New HTPC build but cannot get HDMI output

[Doggiedog]

Hi All,

I'm somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to building PCs but this is my first HTPC build. I think I built the HTPC properly however no matter what I do, I cannot get HDMI output from my HTPC. I've been trying to connect to my TV through my receiver which I previously used a Boxee on and had no problems with. Out of the 10 hours I tried, I got an HDMI signal once but when I rebooted, it was gone. Here are my specs:

i5 4570S
Asus H87M Pro
Asus R9 270 video card
Windows 7 64b updated
AMD Catalyst Control Center
240GB SSD and assorted HDDs
Denon 3808Ci receiver
Old Samsung 56" DLP TV

The machine works perfectly on my Dell 2413 monitor under DVI but I get no signal using HDMI when trying to connect through my receiver. Would anyone have suggestions on how to fix this?

Thanks,

DD

 

[Charlie98]

What are your connections? i.e: PC > Receiver > TV... All HDMI?

Have you tried going straight from the PC to the TV?

 

[lucklessgorath]

I don't know what the specifications for your TV are, but it may not be capable of 1080p. Look for an option in your video driver to output 1080i and give that a try.

 

[Doggiedog]

Thanks for the responses. I've tried direct from pc to tv and still no signal. The tv is 1080p and I've loaded all of the different modes into the graphic card profile and still nothing. I've tried hot plugging, all the different connectors, etc. I think either it's the output not being turned on or a handshake issue. I got it to work once randomly but I don't remember how it happened.

 

[Charlie98]

I used to use my laptop to watch video, connected via VGA, and it was always a pain to get it to recognize the TV as a monitor... the TV wouldn't see the signal and go to sleep.

Are you using Catalyst or the ControlPanel/Display/Screen Resolution ?

 

[Doggiedog]

Yeah, I downloaded the latest version but there is nothing in there related to activating different outputs. Doing a Google search it looked like there may have been a feature like that but I don't know if there is now or I can't find it.

 

[Charlie98]

If you right click on your desktop, click on 'screen resolution,' it takes you right into where you need to be. See if you can get it to detect the TV... and go from there.

I have never really found Catalyst to be that much help...

 

[Doggiedog]

Yeah the problem is I can only see it using dvi on my monitor. If I am hooked up to the tv, I can't see anything. I don't even know if there is a signal. I guess I can walk my monitor over to where my tv is and see if that works. It will be a hassle to take apart my main rig though.

 

[Doggiedog]

So, I've been working on this for five hours now. My HDMI port only works if a monitor is plugged into the DVI. Would anyone know how to get the HDMI port to work alone? I've tried everything from going into the bios (nothing to activate) to properties to Catalyst Control Center but nothing works. I have to have a monitor plugged into the DVI to get any kind of HDMI output. In fact, I don't think the HTPC even boots without the DVI in. Whenever I hotplug the DVI in after booting, nothing appears on the screen. I don't even think the HTPC posts because it doesn't beep or make a sound as if it booted into Windows.

 

[Dirigible]

Does HDMI from the mb work without the discrete GPU in the machine?

 

[Zorba]

When they are both plugged it and the computer sees the monitor and TV, does it display them in clone mode? If it is setup in clone I would try changing it to extend and make the TV the primary monitor.

I used to have an old Matrox card, the original dual head cards, and there was a primary and secondary port. If nothing was hookup to the primary, the secondary didn't work. But I haven't had that problem in a long time.

 

[Doggiedog]

I haven't tried the HDMI from the MB. I figured I bought the 270 to use in the HTPC so I need to get the HDMI from the card to work.

I tried doing Control P in screen resolution mode and tried all of the settings but nothing worked. Strangely I accidentally pulled the DVI plug out in Windows and the HTPC BSODed. I don't see why these things are happening with the DVI port?

I'm going to buy a DVI to HDMI adapter and see if that helps. I will lose audio but I guess I can use optical or something along with DVI. This is kind of ridiculous though...

 

[Alan G]

You need to rule out a malfunctioning HDMI port on the GPU. Remove the card and plug your TV into the MoBo HDMI port. Intel HD graphics are more than sufficient for HTPC purposes (I've built three units that use the i3-3225 CPU and have had no problems at all getting a signal through to the TV.

 

[Doggiedog]

The hdmi port actually works. It's just that it only works when the dvi port is connected to a live monitor. I'm going to get a dvi to hdmi adapter tonight to see if that works. This has gotten too frustrating for me. It's got to be a software problem but I'm willing to pay ten bucks to get it fixed.

 

[Doggiedog]

I have no idea what is wrong. I tried the adapter and its still not working...

 

[KAZANI]

You need to rule out a malfunctioning HDMI port on the GPU. Remove the card and plug your TV into the MoBo HDMI port.

Why do folk rush to try the most expensive option of buying more hardware to throw at their problem, before deducting possible faults of the existing one?

 

[Dirigible]

Why do folk rush to try the most expensive option of buying more hardware to throw at their problem, before deducting possible faults of the existing one?

What are you talking about? The suggestion you quote involves no new hardware and is free. Plus, it will help narrow down the possible source of the problem.

 

[KAZANI]

I am not disagreeing with Alan G, just criticising OP for not following that advice.

 

[Alan G]

My only point was to rule out a problematic GPU (and point out that for HTPC one does not need a GPU if not gaming). The fact that the DVI adapter kludge did not work only emphasizes that the OP needs to simplify things and see if the integrated video on the CPU solves his problem.

 

[Dirigible]

I am not disagreeing with Alan G, just criticising OP for not following that advice.

Ah. Gotcha. Carry on!

 

[TAC763]

I normally don't post, but I remember pulling what's left of my hair out with the same problem when I set up my Windows 7 HTPC connected to a 42"LG 1080p TV.



If memory serves, here is how I was finaly able to get my setup to work;

• Disconnect the DVI to your computer monitor as this seems to be part of the problem.
• Connect the HTPC to the TV using the HDMI cable. Verify correct input is selected on TV.
• Start the HTPC into Safe Mode.
• There should be a choice on the Safe Mode main screen to "Enable Low Resolution Video" or something like that on the list of options. Choose that and apply/restart.
• That should get you a low resolution picture on the TV.
• Right click on desktop and change resolution to the native resolution of your TV (1920x1080?)
• From there you may need to adjust the display size through Catalyst so that you can see all the edges of your desktop.

I hope that works for you.

 

[Zorba]

I normally don't post, but I remember pulling what's left of my hair out with the same problem when I set up my Windows 7 HTPC connected to a 42"LG 1080p TV.



If memory serves, here is how I was finaly able to get my setup to work;

• Disconnect the DVI to your computer monitor as this seems to be part of the problem.
• Connect the HTPC to the TV using the HDMI cable. Verify correct input is selected on TV.
• Start the HTPC into Safe Mode.
• There should be a choice on the Safe Mode main screen to "Enable Low Resolution Video" or something like that on the list of options. Choose that and apply/restart.
• That should get you a low resolution picture on the TV.
• Right click on desktop and change resolution to the native resolution of your TV (1920x1080?)
• From there you may need to adjust the display size through Catalyst so that you can see all the edges of your desktop.

I hope that works for you.

That reminds me, I had a similar problem a few years back with my HDMI, right after I installed a new GPU. The TV kept giving me a "signal not supported" error. I finally figured out that my computer was trying to use 50Hz instead of 60Hz and the TV couldn't handle it.

 

[Batmeat]

Didn't read through the entire post, but when you output to the tv is the computer still connected to your monitor? If so, you may need to enable multi display support in your display settings. Since you're using windows 7, press the windows key + P and select your output. Help any?