3 HDMI Troubleshooting Tips

People listen when Jeff Boccaccio talks about HDMI. But they don’t always understand what he’s saying the first time they hear it.

Since CE pros continue to hit roadblocks with HDMI-related installations, it bears looking back on some of Boccaccio’s recent troubleshooting tips.

Check Your Termination

Installers can experience issues when terminating Cat 5/6 HDMI extenders.

The final installation involves stripping the outer Cat insulation, breaking out the twisted pairs and connecting them to whatever you’re using.

If using an RJ45 connector, Boccaccio writes that installers must prep the individual twisted pairs for insertion. (If using a punchdown system, “good luck,” he adds.)

Timing is an issue with terminated Cat 5/6. Boccaccio tells installers that when breaking out twisted pairs they need to be very careful not to nick any of the wires, keep each TMDS twisted pair equal in the amount of twists and length and make sure to insert each wire all the way to the stop inside the RJ45.

Stay Grounded

Intermittent problems over long distance in HDMI installations are pretty common. The longer you go, the more susceptible you are in real-world conditions, according to Boccaccio.

As with any electronic device, a complete circuit is required for the system to operate. In most cases these circuits use ground as the main signal return — a hard rail ground or 0 volts.

Increase the resistance of that ground by just a few ohms and some crazy things can happen. Good grounding techniques will keep you out of harm's way.

Slow Switching Solution

Boccaccio says HDMI input switching (from TV to Blu-ray player, etc.) has been measured to take as long as 7 seconds. That can be intolerable.

He recommends using Silicon Image’s InstaPort semiconductor, which memorizes switching information to make subsequent switches much easier.