Denon AVR-2310 & SkyHD HDCP / HDMI handshake problem

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Denon AVR-2310 & SkyHD HDCP / HDMI handshake

I have a problem with my Denon AVR-2310 when changing channels on SkyHD. When changing certain channels, my screen shows blank for about 5 seconds before the channel finally shows. This is a known HDCP / HDMI handshake issue.

Please note this never happened with my previous Sony AV Receiver but as soon as I upgraded to the Denon AVR-2310, it started happening. So the issue is with the Denon AVR-2310 or the SkyHD box. I have not done a firmware update for my Denon. My SkyHD is on the latest firmware.

The temporary solution I've read about is to use the HDMI 1 or 2 inputs as apparently the circuitry is more direct and it resolves the issue. I've tried using HDMI 2 and the issue remained which puts paid to the theory that HDMI 1 & 2 are on a different circuit board. I'll try HDMI 1 in the meantime.

I see that Denon have a firmware update on their site, dated 21 April 2010 but the change log doesn't seem to have anything specifically referring to this issue.

My questions are:
1. Does this firmware update resolve the HDCP / HDMI handshake issue with SkyHD?
2. Is there any other known fix for this issue or is it still unresolved by Denon?
3. Does a firmware update on the Denon AVR-2310 wipe out all the settings?
3a. If so, can the settings be backed up and then restored?

Thanks in advance to all answers!

 

[Jammoe]

Don't know about any firmware update issue, but you have a few options instead of firmware update (i speak from experience with my 2309):

1. Plug HDMI from Sky directly into your TV. (You'll probably have optical / coax into the Denon for 5.1 audio anyway, so this doesn't cause any issues other than an extra cable).

2. Try HDMI input one (as you mention in your post).

3. Change the output resolution on the Sky box. I've read conflicting reports about whether Auto or 1080i is the one to choose to resolve this problem, but i get no issues with mine set to 1080i.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Jammoe

Thanks for the reply. Suggestion 1 isn't ideal, I like everything going into the amp and being to switch quickly between PS3 or Blu Ray or Sky etc.

Suggestion 3 is an idea, I'll try it and post back on here if it works.

UPDATE!!! I've just spotted a pattern - this 5 second blank screen is appearing when I switch from a non HD channel to an HD channel on my SkyHD box, and vice versa. Thus it happens when I change from:

312 to 313

314 to 315

329 to 332

343 to 345

If anyone has an idea for a fix, please let me know. Please note this issue did not happen with my previous amp, a Sony STR-DA1200ES which was set up in exactly the same way (HDMI etc). The key difference between this amp (and my reason for upgrade) was that it couldn't decode Dolby TruHD / DTS HD sound though this shouldn't make a difference as SkyHD doesn't broadcast HD sound.

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hfc-amplifier/str-da1200es#pageType=TechnicalSpecs

 

[scene]

Hi miggyboys, and welcome to the forums

One question for you, is your Sky HD box always doing the upscaling, or have you got it set to auto. If the former, then it's the upscaler on the Sky HD box kicking in that's causing the delay. If the latter, then you are going to have a delay while the Sky box and Denon negotiate over HDMI (with HDCP delays - ho hum) what they're capabilities are...

 

[Anonymous]

And the prize goes to the man who looks like a sheep?! Scene, I'd just tested what you suggested and you're right, it's the 'auto' option / upscaling in the SkyHD causing the delay! Many thanks for spotting this!!!

(For those not familar or reading this in the future, the menu location on the SkyHD box Scene is referring to is: Settings/Picture/HD Resolution Output).

So, my SkyHD box was set to 'Auto'. As soon as I changed this to '1080i', the delays stopped. Now my predicament is that I really wanted my Denon AVR-2310 to do the upscaling as it's got superior upscaling capababilities to the SkyHD box. Looks like I'm not going to be able to that....

Still, the delay was very annoying and I'm pleased that it's gone...! Three cheers to Scene, hip hip, hooray.....

 

[scene]

Glad to be of assistance.

 

[micks_address]

by changing from 'auto' setting everything is automatically output in widescreen.. this is fine for 75% of channels.. but some kids channels and music channels look naff.. some also say you get a better picture on SD channels on the 'auto' setting.. i wouldnt say its a 5 second delay on my tv.. more like 2 seconds.. but it is annoying! i also get a green screen for a second when switching between sd/hd channels..

cheers,

mick

miggyboys:

And the prize goes to the man who looks like a sheep?! Scene, I'd just tested what you suggested and you're right, it's the 'auto' option / upscaling in the SkyHD causing the delay! Many thanks for spotting this!!!

(For those not familar or reading this in the future, the menu location on the SkyHD box Scene is referring to is: Settings/Picture/HD Resolution Output).

So, my SkyHD box was set to 'Auto'. As soon as I changed this to '1080i', the delays stopped. Now my predicament is that I really wanted my Denon AVR-2310 to do the upscaling as it's got superior upscaling capababilities to the SkyHD box. Looks like I'm not going to be able to that....

