Operating System HTPC + HDMI + Win7 and its many issues... (1 Viewer)

Golfimbul

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OK I was able to replicate the problem. Basically if the HTPC starts up before the Denon 2113, I'll get the problem. The devcon fix worked but it's cumbersome and the wife will not like it. I created a bat file but couldn't run it as administrator. So I created a shortcut to the bat file so I could select "Run as administrator". I'm still on windows media center so then I looked for a program to add a link to the BAT file in media center. But they all just linked directly to where the shortcut was pointing which bypassed the "run as administrator"

So then I created a BAT file to launch the shortcut to the BAT file I wanted to run as an administrator. Works when I launch it but not when it's launched from media center.

So I've placed an order for a Dr HDMI hahaha

I can't wait to give media portal a whirl. It having native bluray support built in is the tipping point for me to finally give it a try after all my years on windows media center. HOpefully it's kind to me!
 

kiwijunglist

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    If you are able to create .bat files you should cope with the slightly complicated (in comparison to MCE) MePo setup. with regards to your .bat file you can actually pass commands directly to devcon using the windows shortcut, then properties to make devcon always run as admin.
     

    Scythe42

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    Doesn't work for me. After switching off TV music still stops. After switching on again and trying to play music MP crashes. Logfiles attached.

    This is a DirectShow issue. HDMI is an external audio renderer. It gets removed when you turn off connected devices. MP does not properly handle this at the moment during playback. What is crashing here is the DirectShow graph and it takes MP down with it as information is still pumped to the not connected audio renderer anymore.

    You can force this with nearly EVERY player out on the market that uses DirectShow. Only a few actually have some decent DirectShow managemnt. What does not use direct show is not affected. DirectSHow itself is not developed any further by MS, therefore no additional treatment for specific issues that came up with HDMI were introduced, like dynamically sending streams to /dev/null if an audio renderer is gone. Media Foundation is a bit better here, but lacks proper codec support and will so for many years to come.

    There is an option to "stop playback on loss of audio renderer" that should help some people but not in all scenarios. Some devices (they ones 4+ years old especially) have very often very bad HMDI implementation. With recent devices there should be zero problems on the hardware front as manufacturers have decent code now from their middleware providers / updated SOCs they use in case they do not provide their own software at all. Naturally they do not put out firmwares for older devices as soon as a new model comes out. But we all know that. So the fixes only came in with newer devices over a couple of generations. The device manufacturers are just terrible on the software front.

    What helps with such hardware are decent HDMI switchboxes. Stuff like a DVDO Edge, Dr. HDMI or what ever. These are just taking over the HDMI handshake part and correct what other devices are doing wrong. Such problem on a firmware level cannot be solved the on Windows side. So often, finding some order how to turn on devices might help. But the root cause is bad implementation of HDMI handshakes in the device itself.

    The crashing can be prevented on the MP side but firmware issues cannot. There is no way in Windows to hook yourself into the HDMI handshake sequence and correct issues or override it. This could be done by the GPU drivers, but they don't do it. Their standpoint is fully understandable. Sad, but you cannot expect AMD for example to deal with issue of an Onkyo receiver or an LG display or Philips settop box.

    But this needs to be solved inside the DirectShow code that when an "error" occurs playback is stopped as it cannot continue. If it is resumed later automatically, rebuilding the graph without an audio renderer or whatever is a different thing. But the error handling of the graph needs to be added.

    PS: LOAD "WINDOWS",8,1 - I love this meme at the moment for obvious reasons.
     
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    Golfimbul

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    I'm still not sure if this is an issue in Windows 8 or not... Anyone know?

    From that last reply it sounds like there's nothing windows can do? Couldn't it renegotiate the handshake everytime it comes out of resume though (like it does with a restart)?
     
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    Golfimbul

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    So I've placed an order for a Dr HDMI hahaha


    Bugger, Dr HDMI didn't work. I have it plugged in to USB power (through the HTPCs back port) and it stays lit up even when the HTPC is asleep. I pressed the learn EDID number and set it to bank 8.

    If the HTPC wakes and the AVR (Denon 2113) is asleep, the Denon still displays "Stereo" (instead of "7.1 Multichannel") and I get no audio at all.

    Any ideas???
     

    kiwijunglist

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    If it's anything like gefen.
    USB is for power only when programming. So unplug it.
    Plug it into htpc not receiver.
    It sends edid to htpc so don't expect the receiver to show anything different.
    It creates a virtual always connected display and audio for the htpc.
     
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    Golfimbul

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    I think it's different. If the Dr HDMI doesn't stay lit up, it is not getting enough juice from the HDMI port and so it should be plugged in for USB power to supplement it.

    At least that's my understanding

    Plug it into htpc not receiver.

    It plugs into both. HTPC -> (input) Dr HDMI (output) -> Denon 2113. It learns the Denon EDID, THEN you plug in the input. According to the online instructions anyway
    http://www.vidabox.com/wiki/index.p...w_to_Learn_a_new_EDID_onto_the_Doctor_HDMI.3F
     

    kiwijunglist

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    Yes, that is correct, you plug it into HTPC, it sits between HTPC and receiver

    If the HTPC wakes and the AVR (Denon 2113) is asleep, the Denon still displays "Stereo" (instead of "7.1 Multichannel") and I get no audio at all.

    I think you wrote this wrong, because if the AVR is asleep it should not display anything at all. With the Dr HDMI the HTPC can still do a EDID handshake with the spoofed AVR. I'd try using preset #1 first and see if you can get that working, as it will eliminate a possible error that you didn't learn the EDID correctly (ofc this will limit you to 5.1 for the time being). With gefen detective it only needed power to learn the EDID code, after it was set it didn't require power anymore.

    Also before all that you should try it without the usb connected (if you havn't already)[DOUBLEPOST=1373872975][/DOUBLEPOST]
    If the Dr HDMI doesn't stay lit up, it is not getting enough juice from the HDMI port and so it should be plugged in for USB power to supplement it.

    I may of missed it but it doesn't say this in the instructions you linked, it only mentions using the USB for custom EDID programming over the USB and updating the firmware.
     
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