Viewpoint X-1 projector sporadically getting searching for signal (1 Viewer)

[jnbigbootay]

I just purchased the Viewsonic X-1 4K LED projector. My signal originates from a MAC MINI purchase about a year ago. From the computer to an HDMI audio extractor, an HDMI cable, and a fiber optic digital audio into my Sunfire Theatre Grand Processor V, and finally to the projector (25ft cable through the ceiling). Upon initial hook-up the projector would display "looking for signal" and as soon as it found it, would again do the same. I am using a 25ft HDMI cable from the processor to the projector and a little research seemed to indicate I needed a better cable (the original was 10+ yrs old). I replaced all the HDMI cables with newer 4-8 K rated ones. BUT, over a couple hours of viewing time I will still get the "searching for signal" it almost immediately does find it and return to video but is a bit annoying I have to depress the enter button to cancel out an error screen. EVERYTHING the path is now rated for 4k or more except for the processor which was made around 2006 or 2007. The processor has two HDMI inputs and one out but it only supports video (whence the need for the audio extractor) . I there an issue with the projector or is the issue that my processor can't perfectly handle the higher bandwidth OR is it something else? I have about three more weeks I could return the projector. Thanks for any help or consideration.

 

[JohnRice]

The first thing I would do is eliminate the audio extractor and work out a way to run audio directly from the Mac to the processor. You’ll need a surround capable usb to toslink adapter.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

One thing to consider/a possible culprit is the length of the HDMI cable. Although they do make regular 25’ HDMI cables it’s generally not advisable to do a run that long without a powered cable.

My lone suggestion would be to get what’s called an “active” cable - it looks exactly the same as a regular one but is directional, that is, one end must specifically be the output from the source and the other must specifically be used to input into the projector (there’s usually some fine print or an arrow to explain which is which). These cables use power from the HDMI port to amplify the signal and work much better for lengths 25’ or longer.

Another thing to keep in mind: if the processor isn’t rated for 4K, it will never pass on true 4K video, no matter that your Mac Mini may be outputting it or that your projector can support it. An HDMI chain can only work as well as the lowest supported resolution within it, and nothing was 4K at the consumer level back in 2006. That may also be one of, if not the, reason for the trouble.

 

[JohnRice]

One thing to consider/a possible culprit is the length of the HDMI cable. Although they do make regular 25’ HDMI cables it’s generally not advisable to do a run that long without a powered cable.

My lone suggestion would be to get what’s called an “active” cable - it looks exactly the same as a regular one but is directional, that is, one end must specifically be the output from the source and the other must specifically be used to input into the projector (there’s usually some fine print or an arrow to explain which is which). These cables use power from the HDMI port to amplify the signal and work much better for lengths 25’ or longer.

Another thing to keep in mind: if the processor isn’t rated for 4K, it will never pass on true 4K video, no matter that your Mac Mini may be outputting it or that your projector can support it. An HDMI chain can only work as well as the lowest supported resolution within it, and nothing was 4K at the consumer level back in 2006. That may also be one of, if not the, reason for the trouble.

I definitely agree on the hdmi cable. My understanding is he wasn't running video through the processor, or why would an audio extractor be needed? I just have low confidence with hdmi audio extractors, and would prefer to avoid them whenever possible.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I definitely agree on the hdmi cable. My understanding is he wasn't running video through the processor, or why would an audio extractor be needed? I just have low confidence with hdmi audio extractors, and would prefer to avoid them whenever possible.

Best guess is that the Mac Mini signal is being split to send video to projector and audio directly to powered speakers of some sort but I agree, that wouldn’t be my first choice of how to accomplish that. If that’s indeed the case, the OP may be better served with a no-frills budget AVR if the audio can’t be sent directly from the Mac Mini to the audio device.

My limited experiences with all these workarounds to avoid having an AVR is that the money saved isn’t worth the amount of hassle and cost of various auxiliary devices it takes to serve as a workaround to just having an AVR.

 

[JohnRice]

Best guess is that the Mac Mini signal is being split to send video to projector and audio directly to powered speakers of some sort but I agree, that wouldn’t be my first choice of how to accomplish that. If that’s indeed the case, the OP may be better served with a no-frills budget AVR if the audio can’t be sent directly from the Mac Mini to the audio device.

My limited experiences with all these workarounds to avoid having an AVR is that the money saved isn’t worth the amount of hassle and cost of various auxiliary devices it takes to serve as a workaround to just having an AVR.

Agreed on all. The OP will need to respond to clear it up. I just know there are multiple things that can cause problems. The long hdmi cable run is only exacerbated by the audio extractor. Which is why I was suggesting setting up a separate surround audio output, which is doable, rather than extracting it from the hdmi. That along with the active cable you suggested could solve it without needing a new AVR.

