UMC-200 and Cisco 8742HDC DVR Problem

[apoartar]

I just received my UMC-200 to replace my UMC-1. With my Sony Blu-ray player everything works fine. However, with my Cisco 8742HDC DVR cable box (from Oceanic Time Warner Cable), things are more difficult. I’ve troubleshot the problem to an HDMI handshaking issue and I think it’s a problem with the Cisco. Basically if I’m using the Cisco, when I turn off the UMC-200, it:

1. Doesn’t go into ‘Video-On-Standby’ mode.
2. When I turn back on the UMC-200 the Cisco DVR doesn’t link up with it – until I switch the UMC-200 to a different HDMI source, then back to the original source that the Cisco DVR is connected to.

These two functions work fine if I’m using my Sony Blu-ray player. I’ve also switched all cables around and have eliminated that as a source of the problem. I’ve even switched the Cisco DVR with a second unit that I have in another room, and it has identical HDMI handshake issues. When the Cisco DVR was connected to my UMC-1 (also via HDMI) it worked fine, and when it’s connected (also via HDMI) directly to the TV (Samsung) it works fine too.

Has anyone used the UMC-200 with the Cisco 8742HDC DVR box? Or does anyone know if I may be missing something or some setting? Or should I add this to the issue list? Next I’ll be calling my cable company to see if they know anything, then Emotiva on Monday.

Thanks for any help.

- Brian

[hemster]

Hey Brian,

Please check: The 'Video-on-standby' setting needs to be enabled in the menu.

This from the manual:

The UMC-200 ships with Video On Standby disabled. To enable Video On Standby Mode,
press the Menu button (to get into the menu system), select Setup, move down to Features,
move right to Standby Video, and change the setting to On.

Here’s how Video On Standby works when you enable it: Let’s assume you are watching
(and listening to) a video source, and you switch the UMC-200 into Standby. If the video
source you were listening to remains active, the UMC-200 switches into a pass-through
mode, where that video source - with audio - is passed directly through to your TV.
(There may be a few second loss of signal as the source renegotiates HDMI parameters
with your TV.)

[apoartar]

Thanks, yes it's on and it works fine when using the Blu-ray player. It's just the Cisco DVR that seems to have a problem. In fact when I shut off the UMC-200, I can see the display on the Cisco alternating between 480i and 1080i and it displays a "2d" code at the same time. But it just does that continually and seems to never complete the handshake. Same thing when I turn the UMC-200 back on, it never finishes the handshake - but I can work-around it by selecting a different HDMI port with the UMC-200 remote, then going back to the original port that the Cisco is connected to.

[hemster]

Have you tried a different HDMI cable?

If you use a universal remote, you can program it to select a different HDMI port and back to the correct one (I know this is a workaround, but then the whole HDMI thing is one big clustermess! )

[apoartar]

Yes, I've tried 3 different cables. - Brian

[bootman]

Are the units set for auto for HDMI resolution?

[apoartar]

Apr 20, 2013 22:28:10 GMT -5 bootman said:

Are the units set for auto for HDMI resolution?

Yes, the Cisco is set to auto, but I've tried it also manually set to 1080i, with the same result. Not sure if the UMC-200 has a resolution setting?

[cwt]

Apr 20, 2013 20:55:10 GMT -5 apoartar said:

In fact when I shut off the UMC-200, I can see the display on the Cisco alternating between 480i and 1080i and it displays a "2d" code at the same time.

Looks like an edid conflict ;if auto didnt solve it set the cisco to 1080i fixed [ hopefully its scaler is good enough compared to the sammy ] and the sammy as well and see how you go .

Always a good idea to turn of CEC control in the 200 as well as everything else though this seems a different issue on the face of it

[apoartar]

Is it possible that my HDMI cables are to blame, even though they appear to work fine with other equipment? They are old (3-4 years) and I can't tell if they are 1.3 specification or 1.4.

[doc1963]

Apr 21, 2013 4:46:09 GMT -5 apoartar said:

Is it possible that my HDMI cables are to blame, even though they appear to work fine with other equipment? They are old (3-4 years) and I can't tell if they are 1.3 specification or 1.4.

