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please help! no audio via HDMI from comcast motorola dcx3400

post #1 of 26
9/7/11 at 2:25am
Thread Starter 
I have a Comcast motorola DCX-3400 cable box & DVR. I'm running the component video outs direct to my (older model) Mitsubishi HDTV (no HDMI ins on this ol' gal... lol) and have been running the HDMI out on the 3400 to the sat/cable HDMI input on my Denon AVR-1911 receiver for audio. It's been working fine... until last week when the audio disappeared.

The display on the denon receiver now shows "analog" and not "digital" like it used to (when it worked) and there is no audio on any of the channels.

The DVD audio is fine via HDMI input, but i get nothing from the cable box's audio (the analog audio outs work fine). I swapped the HDMI cables and the problem persisted, eliminating a bad cable as the problem.

I read an older post by DSperber that said something about receiver HDMI inputs getting confused by the HDMI outs on the dcx3400 and that made a lot of sense, but i don't know how to "unconfuse" my receiver and/or restore the digital audio output via HDMI from my comcast box.

Anybody got any ideas? thanks!
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post #2 of 26
9/7/11 at 3:20am
Check the audio setting in the STB menu. If that looks good, check the audio settings in the Denon.
It sounds as if the Denon isfine since you said the DVD is working.

If all else fails, unplug everything from the wall (STB,Denon, DVD player), wait about a minute, plug everything back in. Sometimes the HDMI signals get locked up and needs to be reset.
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post #3 of 26
9/7/11 at 6:32am
I do not see how you were able to use both component & HDMI on the box, since it is a either or for those boxes. There is no setting on the STB to check to change audio settings. If you want audio to the A/V receiver, run either optical if the receiver has it for surround sound, if just wanting 2 channel sound, use the red & white audio.
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post #4 of 26
9/7/11 at 9:57am
Thread Starter 
thanks for the help guys... but i'm still out of luck.

mikepier: have checked the audio settings on the rec'ver. checked the settings on the STB under menu/settings and checked that HDMI was selected as the audio out in the hardware menu.

we've already reset the unit twice thru comcast, but i will try unplugging everything today.

gregzoll: i'm not a tech, but it's a simple fact that the system was working perfectly for several month hooked up exactly as i described above...

and the motorola DCX-3400 actually DOES have a place to change the audio settings. turn on the TV. turn OFF the cable box. press "menu" on the remote... the "hardware menu" appears. it's mostly video settings, but there's an "add'l HDMI settings" button that allows selection of DVI vs HDMI on that output and allows you to select the type of audio out.
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post #5 of 26
9/7/11 at 10:51am
HDCP will determine how audio is pushed through, in set ups like yours. A few people have reported that they were able to do with their's like you did, and shortly after their provider pushed through an update, it stopped working.

Since your set only does Component, not HDMI, and since the Denon does not output on the Component, what would be the chance, that you would possibly use this http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 It would work, so that you are feeding the video stuff to the Denon, but outputting from the Denon in Component, so that you do not run into the HDCP issue. As for audio, when you do not want to have the Denon on to watch tv, just feed the audio from the dcx-3400 to the tv. It is worth the $40 to spend.
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post #6 of 26
9/7/11 at 11:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregzoll View Post
I do not see how you were able to use both component & HDMI on the box, since it is a either or for those boxes.
Are you sure about this? The Motorola HD boxes I'm familiar with have all video outputs active at the same time.
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post #7 of 26
9/7/11 at 11:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkaran View Post

and the motorola DCX-3400 actually DOES have a place to change the audio settings. turn on the TV. turn OFF the cable box. press "menu" on the remote... the "hardware menu" appears. it's mostly video settings, but there's an "add'l HDMI settings" button that allows selection of DVI vs HDMI on that output and allows you to select the type of audio out.
Try switching between settings.

