HDMI woes?

[1-3-2-4]

Hey guys. I posted this in another sub-forum. Not sure where it belongs. Again, I'm a noob. Sorry...mods, move if needed.

First off, hello. I'm looking to you guys for some answers because I am at my wits end. I'm experiencing some HDMI issues and no one can help (cable company, vendors, friends, etc.).

My current setup:

Sony Bravia TV: KLV-40ZX1M
Samsung Blue Ray: BD-P1600
Motorola DVR/Cable: DCH6416
HDMI Switch: SWV6813/17

As you can see, my TV is actually a monitor and only has one HDMI input. Before I bought my Blue Ray player, I just directly connected my cable box/DVR directly to the TV. No issues.

Enter Blue Ray. With two sources, I needed a hub. I don't have the time or money to invest in a nice receiver that switches HDMI for me, so I decided to buy a HDMI switch. I bought a switch from Radio Shack thinking all was well. Hooked it up and found out that my cable box/DVR (Pace at the time) was unable to send sound through the switch. I returned the Radio shack unit and replaced it with the Philips Switch I listed, above. Same issue. I also had my cable company switch out the cable box/DVR to see if that would help since they weren't certain what was causing it. Enter Motorola DCH6416. Still have the issue with no sound passing through the switch. Hooking directly from the DVR or the Blue Ray to the TV gives sound.

Also, I believe the switch has uncovered another quirk - which is far more annoying to me. When hooked up directly to the TV, the cable box will automatically adjust the resolution from 480i/p to 1080i/p depending on the broadcast. Using the switch, I have to manually select the resolution on the front panel of the cable box. Furthermore, I need to do this for each channel with varying broadcasts. Suffice it to say this is annoying.

So, can anyone offer any assistance? I don't watch much TV, so that makes this even more annoying. However, my wife does. You can see the problem here. But, when I do watch TV, I'd like to get the most out of my investment. Having to get up and manually adjust the resolution to match the broadcast sucks. This is all new to me. Is there a way to fix this without spending MORE money?

TIA,
Nick

 

[bandphan]

If the display has component input, just run the cable box that way for an easy fix.

 

[1-3-2-4]

Maybe I forgot to mention this...my TV only has ONE HDMI input. Nothing else. NO nothing. zippo.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hey guys. I posted this in another sub-forum. Not sure where it belongs. Again, I'm a noob. Sorry...mods, move if needed.

First off, hello. I'm looking to you guys for some answers because I am at my wits end. I'm experiencing some HDMI issues and no one can help (cable company, vendors, friends, etc.).

My current setup:

Sony Bravia TV: KLV-40ZX1M
Samsung Blue Ray: BD-P1600
Motorola DVR/Cable: DCH6416
HDMI Switch: SWV6813/17

As you can see, my TV is actually a monitor and only has one HDMI input. Before I bought my Blue Ray player, I just directly connected my cable box/DVR directly to the TV. No issues.

Enter Blue Ray. With two sources, I needed a hub. I don't have the time or money to invest in a nice receiver that switches HDMI for me, so I decided to buy a HDMI switch. I bought a switch from Radio Shack thinking all was well. Hooked it up and found out that my cable box/DVR (Pace at the time) was unable to send sound through the switch. I returned the Radio shack unit and replaced it with the Philips Switch I listed, above. Same issue. I also had my cable company switch out the cable box/DVR to see if that would help since they weren't certain what was causing it. Enter Motorola DCH6416. Still have the issue with no sound passing through the switch. Hooking directly from the DVR or the Blue Ray to the TV gives sound.

Also, I believe the switch has uncovered another quirk - which is far more annoying to me. When hooked up directly to the TV, the cable box will automatically adjust the resolution from 480i/p to 1080i/p depending on the broadcast. Using the switch, I have to manually select the resolution on the front panel of the cable box. Furthermore, I need to do this for each channel with varying broadcasts. Suffice it to say this is annoying.

So, can anyone offer any assistance? I don't watch much TV, so that makes this even more annoying. However, my wife does. You can see the problem here. But, when I do watch TV, I'd like to get the most out of my investment. Having to get up and manually adjust the resolution to match the broadcast sucks. This is all new to me. Is there a way to fix this without spending MORE money?

