After another evening of testing, it is apparent that at least the two cards that we have, cannot handle a HDCP handshake under anything but ideal conditions.
We have tested both cards with two different HDDVD players, numerous cables of various length, several different sources, with and without a switcher in the chain to reach this conclusion.
Both cards work flawlessly with both a Momitsu DVD player, and two different HS-20 DTV HD receivers in any configuration. This is a bit different than our initial test. On Monday, only 1 card would work at 35' with the HS-20. Not sure why this is no longer the case.
Jeff's A1 will work properly only with a 6' cable. We powered up, and played a HD disc numerous times in this configuration with 100% success.
My player will only display the menu on this same card/cable, but no video is displayed during playback. I was afraid at this point the player had been damaged from having to reboot it so many times due to locking up as described in previous post. Alas, when I got the player home, it works just fine when connected to the plasma display. Just another anomaly in the mix.
The same 3' cable that at one point in time worked for one card, now will not work. The cable is good.
Last night, using a DVI/HDMI adapter we tested both A1's to the plasma display using the 35' cables that will not work to the Moome card. Both players worked with 100% success.
Knowing that at least one card will work with the A1's with only the 6' cable indicates that the cards are indeed capable of HDCP. The problem MUST be in the cards ability to correct for ANY variation in impedance. Hence the issue of no playback with certain cable lengths of proven good cables.
Although possible, I consider it unlikely that we just happen to have two defective cards. The fact that the cards work with non HDCP devices shows that at the component level the cards are operational.
The only change in the current run of cards that we are aware of is the edid chip.
So either the new edid chip, or some other component that is responsible for the HDCP handshake must be at fault.
I advance this theory only in the hope that either Moome or someone else that has knowledge of how this communication between source and display is performed may identify what is at fault here.
Thanks to Jonathan's generosity, next Sunday we will test both cards in his known working set up. Again, his video chain is identical to ours.
I would be shocked if either card will work with Jonathan's gear. After seeing his audio gear, any thought of not bothering with this last test is moot. It's worth the ride for that reason alone :D
To Moome if you are following this thread:
Yes many say that component is the preferred connection. That is beside the point. We, like many others bought your cards specifically to have a HDCP compatable device for our PJ's.
Not being able to utilize DVI with the H1 is unacceptable.
Again assuming that this stated problem is not specific to our two cards, how should we proceed. If you test your stock with long runs of HDMI cable, and are able to duplicate this issue, I am sure you know the cause.
Once the fault is identified, how then do we proceed? Is this something that can be corrected here in the US like the edid chip? Will we have to send the cards back for repair? Considering the length of time that we have waited for these cards, would you be willing to send working cards to us, then have us ship back the defective cards. This would allow us to at least use the component in for the time being.
Don