Having said that, since we're only talking about digital audio from a cable box (as opposed to Blu-ray), you can use either the optical or coax digital outputs from the DCX into the AV receiver and get the exact same signal as from the now not working HDMI. Use one of them with the component video and you should be all set.
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post #8 of 26
9/7/11 at 11:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkaran View Post
and the motorola DCX-3400 actually DOES have a place to change the audio settings. turn on the TV. turn OFF the cable box. press "menu" on the remote... the "hardware menu" appears. it's mostly video settings, but there's an "add'l HDMI settings" button that allows selection of DVI vs HDMI on that output and allows you to select the type of audio out.
I'm not familiar with the Motorola, but on my SA4200 and 4250 boxes, there is a settings menu that allows you to change audio settings while the box is on.


Do you have another HDTV you can borrow with an HDMI input? That way you can eliminate the Denon and just try to isolate it to the STB. But it sounds like its not the Denon, because your Blu-Ray is working fine.
Next step would be to exchange the STB for another one.
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post #9 of 26
9/7/11 at 12:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Are you sure about this? The Motorola HD boxes I'm familiar with have all video outputs active at the same time.

From everything that I have read, and have seen it first hand, you are not able to use both Component & HDMI on the boxes at the same time, due in part to the Analog sunset rule, even though you can still watch 720p & 1080i, which I am sure that will change some time down the road. It is the same with the U-Verse boxes.
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post #10 of 26
9/7/11 at 12:55pm
The bad thing Mike, he could end up with some old box, compared to what he has now.
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post #11 of 26
9/7/11 at 2:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregzoll View Post

From everything that I have read, and have seen it first hand, you are not able to use both Component & HDMI on the boxes at the same time...

I've seen nothing but all active from any of the Moto HD boxes, regardless of what provider.

Read where?
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post #12 of 26
9/7/11 at 2:54pm
The providers with the latest update have started to use the HDCP flag, to not allow component and hdmi output at the same time. It was like that when I had Comcast, and Time Warner is doing the same also, along with ATT & their U-verse service. The best solution for the OP is to use the HDMI to Component adapter for his set up, due to having an older hd set.
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post #13 of 26
9/7/11 at 3:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregzoll View Post

From everything that I have read, and have seen it first hand, you are not able to use both Component & HDMI on the boxes at the same time, due in part to the Analog sunset rule, even though you can still watch 720p & 1080i, which I am sure that will change some time down the road. It is the same with the U-Verse boxes.

So what disables the component ports? I assume that plugging in the HDMI cable does this. Assuming thats correct, he should still have sound coming out of the HDMI cable.
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post #14 of 26
9/7/11 at 3:17pm
It happens during the handshake. I have heard that some have found a work around, by unplugging the HDMI from the tv or box before powering on the tv, then plugging it back in, so both ports are active. That was about four months ago when I heard that, from those with Comcast. This same question was asked quite a few times about the U-Verse boxes, and it has been stated that there is no work around for them to use both ports. You are able to still use the RG, composite or S-video though on the u-verse boxes, but who would want to do that.
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post #15 of 26
9/7/11 at 7:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregzoll View Post

The providers with the latest update have started to use the HDCP flag, to not allow component and hdmi output at the same time. It was like that when I had Comcast, and Time Warner is doing the same also, along with ATT & their U-verse service.

Please provide supporting info regarding this comment. I have Comcast and the boxes I have (DCT series) don't have the limitations you claim.


Quote:


The best solution for the OP is to use the HDMI to Component adapter for his set up, due to having an older hd set.

Baloney. As already noted, the box will provide the exact same audio output via optical or coax coax, while using component video. No other equipment is needed.
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post #16 of 26
9/7/11 at 7:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregzoll View Post

From everything that I have read, and have seen it first hand, you are not able to use both Component & HDMI on the boxes at the same time, due in part to the Analog sunset rule, even though you can still watch 720p & 1080i, which I am sure that will change some time down the road. It is the same with the U-Verse boxes.

Due in part to the analog sunset rule huh? Too bad it does not apply to cable and satellite providers or their equipment. I'd be curious to know where you got this bit of information that you so matter-of-factly stated.

FWIW ,I too have had 3 cable companies , cox , charter and comcast and both outputs could be used at the same time. With motorola and scientific Atlanta boxes as well as the new cisco boxes.
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post #17 of 26
9/7/11 at 10:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Weags View Post

Due in part to the analog sunset rule huh? Too bad it does not apply to cable and satellite providers or their equipment. I'd be curious to know where you got this bit of information that you so matter-of-factly stated.

