V+ HDMI and Samsung LE40A686M1 LCD

HaydnGlyn · 17-02-2009, 21:04

New HD TV, upgraded to V+, installed by VM, worked OK to HDMI output initally, then TV started going through cycle of losing picture, picture returning, then losing picture again every 15 seconds, but problem intermittent. Got VM out they swopped V+ box, but same issue - VM said must be TV. John Lewis replaced TV, slightly different issue, cannot get anything when selecting HDMI as output from V+ settings so have to continue using scart but obviously not HD. Got 2nd replacement TV from John Lewis, same issue. Please note that I can get HD ouput via HDMI to a different Samsung LCD TV - but not the LE40A686M1.

I fear that there is some incompatibility between this model TV and V+, Virgin will say their kit is OK to HDMI (which it is when feeding a different model HDTV). John Lewis will come out and test TV and say that OK. So I've spent Ã‚Â£Ã‚Â£ and still can't view in HD on my new 40' TV.

Have read all the FAQs and many related threads, some allude to similar problems but no clear fix.

Advice required please.

Northern Laddie · 18-02-2009, 17:49

Don't have the answer but similar with my Samsung LE4086.

I get break up of picture then almost immediate static then again almost immediate blank screen, then returns to picture after a few seconds. Like you very intermittent.
I've confirmed the TV is ok as the inbuilt freeview is fine as is DVD playback via HDMI cable.

I also upgrded the HDMI cable from the one they provided but no difference. I then thought it may have been overheating but it is well ventilated with 3 inches above and 2 inches either side as well as ventilation behind!

Upshot is they are sending a tech out on Monday, so fingers are crossed

HaydnGlyn · 18-02-2009, 20:30

Is it a VM techie coming or one from the TV supplier? I've got the TV techie coming tomorrow and if he can't assist (or confirms no issue with TV) I'll have to get the VM person out again.

Regards

Haydn

Tezcatlipoca · 18-02-2009, 21:14

Could be an HDCP issue?

Have you tried a different HDMI cable?

Northern Laddie · 18-02-2009, 22:11

It is a V+ Techie coming out.
I did try another HDMI cable but same result.
Excuse my newbie ignorance but what is HDPC?

18-02-2009, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Laddie

It is a V+ Techie coming out.
I did try another HDMI cable but same result.
Excuse my newbie ignorance but what is HDPC?

High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection

- an hardware protocol with which all components in the 'chain' displaying an high definition picture source must comply.

- my old pc monitor wouldn't display playback from Bluray disks, for example, even though the player & graphics card were HDCP compliant, the monitor wasn't.

I'd be surprised if this was the problem, tbh, as in my experience it either works, or it doesn't ???

Tezcatlipoca · 18-02-2009, 22:55

It should generally either work or not work, but according to Wikipedia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Cable_length

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Long cable lengths can cause instability of HDCP and blinking on the screen due to the weakened DDC signal which HDCP requires

Can also occur if the cable is faulty & is causing HDCP issues - doesn't have to be caused by a cable which is too long.

Just a thought, as although the OP has changed TV, & has changed V+ box, there's no mention of changing HDMI cable.

Then again... Northern Laddie has a similar problem, with the same TV, and changing HDMI cables made no difference.

18-02-2009, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

It should generally either work or not work, but according to Wikipedia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Cable_length

Can also occur if the cable is faulty & is causing HDCP issues - doesn't have to be caused by a cable which is too long.

Just a thought, as although the OP has changed TV, & has changed V+ box, there's no mention of changing HDMI cable.

Then again... Northern Laddie has a similar problem, with the same TV, and changing HDMI cables made no difference.

good link, I hadn't realised that, thanks

Northern Laddie · 19-02-2009, 18:27

I'll post an update sometime next week once the V+ techie has done his stuff !

HaydnGlyn · 19-02-2009, 23:58

The TV specialist from John Lewis reckoned it is indeed again a fault with the Samsung LE40A686M1, although if so that is 3 faulty sets I've had in the space of 3 weeks - faulty batch? Whatever way they have offered either yet another Samsung or an alternative, so this time I'm going to take a Sony Bravia KDL40W4000 although that means spending a bit more to get almost all the features on the Samsung. For the same money it would be the Sony Bravia KDL40V4000 but that looks to be slightly lower spec.

I'll let you know if the change of brand and model cures the problem.

Northern Laddie · 23-02-2009, 17:00

Techie has just finished. He was surprised to see Forward path equalisers totaling 23db (whatever they are!) installed. Anyway he reckons they may have been reducing the quality of signal.

Basically they may have been put there at the instalation when the output was very high, but if the signal has been reset by Virgin in my area since the instalation then they were pulling it below the required signal level.