HDMI HDCP -vs- computer -vs- AV receiver

2825 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by cel4145, Sep 17, 2011

djscottallen

Discussion Starter · Aug 20, 2011

Well I don't know if this is the correct place to post this because i'm a noob to this forum thing. I'm trying to create a perfect surround sound layout via my computer. I just bought the Harmon Kardon 1600 AV receiver, and although I saw that it had a few handshaking issues, I still wanted to try it. I also bought the Klipsch 300 HD 5.1 speakers. They sound great! Now I'm trying to work out the kinks with my PC Windows 7 to my new AV receiver. I built my brand new 2011 computer myself to my exact specifications, but I'm not too savvy on video audio issues with AV cards. I have a few options here... I bought the receiver so I could go completely HDMI to my receiver and send out from there, but I have been unsuccessful. I have now been thinking about just going HDMI video to my monitor and running an optical cable to my receiver for digital audio and leave it at that. I really don't want to though.. I want to go HDMI. That's what lead me here. Here's my setup, sorry I'm just listing everything to give you the complete picture:

Server: Intel Core i5 Quad-Core Desktop Processor | GIGABYTE GA-H55M-S2V LGA 1156 Intel H55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard | CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply | Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) | SAPPHIRE 100292DDR3L Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card | Creative 70SB088000004 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Express 1x Interface PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium | 1 TB Internal HD Space | 1 TB External HD Space | Hitachi/LG GH24LS50 24x DVD±RW DL SATA Drive w/LightScribe | Windows 7 Home Premium x32 SP1 | RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black/Silver 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case | Planex PCI GW-US54GXS 2.4GHz IEEE802.11g 54Mbps Wireless LAN USB Adapter | ViewSonic VX2035wm | Dynex 32" Class / 720p / 60Hz / LCD HDTV | SONY Playstation 3 Console 160 GB | NOX Specialist Gaming Headset - Blue | Klipsch HD 300 Compact 5.1 High Definition Theater system (Set of Six, Black) | Harman Kardon AVR1600 High Performance, 50W X 7, 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver with Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Decoding

The PS3 works perfectly through the HDMI on the Harmon Kardon AV receiver. My computer will not though. I'm thinking that it's an HDCP issue, which I have to say is a horrible invention. My video card is HDCP ready whatever that means, and my video card is what I will be directly hooking up to when sending HDMI to my receiver. They will NOT handshake though. I'm stumped. Is it another component in my computer setup above causing the issue? The Harmon Kardon support line came up with that resolution.. they said that it's probably an HDCP issue. Is there an external device that can translate the HDMI to HDCP compliant information before it reaches the receiver or is there a way to tweak my computer to be completely HDCP compliant?

See less See more

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

Joe Fernand

· #2 · Aug 20, 2011

What signal is the HTPC Outputting via HDMI - it's going to have to be something the AVR (and Display) 'supports' - ideally it's going to be the native resolution of your Display and 60 Hz.

It's more likely your problem is EDID rather than HDCP - you may require an EDID grabber between the HTPC and the AVR!

Joe

Save

djscottallen

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 20, 2011

My monitor supports 1366 x 768

The AV receiver supports anything I believe through the HDMI passthrough.

Like i said, my PS3 passes through perfectly. I tried outputting 1366 x 768 but no matter what I do, plugging in the HDMI cord crashes all monitors connected to the video card and I have to restart... it's maddening.

Here's another question: Do I just use the HDMI output from my video card to the AV receiver and it piggybacks the sound also? Or do I have to run the sound from my sound card as well?

Save

Davinleeds

· #4 · Aug 20, 2011

Did you try 1280/720 through the AVR?

You can get audio out the hdmi but it must be selected in playback devices and setup done. If you have audio passthrough in your AVR, it will see it as a two channel device(your display).

Save

Joe Fernand

· #5 · Aug 20, 2011

Many AVR only support a limited range of HDTV signals and don't support any PC signals - no matter if it's in Video Passthru or not.

As Davinleeds says try setting the PC to 720p or 1080p at 60Hz and see how it goes.

Joe

Save

cel4145

· #6 · Sep 17, 2011

Have you already tried plugging your HDMI from your computer directly into the TV, and then getting the video set at 1080p resolution first? I think, to build off what the other posters suggested, that your receiver only has 1080p pass through and no upscaling. That might simplify your problem because then your computer will already be adjusted to the correct resolution when you plug it up to the receiver.

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month