 

[Robin9]

I just purchased the Viewsonic X-1 4K LED projector. My signal originates from a MAC MINI purchase about a year ago. From the computer to an HDMI audio extractor, an HDMI cable, and a fiber optic digital audio into my Sunfire Theatre Grand Processor V, and finally to the projector (25ft cable through the ceiling). Upon initial hook-up the projector would display "looking for signal" and as soon as it found it, would again do the same. I am using a 25ft HDMI cable from the processor to the projector and a little research seemed to indicate I needed a better cable (the original was 10+ yrs old). I replaced all the HDMI cables with newer 4-8 K rated ones. BUT, over a couple hours of viewing time I will still get the "searching for signal" it almost immediately does find it and return to video but is a bit annoying I have to depress the enter button to cancel out an error screen. EVERYTHING the path is now rated for 4k or more except for the processor which was made around 2006 or 2007. The processor has two HDMI inputs and one out but it only supports video (whence the need for the audio extractor) . I there an issue with the projector or is the issue that my processor can't perfectly handle the higher bandwidth OR is it something else? I have about three more weeks I could return the projector. Thanks for any help or consideration.

I don't regard myself as any great authority about home theater, but it seems clear to me that your first priority is to test the projector before considering returning it. Have you a Blu-ray player? Can you borrow one? If yes, then connect that to the projector and see if the projector can now find the signal. If it can't, you've found the problem. If it can, then you have to do trial-and-error tests with other parts of your system to identify the culprit by a process of elimination. Good luck!

 

[jnbigbootay]

WOW, lots of great info and things I didn't even know existed. Soooo, trying to be clearer this time; the Sunfire TGP has two inputs for HDMI, however, it will not process audio via the HDMI cable, so the audio needs to come in as an optical digital, analog via RCA plugs, or digital via coaxial. To accomplish what I needed with current knowledge at the time was to use the HDMI output of the MAC (there is only one) into the extractor, utilizing the HDMI output of the extractor into the SUNFIRE HDMI-1 (DVD Player to HDMI-2), and audio out of the extractor via an optical digital cable to the optical input on the Sunfire Processor. At least a couple of you have confirmed what I had already suspected that the processor COULD be the problem and that the length could also be the problem, I DIDN'T consider the extractor as an issue. I am not inclined to purchase another processor so I would like to find a different workaround. I had already considered bypassing the processor and using the HDMI out of the MAC directly to the projector, but then what to do about audio?
Also, noted, yes I do have a DVD player and I absolutely will try that, also, in case I wasn't clear enough, this situation with the "searching for signal" isn't in any way on some consistent schedule, it is very sporadic and may happen once in several hours or 3-4 times in several hours; it may happen out of nowhere or it may happen when the screen changes from reg programming to commercial or vice versa.
My intent at this point is the go at this from least expensive to most expensive solutions. First I'll eliminate the extractor and purchase "a surround capable usb to toslink adapter", as an aside, John, I thought your usage of the term "toslink" was a typo and you forgot a space or something, did not know one could convert to optical cable, however, it does seem this will only transfer up to dolby 5.1, whereas my processor will handle and produce 7.1, I am pretty sure it will synthesize to 7.1 from a 5.1 signal. Sounds like something I had already considered but didn't know what hardware may be available to accomplish my need. If that doesn't fix it, I will replace the 25' cable with an active one, found one on Amazon for 27.00. For John Steinberg, does AVR= Audio Video Receiver? If so, my Sunfire TGP-5 is an AV Pre-amp or AV Processor and processes incredible audio. So to be clearer, my equipment is the Sunfire Theatre Grand Processor ($3500.00 in 2007, made by Bob Carver), four amplifiers; one for each pair of speakers, being front, center, middle and rear (seven speakers), plus the powered Subwoofer. If the only solution would be to replace that, I'd just live with this "searching..." issue, it is not horrible. If I bypass the processor with the HDMI cable directly to the projector, I would lose the capability to play the DVD player without physically switching cable, however, I could live with that since I seldom use it anymore. OR, would it be ok to use an HDMI switch, I do get the more times a signal goes through anything, it may be attenuated? So, immense thanks to you folks. With bated breath, I await additional sage info.

 

[JohnRice]

With the Mac, audio and video don’t both have to come from the HDMI connection. I haven’t checked, but there should be inexpensive options to output surround audio using USB.

 

[jnbigbootay]

John, I am finding that to be so, just how to? I am thinking I will connect my projector directly from the MAC to the projector and use a USB to Toslink cable from the MAC to My A/V processor. I am reading, however, Toslink only transfers 5.1 surround whereas my processor will produce 7.1 although currently as mentioned in previous posts I am using an extractor from the MAC via HDMI splitting that into video and audio, the audio into my processor is an optical cable, so I guess I am already only receiving 5.1. I am wondering if I might be as effective using an active splitter, one side directly to the projector, the other to the extractor for audio. Humbly asking if my thinking is wrong, what would be the best way to accomplish this leg of the troubleshooting journey?

