Flashing screen thru Soundbar

Question

Level 1

10 points

Flashing screen thru Soundbar

I just got the new Apple TV. Previously, with the old Apple TV, I was using the optical output to my sound bar. The new Apple TV has no optical out, so I have to run HDMI from Apple TV > Samsung sound bar (which has HDMI Mini input/output) > Sony TV. I purchased two 3' HDMI - to - HDMI Mini cables from Monoprice. This signal chain makes the screen flash from picture to green to picture about ever 1 second. The Apple TV works fine plugged direct into the TV. It only does the flashing thru the sound bar.

Do I have bad/cheap cables? Is there a hardware issue between the new Apple TV and a 3-5 year old sound bar?

Thanks in advance.

Posted on Jun 25, 2016 8:52 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 26, 2016 12:50 AM in response to Phil Mutz

IN theory it shouldn't be a problem stepping down to mini HDMI, but there is also the issue of the quality of the cable to consider. Essentially I don't think it's possible to say on the information provided where the problem lies, but there is probably more potential for the issue to be in the sound bar.

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Answer 2

Jun 26, 2016 7:18 AM in response to Phil Mutz

Your Monoprice cables should be ok. But it sounds like it might be an issue with HDCP copy protection which encrypts the audio/video stream. What is the model of your soundbar? What video resolution are you using? Could you try a lower resolution (lower data rate) and see if it helps?

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Answer 3

Jun 27, 2016 4:11 AM in response to Phil Mutz

I've a couple of suggestions. First, does your TV have an HDMI(ARC) input? If so, could you try connecting the soundbar output to it? This should make no difference, but might help. You should also enable HDMI-CEC on the TV. Second, does the TV have an optical output? If so, you could connect ATV directly to the TV, and connect optical audio to the soundbar.

By the way, I said the cables should be ok because Monoprice is a widely recommended, and used, supplier. The cables are new, so they should be high speed.

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Answer 4

Jun 27, 2016 1:56 AM in response to Diana.McCall

I'm not sure it's wise to assume the cables are OK, they may well be but there is a possibility they are standard cables rather than high speed or simply defective.

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