Ignite TV with Anthem MRX740

[Brmeeke]

I am just getting started with my new Ignite TV receiver.   To simplify the initial setup,  I started by plugging my Ignite TV box directly into my TV.  It works perfectly on all video settings.   Next step was to introduce my Anthem receiver into the setup.   

If I have the video settings at 2160p60, I have a blank screen but full audio.   If I turn the video down to any setting other than that, everything works perfectly.   Is there anyone else who is running a similar setup or experiencing a similar issue.   Anthem has told me that the 2160p60 should work.   I’m thinking about doing a factory reset of the Ignite box to see if that helps.  

any help would be greatly appreciated.  

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[57]

I have the following comments/questions. 

1. I checked the specs on the AVR and it should be 2160P60 capable, however, I also read some reviews that stated the original AVRs only came with HDMI 2.0. I assume a firmware update would take you to the latest.

2. Have you updated the firmware on the AVR?

3. What is the make/model of the TV?  Some TVs have HDMI ports with different capabilities - say 30Hz, 60Hz, etc.  Are you using the same TV port and have you checked the port specs?  Have you updated the TV firmware?

4. Sometimes there are handshake issues between devices, especially brands like Anthem that are not as widely used as some others.  See the HDMI FAQ at the bottom of this post:

5. Do you have HDMI-CEC turned on or off on all devices - handshake issues.

6. I have a 6 year old 4K TV and could not use the 60Hz port on the TV, only the 30Hz port with Ignite. The 60Hz port is used by my MacBook air 2020 just fine.

7. You could try using a direct connection to the TV and optical from the TV to the AVR?

8. In the ignite video settings, try using a specific output resolution rather that "auto/best" to eliminate a handshake?

9. Are you using the HDMI cable that came with the IgniteTV box?  What length is the other cable you're using?  Some can be an issue if they're long - say more than 10'...

https://www.digitalhome.ca/threads/faq-hdmi-comments-issues.71112/ (especially item 4)

[Brmeeke]

Thank you for your suggestions.    Unfortunately nothing seems to work.  That said, I have done some other testing.  I am using an Nvidia Shield as well as Ignite TV.   Streaming from Netflix, Disney and Prime was historically done through the shield where we watched 4K programs.   Video settings on the shield are 4K 60 hz.   Anthem suggested that I should flip the hdmi cables so that Ignite TV was coming into the Anthem through the same input that the Shield uses.   Shield presents 4K programs but when Ignite feeds the same input port, I have a black screen.    To my mind, that suggests that the issue is not related to a firmware issue with the Anthem.   

another interesting point is that when I had Ignite TV plugged directly into my Panasonic TV, it knew that it was connected to a Panasonic TV.   That same screen now says Unknown Device.  So I’m thinking that the solution might be to do a factory reset Ignite TV and see if it recognizes my Anthem receiver.  Does that make sense?  

[57]

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@Brmeeke wrote:

1. Shield presents 4K programs but when Ignite feeds the same input port, I have a black screen.    To my mind, that suggests that the issue is not related to a firmware issue with the Anthem.   

2. factory reset Ignite TV and see if it recognizes my Anthem receiver.

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1. It could still be a handshake issue if the IgniteTV box doesn't "like" what it sees via the HDMI connection.  Also, the box is not only communicating with the AVR, but also the TV since it needs to know the TV's capability. It may be that the "signal" from/to the TV is not getting through the AVR properly, or any of many other HDMI issues as I outlined in my FAQ (linked previously).

2. Couldn't hurt. You can do a restart via the Home Connect app, which reboots everything and usually takes about 6 minutes, or you could say "help" into the remote and reboot that way.

3. You didn't answer my question about the length of the HDMI cables, which can be important when going through an AVR, because you now have two cables involved.  (Just because one device works, it doesn't mean that another, different device will work in the same way - perhaps requiring a cleaner or stronger signal, etc.)

[Brmeeke]

I think I have a clue about what is going on….  I have already proven that the 6’ HDMI provided with the Ignite TV receiver works just fine when it is plugged directly into my TV.   But my Anthem receiver is in the basement with a 6’ 4K HDMI cable going from the Ignite TV to my Anthem and then another 50’ 4K HDMI cable between the Anthem and the TV on the main floor.   

With the 6’ cable plugged directly into the TV, the Ignite TV knew it was connected to my Panasonic TV but when it was plugged into my Anthem, it just said Unknown Device.   Today I tried plugging my 50’ HDMI cable directly into the Ignite TV and bypassing the Anthem receiver entirely.   As before, the Ignite TV box recognized the Panasonic TV but when I changed the video resolution to 2160p60, my screen went black.   So I strongly suspect that even though it is a 4K cable, there is an issue with the 50’ HDMI cable.   It was always a part of my plan to replace that cable with a shorter cable anyway and I am going to use a 5 metre Syncwire 2.1 HDMI cable instead.   I am willing to bet that the picture will work as expected.    

So next week, I will change out the 50' HDMI cable for a 5 metre Syncwire HDMI which is also a higher quality cable.    You suggested that the HDMI cable that I was using was too short but if my suspicions are correct, the issue is that the HDMI cable is too long.  I will let you know if I am correct next week. 

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@Brmeeke wrote:

  You suggested that the HDMI cable that I was using was too short but if my suspicions are correct, the issue is that the HDMI cable is too long. 

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Please re-read point 9 of my first post.  I also mentioned long cables in my HDMI FAQ (Point 3 of that FAQ) (link at the bottom of the same post)...

It's good that you seem to be on the way to a resolution.  

[Ducs_Of_Hazzard]

A 50' HDMI cable run can most definitely cause you issues.  Especially if you are using a Passive HDMI Cable.  For longer runs like that you should be looking at Active Optical HDMI Cables.  Not Cheap!!!  But are much less prone to issues with higher bandwidth 4K & 8K signals over longer runs.

[Brmeeke]

Thank you to both of you regarding my 50’ HDMI cable.   I had been cautioned about short cables but when my 50’ cable was working properly with 4K movies through my Nvidia Shield (setting was 4K 60 hz), I did not see it as a suspect.    Luckily, I am also doing some renovations in the basement so that HDMI cable was going to be swapped out anyway.    I’m already using an Active Optical cable elsewhere and they are great.   Found a place where they are very reasonably priced so next week, the 50’ 4K cable is going to be dropped in favour of a 4 metre optical cable.   I’ll let you know how it works out.