Q: HDMI Handshake problems every 20 - 30 minutes - Color Inversion Issue

Yes. Same problem for me. Apple TV 2Gen. turns green every once in a while. Switching off helps. But just temporarily. Philips LCD TV connected. Await Apple TV sw update.

I have the phillips 8402/37. atv starts with the magenta and never clears up regardless. i've done everything except the new hdmi splitter, which i will try. the splitter may come in handy later. the tv works perfectly using hdmi port from a dvd player, also phillips.

However, I looked up on cnet the difference between one hdmi cable and another. cnet techs never buy high end hdmi cables. they recommend against is as a practical issue. there are no added values in an expensive cable. i bought a new twenty dollar cable to make sure mine wasn't buggered up in some way, no change.

I just got my shinny new ATV2 yesterday.

To my disappointment I'm experiencing the same problems as a lot of people on this thread. Sporadically, the entire picture turns green, magenta (pink). For me the fix is to change the input on my TV, then switch back - after which picture goes back to normal.

Other symptoms include: screen periodically "blinking" (goes black for 1 second then the picture comes back again); picture goes totally black (you can still hear the menu sounds when the operating the remote), in which case the only solution is to reset the ATV2.

I've tried different HDMI cables, and using a different HDMI input channel on my TV - but it doesn't fix the issue. I have a Sony Bravia KDL-37S500. I've been using a FreeSat box connected via the same HDMI input for the last year - no problems whatsover!

I've have my ATV2 on now and the problem has occurred twice whilst typing this post! Has anybody here heard from Apple Support?

I spoke to them yesterday, it was pretty obvious it was not the first time they had heard this.

"Engineers are looking at the problem"

They took my details and said they would contact me once they had more information.

Hi milovaig. Thanks for your prompt reply. I was going to go to the apple store tomorrow - the more people that report the issue the better.

Fingers crossed that apple will release a software/firmware update very soon ...

Situation is improved for me by powering off completely (unplugging) and starting up just when I want to watch a movie. I can get through a two hour movie without the colour inversion.

Not a long term answer, but it makes things bearable in the short term.

I contacted apple support.
They were very good at helping me to try and solve the problem. They are as other posted have written aware of the problem.
they took details of my set up and then advised that I should update the firmware on the tv. I did this and the situation improved slightly in that I got longer before the screen went green.
they contacted me again and advised me to unplug everything and turn everything off, again this helped for a while.
In the end they offered a refund or swap. I took a swap in the hope that they will sort out the problem.
I am not hopeful though, because they said it was a problem with the Philips tv. Naturally I contacted Philips support and they said that it was a fault with the apple device.
This is a never ending problem I think!!!

a new apple tv will not help you. becuse it is a software or hardware issue on ALL of the apple TVs

Message was edited by: chriso89

I seem to be having the same problem with my Philips 32PFL7404H/12 TV, the screen goes pink after a while, like a negative.

If I sleep the ATV2 it seems to be fine for a while.

I have spoken to apple support a couple of times now, the first person told me to update my firmware on the TV, but when I looked at the software upgrade it mentioned no fix for the problems I am having.

The second person I spoke to said to change the configuration settings on the TV, (Home, configuration, screen, pcmodus, on) or (Home, configuration, image, mode pc, on). Unfortunately neither routes are available on my TV?

Any ideas folks or do I just send it back?

Just been on the phone to applecare,

after over 25 minutes of discussing my homeshare problems and the inverted screen HDMI handshake problem. (Boy can they chat slowly, but amazing customer service)...

They are sending out a replacement model....

fingers crossed it is the model I've got and not every model out there, or my tv or my wifi router... eeeek

Good luck with that, but don't get your hopes up.

All evidence I have seen suggests that this is a firmware conflict between particular TV models and the Apple TV. If the unit you have now isn't compatible with your TV then neither will any replacement be.

To be honest, if Applecare are still sending out replacement models it makes me very nervous about whether they have got their heads round this fact. We need them to understand this in order to investigate what it is about these particular TV models that is causing the problem.

I think I will have to reluctantly take my TV, which I otherwise like very much, back and replace it with a model that is compatible. Otherwise I can see myself being stuck with this problem for good.

Hi all,

I have a Sony Bravia widescreen and I get the same handshake issues. Can happen at any time. Apple Care said that it was the set maybe, but it isn't. Apple I'm told are looking at the problem and there may be a fix down the line. I've got a case number and wondering whether to take it back to the shop or hold while they sort it?

What model Bravia?

If you have bought the Apple TV exclusively to use on that TV then I think you should seriously consider returning it for a refund. You will find out fairly quickly if they manage to fix this problem and then you can repurchase if you want.

The big issue here is that both Apple and the TV companies are correct in a way when they say that it isn't their problem. They will not guarantee that their equipment works on every TV, or with every accessory and both would point to the fact that their equipment works with most other equipment. What we have here is a conflict between specific bits of equipment rather than an error with either as such.

If you don't return the Apple TV then you are running the risk of being stuck with a bit of kit which doesn't work with your TV. I'm in a similar position, but as it's a new TV I also have the option of returning that. I like Sony kit, but there are more TV alternatives than there are streaming alternatives so it would be the TV that goes back for me.

Message was edited by: KeithJenner

Ignore this

Message was edited by: KeithJenner

Guys, I know that technically, it could be apple, it copuld be Sony / Philips etc.

But the fact is there is no issue with any other device on this forum but apple. Keep the pressure on them. Apple TV 1 is OK, Apple TV needs work...simple.