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Interesting HDMI Problem: OPPO UDP-205

I have a McIntosh MX122, OPPO UDP-205, and a Sony Bravia OLED.   The OPPO is connected to the MX122 through both an HDMI connection (BluRay "in") and RCA patch cables (CD "in") so that I can use the OPPO DACs for listening to audio CDs.

The Sony is connected to the MX122 through the Monitor 1 output.

I've been having intermittent audio dropouts when using the analog connection to listen to audio CDs on the UDP-205.   I've finally traced the problem to the Sony Bravia.   The Sony implementation of Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) is called "Bravia Sync."

In the Bravia Sync menu, Sony does not provide an "OFF" setting.  They have "Enable" and...nothing to turn CEC "OFF."  What they have you do is delete the HDMI equipment list from the Sony CEC sub-menu.   This does NOT turn CEC "OFF" - it simply hides the expanded CEC menu as you no longer have an equipment list to control, while leaving the CEC feature / circuit active.

The CEC is active even when the Sony is turned "OFF," because, in reality - the Sony is on standby and only the screen has been turned off.  The electronics are still active because the Sony can be programmed to automatically turn itself "ON" when it senses a different piece of equipment turn on through the CEC / HDMI circuit.

What happens with the Sony turned "ON" or "OFF" is that the Sony constantly looks for equipment through the HDMI connection.   It's randomly looking for a friend and sending out a handshake signal.  This disrupts the UDP-205 as it's processing audio through its DACs and it momentarily times out to send a "Yeah stupid, I'm still here" response back to the Sony.

Haven't quite figured out where to go from here...as I don't have a resolution to the problem - but, I thought this might help someone else if they're having the same type of problem.



buckhorn_cortez
indranilsen
113 posts
 
Hello unsound,
Yes this unit supports Dolby Vision through the main HDMI out. The Oppo’s manual doesn’t specify what exactly is supported on its HDMI IN input. I don’t understand why Apple TV doesn’t show the Dolby Vision in the video output menu when connected to Oppo’s regular HDMI in input but it shows this option when I connect it to the HDMI Bypass input where the video signal bypasses all the internal video processin of Oppo.
However it seems that my new Audioquest HDMI cable, the HDMI IN input on the Oppo and perhaps the Apple TV itself are all breaking in and now the picture through the Oppo/Apple TV combo is definitely much better than Sony/Apple TV combo. I have done this A/B analysis a few times and I see the improvement consistently. While I am enjoying the overall video handling experience, the part that is confusing to me is how Oppo is able to enhance the video performance on its HDMI bypass input where it is not is even touching the video signal. It is possible that Oppo’s transport mechanism is better than Sony. Also in my set up the Oppo unit has a much better power cable than the Sony TV and it is placed on a Townshend Seismic Platform. All these factors c
ould lead to a better video performance as well. Very interesting nonetheless...
Thanks
indranilsen
113 posts
 
Hello unsound,
I am not too experienced in dealing with TV panels. I have so far been using Samsung F8500 plasma TV, their last plasma model before they decided to call it quits on the manufacturing of plasma TVs. I have just got the Sony OLED TV, less than 2 weeks old,  to experience the OLED panel/4K resolution. What do you mean by running it on its neutral setting? I am using Sony's custom picture setting, using its default values, for viewing all sources. Is that considered to be a neutral setting? Also how long do you recommend burning in? I am very used to the concept of burning speakers and electronics but not so much for a TV. I could run any electronics 24x7 but that wouldn't be easy or even possible with a TV.  Any comment/feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
unsound
7,310 posts
 
I’m not much of a videophile either, and am not too familiar with OLEDs. In the past some highly regarded video calibrators either had special pre calibration settings or suggested all settings be placed in their neutral positions (I believe they meant mid-point, but I'm not sure) and allowed to burn in for a set number of hours.,100-150 hours comes to mind, but I’m really not sure, before doing actual calibration setting. There used to be a highly regarded (even c-net acknowledged his talents) calibrator "D-Lite" (?) on the AV Forum who used to offer well respected calibration suggestions for specific sets. I’m not sure if the same process applies to OLEDs. Since your set is new, it might be worth a search.
indranilsen
113 posts
 
Thank you, unsound.
unsound
7,310 posts
 
@idranilsen Pray tell, did you ever sort it out, and if so, how?
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