FWIW ,I too have had 3 cable companies , cox , charter and comcast and both outputs could be used at the same time. With motorola and scientific Atlanta boxes as well as the new cisco boxes.

With my SA 8240HDC connected to Cox cable, the component output was disabled when HDMI was used.

[BTW, Cisco = Scientific Atlanta.]
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post #18 of 26
9/8/11 at 4:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by domino92024 View Post


[BTW, Cisco = Scientific Atlanta.]

Aware of this thanks. Some boxes are still branded scientific Atlanta while others branded cisco. I don't see how them being the same company has anything to do with how their different models of boxes work though.
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post #19 of 26
9/8/11 at 4:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by domino92024 View Post

With my SA 8240HDC connected to Cox cable, the component output was disabled when HDMI was used.

[BTW, Cisco = Scientific Atlanta.]

I believe that's a hardware limitation, not a firmware issue.

As of last week, I know for a fact DirecTV boxes also had no restriction for outputting both HDMI & component video at the same time, either.
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post #20 of 26
9/8/11 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

I believe that's a hardware limitation, not a firmware issue.

As of last week, I know for a fact DirecTV boxes also had no restriction for outputting both HDMI & component video at the same time, either.

My reply was in direct response to the comment: "FWIW ,I too have had 3 cable companies , cox , charter and comcast and both outputs could be used at the same time. With motorola and scientific Atlanta boxes as well as the new cisco boxes."

Whether it was hardware, firmware, or what, I don't know. But it is a limitation on Cox with SA boxes.
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post #21 of 26
9/8/11 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by domino92024 View Post

My reply was in direct response to the comment: "FWIW ,I too have had 3 cable companies , cox , charter and comcast and both outputs could be used at the same time. With motorola and scientific Atlanta boxes as well as the new cisco boxes."

Whether it was hardware, firmware, or what, I don't know. But it is a limitation on Cox with SA boxes.

Right. That's a known limitation.
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post #22 of 26
9/15/11 at 7:08am
Hey all,

So this seems like the appropriate forum for this question. So basically here is my set up and issue. I am running HDMI cable from DCX 3400 -> Yamaha RX-V67 receiver, and then HDMI from the receiver to -> Samsung LNA550 tv. I get great VIDEO but no AUDIO. I'm wondering if someone can help me troubleshoot this. From what I read I need to get to the "User settings" menu on the STB and go to "additional HDMI settings" and edit the audio output. However, when I go to access the menu, all I see is a blue bar on the bottom of the screen "quick menu" and no "addtl HDMI" options tab. Who knows if this is even the problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,

Aaron
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post #23 of 26
9/15/11 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by abos1210 View Post
Hey all,

So this seems like the appropriate forum for this question. So basically here is my set up and issue. I am running HDMI cable from DCX 3400 -> Yamaha RX-V67 receiver, and then HDMI from the receiver to -> Samsung LNA550 tv. I get great VIDEO but no AUDIO. I'm wondering if someone can help me troubleshoot this.
When you say you are getting "no AUDIO", are you referring to audio from the TV's speakers, audio from the AVR's speakers, or both? You do realize that with that set-up, you need to have your Yamaha powered on to get the DCX3400 audio to the TV, right?
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post #24 of 26
9/15/11 at 2:39pm
audio through my tv speakers, and my receiver is powered on. thanks!

-aaron
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post #25 of 26
9/15/11 at 7:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by abos1210 View Post

audio through my tv speakers, and my receiver is powered on. thanks!

-aaron

I'm a little late to the party here but does your tv have optical out that you could run back to your AVR?
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post #26 of 26
9/15/11 at 10:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by abos1210 View Post

audio through my tv speakers, and my receiver is powered on. thanks!

-aaron

OK. HDMI audio going to your TV's speakers must be PCM, not DD, on many TVs. What happens if you go from the STB straight to TV HDMI, bypassing the AVR?
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