 1080p. I can confirm my settings ARE identical, but I still get blank screens during HD programmes (40HX723).

Pete.

Yes its been fixed, just download the latest firmware to the device.

Thanks