Samsung SYNCMASTER 215TW and Toshiba HD-A2 Problem

Samsung Syncmaster 215TW DVI_I(HDCP) Compliant input?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a Samsung SyncMaster 215TW, which has a DVI_I (HDCP) compliant input. When I connect my Toshiba HD-A2 player HMDI output to my Samsung 215TW DVI_I input via HMDI-to-DVI-I cable, I can not display any HD-DVD picture on my monitor, but if I play regular video dvds I get a picture on my monitor. I have e-mailed both Samsung and Toshiba about this problem, Neither Toshiba nor Samsung have given me any answers to this problem. I enjoy my Samsung 215TW a lot, its native resolution is 1650 by 1050, not sure if it is progressive or inlerlaced. I can play HD-DVDS by connecting the player composite output to the composite input on the monitor. I also updated the Toshiba HD-A2 firmware to version 1.3, no difference. I wonder if the Toshiba HD-XA2 will solve this problem. Frankly, I think the video quality of the HD-A2 needs some improvement, specially the black level. Thanks for any help on t

APPLEJACKAZ, Thanks for the info, I do not understand why Iam not getting any picture on the monitor ,if I play HD-DVDS. I have the HDMI > DVI cable connected to the DVI-I input on the monitor, regular DVDS will show ok. It must be something to do with HDCP. On component video the monitor sets itself to 1920x1080i-33.9khz/60hz. do not believe the problem is with the cable.

Hi getme. Yes I did update the firmware to version 1.2 by using the ISO for version 1.2 and then I updated to version 1.3 via internet, same problem. By the way what brand of HMDI>DVI cable are you using?. I tried all types from expensive to inexpensive, same result no picture from HD-DVDs only picture with regular DVD's. I wonder what can be wrong with my set up. On composite output I get 1080i resolution. Thanks for your reply. Any more suggestions will be welcome. Thanks

Hi applejackaz, it does not mater what resolution I set my A2, still no picture from HD-DVD's. I get 1080i via composite video and you are right the black level is not that great. Do you recommend any other Computer LCD Monitor. I have the Geforce 7800GS CO on my Dell, and it does a wonderful job of upscaling regular DVDS. I have used all kinds of HMDI>DVI-D cables ,no luck. Thanks for your suggestions, I am very frustrated with this situation of not being able to watch HD_DVDS via HMDI.

Hi again getme.

I went out and traded my HD-A2 for the HD-XA2, and I still have the problem of no video on my monitor when using an HDMI >DVI-I cable. Borrowed a Samsung TV from a friend with HDMI input , the video from HD-DVDs is present, Also in this case I went HDMI>HDMI cable . I am just wondering if my 215TW is actually DVI-I(HDCP) compliant, the back of the monitor just besides the DVI-I input says it is a DVI-I(HDCP) input. I need to purchase a new HDMI.DVI-I cable. Just a question, I have not been connecting the 2 channel audio from the player to the monitor, I do not think that it make any difference of my getting my HD-DVD picture on the monitor. Thanks for your help.

Hi get me, you are right, the problem is with the monitor. Just spoke with Toshiba Tier 2 engineer, he explained that the Syncmaster 215tw is HDCP compliant for DVI-I > DVI-I connections. In other words HMDI>DVI-I applications it will not work even if the DVI-I input is HDCP compliant. Well, I am kind of surprised with this explanation, But it does make some sense. I have been reading about the Sceptre 22 inch 1600x1080i Computer LCD monitor as a possible solution. It is HDMI ready and I can still connect my pc via DVI-I. All of the LCD tv monitors I have seen with HMDI do have only analog PC RGB. I have the EVGA 7800GS Co video card, and I enjoy its DVI output capability. May be someone else who owns the 215TW can shed some light on this subject. If I recall you have a 215tw that works with an HDMI>DVI-I cable. Right?

Greetings get me, thanks for trying the setup with your Sony. I have been considering trying the Sceptre 22 inch Gamer offered by Costco.com. Our local Costco does not carry any HMDI ready PC Monitor. Thanks again for your help.

Hi again applejackaz, your info is very valuable, thanks. Yes I set my XA2 to 1081i, I know my 215tw will not display 1080p on component mode. I will try setting the monitor to Dynamic Mode, I agree with you, black levels are important indeed. Do you know anything about the Sceptre LCD PC Monitor with HMDI and DVI-I inputs? It is the 22WG Gamer. I need a monitor that I can switch between HMDI and PC DVI-I. Yes, I bought my 215TW at my local Costco last year, August 2006. Do you think they will take it back?I definetely think it has a problem. I have a HMDI>DVI-I cable, and I also connected the HMDI output from my regular Sony DVP--NS7HP to my 215tw by via HMDI>DVI-I cable and using the HMDI>HMDI cable that came with the Sony by using an HMDI>DVI-I adapter at one end, same result, no picture. The question remains. IS DVI-I(HDCP) the same as HMDI? Of course with DVI-I(HDCP) audio has to be routed to a different input. now I have done all these connctions without connecting the audio to the monitor, it should not matter, right? I am glad your 215tw works ok, I love this monitor, too bad Costco, at least, my local Costco and Costco.com do not carry this item anymore.Is HDMI at 1080i much better than DVI at 1081i?

Hi get me, yesterday I just received my Sceptre LCD Monitor from Costco.com and what a disappointment. The picture on both HDMI and DVI-I are full of noise artifacts, on black odjects you can see a kind of smear caused by bad compression electronics, I am very disappointed with this monitor. It is the 22WG-Gamer Black. The monitor will accept the 1080P output from the XA2. I watched Apollo 13(HD-DVD) on this monitor, and the amount of picture artifacts is unacceptable. The monitor has serious problems with it.