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Old 03-19-2017, 01:30 PM
 
Location: in my mind
5,323 posts, read 8,492,938 times
Reputation: 11096

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If you have a DVR, will you please do this quick experiment and tell me your results? Turn off all devices in the room where your DVR is. Basically, make the room as silent as possible. Then, listen to see if you can hear your DVR when you are within ten or so feet of it, when it is off, and when it is on. (Assuming you have decent hearing in general).

My DVR was replaced last week and the new one is driving me nuts. I can hear an extremely high-pitched whining type noise coming from it. I can hear it across the room, when the unit is turned off (as well as when its on- it might be a tiny bit louder when its on).

I've had DirecTV for many years and this is the first time I have been able to hear the DVR. I don't think I should be able to hear it, but now I am wondering if the new ones are like this. Mine last one was five years old.

Thanks!!
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:46 PM
 
26,143 posts, read 19,709,862 times
Reputation: 17241
Maybe you got a bad one........ You should ask for a replacement
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Old 03-19-2017, 07:08 PM
 
Location: in my mind
5,323 posts, read 8,492,938 times
Reputation: 11096
anyone going to do my experiment?

I found this video of a Verizon DVR - mine sounds like this, only a tiny bit quieter, and with no fluctuation in the high-pitched whiny sound


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SBuQCC6wV4
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Old 03-19-2017, 07:15 PM
 
Location: in my mind
5,323 posts, read 8,492,938 times
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ok, even better - this is almost an exact match to the sound (mine is just a hair lower in volume/tone) - I love YouTube!!! So cool to find this exact sound somewhere!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN1s...ature=youtu.be
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Old 03-19-2017, 09:41 PM
 
Location: Michigan
2,741 posts, read 2,965,008 times
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I don't need to do your experiment. I also can hear noise from my dvr, even when it's "off". I'm 58 years old, male, and I've always had, and still have extremely acute hearing. It doesn't hurt my ears though, as it's not extreme and shouldn't be or something is wrong.

Dvr's (most anyways) are never really "off", when you turn them "off" it typically only turns off the display and lights. The harddrive on them is always spinning, and that's what you are most likely hearing.

IF it's hurting your ears, you need to call and ask for another one as a replacement, as drives aren't supposed to make noise at that pitch.
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Old 03-19-2017, 09:46 PM
 
Location: Michigan
2,741 posts, read 2,965,008 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KittenSparkles View Post
ok, even better - this is almost an exact match to the sound (mine is just a hair lower in volume/tone) - I love YouTube!!! So cool to find this exact sound somewhere!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN1s...ature=youtu.be

THAT ultrasonic noise would give me a splitting headache if I had to listen to it longer than a few minutes. If THAT is what you are hearing, it is NOT NORMAL!

Tell them you want the dvr replaced.
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Old 03-19-2017, 10:00 PM
 
Location: in my mind
5,323 posts, read 8,492,938 times
Reputation: 11096
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeBear View Post
THAT ultrasonic noise would give me a splitting headache if I had to listen to it longer than a few minutes. If THAT is what you are hearing, it is NOT NORMAL!

Tell them you want the dvr replaced.
Thanks, yes, that is indeed the noise. Like I said, mine is just a tad less loud/intense than that one, but the second I heard that video, I was like "that is the noise!!!"

I know that electronics can have fans and such, but this is not a fan noise. That would actually be pleasant compared to this high-pitched squeal.
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:12 AM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,145 posts, read 80,240,475 times
Reputation: 57000
Our very old Comcast DVR emits a faint sound from the cooling fan, that's it. I had to turn off everything else and place my ear nearby to hear it. While watching a show there is no additional sound. I would definitely suggest getting it exchanged. I would probably never have noticed, since we have the sound of a fish tank air bubbler in the same room.
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:31 AM
 
16,715 posts, read 19,309,028 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KittenSparkles View Post
I am wondering if the new ones are like this.
I don't have to do an experiment to know that if my DVR was making noise that was bothering me, I'd have already called and asked them to replace it.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:19 PM
 
Location: ohio
3,550 posts, read 2,510,636 times
Reputation: 4400
The guts of a DVR is not much different from a PC. Both have a fan and a hard drive inside, either of which can make noise. I can hear ours whirring if I get close enough to it but its very muted.
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