Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bob Pariseau 
To Diagnose video problems, start by using the built-in video graphics generated by the D2. These are independent of any Source Device.
These would be the Setup menu itself, and also the Video Source Adjust menu (press and hold the "7" button). The Video Source Adjust menu includes test patterns which you can use to confirm the video output to your TV.
So select an input Source in the D2 that has no video coming in (nothing connected or Source Device powered OFF), and see whether you can get stable video to your display at any HD output resolution using the Video Source Adjust menu test patterns. If not, go into Setup > Video Configuration and work through the possibilities.
What you are reporting sounds like HDMI cabling problems, but it's unclear whether they are happening on the input side or the output side. This test will help you check that the output side is working.
Since you bought a used unit, you would be well advised to start fresh by going into Setup and Reloading Factory Defaults. Then power cycle the D2.
Make sure your HDMI plugs are fully inserted STRAIGHT into the sockets with nothing (e.g., cable weight) tugging them in any direction. Make sure the HDMI input you are using on your TV is intended for connection to a DVD Player or Set Top Box, as opposed to connection to a computer.
Also keep in mind that changes you make in Setup > Video Out Configuration do not take effect immediately. You need to exit the menu and CONFIRM you really want to make these latest changes on the way out. I.e., use the Arrow buttons to change the No to Yes and Select the Yes.
If you can get the video output side working solidly as evidenced by the D2's own graphics, then any continuing problem you have when trying to use a Source Device must be on the Input side. The most likely is an HDMI cabling problem.
--Bob
Thanks, Bob. Taking your comments point by point:
I did a factory reset when I got the unit, as you suggested.
The input on the TV is the main input for HDMI, and I've been using it with no issues.
I did mange to get into the OSD menu and when there WAS a signal, I could get into the menus to see the tests. the INFO screen was of most interest (showing input resolution and output resolution of the D2) on any given input, so thanks for showing me that.
I did a couple of things that improved the situation.
1) I had the FIOS HDMI going into SAT1, and moved it to TV1. No idea if there's something funky in the handling of Sat 1
2) I swapped out a Redmere (directional) HDMI cable from the FIOS box to the D2, and from the D2 to the TV with non-directional HDMI cables.
3) I THINK I changed the color in the Video1 setup data output setting to YBRC444 or something like that, as I saw that as an INPUT from the FIOS box using the OSD (button 7)
4) In the OSD menu I changed the output setting to be anamorphic stretch, which filled the screen for FIOS. Letterbox/pillarbox gave me the wide skinny image. Interestingly, when I used the SONY "wide" function button to fill the screen/zoom, sometimes I would lose the image completely. For a 16x9 set, I think I'm supposed to have it on Full, and not "normal" with HD, but I'll check on that as well.
Now I think I have stable output from FIOS, and DVD, BUT the D2 output from FIOS is still only viewable using the D2's 720 video output SETTING, but it shows an input of 1080i from the FIOS in the OSD.
The DVD is showing the D2 seeing 480 component input, but now I can get the D2 to output 1080 for the DVD, as shown on the OSD (which is what I would have thought it would do).
So the main mystery is this:
If the D2 Video output is HDMI and set at Auto or 1920/1080 (or anything beyond 720/480), I get a blank screen from the FIOS input (TV1) and the message about muting the HDMI video input, HDCP monitor needed. Occasionally it will flash a blue screen and I might see a 4:3 snow or full-screen snow briefly before it goes black. The Sony, incidentally reports the loss of signal immediately with a front panel light that goes out when the D2 decides to have a little fit.
So I am confused about why the D2 would not pass 1080 thru to the TV if the input signal is also 1080. Any other settings you'd suggest I try to hunt down? I can swap one more set of cables tomorrow if the FIOS>D2 cable is a problem (#2).
Thanks again.