TIA,
Nick

Cable and satellite boxes are renowned for these types of problems. I suspect there is a problem with the repeater architecture in your cable box.

You might need to get a better HDMI switch, that might solve it. You might have to pony up for a high grade one like the Gefen.

Low cost switchers have a high incidence of problems.

A good switcher is quite costly and you would be better off getting a system that will play through external speakers.

 

[1-3-2-4]

Thanks for the information.

It's funny you mentioned the repeater, because starting yesterday, my TV will flash between a black screen (or the channel) and a static-y white noise channel. If I turn the cable box on and off repeatedly, eventually it tells me something about a repeater. Too many connections or something along those lines. Does this sound like an issue with the cable box? Should I go back to the Pace box? Or, is this switcher related?

I cannot justify a $400 switch. Are there are any decent receivers that I can use as a HDMI switch that will fix this issue?

Thanks again.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the information.

It's funny you mentioned the repeater, because starting yesterday, my TV will flash between a black screen (or the channel) and a static-y white noise channel. If I turn the cable box on and off repeatedly, eventually it tells me something about a repeater. Too many connections or something along those lines. Does this sound like an issue with the cable box? Should I go back to the Pace box? Or, is this switcher related?

I cannot justify a $400 switch. Are there are any decent receivers that I can use as a HDMI switch that will fix this issue?

Thanks again.

Its probably the cable box. As I understand it you can view the BD player, via the switch. Is that correct? Cheap switches are not usually much good, since the repeater requirements started. The switch has to continually remake the handshake to connected devices. However if the switch will pass a signal from a modern BD player, then its not the switch. If neither cable box or BD player pass through, then you need a better switch. A TV is an end device and not required to make repeated handshakes, just an initial one. The switch has to.

There have been a lot of issues with cable companies not properly adhering to HDCP codes, especially Atlantic cable. See of the cable company have firmware updates available for their boxes, if it appears to be the box.

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest using component video/digital out combo for cable boxes. You get the same level of quality you will through HDMI with them. 1080i/5.1 dolby.

Just use a harmony remote to do all the switching for you.

Watch ecost.com for the Harmony 610. It will transform your life and make this operation very simple.

The Marantz/Denon receivers have the fewest issues, but the recent Onkyo firmware is also excellent with cable boxes if you do want to get an hdmi receiver. The Hk receivers flat out can't handle the issues. It forced me to use a component/optical combo to get the signal in.

 

[AVRat]

Onkyo 606: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR606-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0015S8PGW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259854883&sr=1-1

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Do you know anyone who has an Oppo HDMI switch ($100) that you can try out?

I have one and it worked extremely well - before I bought a Denon receiver.

I'm no longer using it.

 

[1-3-2-4]

I'll have to check with the cable company to see if they have any firmware updates.

As I've said before, I cannot use component cables. My TV only has one input and that input is HDMI.

I don't have access to any other switches. I don't have any audiophile friends, and I'm not about to drop hundreds more $$ just to watch TV and an occasional Blue Ray.

Unfortunately, I'm very disappointed that I have these issues. In my mind, issues like these should have been sorted out before the product reached the consumers hands. I don't know whether to blame the switch, cable box, HDMI protocol, etc. but I know that connectivity shouldn't be an issue. Looks like I might be forced to manually plug and unplug the cables each and every time I want to change sources. Of course, this will eventually cause the connection to fail.

I should have kept my old CRT TV with DVI and component inputs...

 

[1-3-2-4]

AcuDefTechGuy,

Would you be interested in selling that switch? IF so, PM me.

Nick

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

AcuDefTechGuy,

Would you be interested in selling that switch? IF so, PM me.

Nick

Just sent you a PM.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'll have to check with the cable company to see if they have any firmware updates.

As I've said before, I cannot use component cables. My TV only has one input and that input is HDMI.

I don't have access to any other switches. I don't have any audiophile friends, and I'm not about to drop hundreds more $$ just to watch TV and an occasional Blue Ray.

