I installed a matrix HDMI switch (Monoprice 4X2 True Matrix HDMI 1.3a Powered Switch rev. 3.0) about a week ago without issue. It would switch between my newly built HTPC (zotac geforce 9300-itx) and DirecTV HD Receiver (although it was usually a slow transition between the 2). I was only using one of the outputs on the switch as I already had a splitter (Monoprice 1X4 PRO Series Powered HDMI Splitter) in place and was going to hook up a total of 4 tvs.

Yesterday, the HDMI inputs on both TVs suddenly stopped working. I had turned on both TVs mid-day and watched DirecTV (no switching). Turned off TVs (I always leave the DirecTV receiver on) and came back to watch TV in the evening and there wasn't a signal. Before you ask, the weather was absolutely perfect. All components are routed through surge protectors, including the switch and splitter. I tested the HDMI output directly from the DirecTV receiver to a monitor (new never used Viewsonic) with a monoprice HDMI cable and get a perfect picture. Could the HDMI boards have gone bad in both TVs simultaneously? What could have caused a surge through HDMI that would have knocked out both TVs on such a beautiful day?

HDMI out - DirecTV HD DVR and Zotac GeForce 9300-itx based HTPC
HDMI Switch - Monoprice 4X2 True Matrix HDMI 1.3a Powered Switch rev. 3.0
HDMI Splitter - Monoprice 1X4 PRO Series Powered HDMI Splitter
AV Receiver (for TV1) - Onkyo TXSR605
TV1 - Samsung PN58A550 via BJC Series-1 Belden Bonded-Pair
TV2 - Vizio VX32LHDTV10A via cheapo HDMI cable

I've tested the HDMI cables with the aforementioned Viewsonic monitor and they seem to be working just fine.

I'm at a loss as to what could have caused both TVs HDMI inputs to go bad simultaneously. The source was surely the problem - but what source? I can rule out the AV receiver as it isn't connected to BOTH TVs. I'm tempted to rule out the splitter since I've had it in place for several months before adding the HTPC. The switch and the HTPC are the only new pieces to this puzzle.

Anybody? I need some input. Help out a forum noob.

BTW - both TVs are working via Coaxial input, at the moment. SD looks so terrible, now.

Equipment Links: (not parsed to working links since this is my first post)
Splitter http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011301&p_id=4922&seq=1&format=2
Switch http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5312&seq=1&format=2
Samsung TV http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/tv-video/televisions/plasma-tv/PN58A550S1FXZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail
Vizio TV http://www.vizio.com/vx32lhdtv10a.html
AV Receiver http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR605&class=Receiver&p=i
Mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500022

Try unplugging everything from AC power. Wait about 30 sec. and repower.
John

Hi John. Thanks for the reply.

I had everything unplugged today, all day. Still nothing. The samsung television detects the cable (says no signal when plugged in and check cable when unplugged) but the vizio is bluescreened with no signal, regardless of cable presence. Also tested with a new hdmi cable on both tvs with same results. So, I'm guessing that the cables are fine. The HTPC and the directv both seem to be in working order, also. I haven't tried running anything back through the switch and splitter as I'm afraid the problem may have originated from one of the 2. Is there any way to know where the surge may have originated?

I believe your Samsung TV is one of those that does not support 480i over HDMI. You need to go into the setup menu on the DirecTV box (and maybe your HTPC also) and make sure 480i is UNselected as a supported resolution. I don't know if this is the problem, and if the Visio has the same issue.

Since I've unplugged the HTPC, I only disabled 480i for the DirecTV receiver. It didn't make a difference, though. Same "No Signal" on both TVs. I'm guessing that I'll have to take both TVs in for repair. Ugh, Carrying that 58 incher in's gonna be a PITA.

I wonder if I could just use and hdmi to component adapter? One of the TVs is close enough to the equipment that I could use a new component cable and the other already has 7.1 surround hooked up through the av receiver via optical cable.

Have you tried connecting directly from the receiver or computer to one of the TVs?
John

Yes. I tried with both TVs in multiple HDMI inputs and a new 24AWG HDMI cable from monoprice. The receiver and TVs work perfectly when output to TVs via composite -> rf modulator -> coax. The receiver also works via HDMI when output to a new Viewsonic 1080p monitor.

I would suggest trying the direct connection again before hauling the tvs out for repair. HDMI from the Directv rcvr or HTCP directly to the tvs. HDMI is infamous for having handshake problems when routed through any intermediate devices such as switches, splitters and AV rcvrs, and you had all three. Also try different power up sequences, rcvr then tv / tv then rcvr, etc. The HDMI inputs may have stored bad configuration data of some sort and the power up sequence may reinitialize the HDMI communication. A reset of the tv to defaults, if that is an option, may also reinitialize the HDMI inputs.

Good Luck

I got video through the direct connection to the samsung, no audio. Still nothing on the vizio. I can certainly live without audio on the samsung because of the existing speaker system. I think I'll concentrate on finding a workaround for the vizio.

Also, I'm afraid to hook up the switch and splitter for fear of the problem recurring. Should I be worried about these two components or should I assume that the HTPC is to blame?

Thanks for the help, everyone.