Amazon.com

which is the StarTech.com 7.1 USB Sound Card - External Sound Card for Laptop with SPDIF Digital Audio
or
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C3PFQZ4G/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ALEWIQ2F9CQDR&th=1.
which is the OREI SplitExtend HDMI Splitter Extended Display for Dual Monitor - Multi-Monitor Display 3 Separate Screens
or
https://www.amazon.com/Tackston-USB...refix=surround+usba+to+toslink,aps,124&sr=8-2.
which is the USB to Optical Audio Adapter, USB A to SPDIF Sound Card Optical Output
or
something else entirely.

Again, thanks for the time and consideration. Great god I can tell you days have advanced drastically from when I was an avionics tech for the F-15 fighter whose Central control computer was comprised of four boxes of 4K memory/each (total of 16K) made of a magnetic core memory where one could physically see ONE SINGLE BYTE, 13 lbs each component and about as many thousand dollars each. Also consider my sophomore yr of college (1973) one of my room mates bought a first generation electronic calculator, its size was close to the size of an adding machine and I remember it was 42.00. I am just realizing I am beginning to get old (er).

 

[JohnRice]

John, I am finding that to be so, just how to? I am thinking I will connect my projector directly from the MAC to the projector and use a USB to Toslink cable from the MAC to My A/V processor. I am reading, however, Toslink only transfers 5.1 surround whereas my processor will produce 7.1 although currently as mentioned in previous posts I am using an extractor from the MAC via HDMI splitting that into video and audio, the audio into my processor is an optical cable, so I guess I am already only receiving 5.1. I am wondering if I might be as effective using an active splitter, one side directly to the projector, the other to the extractor for audio. Humbly asking if my thinking is wrong, what would be the best way to accomplish this leg of the troubleshooting journey?

Amazon.com

which is the StarTech.com 7.1 USB Sound Card - External Sound Card for Laptop with SPDIF Digital Audio
or
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C3PFQZ4G/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ALEWIQ2F9CQDR&th=1.
which is the OREI SplitExtend HDMI Splitter Extended Display for Dual Monitor - Multi-Monitor Display 3 Separate Screens
or
https://www.amazon.com/Tackston-USB-Optical-Unidirectional-Compatible/dp/B0CGVK3MC1/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1BDE747194BAT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tBZmod9DSkVoD1E6BNO9JtOVKxNm-RGEf0eeLrJLTSacfX88i5ceB8t_mfHowwiChTmU5jxNOqAy_O8lbb_TAg21bMJ_QfG4dYkJvIMdb26S6nfIoxj8Lnt1M0VAscU7ZetE_tx_Vt97Y7zFNLHDZZsOXXw8sbd6ZnBkN6sWH6X_GddFen1ej0WM8gJELB6cgCABk4UTWbCeh4yZMBHGwGi9hJbsb-liDxH742qTguw.IMiaaQyADYNtfXPqbCkvwzHbs0KlBrPwh6e72VZPJXU&dib_tag=se&keywords=surround+usb+to+toslink&qid=1736115022&sprefix=surround+usba+to+toslink,aps,124&sr=8-2.
which is the USB to Optical Audio Adapter, USB A to SPDIF Sound Card Optical Output
or
something else entirely.

Again, thanks for the time and consideration. Great god I can tell you days have advanced drastically from when I was an avionics tech for the F-15 fighter whose Central control computer was comprised of four boxes of 4K memory/each (total of 16K) made of a magnetic core memory where one could physically see ONE SINGLE BYTE, 13 lbs each component and about as many thousand dollars each. Also consider my sophomore yr of college (1973) one of my room mates bought a first generation electronic calculator, its size was close to the size of an adding machine and I remember it was 42.00. I am just realizing I am beginning to get old (er).

OK, a possible solution that's so obvious it could have bit me just occurred.

First, it would be a BIG help to know what era of Mac Mini you have. They have been around a long time. Fortunately, I have been using them for around 20 years. Depending on how old the Mini is, you can probably use a Thunderbolt-to-hdmi cable. So... you would connect your projector to the regular hdmi output, connect the Sunfire processor to the thunderbolt to hdmi cable, and in the Sound options on the Mac, tell it to send audio to the thunderbolt/hdmi cable. It'll be a pretty cheap thing to try.

I've run dual monitors on Minis for years, and while I've never done exactly what you want to, I think it should work. Of course, depending on the age of your Mac. Memory tells me that you probably have to configure something else on the Mac to enable full surround sound on the thunderbolt/hdmi cable. I remember doing that when running sweeps using Room EQ Wizard, but the OS has changed a lot since then.

Trying to extract audio from the main hdmi output on the Mini will always cause problems.

 

[JohnRice]

BTW, you do need to configure the surround output. You use the Audio MIDI Setup app in the Utilities folder. You can't do that until after the processor has been connected.

I highly recommend trying this method.

 

[jnbigbootay]

Fixed. I re-routed the video to a two-input-one output switcher (so I can watch DVDs when I wish), the output directly to the projector (bypassing my processor), eliminated the extractor using the toslink cable, and all is good. Thanks all for the helpful info. I would not have thought of eliminating the extractor.