Yes, it can be "possible" that a cable can be at fault even though it seems to work (or has worked) in another system.

However, before you spend money on a new cable, try this.....

Place the UMC-200 into standby (if it's not already). Unplug the HDMI cable used for your Cisco STB from the back of the UMC-200. Turn your UMC-200 off by the main power switch on the back of the unit. Wait five minutes. Plug the HDMI cable back into the UMC-200 (using the same port) and flip the main power switch back on. Turn on the UMC-200 and see if it will complete the handshake.

Hope this helps.....

[apoartar]

Apr 21, 2013 6:00:03 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

Apr 21, 2013 4:46:09 GMT -5 apoartar said:

Is it possible that my HDMI cables are to blame, even though they appear to work fine with other equipment? They are old (3-4 years) and I can't tell if they are 1.3 specification or 1.4.

Yes, it can be "possible" that a cable can be at fault even though it seems to work (or has worked) in another system.

However, before you spend money on a new cable, try this.....

Place the UMC-200 into standby (if it's not already). Unplug the HDMI cable used for your Cisco STB from the back of the UMC-200. Turn your UMC-200 off by the main power switch on the back of the unit. Wait five minutes. Plug the HDMI cable back into the UMC-200 (using the same port) and flip the main power switch back on. Turn on the UMC-200 and see if it will complete the handshake.

Hope this helps.....

Thanks, but it didn't work. I'm wondering about the cables because the Cisco box is a fairly new DVR model and am wondering if it's compatible with the old cables when there is an extra interconnect.

[dube]

I have the same problem as apoartar..... work well with the umc 1 not so good with umc2.... cisco dvr 8640 my second box same thing,blu-ray oppo bd 103 works perfect.. changing hdmi cables no difference, played with setting on cable box to auto and just 1080i still no lock on signal ....Hopefully the new firmware will fix this...

[Gary Cook]

I had similar lock on problems with my HD cable box, following advice from Emotiva Technical I swapped from HDMI to toslink for audio (still HDMI for video) and no problem whatsoever. So it appears to me to be a HDCP issue with the updated (current) copy right protection standard. I changed the audio on HDM 1 to optical so it's still one button push (audio & video) for high WAF.

Cheers
Gary

[doc1963]

Hmmm..... Well guys, unfortunately this is sounding exactly like the issue that I had between my former UMC-1 and my FIOS Motorola HD STB (QIP7100-2).

Regardless of the numerous firmware updates to the UMC-1, my STB refused to complete a sync. Just an endless loop of flashes. I gave up on it, ignored that it existed and watched normal TV programming in the living room. The STB in the HT just sat there... ;D

It wasn't until Verizon announced a MAJOR update that would include firmware revisions to customers' hardware (read Motorola) that I would attempt to give it another go.

Well, low and behold, after the Motorola supplied firmware update was "pushed down" along with the new Verizon interface, it worked beautifully. And... It does, as well, with my UMC-200.

It's unfortunate that nearly every "issue" that I read regarding the UMC-1 or the UMC-200 involves a DVR or set-top cable box.....

[creimes]

Easy fix is using Component Video cables and a digital coax or optical cable for the sound, my TV service is only 720p so if you don't need 1080p then that is an easy option, no handshaking needed.

[AudioHTIT]

Apr 22, 2013 23:28:56 GMT -5 creimes said:

Easy fix is using Component Video cables and a digital coax or optical cable for the sound, my TV service is only 720p so if you don't need 1080p then that is an easy option, no handshaking needed.

Except no component on the UMC-200.

My UMC-1 doesn't even like component from my Dish DVR.

[apoartar]

Apr 22, 2013 18:43:27 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

I had similar lock on problems with my HD cable box, following advice from Emotiva Technical I swapped from HDMI to toslink for audio (still HDMI for video) and no problem whatsoever. So it appears to me to be a HDCP issue with the updated (current) copy right protection standard. I changed the audio on HDM 1 to optical so it's still one button push (audio & video) for high WAF.

