With HDMI Problems, Apply the Three Cs

Point blank, until there is a way to easily certify HDMI cables in the field, it will be an annoying pain in the butt for all who are involved. Something in the $2,000.00 or less price range needs to be developed that can actually help us identify whether or not the cable is the cause of our sparkles, pops, or choppy audio.

Until then we will be blindly replacing countless cables and equipment and grasping at straws when we come across any number of bandwidth, length, voltage, kink, or ground-loop issues.

My interpretation of “With HDMI Problems, Apply the Three Cs”

Component
Component
Component

I’ve now worked for 3 different Media Server manufacturers, at the top of the list of hair-pulling support issue for all 3 is HDMI compatibility issues and related problems.The cable itself is the easiest thing to troubleshoot, it’s the HDCP, handshakes, EDID, sync, and all the other issues that make all involved wish HDMI was never invented.
Being a Media Server, we’ve always had the benefit of verbose logs detailing way more information about the HDMI communication then a standard CE device can provide, and it’s still a ridiculous challenge.

That being said,in the most simple of installations, when it does work it’s certainly convenient. I hope they get it all worked out and can design a more robust, secure and easily terminating connector.

For any manufacturers reading, be sure to learn more about HDMI Plugfest:http://www.hdmi.org/Plugfest12.htm

@ Casey ... Most of my problems are in long cable installations. And most of those problems have been solved by eliminating ground loops. It may be a Florida thing, but that’s what I have found.

It seems that they manifest themselves in a myriad of ways, many of which you mentioned, yet 80-90% of the time the core of the problem ends up being a ground loop (at least for me).

Fiber optic cables often solve the problem, or fixing the ground loop via changes to the high voltage wiring, or the occasional cheater plug if there are no other options.

Casey:

We touch on the ground differential problems in next months issue.

Jeffrey Boccaccio

My main issue with HDMI is it is a standard that is being forced on us with limited natural benefits over current standards (except MAYBE convenience). 

Its a shame that more money went into marketing the standard than did perfecting it.

My issue list:
Distance
Field termination
Poor connectors
Sync issues
No STANDARD to the STANDARD.
And worst of all…. customers want it.

Its a step backwards, IMO.

Sorry to be so negative but this article just seems like more propaganda to get us on board. No information was given, just a request for us to help solve an issue with a product we don’t want.

My Mitsubishi HDTY works great w/HDMI (and by DVD palyer too)
I have Time Warner Cable in Arlington, TX.
I was tryign to upgrade my Motorola DVR set top model 6416 the ‘new and improved’ Motorola DCX3400…..but for some reason after hook up, the picture and sound are great, then 15-20 seconds, the screen goes ‘green’ and audio remains. TWC walked me through all of the available set ups, we tried 3 different brand new boxes…I even bought new HDMI cables and it will not hold the ‘handshake’ for video form more than about 20 seconds. TWC is clueless, so I took back the older 6416 and it works fine….but I am frustrated that I can not use the new box which has a larger hard drive pluse some new features.
I contacted Motorola and the tech there tells me that the new box supports HDMI 1.4 and that TWC will have to request from them a firmware fix to this problem….YIKES!
If you so a search on the web for DCX 3400/green screen, you will see that this in not just my issue. Naturally no one knows (TWC or Motorola) when this will be fixed….yes, I know the answer is to use component, but…..does this mean that if/when HDMI 1.4 becomes the norm (looked for these cables and have found 0)that my HDTV is now obsolete since it will only support (apparently)
1.3?
If I got my hands on some 1.4 cables would that fix the handshake issue w/th Motorola DCX3400?

Corey:
Understand but things are getting better. New affordable test gear will be introduced come 2010.

John:

Send me an email with your phone number so we can discuss this one the phone. Sounds like I need to give them a call.

Jeff

817.810.4394

Jeff:

I was rereading this today weeks after your class.  I am more educated in HDMI due to your wonderful CEDIA class and I thank you for that.  I am still worried that we can only control so much in terms of what type of gear is being produced particularly in areas where we don’t have a choice in product such as cable boxes.

Right now we are having a major issue with a DirecTV HR23, Apple TV, through a Denon 4310 to a Pioneer Elite Signature using Ethereal balun and Ethereal DAD.

I tried to stay clear of babies and thieves but I am still having issues.  So bad that this long time client suggested that I am using them as test subjects.  I guess I am but they asked for 1080p…. what other options did I have?

Corey:

Let’s talk on the phone. 386-672-6362.

Jeff

Jeff, any thoughts on the dxc3400 issue?
I have heard nothing back from Moto or TWC on this and doubt I will since the DCH6416 is working fine,they dont care if I ever upgrade to the dcx3400.