HDMI Audio Cuts Out Upon Receiver Pass Thru Until Log Off / Log On

[tommyd3]

Last week my cable provider (Brighthouse) copy protected ALL channels.
Because of this I had to move the computer I was using to record my TV (using the HD HomeRun Prime and transferring the files to my NAS) to the TV I watch it on.
I am using a Sony 7.1 receiver with 3 HDMI inputs (PVR, Blu-Ray & PC) that has relays that switch the output between the inputs and to PASS THRU when turned off.
When the signal is switched (even just turning the receiver off activating PASS THRU), the video card drops the HDMI audio and does not restore it until I log off / log on or disconnect & reconnect the HDMI cable.
The computer is a HP HPE-460Z with a NVIDIA GeForce GT420 video card.

I have another PC (with a dedicated Radeon board) directly connected to a TV that also disconnects the audio if the TV is turned off & back on.

Apparently this is a common problem with dedicated video cards.

The computer I used to play back the TV before had integrated video in the AMD A6 processor (Radeon HD6350D) and left the HDMI audio connected NO MATTER WHAT.

Can anyone recommend a low end (<= $60) video card to replace my NVIDIA card with that they KNOW leaves the audio connected even when turning off/on a surround sound receiver or TV?

Thanks in advance.

 

[fireberd]

I'm not sure what is happening, however, if an HDMI cable is attached Windows will automatically switch the default audio playback device to the HDMI. It sounds like the PCs are detecting an HDMI disconnect and switching to the PC sound (Speakers) as the default audio playback device.

I don't think its a problem with the video cards, although I could be wrong.

BTW, I have Brighthouse too, but I have their DVR for recording.

 

[tommyd3]

I also use the DVR. Sometimes we go on vacation and need to record more than the capacity of the DVR. I copy the TV from the PC to my 8TB NAS drive. Everything was fine until Brighthouse scrambled the signal and made even the major networks copy protected. Until recently one could connect an HDTV to the Brighthouse cable and watch TV w/o a converter box. Now one needs a converter box for EVERY TV (at $2 - $8 per TV). The interesting thing with Brighthouse now is if you get their least expensive "Basic" package you cannot view the shows on ANY TV unless you pay extra for a converter box. That is as if ALL new cars came with the engine as an extra cost option.

I also use the PC for Netflix. I find Internet Explorer works MUCH better with the subtitles from Netflix than the APP built into my TV.

Yes the PC is detecting the momentary disconnect of the HDMI audio when the receiver is turned off (going to PASS THRU) and switching to the mini phone jack audio. When one looks at the "playback" inputs of the Control Panel Sounds APP it then shows the HDMI audio as disconnected - even though it is in fact connected. If I physically remove the HDMI cable from the video card and reconnect it, it then detects the HDMI audio and switches back.

I was using another PC before that had the video integrated with the AMD A6 processor. Both PC's are Windows 7. That PC does not disconnect the HDMI audio when switching the inputs on the receiver.

I don't know if the issue is with the video card or the OS. I do know that with some PC's this problem does not exist.

I am trying to find someone with a similar setup who is using a dedicated video card that does not have this problem. I have seen many complaints from people about the HDMI audio becoming disconnected when the TV is power cycled. The only solution I have seen is to reboot the PC!!!

Thanks.

 

[fireberd]

I just checked one TV that we have connected directly to the cable (no converter box) and I'm still able to get the basic channels. Its not blocked, at least here in Inverness.

 

[tommyd3]

You are lucky. We woke up last Tuesday morning and the three TV's connected directly to the cable (kitchen, MBR & MBR BR) all said scrambled. Here is the announcement from Brighthouse:

Digital Adapter (DA)

I went to the local Brighthouse office and got 3 converter boxes. The agent said the change was affecting the entire state. Then we bought a $20 HDTV indoor antenna from Best Buy for the guest room TV. It now gets all the major networks except NBC over the air. NBC is VHF, all the others are UHF.

The next day they switched EVERY channel to "Copy Protected". That means if you record the show on one computer you can only play it back on THAT computer. Previously I could record the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX & PBS) on one computer, copy the file to my NAS drive and watch it on any computer in the house. No more.

Going to have to seriously look at DirectTV (they have a 5 tuner box now), Dish Network (they support up to 8 tuners) or buy over the air Silicon Dust tuners and record TV for free over the air......