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Question

Why are HDMI cable connections are so intermittent?

Jan 22, 2015 12:50AM PST

I'm not new to computers or Audio-Video setups... but HDMI connections seem to be getting the best of me. I have my PS3 Game system, my Desktop Computer... and my 46-in 3D Flat-screen TV all hooked up with HDMI cables for the Audio-Video connections. I love the simplicity..;. The lack of extra cables needed...but here is the problem.

Every one of them... at random times just completely loses the connection for a few seconds, then comes back and after that the blinking gets worse. I disconnect the cables.. reconnect... sometimes a few times before it settles down and I'm OK for sometimes days before the cycle starts again!

I know HDMI is relatively new tech... but for the cost of the cables and added cost of machines with the HDMI outputs... it seems that there might be a design flaw... the cables... the connections... or both.

Does anyone know any information regarding this problem? Buying 'More expensive' cables does not seem to solve this and it happens 'across the board' with several different brands of TV, Desktops and Laptops... so that might indicate a problem with the HDMI connection design itself. I've never had this random 'loos-of-signal' using the old two-cable PC/audio line hookups... maybe I am spoiled. Any thoughts?

Thank any of you for any input.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
It's simple.
Jan 22, 2015 12:56AM PST

HDMI uses a copy protection system called HDCP and it just is too protective. Sometimes you find this won't work well with that. It's a shame really since it's not a bad connector system. Lots of good tech in the system but HDCP is tripping it up at times.

It is not the cable 99.99% of the time. CNET writes about that extensively.

Try the usual power off of all the pieces with the HDMI and AC cables out for about 10 minutes to give the HDMI chips a chance to reset.
Bob

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Interesting answer... I'll see what else people say
Jan 22, 2015 1:54AM PST

Thanks for the prompt response. I've received some very good reliable answers from you in the past sir and this may indeed be yet another. If it only happened if I were attempting to watch illegal copyrighted material then I might think that was the source of my problem but that is not the case.

What I do not understand is this 'Lost Signal issue occurs while watching Cable TV... DVD movies playing my PS3 system games... all premium, legally purchased content... Might their 'licences' be expiring.. Not too likely to me. This seems more akin to a mechanical design flaw that may be inherent with ALL HDMI Cables or the connecting hardware used in Televisions and computers and also Gaming systems. An old Electronics Teacher I had in High School always pounded one basic rule when troubleshooting electronics... "Look first for the simple connection defects first before running batteries of complicated tests... usually a loose or worn connection/connector or a cold solder point or sometimes even a bad design... usually the result of a rushed-to-production schedule and more often than not... you will find your answer." Those words of advice have served me well and saved me many hours of troubleshooting steps over the years. I may try purchasing and replacing the HDMI connections on my TV just to see if the problem remains.

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Sorry but I've yet to see HDMI HDCP kick on on illegal media
Jan 22, 2015 2:06AM PST

Google HDMI HANDSHAKE ISSUES to sip from a fire hose of posts and web pages. The SLIM PS3 is quite the source of odd HDMI connection failures. You can bet that SONY TVs are fine.

The HDMI HDCP thing, the Intel mandate that no HDCP strippers are allowed here mean that for now we're going to see issues with occasional devices. The old problem of "my new (insert maker here) TV blinks." is not going away.

I'm pretty unpopular when I advise return to seller when the all cables out tech tip doesn't clear it up.

Let me explain that a bit more. Due to reasons you can find on the web, Intel mandated the HDMI chips never allow firmware updates. So if you are unlucky to get a pair of devices that blink and don't clear up with the tech tip the only fix is to swap devices.

YES, component video avoids all that but it was "sunsetted" or sent away in 2010.
Bob