Wobbly picture with ATV2 - anyone else?

So this switch got rid of the wavy/wobbly picture issue for you?

I have a Sony KF-50WE610 and also have the wavy picture problem. While I do need a switch to use between the PS3 and this Apple TV, it's frustrating that this problem exists at all.

Let me get this straight. With that $50 Monoprice's HDMI switcher, you were able to get 720p resolution on your SONY HDTV KF-42WE610 via HDMI-DVI cable??

I have an HDMI switcher which doesnt work(wobbly still there) and a TOSLINK to RCA convert both cost me $70 total.

I already have an HDMI switcher and this one on Monoprice doesn't seem to have a remote control. Is it possible to cascade HDMI switches?

yes, it got ride of the wavy/wobbly picture

Yes, Monoprice HDMI switcher connected to my Sony via a HDMI-DVI cable and I get 720P

no idea about cascading but it does come with a nice very small "credit card type" remote.

I have the wobbly problem too. Sony KP-46WT510 rear projection TV that plays 480, 720p, and 1080i. My HDMI to DVI cable is from Blue Jeans Cable. My HDMI switcher is from Oppo and it does nothing to help the problem. Wobblies from the switcher and from a direct connection to the TV. No problems from my ATV1. (I posted the same info in another support thread).

I spoke to an Apple Care rep yesterday and he said they were aware of the issue and they may be working on a solution but then mentioned something about enabling 480 because some people didn't have 720 so I'm not sure if he meant that would be the DVI solution or the solution for people with TV's that only play 480 and 1080. My local Apple Store was not aware of the problem. Steve Jobs is not returning my email messages.

Okay, so why did they eliminate the video settings menu? Is this an iOS issue? Can iOS even output 1080i? If not, we may be completely out of luck. I have no interest in using it with 480p resolution.

bek66 wrote:
I have a 5+ year old Mitsubishi 62" rear projection DLP that has only one DVI input, no HDMI and does not support 720 resolution, 1080i only. I have several HDMI devices, so I use my Yamaha receiver's HDMI switching function, using an HDMI cable with DVI converter to connect it to the TV. No other device has a problem displaying the image properly. ATV2 displays the "wobbly" image.

I called Apple Support Thursday night. He explained to me the ATV2 has these requirements in the tech specs:

1) 720p
2) strict HDMI cable, no DVI convert. Essentially, TV must support HDMI input.
3) Direct connection to TV, no switch

I apparently am violating all 3 of these. So, Apple will not "guarantee" the image quality. From what it looks like on this thread, some folks have been able to work-around it, but I'd gather the work-arounds won't be universal. Forcing my Yamaha to force up-convert to 1080i didn't help me, but helped someone else.

Bryan

Requirement #3 is infuriating. How can they say you can't use an HDMI switch? Aren't most Home Theater AV Receivers essentially HDMI switches? Video 1, Video 2, Video 3, DVD, etc. Is Apple really telling ATV2 buyers with AV Receivers they can't use the HDMI switching feature? These receivers have multiple HDMI inputs and 1 or 2 HDMI outputs for just this type of thing. Good luck with that one Apple.

I have this problem with a Panasonic PT-47X54 that dates to January 2005. The Apple TV is connected to the HDMI port, but the TV doesn't do 720p so I get the wobbly picture.

Too bad, in every other respect the Apple TV is exactly what I was looking for.

It is very tempting to try this solution for my Dad's 60" Grand Wega, which also has the wobbly picture through DVI. Has anyone else gotten this working using this particular gear?

So is there any solution to this wobbly picture on the Apple TV?

I just bought this HDMI switcher you mentioned. I will confirm if it works or not once I received it.

FWIW, I have an Onkyo preamp with 4 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs and ATV2 works great through it.

JustReel Films wrote:
I just bought this HDMI switcher you mentioned. I will confirm if it works or not once I received it.

I'm very interested in your results. I have a hard time believing this switcher solves the problem, but I read an article recently that suggests the ATV2 is sending a higher bandwidth HDMI signal that older TVs can't handle. Maybe this switcher reduces that signal down to what an old TV needs to make it work.

Here is the article: http://www.2fatdads.com/2010/10/new-appletv-glass-half-full/

After reading all this and seeing my Sony Grand Wega do the same thing as everyone else's, I think the problem is that the ATV2 must handshake with another HDMI device (switch box, receiver or TV) in order to output 720p, otherwise it outputs 480. Call it a "safe mode". This is something that should be a simple software fix. Will Apple fix it? Maybe in the first iOS update, the one that enables Apps? Don't hold your breath.

Mine is going into the bedroom where I have a newer TV. I will have to put my old Mac Mini back where it was.