Active HDMI Switch issues

Dusty · 11-07-2015

So I have an active HDMI switch(powered), and it's great. I really love the convenience of turning on a console and having it switch over to it automatically. But I have a problem that I can't resolve and I don't think costumer support will be able to fix it. They've already sent me another box that has the same issues.

The box in question:
http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-501BN-P...dp/B0049SCB2Y/

So the issue is very weird, whenever something like my A/C unit turns on, the signal cuts out. I can turn my A/C unit on and off and reproduce the problem every time. However, the issue isn't specifically linked to just the A/C unit. It constantly cuts out at least once every 10 minutes. I don't know what's causing it, but I imagine it's some device somewhere turning on. It makes streaming or playing games a test of patience. The PS4 seems to have the issue way more frequently than any other of my consoles. However one night my cable box was cutting out every 2 minutes, for about 30 seconds each time. Also, here are the HDMI cords I'm using:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AA2RCY

So what can I do? My TV only has 3 HDMI ports and I have 5 devices with HDMI. I'm considering getting another brand HDMI Switch but they all seem to have a few reviews that state signal cutting out, which makes me fear I'll have the same issues. Will getting another switch help? The next one I'm looking into getting is this:

http://www.monoprice.com/product?pg_...1002&p_id=8463

The Doctor · 11-07-2015

It could be a manufacturing problem. I know some HDMI switchers have a problem with correct level shifting, which causes problems such as the signal blanking. Perhaps your power outlet is giving an unexpected voltage when your powered switch is plugged into the wall, and another appliance is interfering with it. I suggest using a multimeter and measuring the voltage of the outlet to test for unexpected results.

Here are other things to try. Take the unit to a friend's house to see if they can reproduce the issue. Use different HDMI appliances. Check to see if the number of appliances connected affects the problem.

Crono · 11-07-2015

fp4 pls help i sumon u

Thallen · 11-07-2015

No technical knowledge of this, but my assumption would be that it has to do with your electrical outlet or the electrical hard-wiring of your home. I have this exact same problem with one of my external drives. I keep a mini-fridge in my office room for drinks and stuff, and whenever it cuts on my external drive will flicker off and back on.

The house I'm living in has had a lot of electrical issues, so I'm not faulting it to the appliance at all. It's probably plugged into the same outlet as the AC? Or at least at an outlet on the same in-home circuit? I'll bet if you tried in another room, it'd be just fine. Not that you want to do that.

fp4 · 11-08-2015

wat thallen said, try putting AC or putting the HDMI box on a different circuit.

Alternatively putting your TV and such on a UPS or some other stable power source that would be unaffected by the AC power fluctuation.

Dusty · 11-08-2015

Ya it's not on the same outlet but it is the same circuit(as most rooms are in the US). UPS sounds like a good idea, but what sucks is that if I were to use a UPS it would be for the outlet with all the computer stuff, not my TV/console stand.

So this is something that would happen no matter what brand of switch I use? I don't experience any sort of other issues with any other electronics, just this HDMI switch.

Ash Ketchum · 11-08-2015

Find a cheap switch and see if you have the same problem. If the problem doesn't occur any more get a more expensive and reliable switch
I really think its the switch and has nothing to do with your power
You can safely assume it has something to do with the circuitry in your home if the problem still occurs with the cheapo switch

MBK · 11-08-2015

Idk if it helps or not but anyways,i used to have the same flickering problem with my wifi router.Whenever there was like a sandstorm or extreme heat issues outside,the power would be cut off and the UPS would kicked in.Whenever that happened,the wifi router would turn OFF and then ON.I moved the router to the other room(was on a different circuit than the first one) and it fixed the issue.

11-07-2015	1
Dusty Should be fixed. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 6,359	Active HDMI Switch issues So I have an active HDMI switch(powered), and it's great. I really love the convenience of turning on a console and having it switch over to it automatically. But I have a problem that I can't resolve and I don't think costumer support will be able to fix it. They've already sent me another box that has the same issues. The box in question: http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-501BN-P...dp/B0049SCB2Y/ So the issue is very weird, whenever something like my A/C unit turns on, the signal cuts out. I can turn my A/C unit on and off and reproduce the problem every time. However, the issue isn't specifically linked to just the A/C unit. It constantly cuts out at least once every 10 minutes. I don't know what's causing it, but I imagine it's some device somewhere turning on. It makes streaming or playing games a test of patience. The PS4 seems to have the issue way more frequently than any other of my consoles. However one night my cable box was cutting out every 2 minutes, for about 30 seconds each time. Also, here are the HDMI cords I'm using: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AA2RCY So what can I do? My TV only has 3 HDMI ports and I have 5 devices with HDMI. I'm considering getting another brand HDMI Switch but they all seem to have a few reviews that state signal cutting out, which makes me fear I'll have the same issues. Will getting another switch help? The next one I'm looking into getting is this: http://www.monoprice.com/product?pg_...1002&p_id=8463

11-07-2015	2
The Doctor Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Posts: 5,459	It could be a manufacturing problem. I know some HDMI switchers have a problem with correct level shifting, which causes problems such as the signal blanking. Perhaps your power outlet is giving an unexpected voltage when your powered switch is plugged into the wall, and another appliance is interfering with it. I suggest using a multimeter and measuring the voltage of the outlet to test for unexpected results. Here are other things to try. Take the unit to a friend's house to see if they can reproduce the issue. Use different HDMI appliances. Check to see if the number of appliances connected affects the problem.

11-07-2015	3
Crono :pluffy: Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 5,944	fp4 pls help i sumon u

11-07-2015	4
Thallen Enguard & Alumni Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 5,773	No technical knowledge of this, but my assumption would be that it has to do with your electrical outlet or the electrical hard-wiring of your home. I have this exact same problem with one of my external drives. I keep a mini-fridge in my office room for drinks and stuff, and whenever it cuts on my external drive will flicker off and back on. The house I'm living in has had a lot of electrical issues, so I'm not faulting it to the appliance at all. It's probably plugged into the same outlet as the AC? Or at least at an outlet on the same in-home circuit? I'll bet if you tried in another room, it'd be just fine. Not that you want to do that. Last edited by Thallen; 11-08-2015 at 01:20 AM.

11-08-2015	5
fp4 maymay ambassador Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,508	wat thallen said, try putting AC or putting the HDMI box on a different circuit. Alternatively putting your TV and such on a UPS or some other stable power source that would be unaffected by the AC power fluctuation.

11-08-2015	7
Ash Ketchum Veritired ✔️ Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 4,441	Find a cheap switch and see if you have the same problem. If the problem doesn't occur any more get a more expensive and reliable switch I really think its the switch and has nothing to do with your power You can safely assume it has something to do with the circuitry in your home if the problem still occurs with the cheapo switch

11-08-2015	8
MBK Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,379	Idk if it helps or not but anyways,i used to have the same flickering problem with my wifi router.Whenever there was like a sandstorm or extreme heat issues outside,the power would be cut off and the UPS would kicked in.Whenever that happened,the wifi router would turn OFF and then ON.I moved the router to the other room(was on a different circuit than the first one) and it fixed the issue.