Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HD621 No Picture

Hi,

I'm introducing an HD621 into a system with a G65 and a Panasonic Plasma TV (TH50PZ850U). Connection to G65 is via MMHR and comm. I get sound but no picture. I think it is a handshake issue but when I've seen that problem before there is some flickering of the screen before it goes black. In this case I see nothing at all on the screen. The sources are TIVO and Oppo. This set up was working with a simple HDMI switch so I know (or think) the cables are not the problem.

I tested the HD621 with a different Panasonic Plasma (newer) in another room and it worked. For the test, I ran an Oppo into the HD621 and then connected the HD621 out directly to the plasma. So the HD621 was not connected to a processor.

I tried the same "stand-alone" test with the plasma where I want to install the HD621 and it did not pass video. So it seems there is some sort of problem between the HD621 and this particular plasma.

My dealer suggested that I try a different HDMI input on the TV which I have not done because the TV is mounted on the wall and the inputs are not reachable without taking the damn thing off the wall. Will do if there is no other option.

I wonder if I had a video processor or some other device in the chain between the HD621 and the TV would the problem still arise. In other words, does the device only need to handshake with the units immediately before and after? I think it probably has to do a proper handshake with every device in the chain. At one point I had a Radiance before this TV (but no HD621) and had no problems which is why I was thinking of sorting this by putting the HD621 out of direct connection with the TV.

Anyone had or heard of a problem like this?

Suggestions?

Thanks.

I had a similar problem with my HD621 and a Pioneer LCD TV. It may have been a combination of the cable (10m) and TV spec. I solved it by putting a HDMI booster between the HD621 and the TV. ( This one in my case) ). Strangely it worked better at the HD621 end of the chain.

Thanks Cliff. Maybe I will try that.

I wish, however, I knew more why this sort of problem might arise. Is it that the HD621 is more fussy than the Radiance I had in the chain or the other devices?

I've given up trying to understand HDMI handskaking issues. Have you tried a direct connection between your TV and e.g. your Oppo recently to rule out the possoblity of a lose HDMI connection at the TV end?

I didn't try that but I had an HDMI switch in the chain before I tried to insert the HD621 and there were no problems with the video.

Fair enough. As a matter of interest did you try it with your HDMI switch between the HD621 and the TV? Switches can sometimes act as boosters.

You know I was just thinking that and, sad to say , I don't remember if I tried putting the switch after the HD621. I guess it is worth a try.

EDIT.
Actually maybe the best would be to put the switch before the HD621 in which case I then would not have to connect the HD621 to the TV. I could just run HDMI into the HD621 but not out. Hmmm. I bet that will work.

I believe that there was a thread somewhat recently discussing a similar problem, where the length of HDMI cable was an issue (I thought it was in this thread, but can't find it with a quick scan).

Somewhat counterintuitively, the HDMI cable has to be longer than some minimum. I think it had something to do with error correction and return timing (fuzzy memory). Anyhow, an easy test would be to put a longer HDMI cable between Oppo/TIVO and see if it makes a difference.

Ian,
I did a search before posting but didn't find anything that seemed relevant. Maybe I just didn't put in the correct key words.

Anyway, I still go back to the question of why would the exact cable set up work without the HD621 but not with it? It seems it must be something fussy about the HD621.
thanks.

I've come to the conclusion that there must be significant differences between boxes with respect to their tolerance to HDMI signal strength, particularly with respect to the handshaking aspects of the connection.

I run a 50ft HDMI cable between the HD621 and a Sony ruby projector, and have never had a problem. The cable has serious shielding.

I'm wondering whether swapping cables, just as an experiment, might be worth a try.

How does an HD621 handle EDID? I've seen that cause all kinds of problems with HDMI, most of which initially look like cabling issues. This post on The Poor Audiophile documents one reported solution, "The fix for HDMI woes", but I haven't tried it.

Cheers,
Simon