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Why Is My HDMI Connection Unreliable?

Al Griffin  |  Jun 11, 2015

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Q I have TVs connected to both of my Onkyo TX-NR636 receiver’s HDMI outputs and am finding that I need to have both sets switched on before the receiver will pass any video content. Any suggestions on what settings to look for?—Chris Hauer

A I relayed your issue to Onkyo, and they responded that it could be a triggering issue related to HDMI cable length. A too-long cable run, from a source to the receiver or from the receiver to either TV, could be causing a voltage dip in the connection, which may in turn be creating the HDMI problems you’re experiencing.

To troubleshoot the situation, first turn off HDMI-CEC control in your sources, receiver, and displays (unfortunately, different brands have different proprietary names for this function, e.g., Anynet, SimpLink, or Onkyo’s own RIHD). Next, check that HDMI pass-through, a setting that allows the source to send its signal to the display even when the AVR is in Standby mode, is enabled in the Onkyo’s setup menu. Finally, make sure all HDMI cables in your setup are well seated—just disconnect and reconnect them.

If none of that solves the problem, buy an inexpensive HDMI repeater and experiment with inserting it after your sources and before the AVR, or just after the AVR output, specifically the longest one. If all goes well, this should boost the signal level in the cable high enough so that an EDID exchange (a protocol that allows for communication between the display and video source) can properly execute.

COMMENTS
brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on June 11, 2015 - 6:30pm

If HDMI were more about passing a signal and less about copyright protection none of us would ever have these problems.

gfrancis0's picture
Submitted by gfrancis0 on June 12, 2015 - 6:51am

The primary and secondary purposes of HDMI are for copy protection. Third is to provide HD audio and video, ethernet and ARC through a single cable. Fourth is to actually work reliably, including keeping the cable ends properly connected. How hard would it have been to design a male to female connector that actually locks into place? How about providing error codes for failed connections without having to buy professional diagnostic equipment instead of just a generic "no signal"?

jjster6's picture
Submitted by jjster6 on June 12, 2015 - 1:43pm

I really believe that someone belongs in jail for the fraud that is HDMI. It is so difficult to get different brands of equipment to work properly. I have my iMac connected to my Denon reciever. Everytime I start it up it behaves differently (sometimes the Mac sees the reciever, sometimes the TV, sometimes I get a picture but no sound) and I have to futz with it for 5 minutes to get it to work. What a pain in the ass!!!

hbomb7's picture
Submitted by hbomb7 on June 15, 2015 - 10:13am

I just recently purchased a Samsung Smart TV and I tried to connect the HDMI from the receiver to the TV's HDMI's ARC port - HDMI 2 but I never could get synch up because when I enabled the RIHD the receiver(TX-NR807) would default to TV/Tape, which I had nothing connected to that input. Therefore, if I wanted to listen to Pandora, I was not getting any sound out of the receiver. So, I turned off the RIHD and used a optical cable from the back of the TV to an optical on the back of the receiver, and it worked.

I would like also to comment on the HDMI cable. To me they screwed the pooch on this one, you cannot put both audio and video in one cable and expect good results. You always have the " hand shake " problem. They should have just improved the component and optical cables to get the best video and audio on separate cables.

TheJoBoo's picture
Submitted by TheJoBoo on June 15, 2015 - 1:13pm

A very strong case can be made for only buying third party certified HDMI cable as well. (I do not work for or invest in any such facility.) DPL Labs, as I understand it, is the absolute gold standard for HDMI certification. Much of what hits our shores has never and could not pass their rigorous testing. Want to remove a variable from the equation? Use quality cables.

thehive311's picture
Submitted by thehive311 on June 15, 2015 - 8:08pm

Onkyo has the worst HDMI board in an a/v receiver i have seen. As a professional integrator we used to sell Onkyo 10-1. But ever since the x06 line the boards have been junk. We have to send at least 1 in a week for an HDMI related issue. We now rarely sell them.

palmharbor's picture
Submitted by palmharbor on June 24, 2015 - 4:53pm

Onkyo is owned by Gibson Guitar and their priority is cut, cut, cut costs,....increase profits...More Cheap Chinese Crap.

mikem's picture
Submitted by mikem on June 15, 2015 - 8:26pm

What a load of crap HDMI is. Holywood paranoia wins again. Aside from the whole HDMI 'handshaking' b+++++++ , the cable connector design and implementation are the worst. If I had a penny for every time an HDMI connection came loose I'd be a millionaire. Hopefully the clowns who designed the connector will stay away from building houses or airplanes. But then again...........

zman's picture
Submitted by zman on June 16, 2015 - 5:17pm

Just had my Integra DTR 50.4 soundboard replaced by an authorized repair shop. I swear I hear no difference when I play with the equalizer frequencies. Integra actually replied by saying they do not recommend customers use the equalization. Can you believe that reply? My Denon in another room makes drastic improvements when I up 125 hz 1 decibel and lower the upper frequencies a bit. The Integra I hear nothing I would not buy another Onkyo product.

Lenkurt's picture
Submitted by Lenkurt on June 17, 2015 - 5:05am

Hdmi continues to evolve (since2002) with each version better than the one before it. You also have the option to buy Standard cables (cheap) or High Speed (more expensive) cables. High Speed cables tend to be higher quality as well. From experience, I now purchase only name brand, high quality, high speed cables for my Audio and Video productions and have no problems since doing so. Also, I buy from a local store, not mail order, so I can see and feel them!

palmharbor's picture
Submitted by palmharbor on June 24, 2015 - 4:52pm

This unit was well over $1000 and it lasted a total of 25 Months...the authorised service center wants $500 to fix it.
Denon's have a lot of problems...they are no longer made in Japan..both Denon and Marantz are made in the same Chinese factory.
They are unreliable at best....sell it before it becomes a door stop like mine.

standow1's picture
Submitted by standow1 on June 25, 2015 - 12:58am

The Onkyo receiver line has been having problems with the cards that pass hdmi. It is a known issue and they have to repair most of them free. See the Onkyo facebook page.

jdesan's picture
Submitted by jdesan on June 30, 2015 - 2:29am

It seems like many previously trusted Brands of AVRs are being cheapened. I've been sticking with Yamaha and have had good luck with them. The problem with S&V reviews are that they don't include any reliability info. This really shouldn't be that hard to include. Just "google" To me a top pick really isn't if a top pick if it's been known to have issues.

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