KeithL
Administrator
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Post by KeithL on Jul 12, 2018 9:55:21 GMT -5
As you all no-doubt know by now, we just recently released the new HDMI 2.0b ("v3 HDMI board") for the XMC-1. And, if you're a DirecTV user, you probably already know that we've encountered a few annoying issues specific to DirecTV. When we developed the new board, it was designed, tested, and certified to the standards. However, in the real world, a lot of equipment doesn't follow the standards exactly.
Unfortunately, since we hadn't specifically tested the new board with DirecTV, some of our customers who use DirecTV discovered a few issues we hadn't anticipated. We are currently in the process of getting a DirecTV 4k installation here at Emotiva... and hope to have all these issues resolved very soon. Because the issues with DirecTV are somewhat complicated, and are unique to DirecTV users, we've decided to create a specific thread here JUST FOR DIRECTV USERS WITH THE NEW HDMI 2.0b BOARD.
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 9,941
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Post by KeithL on Jul 12, 2018 10:52:37 GMT -5
What We Think We Know So Far
Many of our users who have DirecTV seem to be having issues specifically with the 4k service and the new 4k HDMI 2.0b video board. This seems to be related to the fact that DirecTV is NOT providing a standard 4k video feed.
From the information we've gathered to far, this seems to be the situation....
- Users who are receiving DirecTV 4k via a 4k Genie Mini seem to be having few if any problems.
- Users who are receiving DirecTV 4k in their main zone - with a compatible TV connected to it (but no Genie Mini) seem to be having issues. (Their service works when the box is connected directly to the TV - but not when connected through the XMC-1.)
According to the equipment summary provided on DirecTV's website, DirecTV 4k service requires both a Genie box and a 4k Genie Mini box.
However, there seem to be other options, including a connection that may require only a compatible TV.
DirecTV also seems to now be encouraging new subscribers to use a "wireless base station box" and "Genie Mini boxes" for each TV. (This seems to be quite different than the equipment many current users have.)
Therefore, for those of you who are having issues, we would very much like to know EXACTLY what boxes and/or connections you have. We would also like to know what TV you have, and whether it is a "DirecTV compatible 4k TV or not". Rest assured that we will get this sorted out... but clearly there are a LOT of options, so we have a lot of information to collect in order to do so.
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Post by melm on Jul 12, 2018 11:35:42 GMT -5
DirecTV 4K worked fine until the XMC was in the chain. DirecTV is pretty flaky on its own, and I sympathize with 3rd parties working with these guys. That being said, with the great number of Emotiva owners who are on DirecTV, it's surprising you guys never tested your board with their service.
One other point. plugging my DirecTV receiver directly into my LG OLED TV often resulted in HDCP errors, and their box failing to connect and giving me an error that I did not have proper cables. DirecTVs incredibly dumb response was to pull my HDMI cable out and plug it in again. This has been a problem for them for years, with many customers. Altho I don't get 4K DirecTVrunning through the XMC-1, those HDCP errors have vanished... so the Emotiva board is doing something right in that regard.
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Post by Percussionista on Jul 12, 2018 13:58:56 GMT -5
Well... I don't have an XMC-1, I'm using an MC-700. The DirectTV service is new, only in the past few weeks, and I haven't done much experimenting yet. The feed from the Genie does go to the MC700 and then to the TV (Sony 900f series). Usually things are fine, but occasionally things get stuck, apparently a synch issue, so by simply changing inputs on the MC700 and back to the DirectTV input, all works again.
The only 4K program I happened to have caught was a cooking show, and the video was maybe "soft HD", not too impressive (using input 1 or 2 on the 700). All of the cables being used should be 4K compatible. Still haven't finished the surround installation yet either, we're still "unpacking" and such.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Jul 12, 2018 19:01:05 GMT -5
I have DirecTV, and it accounts for probably 90% of my XMC-1 use. Equipment: -- Genie 2 (the 4K headless server) Also known as HS17 -- A 4K client (C61K)
4K works perfectly if I connect directly to my LG TV, which supports HLG HDR. I have a 4k certified high speed HDMI cable, and have zero HDCP errors when connecting directly to my TV.
The 4K client works perfectly through the XMC-1 if I stay away from the 4K HLG HDR channels (104, 105, 106).
If I put on 104, 105, or 106, I get a black screen and audio cuts out.
All other sources work A-OK.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Jul 12, 2018 19:04:56 GMT -5
Keep in mind that "Genie" does not indicate 4k capable. The HS17 (the headless genie, known as Genie 2) is 4k capable. Some older Genies (their term for "server") are not 4k capable. Here is a good overview of the HS17/Genie 2: forums.solidsignal.com/docs/Hands%20on%20HS17.pdfIn fact, the people at Solid Signal are experts at DirecTV, and I'm betting they'd help Emotiva if needed.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Jul 12, 2018 19:09:07 GMT -5
PS - Thank you, Emotiva
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs
"We made too many of the wrong mistakes." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 4,906
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Post by cawgijoe on Jul 12, 2018 21:53:00 GMT -5
I have the HR44 also called a Genie. I have not moved to Directv 4k yet. That would require the Genie 2 server or an HR54.
