Video Signal Drops Intermittently

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  • January 30, 2012 at 4:43 am #26526
    crux19

      Hello,
      I have been troubleshooting an issue for months and it seems to reside with display card.  I have output the details in the attached file directly from the Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel.

      My setup:
      Cable – Uverse box > Denon AVR2112CI > Samsung LNT40461
      HTPC – Dell 580s > Denon AVR2112CI > Samsung LNT40461

      All cables are short, 3 ft HDMI cables (Monoprice) connecting the components above.

      I can watch movies for five to 45 minutes before the video signal drops and the TV displays a “Weak or No Signal” while sound still plays out of my receiver. 

      I had the HDMI board replaced in my receiver but the issue remains. 

      Here are some other things I have done to troubleshoot:

      • Ensured the receiver had the latest firmware. Had to upgrade again anyway after the HDMI board was replaced two weeks ago
      • Tested computer component heat with speedfan and other utilities – no concerns
      • Made sure video drivers were up to date. Uninstalled device on HTPC, reinstalled and updated again, just in case.
      • Tried different HDMI cables (lengths and brands)
      • Tried different HDMI inputs through both the receiver and the TV
      • Ensured Anynet+ (HDMI CEC) was “Off” on Samsung
      • Updated firmware on TV
      • Updated BIOS on HTPC
      • I’ll add other items as I remember them…

      I have read about HDMI Detective and also know I could replace my card with a Nvidia card as there were similar reported issues that have been resolved although I prefer to not spend any more money.  Your assistance with solving this year long issue is sincerely appreciated.


      Thanks again!

      February 1, 2012 at 2:01 am #32140
      crux19

        So a little more research and it looks like I have the following options.  Any guidance on what angle to attack first would be appreciated.

        1.  Buy a longer HDMI cable.  This could solve HDCP issues.  I’m not clear if I officially have HDCP issues.  Any way for me to confirm through logs?  If it’s an HDCP issue I could go with a 15′ cable instead of my current 6′ cable.  It seems like most that have the HDCP issue find it while watching TV through Media Center.  Not sure if it matters but I don’t have a TV Tuner card.  I just watch movies.

        2.  Buy HDMI Detective.  Maybe it can magically fix my issue.  It’s expensive so I hope I can avoid this cost.

        3.  Buy a new card.  Again, expensive.

        Other options I have read about are using HDMI On or HDMI Yo, changing EDID info, etc.

        Thanks for your thoughts as I’m close to my brain capacity on this one.

        February 1, 2012 at 2:12 am #32141
        oliverredfox

          Sounds like you’ve got the angles pretty well covered.  A lot of the HDMI issues people have are when resuming from standby, or after the TV/Receiver get turned off the computer gets confused on the handshake when they’re powered back on.  The fact that your signal is cutting out without anything being turned on or off has be really annoying.

          HDMIYo isn’t really what you’re looking for, it’s good for redoing a handshake on resume, but having to trip it every 5-45min isn’t what it’s made for. 

          If you skip the receiver and just plug the computer into the TV does it have the same issue? (Trying to debug where the error is occurring)  If it works fine, does your TV and receiver support ARC?  If so, what happens when you do PC>TV>(VIA ARC) Receiver?

          February 1, 2012 at 3:28 am #32142
          crux19

            Thanks much for the reply.  I have been unable to reproduce the issue going straight from the HTPC to the TV so assume that all works well and that it’s simply the fact that the Intel HD Graphics card, as reported, does not play well with a repeater.

            I looked at the specs on my 2007 TV and it seems it does not support ARC but thank you for the suggestion.  It would have helped avoid the repeater issue but unless I upgrade my TV this is not an option.

            Thanks for any additional thoughts or suggestions!

             

            February 1, 2012 at 10:11 pm #32143
            crux19

              Thanks for the response.  I dug around and it seems my TV does not support ARC.  I chatted with Intel and they made it clear that they don’t support HDMI through a repeater or receiver and that I should go straight to the TV for video and figure out something else for audio.

              That said, is it safe to assume that another card would be better at handling the pass through my Denon 2112CI receiver? All recommendations on a small form factor card (that will fit in the Dell 580s) that does not require additional power (other than from the mobo) are greatly appreciated.


              If all cards will have this issue then I will go the HDMI Detective route.

              Many thanks.

              February 1, 2012 at 11:05 pm #32144
              crux19

                Thanks. Someone mind providing a more informed opinion that mine?

                List of options (think I filtered results correctly) and specifically thinking about the GeForce GT 430.

                Will that work with my Dell 580s as far as power consumption and other factors go?

                Thanks much for the help!

                February 1, 2012 at 11:11 pm #32145
                crux19

                  Thanks for the help.  It seems my TV does not support ARC.  I spoke with Intel today and they strongly recommend HDMI directly to the monitor and not through a repeater/receiver.  I don’t think I get the optimal sound out of any other method from my Dell 580s so think my next step is to get a new graphics card as it will likely be a bit cheaper than HDMI Detective and I would prefer it work without adding another piece of hardware into the chain.

                  I queried NewEgg for small form factor display cards.  It seems that I might be best off with the GeForce GT 430 but hoping someone with more technical knowledge can help confirm this will work with my Dell 580s (slim) given it’s size and power constraints.

                  Thanks much!

                  February 1, 2012 at 11:13 pm #32146
                  crux19

                    My TV does not support ARC.  Any guidance on a suitable display card for my system?  I have attempted to post more informed responses but I am getting caught by a spam filter.  Thank you.

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