Installation headache...please help

gnagel · 12-30-06, 09:39 PM

My uncle purchased a Samsung HL56188W 61" DLP. He subscribes to Comcast digital HDTV cable.

I went over to his house tonight to help him install the system.

Here's my problem:

I connected the HDTV cable box to the Samsung monitor using a DVI out to HDMI in cable. When we view the picture through the HDMI Input 1 the picture blinks in and out every three or four seconds. There was a message initially on the screen that said there was a weak signal.

To test the signal, I then connected the same cable box to the Samsung monitor using composite cables. No problem there.

So, now I'm thinking I must have a bad DVI/HDMI cable. So, I try that same cable on his other television (a Sony tube flat screen TV). No problem with the cable there.

So, now I'm thinking that the cable box is the problem. So, I replace the HDTV cable box with his other one (which I know works) and I continue to get the same blinking weak signal problem.

So, it now seems like it's the HDTV that's the problem. But, that seems hard to believe since there are two HDMI inputs and the problem is the same with both inputs.

I'm frustrated and baffled.

Can anyone offer any recommendations for how to proceed? Is there a setting on the Samsung HDTV that I'm not aware of?

Thanks in advance.

Glenn

BruceS · 01-01-07, 01:31 PM

I would try connecting the cable box to the Samsung using component video cables.

My Samsung HLR-4667W HDTV doesn't have a blinking picture problem, when connected through HDMI, but it does occasionally lose either the picture or the sound.

This happened from both my SA8300 HD cable box and my DirecTV HR10-250 HD satellite box. However, it works fine using the HDMI connection from my Tivo S3.

I suspect that either the hardware for HDMI is bad or the software loaded on the boxes has problems with HDMI.

By the way, I can notice no difference in picture quality between component and HDMI using my equipment.

miniz · 01-01-07, 02:09 PM

Sounds like a problem with the HDMI inputs. Replace/repair the TV.

GeekGirl · 01-01-07, 03:41 PM

I would try to replace the STB with one obtained from the cable operator, so you know that you are getting the latest version. Do you have anything else that has HDMI output, like a DVD player? That may verify if it's the display or not.

If you have a 30 day no questions asked warranty, now would be a good time to use it. Don't settle for component. If you have a problem, get it fixed. You don't know what else will fail later.

gnagel · 01-01-07, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeekGirl

I would try to replace the STB with one obtained from the cable operator, so you know that you are getting the latest version. Do you have anything else that has HDMI output, like a DVD player? That may verify if it's the display or not.

If you have a 30 day no questions asked warranty, now would be a good time to use it. Don't settle for component. If you have a problem, get it fixed. You don't know what else will fail later.

The DVD player has an HDMI out port. So, I've ordered an HDMI to HDMI cable. Once that comes (Thursday), I'll be able to test the monitor's HDMI input via the DVD.

gnagel · 01-01-07, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceS

I would try connecting the cable box to the Samsung using component video cables.

My Samsung HLR-4667W HDTV doesn't have a blinking picture problem, when connected through HDMI, but it does occasionally lose either the picture or the sound.

This happened from both my SA8300 HD cable box and my DirecTV HR10-250 HD satellite box. However, it works fine using the HDMI connection from my Tivo S3.

I suspect that either the hardware for HDMI is bad or the software loaded on the boxes has problems with HDMI.

By the way, I can notice no difference in picture quality between component and HDMI using my equipment.

I have connected the cable box to the Samsung using component video cables. Everything works fine with component, but breaks down with HDMI.

I'll have a much better idea if the monitor is to blame once the DVD player is connected to the Samsung via HDMI.

After viewing some other threads on this topic, it appears as though I am not the only one suffering from HDMI connectivity problems between the Samsung and the Comcast cable box.

12-30-06, 09:39 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
gnagel Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orland Park, Illinois Posts: 26	Installation headache...please help My uncle purchased a Samsung HL56188W 61" DLP. He subscribes to Comcast digital HDTV cable. I went over to his house tonight to help him install the system. Here's my problem: I connected the HDTV cable box to the Samsung monitor using a DVI out to HDMI in cable. When we view the picture through the HDMI Input 1 the picture blinks in and out every three or four seconds. There was a message initially on the screen that said there was a weak signal. To test the signal, I then connected the same cable box to the Samsung monitor using composite cables. No problem there. So, now I'm thinking I must have a bad DVI/HDMI cable. So, I try that same cable on his other television (a Sony tube flat screen TV). No problem with the cable there. So, now I'm thinking that the cable box is the problem. So, I replace the HDTV cable box with his other one (which I know works) and I continue to get the same blinking weak signal problem. So, it now seems like it's the HDTV that's the problem. But, that seems hard to believe since there are two HDMI inputs and the problem is the same with both inputs. I'm frustrated and baffled. Can anyone offer any recommendations for how to proceed? Is there a setting on the Samsung HDTV that I'm not aware of? Thanks in advance. Glenn

01-01-07, 02:09 PM	#3 \| Link
miniz OFFICAL HOME OF HDTV Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Small Town X, HDTV Land Posts: 2,221	Sounds like a problem with the HDMI inputs. Replace/repair the TV. __________________ "PLEASE HELP STOP HDTV ABUSE! FEED YOUR HDTV AN HD SIGNAL!"

01-01-07, 01:31 PM	#2 \| Link
BruceS BruceS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 185	I would try connecting the cable box to the Samsung using component video cables. My Samsung HLR-4667W HDTV doesn't have a blinking picture problem, when connected through HDMI, but it does occasionally lose either the picture or the sound. This happened from both my SA8300 HD cable box and my DirecTV HR10-250 HD satellite box. However, it works fine using the HDMI connection from my Tivo S3. I suspect that either the hardware for HDMI is bad or the software loaded on the boxes has problems with HDMI. By the way, I can notice no difference in picture quality between component and HDMI using my equipment.

01-01-07, 03:41 PM	#4 \| Link
GeekGirl Señora Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 1,511	I would try to replace the STB with one obtained from the cable operator, so you know that you are getting the latest version. Do you have anything else that has HDMI output, like a DVD player? That may verify if it's the display or not. If you have a 30 day no questions asked warranty, now would be a good time to use it. Don't settle for component. If you have a problem, get it fixed. You don't know what else will fail later.