I have a strange problem caused by my RPi which I cannot explain and it appears that I am the only one!
Perhaps some one here can enlighten me.
My AV set-up is as follows:-
HDMI Output of TiVo connected to input of HDMI splitter/Amp.
Output1 of HDMI spliter/Amp connected to my ONKYO AV-Amp via HDMI cable
Output2 of HDMI spliter/Amp connected to dining-room TV via HDMI cable
Output3 of HDMI spliter/Amp connected to bedroom TV via HDMI cable
Lounge TV [with ARC] connected to input of my ONKYO AV-Amp via HDMI cable
In addition, I have Cablesson IR Tx/Rx components installed so that I can control the TiVo from the bedroom [sends IR codes over the HDMI cable].
This has all been working well for quite some time.
Recently, I built and installed an RPi [running OpenElec-XBMC].
The RPi is connected to my ONKYO AV-amp via HDMI cable and it does a grand job of streaming my [NAS] music and videos to my TV and/or Speakers.
The problem I now have is this:-
All the remote codes [or about 99% of them] sent from my bedroom TiVo remote control, DO NOT arrive at the TiVo box in my lounge when the the HDMI cable of the RPi is plugged in.
Obviously, I unplug it at night and plug it back in for the day but this is far from ideal.
Any clues?
Is the RPi consuming the TiVo IR codes? or perhaps it is an earthing issue. I am baffled at this behaviour.
Any help appreciated.
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mjhadfield
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Paul Webster
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Re: Pi eating TiVo IR signals
If you look in the xbmc.log you can see the HDMI CEC commands that it is processing.
I wonder how your IR-via-HDMI device routes its commands - perhaps it needs reconfiguring while the RPi is running.
I wonder how your IR-via-HDMI device routes its commands - perhaps it needs reconfiguring while the RPi is running.
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mjhadfield
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Re: Pi eating TiVo IR signals
Thanks Paul, I shall have a look. I am not certain that it is CEC that is being sent down the HDMI lead. The Cablesson parts consist solely of a tiny IR detector [in bedroom] and IR LED [in lounge]. These items are really small and I doubt that there is much 'processing' power in them. Also there is a switch on the side labelled IR/CEC which has ALWAYS been set to IR [ as that is what is being transferred].Paul Webster wrote:If you look in the xbmc.log you can see the HDMI CEC commands that it is processing.
I wonder how your IR-via-HDMI device routes its commands - perhaps it needs reconfiguring while the RPi is running.
Shall definitely look in the log though, may give some clues. Thanks.
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mjhadfield
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Re: Pi eating TiVo IR signals
Had time to try out a few scenarios.
It appears that it is purely the physical presence of the HDMI cable [into the Pi] that causes this issue.
I tried the following:-
1) Pi up and running [i.e.normal situation] with HDMI cable IN
2) Pi powered up but shut-down with HDMI cable IN
3) Pi powered off with HDMI cable IN
4) HDMI cable NOT plugged into Pi
The only time that the bedroom TiVo remote can work the TiVo [in the lounge] is in scenario 4
Guess there may be a) signal loading issue OR b) earth-loop issue OR c) 'noise' problem.
Weird!!
It appears that it is purely the physical presence of the HDMI cable [into the Pi] that causes this issue.
I tried the following:-
1) Pi up and running [i.e.normal situation] with HDMI cable IN
2) Pi powered up but shut-down with HDMI cable IN
3) Pi powered off with HDMI cable IN
4) HDMI cable NOT plugged into Pi
The only time that the bedroom TiVo remote can work the TiVo [in the lounge] is in scenario 4
Guess there may be a) signal loading issue OR b) earth-loop issue OR c) 'noise' problem.
Weird!!
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Paul Webster
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Re: Pi eating TiVo IR signals
Maybe your IR sender is using an otherwise unused HDMI pin to route stuff - and some cable splicing can sort it out.
Edit: just been to a poorly translated site that has this device and there is a warning ...
"Manufacturer HDMI link /CEC protocols such as Samsung Anynet Link, Sony Bravia Link, Panasonic Viera Link etc. will not function during IR over HDMI mode. CEC needs to be selected on the adapters to re-enable the shared manufacturer HDMI link functions."
So maybe it is using the CEC pin for this trick.
Edit: just been to a poorly translated site that has this device and there is a warning ...
"Manufacturer HDMI link /CEC protocols such as Samsung Anynet Link, Sony Bravia Link, Panasonic Viera Link etc. will not function during IR over HDMI mode. CEC needs to be selected on the adapters to re-enable the shared manufacturer HDMI link functions."
So maybe it is using the CEC pin for this trick.
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mjhadfield
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Re: Pi eating TiVo IR signals
Thanks for that snippet Paul.
The strange thing is, the AV amp [Onkyo], TV [Samsung] and RPi are all talking [i.e. CEC'ing] each other fine. It's just the VM TiVo that is affected and it doesn't appear in any CEC device list on the TV or the AV amp.
I will try flipping the switches on the Cablesson though. Cheers.
Tried flipping Cablesson IR Extenders to 'CEC' position. This stopped it working completely. Even without RPi connected.
The strange thing is, the AV amp [Onkyo], TV [Samsung] and RPi are all talking [i.e. CEC'ing] each other fine. It's just the VM TiVo that is affected and it doesn't appear in any CEC device list on the TV or the AV amp.
I will try flipping the switches on the Cablesson though. Cheers.
Tried flipping Cablesson IR Extenders to 'CEC' position. This stopped it working completely. Even without RPi connected.
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Paul Webster
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Re: Pi eating TiVo IR signals
Perhaps you are hitting the "D14" problem.
http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewt ... 35&t=14273
I am not recommending removing the diode - but you might find a solution in there.
The TiVo (as far as I know - and I have one) does not support CEC itself ... which is why you have to break out the signal to use IR to talk to it (and using a physical remote control is usually quicker than using a phone/tablet to control it).
http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewt ... 35&t=14273
I am not recommending removing the diode - but you might find a solution in there.
The TiVo (as far as I know - and I have one) does not support CEC itself ... which is why you have to break out the signal to use IR to talk to it (and using a physical remote control is usually quicker than using a phone/tablet to control it).
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mjhadfield
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Re: Pi eating TiVo IR signals
Thanks Paul, shall look into that link [when I have a minute].
I was aware that TiVo does not use CEC. Don't really want it to.
As an Electronics Engineer, my first impression was that of 'loading', but now I am not so sure. Thanks again.
Edit: Read the thread, very interesting. Can't decide if removing D14 would help me. My CEC between Pi/AVR/TV seems to be working as it should. It's just the TiVo Infra-Red over HDMI that disappears when the Pi is plugged in.
More pondering/experimenting required me thinks.
I was aware that TiVo does not use CEC. Don't really want it to.
As an Electronics Engineer, my first impression was that of 'loading', but now I am not so sure. Thanks again.
Edit: Read the thread, very interesting. Can't decide if removing D14 would help me. My CEC between Pi/AVR/TV seems to be working as it should. It's just the TiVo Infra-Red over HDMI that disappears when the Pi is plugged in.
More pondering/experimenting required me thinks.