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

I'm glad its working for you Ptrotsky, but posting that yours is fine itsn't helping the rest us who have a real software issue with the ATV2 and specific TV sets from Sony and Phillips.

We know what the issue is, Apple do too, and we've tried changing leads, configs, and many other things.

All we can do it hope Apple patch it soon, or take it back. I for one wont be replacing my Bravia anytime soon.

Thanks for the list Sjefkoning

Lets hope it helps Apple with the DIagnostics.......

I just think we need to hear some positives. Look HDMI is HDMI. I suspect it is a PC problem.

how can it be a PC problem ?

I have an all mac household 3 iMacs, a mac mini, an old apple tv, countless iPods and the new Apple TV which is giving me problems.

Don't get me wrong, I love the box and its functionality, I loved the Old apple TV and still use it, I just want a working ATV 2 for my Lounge.

Whats your point ?

Congtulations Ptrotsky, just keep on watching and enjoy.
It is definitly not a PC-problem, there's no PC around here but several Macs, iPods, iPhones and the ATV2. It is a communication-problem between the ATV2 and TV sets from Philips, Sony and a few others (see the great list from Sjefkoning).
I have been trying to fix the issue since weeks without any lasting results. The only way to get rid of the issue temporarily is to initialize the HDMI-connection (disconnect and connect again, change input source and back to ATV2 etc.). Sorry but that's all.

Possible fix?

I tried the "switch to PC Mode and plug into HDMI 3" suggestion again last night and I didnt get a green screen. That didnt work last week and it was still set up like that but this time when I turned on the Apple TV I installed the new iOS 4.2 (4.1) update. Then I left the unit on and checked it several times during the evening. It stayed normal for at least 4 hours. Usually it shows the problem after about an hour to two hours.

Now the big caveat is that I wasnt able to sit down and stream a full movie last night and I had to keep switching channels away from the Apple TV, but in the past the green screen has always shown up doing exactly what I did last night. I cant guarantee its a fix but it's the first promising sign I've seen and I think its worth trying if you are lucky enough to have 3 HDMI ports and PC Mode.

I'll rent a movie over the weekend and let you know how it goes.

Sorry to dissapoint.
I tried it to. PC Mode on HDMI 3.
I can conclude the following.

The problem still occurs.
However, after the screen goes green it only lasts a couple of minutes then switches back again. I had it on for serveral hours last night and it must have occured 2 - 3 times in total, but always fixed itself after a couple of minutes. I just paused the movie, waited, and continued viewing after the switch. If waiting the couple of minutes is too much just change the input to another input source then back to HDMI 3 again, seemed to work for me as well.

To conclude:
For me this is just a temporary workaround until a fix, by apple or philips, is released. It is by no means an acceptable solution but will suffice in that it won't go back right away! I will be patient for a while longer.

Ah, well that would explain why I didnt notice the problem. If it fixes itself I probably missed the times when it was green. Oh well, back to waiting for a fix from Apple. I'll be stream a movie anyway at the weekend and see how long it lasts.

I don't like being pessimistic about this but on my Philips the issue has repaired itself all the time, before and after the update. The time it took varied in the same way in which it occurred, sometimes 2 minutes, sometimes 30 minutes. As I wrote earlier, my ATV2 went back to Apple but I will follow your trials with interest and certainly buy a new one if a fix comes around.

I work from home, and ATV2 is on all day in the background. Every time the screen changes, it catches my eye.

It really is very random. I have watched 2.5 hour movies without interruption, other times I have given up because it is just to frequent and annoying. Flipping AV channels is the quickest cure, but always includes several key presses and seconds of delay.

I really cannot see any patterns. Most times it fixes itself v quickly, other times not.

Most of my movies are ripped using handbrake, but the problem also happens when looking at photos, or idling with the screensaver. it looks like a hardware, or hopefully firmware bug independent of the content. I wonder if Sony and Philips use the same Hdmi input device?

i have look at the "teardown" on the net, and cannot identify an HDMI chip unfortunately. We just have to wait and see.

I may have to fire up the old ATV.

Sony bravia kdl32bx400 (latest software) - ATV2 (latest software)

Got the problem of hdmi handshake, fixed (seems to be) plugging ATV2 in hdmi 2 slot (not on the back of tv but on the left side), resettet the ATV2 ( down+menu) and now is working correctly since 4-5 hours... finger crossed! Hope that it will be useful for some of you

Just tried it on my Bravia KDL26.

Problem came back after 10 mins.

Wela, I hope you are correct, but don't be surprised if it happens. I went for a similar time when I introduced an HDMI splitter in the line, I informed the forum just before it went wrong again. Good luck

On my Sony Bravia is working good now

You were right.... Same problem after about 6 hours