Still, the delay was very annoying and I'm pleased that it's gone...! Three cheers to Scene, hip hip, hooray.....

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Scene / micks_address

I did notice that the SD output was definitely worse, so I've reverted to the original settings after all this - however, at least I know the reason for the delay in switching between SD and HD channels. I also hate 4:3 material being stretched to 16:9 so things aren't perfect at the moment. My old Sony STR-DA1200ES AV Receiver ensured that 4:3 remained 4:3 on screen and 16:9 displayed as 16:9. I've only had the Denon for a month so I've yet to find the optimum settings for things like this but I'll get there!

I'm going to experiment and try find a fix for this by playing with various settings. I'm not sure where the delay is occuring - is it possible that the delay could be occuring between either:

(a) The SkyHD (Amstrad DRX890) and the Denon AVR-2310

or

(b) The Denon AVR-2310 and my Sharp LC-42XD1EA (LCD).

???? Any thoughts on this anyone?

I'm going to see if there is a way the Denon AVR-2310 can react without delay to the video signal output by the SkyHD box, whether SD or HD, and I'm also going to see if my Sharp LCD has any incorrect settings that are causing a delay (i.e. It's expecting a SD or HD signal).

Miggyboys

 

[scene]

Can't remember if you said, but try plugging the Sky box directly to the Sharp and see if you still get the delay. Just to be sure, try both hdmi cables, to rule out a dodgy cable.

 

[micks_address]

i have my sky hd box now directly to the tv using hdmi.. and co ax to the receiver.. there's still a delay when switching between hd and sd channels but the green flash i used to get is now gone.. i guess the tv just needs a second to resync to the new resolution..

miggyboys:

Hi Scene / micks_address

I did notice that the SD output was definitely worse, so I've reverted to the original settings after all this - however, at least I know the reason for the delay in switching between SD and HD channels. I also hate 4:3 material being stretched to 16:9 so things aren't perfect at the moment. My old Sony STR-DA1200ES AV Receiver ensured that 4:3 remained 4:3 on screen and 16:9 displayed as 16:9. I've only had the Denon for a month so I've yet to find the optimum settings for things like this but I'll get there!

I'm going to experiment and try find a fix for this by playing with various settings. I'm not sure where the delay is occuring - is it possible that the delay could be occuring between either:

(a) The SkyHD (Amstrad DRX890) and the Denon AVR-2310

or

(b) The Denon AVR-2310 and my Sharp LC-42XD1EA (LCD).

???? Any thoughts on this anyone?

I'm going to see if there is a way the Denon AVR-2310 can react without delay to the video signal output by the SkyHD box, whether SD or HD, and I'm also going to see if my Sharp LCD has any incorrect settings that are causing a delay (i.e. It's expecting a SD or HD signal).

Miggyboys

 

[Anonymous]

Update on HDMI socket 1 - it doesn't make a difference, there is still a delay when changing from SD to HD. My understand is HDMI socket 1 & 2 are on a different circuit to 3/4/5 which may be the case but there is still a delay.

Last thing to try is a firmware upgrade which I'll reluctantly do. I'll post on here whether it fixed this issue or not.

 

[The_Lhc]

miggyboys:Update on HDMI socket 1 - it doesn't make a difference, there is still a delay when changing from SD to HD. My understand is HDMI socket 1 & 2 are on a different circuit to 3/4/5 which may be the case but there is still a delay.

Last thing to try is a firmware upgrade which I'll reluctantly do. I'll post on here whether it fixed this issue or not.

It's not going to fix it, I can't believe you're still expecting it to, this has been discussed so many times on here. If the Sky box is set to auto there will ALWAYS be a delay when switching from HD to SD and back again, it happens with my Sky box and that's plugged straight into my TV. Granted 5 seconds might be a little longer than most (if it is actually that long) but the behaviour itself *is completely normal*.

 

[j4mm3r]

I have my sky hd box connected to my denon 2310 and there is a delay switching from hd to sd but i would say its five seconds and ive never found it annoying, i have sky set to auto too.

If you havent read it before there is a good guide on the denon setup here:

http://batpigworld.com/index.html

not that it will solve your problem but its a really useful guide as denons instructions arent the best.....

 

[Anonymous]

the_lhc and j4mm3r, thanks for the replies. Batpig's guide is not bad but I was able to set up via the Denon manual.... I suppose I'll have to live with this delay. It would be nice if Denon or Sky got their act together and sorted this out SD/HD handshake out. What's the point of HDMI with its 'single cable for all' and seamless connection if it can't talk from one device to another quickly and without delay?

 

[morg8339]

I have a similar problem with my AVR 2310ci, but it is with my samsung blu ray player. As I'm playing any disc (blu ray or dvd) I get an occational flash for time to time. I know it's not the discs, it will flash with player's main menu displayed or with the player's screen saveris displayed. There is no flash when going straight to the tv. The other equipment such as the cable box or apple tv play fine. Is there a setting in the amp that needs to be changed? One suggestion is to change the setting in the player from auto to 1080P. Any thoughts or suggestions?