TivoHD - "HDMI Connection Not Permitted"

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Well, I tried about every combination of things I could think of doing with the HDMI cable:

- unplugged TV for 30 sec, restarted, SAME PROBLEM
- unplugged TiVoHD for 30 sec, restarted, SAME PROBLEM
- reseated HDMI cable at each end, SAME PROBLEM
- changed audio from DD to PCM, SAME PROBLEM
- plugged HDMI cable into HR10-250, FLICKERING SOUND AND VIDEO, hmmmm
- connected TiVoHD using component connections, WORKS PERFECTLY, hmmmm

Now we're getting somewhere. Looks like it's pointing to the cable. Strange though, I used this HDMI cable for the last 5 years on my HR10, and after a week of service on the TiVo HD, it decides to krap out.

Since the problem is only on the Cable HD channels, that leaves me to believe that my cable co requires proper HDMI handshaking on the channels that cost more.

<edit reason: forgot to mention about trying audio swap.>

 

Well, here's another scenario to throw into the mix. (I'm a Tivo neophyte of only a couple of months.)

I originally had my TivoHD connected via HDMI to my Denon 3808ci which is connected via HDMI to my Samsung LN46A750. THD was set to Native which caused the 3-4 sec. delay when switching channels. This wonderful forum provided the the guidance to set the resolution on the THD to fixed 1080i which indeed eliminated the channel changing delay with no PQ change...at least to my eyes, anyway.

Then I wanted my system to display video through the Tivo while providing audio through another input (specifically, Net/USB so that I could access my Rhapsody account) on the 3808. I tried merely pairing the Tivo video to the Net/USB input on the 3808 but got no video. So I thought of additionally adding a component video connection between the THD and 3808 and assigning the component input to the Net/USB video source. BOOM! The first time I saw the "HDMI not permitted..." error message. So I solved it by abandoning the HDMI connection between the THD and the 3808 and using component video and optical audio. BINGO! Flexibility and, for my eyes and ears anyway, no picture or audio differences.

HDMI is definitely handcuffed by HDCP.

(BTW, for those of you who enjoy the HDT channel and have a Rhapsody or similar account, try pairing the "Sunrise Earth" showings with an "Ambient" channel and a nice cup of coffee in the morning!)