Problems with 360 through HDMI

[TerryWogan]

Hello,

I've had my 360 running through HDMI on my Samsung HDTV for months now without a hitch. However, in the last few days I've been getting a bit of "interference" on the screen.

Along the bottom of the screen, around an inch up, I'm getting the occasional flash of what I can only describe as interference in a broken line across the entire screen. Occasionally it appears elsewhere on the screen. There is nothing wrong with the TV when I'm watching Freeview or playing my 360/Wii through component etc. Just with the 360.

Is this likely to be a fault with the 360, with my TV's HDMI ports (it happens in both HDMI ports by the way), or with my HDMI cable?

I'd like to add that my HDMI cable is a 10 quid job from B&Q, although I'm told this shouldn't affect the quality of the image, perhaps it has worn itself out a bit quicker than an expensive one would? If the HDMI cable was faulty, would this sort of thing happen or would it just not work at all?

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Streeteh]

Sounds like a dodgy HDMI cable, it may be damaged in some way. Best bet is a cheap one off an auction site, this could turn into a huge debate when i say this but i'll say it anyway:

In the majority of cases expensive HDMI cables are not necessary, you've probably simply got a duff one.

[EDIT] If a new cable doesn't solve it, it might be your 360 GPU, but lets cross that bridge when you come to it.

 

[TerryWogan]

It doesn't look like a GPU issue, definitely looks like an "interference" of some kind.

A guy on avforums has a similar issue with his PS3 it seems, and he explains it a little better than I do:

Posted elsewhere but since it's related to PS3 figured it might help here.

I have my PS3 hooked up to an S2530 series Bravia LCD via HDMI and every now and again (totally random somtimes hrs apart) there's a split second glitch in the form of a thin horizontal line (usually a lighter colour than the source - hence it shows up) that flashes up on screen.

I first noticed this watching a bluray disc and because it didn't happen again for a while I thought it could be a bug in the 1080i deinterlacing process. But I've since seen this happen on 720p feeds as well, (when viewing the XMB, PSstore etc). I really have no idea what could be causing it. I did have some other processing issues via HDMI with some of the TV's advanced settings turned on but those were sorted out by turning those settings off.

Could this be an electricity surge? (I use surge protector 4 way adaptors though)..Only reason I mention electricity is because on my old CRT I used to get an odd screen flicker whenever switched on my table lamp. (i'm still not sure what caused that though)

Faulty HDMI lead perhaps? It was an ****** £2.99 job but tbh these cables are supposed to be pretty much the same all round..unless there's something i'm missing. I was under the impression HDMI either works or does not...which leads me to think the cable can't be randomly failing.

Has anyone else noticed strange HDMI glitches with their PS3 or can offer some insight here? It's a small thing really but it's doing my head in.

Cheers.

Unfortunately it was posted months ago and he hasn't returned to say if he fixed it or not. I'll try a new HDMI cable from somewhere.

Someone on the avforums mentioned that although cheap HDMI cables are just as good as expensive ones quality-wise, perhaps the cheap cables aren't as well insulated or are more prone to deteriorating. Makes sense I suppose.

 

[Streeteh]

Someone on the avforums mentioned that although cheap HDMI cables are just as good as expensive ones quality-wise, perhaps the cheap cables aren't as well insulated or are more prone to deteriorating. Makes sense I suppose.

My knowledge isn't huge but basically as a HDMI simply carries a digital signal the data either gets to your television or it doesn't. Unlike analogue cables (scart, component etc), signal loss will not affect the overall outcome unless (and this is what i think you've got) the cable is damaged or the signal isn't getting there at all, then bits of the picture will be missing as you're describing.

Only when you have a REALLY long HDMI cable should you even really consider forking out for a slightly better cable (but even then imo £100 cables are a waste of time) as there is a chance that the signal loss will be so great that the data won't get there at all. But i'm talking 1080p over a 20m cable or something (possibly further).

Odds are your B&Q cable just had a loose component and has eventually worked its way out of place. Generally HDMI cables shouldn't 'degrade', i just think it was faulty. This is all based on my rather basic knowledge however, don't sue me if i'm wrong .

[EDIT] Oh and, let us know if the new cable fixes it

 

[Dutch Guy]

I agree, first try a new cheapish HDMI cable.