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    #Help #HDMI #Media Player

    Non-GT.ru Technical Stuff
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    • groovedware
      groovedware last edited by

      I recently made the plunge into making my TV smarter by purchasing a Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player (2nd gen) off craigslist on the cheap.

      After a few starts and stops with the occasional misfire I not only got it working I also figured out which file formats it prefers.

      The help is now it doesn't want to connect via HDMI input & I am sort of stumped as to what the issue is or even how to look up the issue.

      What happens is I follow all the steps and the Western Digital splash screen shows up on the TV (so they are connected) but then the TV just goes back to the HDMI waiting for input screen (don't know the technical term but it doesn't see the player).  This is how it worked before but after the splash I would get a menu screen & be able to play videos.

      I can still get the player to display with the component connection but I also now see the difference in quality.

      Any input would be appreciated.

      "Look at me don't look at me beep beep"

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      • groovedware
        groovedware last edited by

        TL:DR  How do I jiggle the HDMI connection?

        "Look at me don't look at me beep beep"

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        • N
          nmd Banned last edited by

          Well a quick Google found me the owners manual in PDF, in which I found the following:

          Auto source function enables the HD media player to detect and switch to a new interface connection. For example, the HD media player automatically switches to HD mode when it is connected through an HDMI cable.

          source: http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/UM/ENG/4779-705025.pdf

          My guess is that you have both sets of cables connected at once and this is confusing for it or your TV or both.  Try only using HDMI and see how that goes.

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          • MrMazda
            MrMazda Global Moderator last edited by

            @nmd:

            My guess is that you have both sets of cables connected at once and this is confusing for it or your TV or both.  Try only using HDMI and see how that goes.

            This is quite possible… There is also another possibility as well. I know that when my WDTV box once did this, the solution I fould was to do a hardware reset with the reset switch on the back of the box. It was a little bit of a pain to get it going again after that, but if it's not the issue as mentioned above, this may be worth a shot.

            Whap The User
            The only difference between martyrdom and suicide is press coverage!

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            • groovedware
              groovedware last edited by

              Thank you nmd & MrMazda both very much.  I have an "in" with the fellow at the North Pole & there will be something extra for both of you when he cums in you, I mean comes to town this year.   :cheesy2:

              I will agree that having both set of cables connected at the same time could be confusing, although one of the times I was sucessful in getting HDMI connection to work was when I plugged in the componet connection while the HDMI was plugged in.  Like it kick started something (that only worked the one time though or I forget something else I did).

              I have had the most success with unplugging the power outlet of both the tv and the box, then insuring the tv is set to HDMI before plugging the box back in.

              This worked for me earlier today and after turning everything off, going out for lunch and then coming back it continues to work.  Component audio is plugged in (to the amp) but not video.  Everytime I have had it work I have used the component audio while watching the HDMI because I prefer the sound coming from the stereo as opposed to from the television's rinky dink speakers.  Which suggests it possibly isn't inner confusion (like it's owner suffers from).

              I know the hardware reset is an option but I consider that the 'suicide option' when I completely exhaust all other possibilities.  If the thing hadn't worked this morning I would have either tried that or hit that drunk cunt on the street that woke me with her belly aching with the gadget.

              I have taken heart in the fact that there is a rather large online community devoted to these early WDTV boxes, something to do with the ability to hack the firmware updates that isn't possible with the newer ones.  http://b-rad.cc/

              I have the last official firmware update from Western Digital installed (came with) and have debated trying the b-rad firmware update.  Also have read that it is possible to make this version wireless with one of those little USB do dads which if I figure out how to make work consistently will be my next adventure.  When I bought it I was more than okay with it not being wireless, up until this year I was on more than one time quoted saying "I want the wires, give me wires" but now with the tablets forcing me to go wireless I wonder why I resisted so long.

              Again thank you both.  As well, MrMazda which WDTV box do you have?  Still use?

              "Look at me don't look at me beep beep"

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              • groovedware
                groovedware last edited by

                Addendum:

                Got mine for $35 which seems like a steal, I saw an ad on craigslist for the exact same model as mine for sale in another city for $180 (which isn't to say it sells for that amount).  This is how I found out the early models of a large fanbase.  Regularly selling on Amazon for over $100.

                "Look at me don't look at me beep beep"

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                • N
                  nmd Banned last edited by

                  The stupid shit I think about when I am not at a computer.  😉  If it was me designing this thing, I'd have it remember what it last used successfully and have it default to that when it first powers up, and only attempt to auto-switch away when the signal was dead for a bit (10 seconds) or something (to prevent hysteresis.)

                  HDMI is a special form of black magic anyway… my PS3 works great with my TV, and my TV works great with my HDMI switcher, but my PS3 does NOT work great when connected to the TV via the HDMI switcher (and I have tried more than one HDMI switcher to solve this problem.)  One thing I noticed is my TV has a memory for what was where, even when going through the HDMI switcher... so maybe once you have it working well, it will become the default/preferred state and just keep working.  Once could hope.

