Devices > Video Cards, Monitors, Televisions, and Projectors
Multi-Channel, WASAPI and HDMI Problem [Solved]
fitbrit:
I spent 6 hours trying to fix this seemingly random problem for someone the other day. Any help here would be very much appreciated.
The setup:
HTPC via HDMI to a 4K TV.
HTPC via second HDMI to an AVR (20ft away), which in turn is connected to the 4K TV and another 4K TV via a splitter, and a 4K projector via secondary HDMI output.
The problem:
MC suddenly stops being able to play multichannel audio in exclusive (WASAPI) mode. Once this happens, it's very difficult to get back. Instead the "playback of this output format failed" message occurs repeatedly. Direct sound isn't affected.
We managed to track it down to HDMI distance, we think. When the projector is removed from the path, the system seems to work as expected.
When the projector is in the mix, the WASAPI error can occur at random. However, some files are more likely to cause it, it seems.
Once something is playing, you can advance to another file via Display View OSD's Playing Now. That same file, that can be launched that way, would fail if it were launched from standard view.
So far we have narrowed this behaviour down to these possibilities:
- Total HDMI chain is too long (over 45 ft)
- Some kind of EDID issue where the projector or one of the TVs is causing MC to see only 2-channel playback capability. (AVR is configured correctly in Windows)
- Some kind of HDCP issue.
Any thoughts you share would be appreciated.
RoderickGI:
I would lay my money on an HDMI handshake/EDID issue.
I have a minor problem at the moment in that my 4K TV, which is playing at 1080p, refreshes the screen resolution/frame rate/whatever randomly every now and then, so that I might get a brief black screen or more usually just get the TV's resolution information overlay display when it happens. Annoying, not fatal. This only started happening after I briefly set the resolution to 4K on the PC, just to check out what a certain file looked like on the TV at 4K. Setting the PC back to 1080p has not stopped the problem. I haven't diagnosed the issue yet because unplugging and replacing cables is a bit difficult in my installation at the moment. I suspect it is because the EDID was changed, or Windows/GPU driver/something decided that the HDMI cable couldn't handle 4K.
Anyway, on your issue, my best guesses:
Not the 45ft total length, as long as you are using a powered splitter. Also, the receiver should be powering the signal, and not just passing it through with attenuation. You may be able to check that with the manufacturer.
Not an HDCP issue, as stuff just wouldn't play at all. You couldn't trick HDCP into playing the way you describe. I think you would get a different error message as well, and from Windows not just MC.
Thoughts:
Direct Sound isn't affected as Windows make sure the output matches the capabilities of the target device?
The problem goes away when the projector is disconnected. The projector is stereo only? Windows has decided that the projector is the endpoint of the HDMI chain, so uses its capabilities when in Exclusive Mode to decide if MC can play the file? (Maybe some Windows update, perhaps even related to HDCP or DRM, is more aggressively trying to determine the HDMI endpoint?
What has changed in the setup recently, or is this a new installation? Including Windows updates.
Suggestions?
Hmm. Difficult.
I take it the AVR is set to 5.1 or 7.1 channels? Is the first 4K TV, the one directly connected to the HTPC, also set to the same configuration? Can the projector be set to accept the same configuration?
Do you have Zones set up for playing to the different targets? Do the zones have appropriate channel configurations?
Are all the cables long distance 4K capable? i.e. Are they Active HDMI cables? Attenuation is an issue for longer cable, particularly at the bandwidth required for 4K. Active HDMI cables have a chip in them to boost the signal, apparently.
Use Wireless HDMI? Whether that would work depends on what the problem is. Windows selecting the wrong endpoint could still be a problem.
Did you try unplugging the projector, rebooting the HTPC, playing to each TV, rebooting the PC, and then plugging the projector back in, then test again? Some sequence like that might reset the EDID and/or HDMI endpoint.
Anyway, I'm an amateur at this so just guessing a bit, and out of time. Let us know if you find the problem though, as it may help others, including me! ;D
fitbrit:
Thanks for the response, Roderick.
This is a new installation.
I don't think the projector has any speakers
We've tried an HD Fury Integral, and the EDID issue, if any, is NOT solved. I did not have a hand in doing this, though, so I cannot say what degree of confidence I have that it was done in the best way.
Our last resort is to buy an EDID device.
The AVR is set to 7.1, and all channels work just fine setting up the device in Windows.
The monitors and projector all duplicate their display and none are expected to play audio. Therefore they are all on the same HDMI audio zone. Although your question does give me an idea.
I don't think wireless HDMI has been considered, but HDMI-over-ethernet have been purchased on a trial basis.
We tried all the unplugging, switching off combinations that made sense at the time. No matter what, the signal would go bad eventually if the projector was in the mix.
I'll report back how things went.
Fitzcaraldo215:
I would go with the EDID spoofing device. My system is not as complex as yours and I only used one HDMI path. But, a Geffen HDMI Detective + solved all my HDMI frustrations for good years ago.
fitbrit:
--- Quote from: Fitzcaraldo215 on December 24, 2017, 11:56:36 am ---I would go with the EDID spoofing device. My system is not as complex as yours and I only used one HDMI path. But, a Geffen HDMI Detective + solved all my HDMI frustrations for good years ago.
--- End quote ---
Thanks. It solved mine too, but this is not my system, and it is all 4k in resolution, not 1080p.
Hopefully the 4k spoofer will work - trying a new one tonight.
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