Cheers
Gary

Thanks for the info, does the ‘Video-On-Standby’ still work with your configuration? That's the feature that I'd love to get working properly with the Cisco DVR box.

[apoartar]

Apr 22, 2013 22:45:55 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

Hmmm..... Well guys, unfortunately this is sounding exactly like the issue that I had between my former UMC-1 and my FIOS Motorola HD STB (QIP7100-2).

Regardless of the numerous firmware updates to the UMC-1, my STB refused to complete a sync. Just an endless loop of flashes. I gave up on it, ignored that it existed and watched normal TV programming in the living room. The STB in the HT just sat there... ;D

It wasn't until Verizon announced a MAJOR update that would include firmware revisions to customers' hardware (read Motorola) that I would attempt to give it another go.

Well, low and behold, after the Motorola supplied firmware update was "pushed down" along with the new Verizon interface, it worked beautifully. And... It does, as well, with my UMC-200.

It's unfortunate that nearly every "issue" that I read regarding the UMC-1 or the UMC-200 involves a DVR or set-top cable box.....

In doing various tests I've actually gotten the Cisco DVR box to sort of work for the ‘Video-On-Standby’ mode in one scenario. When it's on and using the UMC-200 for video and audio through the HDMI cable (this works but you have to switch to another HDMI port first, then back to the one that the Cisco box is connected to) - so when it's connected and working, if you go into the Emotivia UMC-200 Menu, select Setup, then Features, you can select to pass the audio directly to the TV. So when you do this the audio goes to the TV, as it should, and the video still works. Then when you shut the Emotiva off, with no delay whatsoever (so it doesn't do a re-handshake at this point), it just stays right on playing from the TV with the Emotiva in standby. So, at this point the ‘Video-On-Standby’ works. However, it doesn't 'stick', if you change channels on the Cisco DVR a few times, it looses the HDMI connection and starts cycling through the handshake process and never finishes. Also, if you don't switch channels, but just shut the TV and Cisco DVR box off, then turn the TV/Cisco box on again, it doesn't handshake again.

[bootman]

Is the Cisco set to output 1080i only?

There was a known bug in the unit that caused it to set itself to 480p regardless of settings when powered down.

Also check the audio settings.
Try using PCM instead of dolby and see if that stabilizes the box.
If it does you can get your surround info back by using Pllz on the umc.

[solidstate]

Call your provider and make sure your STB has the latest firmware.

Actually I bet money it took an update but you need to do a master/factory reset on the unit for the new firmware to take properly.

1. Switch the STB off by pressing the "Power" button. This is located in the top left hand corner of the unit, and is oval-shaped. Wait 5 seconds with the unit powered down, but still plugged in.

2. Unplug the HD8300 and wait another 5 seconds. The HD8300 still functions while the plug is in, so the plug must be pulled out for a full reboot.

3. Press and hold the "Power" button. Plug the HD8300's plug back into the wall socket while the button is being held.

4. Wait 15 seconds, or until "Boot" is displayed on the HD8300's display screen. This indicates that the unit had been rebooted.


You could also reformat the HD and perhaps clear the NVRAM but you will have to have the unit reprovisioned.

Use your remote control and:
1. Power off (don't unplug, just push the power button so that it's off)
2. Push A
3. Push B
4. Push C
5. Push SETTINGS
6. Push POWER
That turns it on again. Then
7. Push SETTINGS
8. Navigate to the left once by pushing the left button once (it's the button to the left of the SELECT button)
You should see FIELD TOOLS now.

Select FIELD TOOLS and you'll get a menu that allows you to:
1. Reset NV RAM
2. Reformat Hard Drive
3. Display Diagnostics
4. Reload Catalogs
5. Clear NV RAM
6. Save Settings
7. Restore Settings

What I generally do with screwy STBs that have taken a series of firmware hits but never been reset is do a factory reset, format the HD, then another factory reset. I've seen many many screwy STBs start to work properly by doing this.

You can also access the diagnostics menu by holding down select for greater than 15 seconds then pressing the up arrow.

Hope this helps.