                  I did want to mention that I once had an issue with an HDMI cable.  I replaced my PS3 because I thought the video was failing... when it warmed up it would get all glitchy and cut in and out.  When the same problem reproduced on a brand new PS3, then I got wise and replaced the cable.  I think the PS3 pushed enough warm air out the back to cause the cable to become slightly loose in the port... or something.  Anyway... just something else to wonder about...

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                  • groovedware
                    groovedware last edited by

                    @nmd:

                    HDMI is a special form of black magic anyway… my PS3 works great with my TV, and my TV works great with my HDMI switcher, but my PS3 does NOT work great when connected to the TV via the HDMI switcher (and I have tried more than one HDMI switcher to solve this problem.)  One thing I noticed is my TV has a memory for what was where, even when going through the HDMI switcher... so maybe once you have it working well, it will become the default/preferred state and just keep working.  Once could hope.

                    I did want to mention that I once had an issue with an HDMI cable.  I replaced my PS3 because I thought the video was failing... when it warmed up it would get all glitchy and cut in and out.  When the same problem reproduced on a brand new PS3, then I got wise and replaced the cable.  I think the PS3 pushed enough warm air out the back to cause the cable to become slightly loose in the port... or something.  Anyway... just something else to wonder about...

                    I always suspected this HDMI was voodoo and now I have independent confirmation, thank you indeed!

                    The queer thing is my first guess when I initially couldn't get it to work was the cable.  I had bought the cable last year at a store near me I call 'Binder Surprise', it's where I get my smokes but they also do a booming business selling refurbished electronics.  Electronics that almost on a daily basis someone is trying to return even tho there is a large sign that says no returns and it's also clearly printed on the reciept.  Occasionaly there is even the more spunky buyer filled with regret who will stand out front and try to prevent people from going in.  Back to topic:  I bought the HDMI cable there on the cheap $9.99 to hook a friend's laptop up to the telly, had that laptop for three weeks and never managed to get it on to the tv.  The computer did see the TV was attatched but the TV never showed anything.

                    After working fine and dandy all weekend last night I plugged a second USB drive into the back port of the gadjet and lost HDMI connection in the process.  I have had 2 plugged in before and worked fine but I don't remember if I plugged the second one in while the unit was on as I did last night.  Also the voodoo cable was physically jiggled at the same time as plugging in second drive because they are right beside each other.

                    I ended up watching Valerie Cherish via the grainier composite connection  :blownose:

                    I am left thinking it is not the box itself but either the HDMI cable or the television.  There is a firmware update for the television so I may try doing that today.  I am also going to consider either A. buying a new cable or B. borrowing a cable from a friend to see if that is the issue.

                    Again thank you for your input.  :thankyou:

                    "Look at me don't look at me beep beep"

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                    • groovedware
                      groovedware last edited by

                      Update (to tempt fate):

                      2 weeks now & HDMI works without fail although I do hold my breath every time I go to use it as well as the media player not being unplugged (it runs warm even when off).

                      I think ultimately it was a "handshake issue" which is apparently quite common an issue with HDMI voodoo.

                      So, neither TV or media player were given firmware updates to correct the situation.  The only thing different I have done (as recommended on a site devoted to resolving the handshake) is used a different HDMI port on the TV (it has 3).  Previously I was using the one on the side of the TV & now using one of the back ports.

                      Filed under good/bad news, watching the train wreck that is Perez Hilton in high def has me questioning if it is possible to choose your sexual orientation & also if possibly I should reconsider my views on Will.I.Am because I have had to stop myself from throwing random objects at lovely television when it shows me Perez being Perez.

                      Is there some sort of HDMI option where I can spit on Perez in high def?

                      "Look at me don't look at me beep beep"

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                      • MrMazda
                        MrMazda Global Moderator last edited by

                        Bahahahahahahaha

                        You're not the only one with a hatred for Parez Hilton lol

                        Whap The User
                        The only difference between martyrdom and suicide is press coverage!

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                        • groovedware
                          groovedware last edited by

                          @MrMazda:

                          Bahahahahahahaha

                          You're not the only one with a hatred for Parez Hilton lol

                          My hatred is fresh & new so it burns with an intensity only matched by the sun in August.

                          "Look at me don't look at me beep beep"

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                          • groovedware
                            groovedware last edited by

                            I do not have curse words that rightly give justice to how this tech is making me feel.

                            It has switched back to ignoring the HDMI input.  The splash screen still comes up so I know they are at least connected but then poo.

                            So I go back to try everything except for my special African Foot Dance (I can only perform that under circumstances I'd rather not elaborate on) hoping against hope that something shakes something & I can have HighDef again.

                            So I came across a suggestion involving my model TV and the WD players but it scares me so if anyone's made it this far your thoughts on shaving off some of the plastic from the plug exposing more of the metal on the HDMI cable?

                            Demonstrated thusly:

                            BEFORE
                                                  ,–-------------,  <- plastic
                            cable              |                  |----,
                            ==========|                  |    |  <-metal
                                                  |                  |----´
                                                  `---------------´

                            AFTER
                                                  ,-------------,
                                                  |                |------,
                            ==========|                |      |
                                                  |                |------´
                                                  `-------------´

                            "Look at me don't look at me beep beep"

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