HDMI issues

[pixellip]

Hi there.

I posted this a while ago and didn't really get very far..............so let's see if anyone has had the same issue.

 

We are using HDMI video splitters for HDMI here - one side sends the picture to the monitor on the desk and the other a Clevertouch screen.

 

The issue is that more often than not the sound seems to be dropping on the board because the splitter is sending audio to the monitor.

 

Has anyone experienced this issue please? We are using PCs..........if we were using laptops this wouldn't be an issue ( as you can mirror the screen out ) but with pcs it's not so easy.

 

We could try mirroring the pc screen to monitor on a different port ( like display port ) but it would mean having to buy lots more monitors or possibly change our pcs and money is tight.

 

The only way it seems of curing the problem temporarily is to uplug the HDMI lead from the pc (the lead that goes from pc to splitter) then plug back in and it works ( and displays 'Intel Display Audio' ).

 

There doesn't seem to be a way of forcing the audio to go to the big Clevertouch screen whilst sending the picture to both monitor and Clevertouch.

 

You can buy adaptors that convert HDMI to vga/analogue audio but the picture quality would go right down .

 

The splitters are powered by USB from the PC.......I don't think this factor comes into it to be honest............

 

The trouble is it's working fine then suddenly you get a call that the sound has gone.............

 

I've tried swapping HDMI ports the splitter, re-installing the Clevertouch directly with HDMI from PC plugged straight into the CT ( then after that putting the splitter back) - but nothing.

 

Any advise is appreciated as I had a look on the internet .......didn't uncover much.

 

Thanks.

[Joanne]

you think that using laptops would remedy the issue, but it doesn't!!

 

We have clevertouch screens and laptops and the HDMI sound frequently drops off the screen and goes to the laptop.

 

We also have the Intel Display Audio and I think that there is a driver bug knocking about. First make sure all drivers are up to date.

 

A second option might be to ditch the splitters and buy HDMI graphics for the PC, so they have 2 HDMI out, then you can duplicate in Windows. Thing is, the wonderful Intel Audio driver might still push the sound to the monitor!!

 

Sorry if I'm not much help, but it is one of the bains of my life!

[Boredguy]

If your computers have a display port connector, you can get display port to HDMI/DVI/VGA leads so that your current monitors can still be used and the HDMI goes straight to the board as a clone of the primary display (Monitor)

[sted]

my guess is that the pc thinks its sending sound but isnt my nuc does this from time to time if i turn it on before my amp(or if i turn the amp off while its on). If it dosent detect a hdmi device it defaults to some silly audio settings that my amp dosent like and i have to go in and manually change before i can get sound again. I suspect if the clevertouch is ever turned off it only detects the monitor and sends something that can handle but the clevertouch cant (again intel hdmi audio never did it on windows 8.1 but since 10 does it sometimes)

[Cazale]

Why not just add a cheapo graphics card (something like a GT 710 should do)?

[Rob_D]

why not use the PCs onboard line out sound directly into the IWB?

[atcoates]

Why not just add a cheapo graphics card (something like a GT 710 should do)?

 

Exactly what we do and prior to the 710 was the 210.

[Michael]

I do have to agree, this is most likely driver related rather than a splitter or physical problem.

[ZeroHour]

What OS are you running? If it's w10 what build?

[pixellip]

Thanks for all your help everyone. This problem has been causing major headaches to say the least.

 

We are using Windows 7 pcs.

I don't like using adaptors Boredguy as I find even adaptors (like HDMI>VGA) can cause issues ( we get issues from there here with screens going black e.t.c)

I could fit a graphics card to the pcs which is another step - the trouble is not all the pcs are the same........but yes one option is to fit a graphics card with display port or vga and then use that.

Quite a lot of our HP PCs have VGA and HDMI and the monitors have VGA so this could be a workaround. Trouble is VGA is dissapearing slowly.

 

I've purchased a monitor with Display Port on it so will try that in a classroom ( PC Display Port>Monitor - HDMI > Clevertouch ). If this works then maybe it is an option. We'd rather not do this as it means spending more money (!) when we already have widescreen monitors. It would be nice to solve this issue if possible as we bought 25 of everything ( the same ).......

 

It's difficult to know at what point the sound is going ....i.e is something turned off in order - I've tried just about everything...........but can't find a pattern ( I've tried turning the monitor on first then the Clevertouch then the reverse ) but I think it's just going at some point.......even in the day when everything is on.

