HTPC HDMI port on TV keeps disabling

[acole1]

I recently built my Dad this HTPC.

It has a GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H (the one with the HDMI out), and everything works flawlessly, except that when he changes the input to regular TV, or to another HDMI input like his DVD player, then switches back, it doesn't pick up the signal from the HTPC.

It's a Sony TV (model I'm not sure), and when he called their Tech Support, they blamed it on the HTPC not handshaking or giving the TV anything to input.

I disabled sleep mode and anything that would disable the monitor after any period of time to make sure it wouldn't do anything like this, but I guess there is still a problem.

The work around to this problem is for him to unplug the HTPC from the TV and plug it back in. After he does that, then the TV picks it up right away.

Is this something common? Is there any way to fix it?

Thanks for your input!

-Aaron

 

[erwos]

It's a fairly common problem. You might try getting a simple HDMI switch from monoprice and seeing if that resolves the issue.

 

[acole1]

That's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that.

Do you know if it's worked for other people?

I noticed online that some people were able to fix it with a simple driver update.

 

[acole1]

The newest Catalyst driver didn't work...

any other ideas?

He said he is using VGA input and it works fine, but it just looks bad.

 

[Quasmo]

It's a known problem with the ATI cards, you have to buy what is called a DVI detective, or I guess HDMI detective that sends a constant signal to your TV, I had to get one for my HTPC.

 

[acole1]

Have they made an HDMI detective yet?

Edit:
I just found a program called hdmiON.exe

I may have him try it out. Do you think this would work? What is the best way to trigger it?


Edit:
In theory, I should also be able to use DVI Doctor + DVI to HDMI converter, right?

I asked yesterday and he said he didn't have a DVI input on his TV, else that would be the solution.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: acole1
Have they made an HDMI detective yet?

Edit:
I just found a program called hdmiON.exe

I may have him try it out. Do you think this would work? What is the best way to trigger it?


Edit:
In theory, I should also be able to use DVI Doctor + DVI to HDMI converter, right?

I asked yesterday and he said he didn't have a DVI input on his TV, else that would be the solution.

For whatever reason most HD-TVs don't use DVI now. I have no idea why they'd stick to an lower end version like VGA instead of a nice digital connection, but whatever. I'm stuck in the same place, except I haven't upgraded to a nice HDMI output mobo yet. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see how it turns out

 

[acole1]

Update:

He said he was able to "fix" the problem by plugging the HDMI into the side HDMI port instead of the back one.

When he does that he doesn't have any more problems with it blacking out.