Unfortunately, I'm very disappointed that I have these issues. In my mind, issues like these should have been sorted out before the product reached the consumers hands. I don't know whether to blame the switch, cable box, HDMI protocol, etc. but I know that connectivity shouldn't be an issue. Looks like I might be forced to manually plug and unplug the cables each and every time I want to change sources. Of course, this will eventually cause the connection to fail.

I should have kept my old CRT TV with DVI and component inputs...

The HDCP codes that are the basis of the digital rights management protocol are the real villain in this. There have been so many versions and updates and lack of backward compatibility that your types of problem recur. I don't see a way of avoiding this without an outright ban on DRM. As long as the arms race between the criminals and the studios continues, the consumer will continue to be shot in the space between the combatants.

 

[lsiberian]

The HDCP codes that are the basis of the digital rights management protocol are the real villain in this. There have been so many versions and updates and lack of backward compatibility that your types of problem recur. I don't see a way of avoiding this without an outright ban on DRM. As long as the arms race between the criminals and the studios continues, the consumer will continue to be shot in the space between the combatants.

Couple this with the ban on lead in solder and I nearly pull my hair out.

 

[1-3-2-4]

I didn't even think about the controversy between pirated software/movies and studios. Then again, I'm not really into this stuff and don't know how stuff inside the black boxes work.

Isn't this similar to USB in so many ways? Maybe I'm too narrow-minded to fully understand the situation, but if USB can be implemented across the board, why not HDMI. Maybe the music industry, with their MP3's, don't generate enough revenue, but my computers and MP3 players are perfectly compatible. In fact, I've never found a scenario of incompatibility. Isn't there a sanctioning body to oversee implementation of these 'standards'? I know car audio stuff goes through CEA, however voluntary participation may be. At least it is something. Thing thing that concerns me really, is that I have basic enough understanding and troubleshoot skills (and access to a resource like you guys) to sort through many of these issues. What happens when my grandparents upgrade their equipment someday and get stuck like this (or worse)? Doesn't make sense to me...

 

[TLS Guy]

I didn't even think about the controversy between pirated software/movies and studios. Then again, I'm not really into this stuff and don't know how stuff inside the black boxes work.

Isn't this similar to USB in so many ways? Maybe I'm too narrow-minded to fully understand the situation, but if USB can be implemented across the board, why not HDMI. Maybe the music industry, with their MP3's, don't generate enough revenue, but my computers and MP3 players are perfectly compatible. In fact, I've never found a scenario of incompatibility. Isn't there a sanctioning body to oversee implementation of these 'standards'? I know car audio stuff goes through CEA, however voluntary participation may be. At least it is something. Thing thing that concerns me really, is that I have basic enough understanding and troubleshoot skills (and access to a resource like you guys) to sort through many of these issues. What happens when my grandparents upgrade their equipment someday and get stuck like this (or worse)? Doesn't make sense to me...

It is not at all similar to USB ports, which do not carry verification codes.

This issue of HDMI and especially HDCP codes, controlled by Digital Content protection LLC is a real ongoing snafu at the expense of individuals like you. It really adds to the cost of gear.

 

[1-3-2-4]

What is the real reason behind the verification codes?

 

[TLS Guy]

What is the real reason behind the verification codes?

Anti piracy. Any manufacturer that does not take out a license and put the system on their gear, will get the pants sued off them by the Hollywood creeps.

The idea is to make it "impossible" for pirates to copy what comes off your switch, receiver, pre pre, DVD/BD player ect. The controls on high def media are much more stringent. The criminals still win, and you can't watch TV

Problem is that it is so complicated and evolving all the time, it is hardly surprising manufacturers have gear that will not work with certain units.

 

[JJmaes]

I hope I'm in the right spot. I have a question concerning the new Onkyo TX-SR 608 Receiver.

Can I use the HDMI 1.3 cable to run the cable box, Xbox Elite and TV, or do I need the 1.4 cables. I'm getting a good picture, but no sound.

Thanks for any help.

 

[AVRat]

That cable should be fine, it's probably a setup issue.