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Question

Flashing TV screen when in game mode

Mar 25, 2016 8:58AM PDT

I have a samsung JS7000. Whenever game mode is turned on my tv screen (when watching cable) will periodically flash black for 1-2 seconds (the picture cuts out but the sound remains). The issue doesn't happen when the TV is set to 'standard' picture, but constantly going into the settings just to switch between xbox / tv is a hassle.

My cable provider is Uverse, but I've had them out here multiple times and have the latest STB (and have tried multiple hdmi cables). Seems like it might be a picture 'noise' setting that's causing the issue but I haven't found a solution yet.

Has anyone else experienced this issue and found a resolution?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
This sounds just like the old HDMI Handshake issue.
Mar 25, 2016 1:57PM PDT

See google.

There are 2 recurring fixes on the web which jive with my experience. The last fix is to swap the set out for one that works. That's painful!

1. Get a shiny new HDMI 1.4a cable if on 1080p sources. Get the new 2.0 cable if on 4K sources. Swapping cables is well, unclear here. AmazonBasics run about 7 bucks so there is no excuse for the tech not to carry spares.
2. Reset the HDMI ports. This is in no menu. I do this by powering down the set and devices. Now I unplug the HDMI cables from the TV and then remove power from all devices. I wait 10 minutes, then apply the power and one HDMI cable (the one that blinks) and re-test.

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Handshake
Mar 28, 2016 10:38AM PDT

I have brand new Belkin 4k HDMI cables (and have tried multiple others that came with the STB).

I'll try the reset trick later, but the fact that the picture is fine when out of 'game mode' and only flashes when on, makes me think its a picture setting on the tv itself.

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Best of luck.
Mar 28, 2016 11:54AM PDT

This make has a history of HDMI blink issues. And so far the maker and its support has yet to dive in and supply a ready fix. The feeling I get is their choice of HDMI systems is at the heart of the matter.

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Make
Mar 28, 2016 12:03PM PDT

By make do you mean Uverse and their STB, or Samsung and the JS7000 model?

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Mostly Samsung.
Mar 28, 2016 12:18PM PDT

While some blink issues were fixed with a STB change, Samsung gained a lot of posts about blinking all over the web and this forum. Not every model does it. But HDMI at its heart and sole is about protecting content (HDCP) and not about a good experience. I wish they had taken a different approach in HDMI but the studios and industry demands meant HDCP was implemented and the handshake issues continue to this day.