HMDI black outs

[brian_tr]

My set up is ONKYO TX-NR646 reciever and Sony XBR75X900E TV. When using the PC or Roku get constant screen and sound black outs. You can see on the AVR top menu something blinking off and on when it happens. I have bought new HDMI 2.2 cables and switched inputs on the TV. Almost always happen when commercials come on. I am starting to think its the receiver but before spending that much money would to get some suggestions? It has to do with some kind of hand shake issue I would think.

 

[lovinthehd]

Curious are the roku/pc hooked into the avr rather than the tv (wasn't sure what you meant by changing inputs, whether the hdmi from avr or these particular devices into the tv directly) and curious if it would make a difference if you swapped it around the other way. I've had some handshake issues but not during a particular program, just on initial start up, let alone when a commercial comes on, that would get annoying quick (well, aside from the commercials themselves which I try and avoid as much as possible altogether)...

 

[brian_tr]

The only thing going to the TV i the Onkyo output. Everything else goes to the receiver. The Roku is hooked to a 2.2 input. Could try those straight to the TV and bypass the receiver just to see what happens.

 

[TLS Guy]

The only thing going to the TV i the Onkyo output. Everything else goes to the receiver. The Roku is hooked to a 2.2 input. Could try those straight to the TV and bypass the receiver just to see what happens.

That won't help you much. As far as HDMI is concerned your TV is an end device, and your receiver a pass through device. So if you connect directly to the TV your devices are only required to make one initial hand shake with the TV. However when connected to the receiver there has to be continued repetitive handshakes.

You need to carefully check all your settings.

I suspect however your receiver is the problem. Onkyo have a bad reputation especially as far as HDMI is concerned. That receiver is 7 years old and that is a lot for an Onkyo.

After you have checked your settings, I would do a hard receiver reset and then do the set up from scratch. Just on a quick search there seem to be a lot of HDMI problems with those receivers. I expect you will end up ditching it, but follow standard procedure as above. If that does not do the trick, it is new receiver time.

Unfortunately new gear is hard to come by. I would stick with Denon/Marantz or Yamaha and avoid the rest.

 

[brian_tr]

Yeah I think it is time for an upgrade. I think I will go with a Denon this time. My last was a Yamaha and was never happy with it but that was a long time ago.

 

[brian_tr]

Looks like either the Denon AVR-X3700H or Marantz SR5015 would be a good fit.

 

[Trebdp83]

Hello and welcome to the forums. I believe you are using a pre full HDR Onkyo. While it can pass 4K/60, it may have issues with devices trying to pass 4K/60 HDR through it. This is why forced HDR from devices introduce issues when going from 24hz content to 60hz content in HDR. Onkyo did update some models for Enhanced passthrough.

Check for any firmware updates. There have been many for that model. If up to date, check for HDR Enhanced mode. Press and hold the BR/DVD button on the front of the unit. While holding it, tap the ON/STANDBY button. If “Std.” appears on the front display, tap the ON/STANDBY button to switch it to “Enh.” If not able to be updated for enhanced HDR, these steps will do nothing.

If the Onkyo cannot be updated, connecting the devices directly to the TV will enable full HDR output. Make sure to enable “Enhanced” mode for the HDMI ports in the Sony TV. Use Premium Certified HDMI cables supporting 18gbps. HDMI and HDCP specs can be confused with one another. There are currently HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3 specs. There are issues when dealing with devices of the much older HDMI 1.4 spec in a newer setup but not so much with HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 devices.

To get audio from the devices back to the Onkyo using ARC, you will need to turn on HDMI-CEC and ARC in the Onkyo and in the TV. Sony calls HDMI-CEC “BRAVIA Sync.” One shouldn’t be concerned with HDMI issues Onkyo had years ago. Current models are fine. Yamaha is currently handling HDMI board replacements for 2020 models. Denon/Marantz are fine receivers but come at a premium many are willing to pay for Audyssey room correction.

 

[brian_tr]

Hello and welcome to the forums. I believe you are using a pre full HDR Onkyo. While it can pass 4K/60, it may have issues with devices trying to pass 4K/60 HDR through it. This is why forced HDR from devices introduce issues when going from 24hz content to 60hz content in HDR. Onkyo did update some models for Enhanced passthrough.

Check for any firmware updates. There have been many for that model. If up to date, check for HDR Enhanced mode. Press and hold the BR/DVD button on the front of the unit. While holding it, tap the ON/STANDBY button. If “Std.” appears on the front display, tap the ON/STANDBY button to switch it to “Enh.” If not able to be updated for enhanced HDR, these steps will do nothing.

If the Onkyo cannot be updated, connecting the devices directly to the TV will enable full HDR output. Make sure to enable “Enhanced” mode for the HDMI ports in the Sony TV. Use Premium Certified HDMI cables supporting 18gbps. HDMI and HDCP specs can be confused with one another. There are currently HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3 specs. There are issues when dealing with devices of the much older HDMI 1.4 spec in a newer setup but not so much with HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 devices.

