HDMI Extender Problems with AppleTV HD

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Level 1

9 points

HDMI Extender Problems with AppleTV HD

Hello all - New to the AppleTV world as I just upgraded/replaced my Roku that was acting up and having problems connecting to the internet resulting in potato-like quality.

Anyway, I got my new AppleTV last week and have been happy with it thus far except for one issue - when using either my HDMI extender or HDMI switcher, I get a flickering screen (YouTube link for reference). If I unplug and plug in the power source for the AppleTV while the TV is on, everything goes back to normal and works fine for as long as the TV is on. However, when I turn off and turn it back on, the flickering comes back.

I can solve this problem by connecting it directly to an HDMI port on my TV; however, all of my other A/V equipment (Switch, HDMI to laptop and XBOX) is to the side of my couch. From there, they all connect to an HDMI switch that then connects to a single HDMI port that acts as an extender and then that goes to the TV (I have a 40 ft. HDMI cable running in my attic for a clean TV panel above the mantle).

So while I can solve this issue easily, I'd rather have my AppleTV connected to the switch and extender to a) maintain the clean appearance and b) hardwire the ethernet cable to the AppleTV vs. wifi. Does anyone have an idea why this problem can be corrected by resetting the AppleTV and is there a way to get this setup working properly? I have not had an issue with any other device using this setup. Appreciate the help!

Posted on Sep 30, 2020 9:43 AM

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Answer 1

bfoken Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 30, 2020 12:52 PM in response to Vancouver22

Appreciate you chiming in again! I hear you and that's what others have said, but I keep coming back to the fact that it works without issue once I hard reset the ATV, just not upon initial power up of the TV. I would see that being the issue if it was persistent but because a hard reset works, my mind keeps thinking that there is some other issue at hand.

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Answer 2

Vancouver22

Level 8

37,622 points

Sep 30, 2020 11:19 AM in response to bfoken

The switch box is likely faulty. Does it have it’s own remote to switch inputs? If so, what happens if you use the button on the switch box to switch? I use a switch box on one of my TV’s and it malfunctioned due to the remote not working. There’s a choice to punch in 1.2 or 3 which did not work , but the up and down arrows on the remote did. The switch box button worked as well. Check the HDMI is secured on both ends. Test with another HDMI cord.

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Answer 3

bfoken Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 30, 2020 11:23 AM in response to Vancouver22

I've also tried hooking it up straight to the extender and the same issue persists which makes me think it's an extender issue but if so it's literally the only device that has an issue with the extender. What's odd is that by resetting the box (unplugging the power cord) it works without issue. So it's something about the startup of the TV that's causing the issue. HDMI cord is well seated on both ends.

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Answer 4

Vancouver22

Level 8

37,622 points

Sep 30, 2020 12:45 PM in response to bfoken

Had to re-read your opening post and I see you’re running a very long HDMI cable to your set up. This could be the issue. The longer the cables are, the worse picture or signal strength you get. Long Ethernet cables aren’t good either, Even though, as you say, the other equipment copes. Passing through the switch box adds to this. Length and splitting is best kept to a minimum. Just a thought.

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Answer 5

Sep 30, 2020 2:39 PM in response to bfoken

I use an HDMI splitter box to send the ATV output to either a TV or a projector. The projector is at the end of a long HDMI cable and I don't experience video problems. No switches, it just works on whichever device is switched on. I can even have both on.

I don't understand the details of HDMI but I think the ATV gets data feedback from the media device via the HDMI cable. If the signal is poor this can cause flickering and might also explain the hard reset fix. In my case having the splitter box might actually help prevent the poor "feedback" (I haven't tried the system without the splitter box so don't know if the projector would have video problems without it)

When I first set up the system I did need to replace the HDMI cable between the ATV and the splitter box with a higher quality one. Have you tried changing your cable? Otherwise it may be the switcher box.

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Answer 6

Vancouver22

Level 8

37,622 points

Sep 30, 2020 3:23 PM in response to bfoken

Found a support article here mentioning the flickering:

When you use content matching, your television switches dynamic range and frame rate based on the content you’re watching. You may experience a blank screen or flickering as your television switches between formats.

About frame rate and dynamic range matching on Apple TV - Apple Support

Although this more relates to the content you’re viewing, not on start up

instead of having to keep unplugging the unit, might be a lot easier to just restart it from settings- system - restart.

The Reset is a more drastic option that erases all the data and apps you installed, it restores it to factory settings. Unplugging is more of a restart

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Answer 7

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Sep 30, 2020 11:05 AM in response to bfoken

If the issue is not occurring when connected directly then you would need to troubleshoot the issue that is occurring when using the extender/switcher.

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HDMI Extender Problems with AppleTV HD

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