Problem with Blue Bands on Capture Source

[bnshrdr]

I have been dealing with this problem of blue bands (not sure if this is the right term) appearing on my captured video. It only is noticeable on dark scenes. Here is a sample of a cut of the video where it goes all black, so you guys can get a good look at it.

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/2964/bluelines.png

I can only imagine that the problem lies in the following sources:
1) Encoding from my card (Hauppauge HD PVR 1212)
2) Faulty component cable
3) Something in the feed

Can anyone help diagnose this problem?

Edit: Yes I realize it's open in WMP, but this happens with all media players too. It's not a decoding issue.

[Guest]

I don't see any bands, just blackness.

[poisondeathray]

If you change your vertical viewing position (or look up & down) , you should be able to see the bands (there's 3 horizontal strips)

[Inspector.Gadget]

I see them, but they're very subtle. Are they very noticeable when displayed concurrently with actual content?

[bnshrdr]

I suppose they are fairly subtle but now that I know they are there it bugs the crap out of me. Here is a clip which shows some dark scenes.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?myz3td120i4

[bnshrdr]

Sorry for not performing more tests in the first place, but I'm pretty sure I narrowed it down.

I tried recording from other channels (most of my recordings come from the Discovery Channel), and what do you know, not a problem.
My only thought is that the feed must be slightly different than that of the other channels, but I don't notice those blue bands on the TV screen when watching the show regularly, but only when I have recorded it and it is played back.

Has anyone ever run into something like this? Are there any types of filters I can apply to soften it up a little?

Edit: Never mind. I powered my HD PVR on and left the cable box off, and captured. The three blue bands were present. My new theory: some channel strengths aren't as strong as others, so when it is weaker, this banding will appear.

[dumbledore]

that's not how digital transmissions work... the problem is probably in your component cable connection from your cable box to your pvr. what quality of component cable hookup are you using?

[bnshrdr]

That is what I suspected to be the issue. That or the capture box just sends out these stupid blue bands as a weak signal and they are only visible on dark scenes. I'll pick up another cable tomorrow and see if it helps. I have no idea of the quality. Actually though it turns out that the cable I'm using was actually supplied by my ISP to connect my box to my TV, but I ended up getting an HDMI cable to use in its stead. Wouldn't surprise me if the cable they gave me was sub par.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Interesting....

When you alter the gamma, the distortion becomes very apparent: -

http://i40.tinypic.com/fbw7r6.png

Cheers

[Ghitulescu]

I don't think it's the cable, most probably is the sender.
You don't see these bands on TVs as they have a narrower colorspace (16->234) but on PCs (0->255).
Are they SDTV?
Why don't you try to use/buy a real cable-PVR (like the good old Topfield TF5000PVRc - no ads here, just a hint, a starting point), so you can directly transfer the programs to your PC, without any interference, AD/DA conversions etc. etc. etc..