Directv is working fine for except for one issue.
I’m using Video on a Standby. If the XMC-1 is fully powered on and I’m using surround sound, all is well. If I turn everthing off and then come back later and turn on the HR44 and Samsung JS850D, the audio does not work. This is just using the TV speakers. To get sound, I have to toggle to another input on the XMC-1 and then back to DTV. The sound will then come back.
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Post by darien87 on Jul 13, 2018 9:47:49 GMT -5
I have DirecTV but do not have a 4k TV nor the new XMC video board............... yet. Not looking forward to the inevitable headaches.
DirecTV sucks but at least they're not complete criminals like DISH. Don't even get me started on my experience with them. Ended up taking those bastards to court.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Jul 13, 2018 16:18:32 GMT -5
darien87 - you'll have no issues. The only problems are with the HLG HDR telecasts.
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Post by JNieves on Jul 14, 2018 11:34:04 GMT -5
Would like to clarify my vote: My DirecTV service is working fine because I have my Genie Mini (C-61K) connected directly to my TV (that's another of my votes) - I am waiting until the new board passes DirecTV 4k HLG to run the Genie Mini through the XMC-1.
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Post by JNieves on Jul 14, 2018 12:02:50 GMT -5
From the information we've gathered to far, this seems to be the situation.... - Users who are receiving DirecTV 4k via a 4k Genie Mini seem to be having few if any problems. - Users who are receiving DirecTV 4k in their main zone - with a compatible TV connected to it (but no Genie Mini) seem to be having issues. (Their service works when the box is connected directly to the TV - but not when connected through the XMC-1.) I don't think this can be the case - the HD Genie main receiver (HR-54) has no 4k output of its own - you can get 4k through the Genie Mini connected to the main receiver but not by directly connecting your TV to the main zone receiver. The people getting 4k via a 4k Genie Mini are the ones having issues when they try to connect their Minis through the XMC-1. The people connecting to their main zone receivers aren't getting 4k at all, and thus should be having no problems. The new server (HS-17) mentioned above doesn't seem to have outputs of its own so the above will likely apply.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Jul 14, 2018 14:13:19 GMT -5
Correct - the HS17 is headless and you can only watch TV with a client. Again - check this PDF for details on the DirecTV HS17 headless server: HS17 InfoI hooked up my C61K 4K client to my XMC-1 again today. Works perfectly except for the 3 4k HLG HDR channels (as expected). I hadn't checked since the first day I installed the new video card in the XMC-1.
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Post by rswood on Jul 14, 2018 17:30:26 GMT -5
I have a 4K Mini that worked fine for 4K HDR when connected directly to my LG C8. when I installed the new HDMI board i get black screen. if i go into my TV and de-select 4K i can watch channel 104 in 1080P HDR, it is slightly less detailed than 4K but at least the HDR is working.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Jul 14, 2018 17:45:01 GMT -5
Stop the presses! I just hooked up my C61K client to the XMC-1 for the first time since the day I installed the board, and before I installed 5.1a. It works perfectly! The picture is 4k HLG HDR, and the XMC-1 is reporting HLG on the info screen. My LG TV is also flashing the HLG HDR popup! This is the cable I'm using: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SI1J98W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1PS. I’ve been watching The Rolling Stones in Cuba on DirecTV 4K HLG HDR tonight. Bloody awesome! Amazing audio AND video being produced from my XMC-1!,
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Post by melm on Jul 15, 2018 19:35:15 GMT -5
It's unclear where your new cables went. From DirecTV box to the XMC? Or from the XMC to your LG?
Thanks
Mel
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Post by phenomenhan on Jul 15, 2018 22:50:47 GMT -5
I also have a Genie HS17/CK61 going into my LG OLED B6. Worked perfectly before going thru the new XMC1. Been bugging me all weekend. Now if I go to channels 104, 105, 106, I get a black screen and the picture doesn't come back even if I change to any non-4K channel. I have to shut everything off and on again for the picture to come back on.
I get no sound or picture with my Samsung 4K player K8500) going thru the XMC1.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Jul 16, 2018 6:01:06 GMT -5
melm - the cable went from the C61K to the XMC-1. phenomenhan - is your XMC-1 running 5.1a?
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Post by melm on Jul 16, 2018 8:09:47 GMT -5
melm - the cable went from the C61K to the XMC-1. phenomenhan - is your XMC-1 running 5.1a? Is the C61K your LG OLED?
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Post by phenomenhan on Jul 16, 2018 8:46:45 GMT -5
melm - the cable went from the C61K to the XMC-1. phenomenhan - is your XMC-1 running 5.1a? Wilbur, We received a brand new XMC-1 (with the new 2.0b board) this past weekend. The firmware is at 5.1 18/6/21. I do not see an 'a'. Does that mean it needs updating?
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