To get audio from the devices back to the Onkyo using ARC, you will need to turn on HDMI-CEC and ARC in the Onkyo and in the TV. Sony calls HDMI-CEC “BRAVIA Sync.” One shouldn’t be concerned with HDMI issues Onkyo had years ago. Current models are fine. Yamaha is currently handling HDMI board replacements for 2020 models. Denon/Marantz are fine receivers but come at a premium many are willing to pay for Audyssey room correction.

The model is a 656 not 646 but that probably not matter. I keep firmware up to date. I tried pressing the buttons and nothing happened. TV is set to enhanced. The cables are the correct ones. I do have ARC in use. I will try connecting to TV for now. I will be looking for new unit in future. Maybe Memorial Day will have some deals. Thanks so much for taking time to help.

 

[Trebdp83]

Concerning the 656, full HDR/HDCP 2.2 are available only from HDMI ports 1-3. If you are using inputs 4-6 for HDR devices, they will not work optimally. I don't think that model Sony supports Dolby Vision. But, if it was updated, then the Onkyo HDMI output needs to be set to MAIN and not MAIN+SUB to avoid issues with the 656.

 

[brian_tr]

Concerning the 656, full HDR/HDCP 2.2 are available only from HDMI ports 1-3. If you are using inputs 4-6 for HDR devices, they will not work optimally. I don't think that model Sony supports Dolby Vision. But, if it was updated, then the Onkyo HDMI output needs to be set to MAIN and not MAIN+SUB to avoid issues with the 656.

I have the devices connect to the 2.2 ports. I did have set to Main+Sub. I set to Main and will give that a shot. Thanks.

 

[Trebdp83]

I realized I forgot to ask about refresh rate and color subsampling settings in the Roku. If “Auto-adjust display refresh rate” is checked to On, lengthy blackouts can occur when 24hz material goes to a commercial at 60hz. Turn the setting off to output everything at 60hz to avoid blackouts during changes. If HDR subsampling is set at 4:2:2, try changing it to 4:2:0. Make sure “HDR always on” is checked to Off. It does ugly things to SDR content. These settings vary by Roku model.

 

[brian_tr]

I realized I forgot to ask about refresh rate and color subsampling settings in the Roku. If “Auto-adjust display refresh rate” is checked to On, lengthy blackouts can occur when 24hz material goes to a commercial at 60hz. Turn the setting off to output everything at 60hz to avoid blackouts during changes. If HDR subsampling is set at 4:2:2, try changing it to 4:2:0. Make sure “HDR always on” is checked to Off. It does ugly things to SDR content. These settings vary by Roku model.

I changed to HDR 60 hz. Was set at 4:2:0. Thanks again.

 

[brian_tr]

Seems to be working a lot better now. Thanks. I had replaced my 2 back Paradigm Mini Monitors with some Polk Audio RTI A1 a while back. That was a mistake. Found some used mini monitors and going to get them tomorrow. Be back up to speed again.

 

[brian_tr]

Well did not last long. Worst then it every was now on the Roku. Pc just here and there. Dish, PS3, BR player and Xbox no problems. It mostly just before a commercial but now signal won't come back a lot of times. If I hook the Roku to another input on TV will the audio still come back off the arc?

 

[Pogre]

Looks like either the Denon AVR-X3700H or Marantz SR5015 would be a good fit.

The 3700 is a great choice. It's a good balance of features and power. Of those 2 I'd go with the Denon. For Marantz the more equivalent model would be the SR6015.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well did not last long. Worst then it every was now on the Roku. Pc just here and there. Dish, PS3, BR player and Xbox no problems. It mostly just before a commercial but now signal won't come back a lot of times. If I hook the Roku to another input on TV will the audio still come back off the arc?

You'd need to check your tv manual to see if it has more than one ARC enabled port....my older tvs only have one but think I've seen some newer ones have more than one. Damned commercials....

 

[brian_tr]

I might of figured it out. I turned auto adjust refresh rate off. Went right to commercial and back without a blimp.

 

[Trebdp83]

That’s why I mentioned it a few posts back and suggested turning it off. Lots of content plays back at 24Hz and there can be lengthy blackouts when going to 60Hz commercials.

 

[brian_tr]

That’s why I mentioned it a few posts back and suggested turning it off. Lots of content plays back at 24Hz and there can be lengthy blackouts when going to 60Hz commercials.

Some how I must of missed that. I remember turning to 60 hz and guess I missed that part.

 

[brian_tr]

That’s why I mentioned it a few posts back and suggested turning it off. Lots of content plays back at 24Hz and there can be lengthy blackouts when going to 60Hz commercials.

You know looking back I swore I changed that when you told me and started working good. Somehow it changed, maybe after update. At least I know what to dio now. I do really appreciate the help.