 

Last year I had a problem like this with HDMI on Clevertouches - this did not involve splitters but straight into the screen - that was a driver issue ( I found a Beta Driver that seemed to work ) but I think this is being caused by the splitters themselves........can you use HDMI splitters day to day without issues?

 

I am using Intel HD 530 graphics just to let you know................not that it means much!

 

It's fair to see this issue is driving everyone nuts and they are losing lessons from it.

[atcoates]

We have every class wired the same. HDMI from touch screen to PC not using any face plates. Monitor to PC direct going via dvi, or dvi to hdmi or hdmi to dvi lead depending on connections. Audio is via powered speakers with a direct lead to sound card on PC. We then disable all other audio devices.

[Boredguy]

I was not suggesting adaptors, but the actual moulded leads to take the Display Port output from PC to VGA or DVI depending what your monitor had. (as a lead is much cheaper than replacing graphics cards or monitors)

 

If you already have VGA outputs available on PC and your monitors support it, then that is a viable option and disable all other sound devices on the PC apart from the HDMI that goes straight to the board.

 

The Splitter could be causing the issue for the sound to redirected to the monitor instead of the board so removing it from the equation where you already have an alternative display connection is something to investigate before having to spend money.

[SamanthaD]

Depending on hardware - if your PC has VGA and HDMI I would use VGA for local monitor, HDMI for screen. This should remedy the issue without too many headaches.

 

What HDMI splitters are you using? Decent ones should split the video AND audio, not just direct the audio in one direction. The PC will see the splitter as the device, not the end display. Alternatively try swapping the HDMI ports on your splitter, so if local monitor is on 1 and screen on 2, swap them so screen on 1 and local monitor on 2. Maybe a priority thing on the splitter.

 

If all else fails put external speakers in. Chances are they'll sound nicer than the inbuilt ones anyway!

[pixellip]

Sorry Boredguy........yes I agree - a lead is cheaper than all the other options. Thanks. It's something to think about.

Quite a lot of the PCs have VGA - not all do - but we really wanted a way of just using a splitter ( it's looking like this is going to be a problem ).

 

As for the earlier poster - I have tried running analogue audio into the Clevertouch ( Stereo mini Jack ) the pc but of course when you switch to HDMI 1 on the Clevertouch it doesn't mix audio - it only lets you use HDMI audio.

 

 

Atcoates (and Joanne): Thank you for your posts. It's interesting to hear you are using laptops and are still getting issues!

In the old days we had standard speakers, projector, amp - it all just worked. We got rid of all the speakers and amps and just went with HDMI.........but after a very late rushful summer (these things always get put in later than you would like) this issue cropped up into term time after everyone got back.

 

We don't really want to buy more powered speakers as we took them all away ( and got rid of all our wires e.t.c ) - we thought an HDMI connection would be a simple thing and much less wiring e.t.c

 

Ironically we had individual pcs next to the screens ( mini pcs ) but took them away as the teachers wanted one PC in the class on the desk that is mirrored to the screens. Else you are logging into the Clevertouch in front of a class of pupils and having to use wireless keyboards and mice which wasn't ideal.

[pixellip]

Samdavis: We use these splitters ( more or less )

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hdmi+splitters&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB762GB762&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjji8CP2fDXAhWKSRoKHYuBDdMQ_AUICygC&biw=1920&bih=925#imgrc=33mSFRKVlX3LhM:

 

They are cheapos from Amazon. What is a good HDMI splitter from a bad one ( can anyone recommend one please? ). I had a look at loads and couldn't make my mind up........(more recommendations are ads e.t.c).

 

I think there is 0 chance of them putting external speakers in - not after spending huge amounts on Clevertouches! ( to minimise clutter and wires )

[SamanthaD]

Hi,

 

You need to search for a HDMI distribution amplifier, not a splitter. We use a variety of Kramer and Extron DA's, however they come in at just under £200 a pop.

 

I wouldn't want to recommend a cheaper product - trial and error! If you held a gun to my head the ProSignal stuff on CPC isn't bad, if it were my money I'd give a couple of those a go first to see how well they did.

Just thought - you mention you're powering the splitters you have from USB - but the PSU in the photos you've linked say 5v @ 2A. Is your USB bus spitting out enough juice? I'd try mains PSU's first before splashing any cash at all....

[pixellip]

Thanks Sam.

I tried an external power supply but had the same issues............thanks for thinking of that....and making those other recommendations.

[Cazale]

why not use the PCs onboard line out sound directly into the IWB?

 

This is what we do with Clevertouch's btw. Mini-jack to mini-jack straight from the PC to the TV.

[pixellip]

Thanks Cazale. So do you use HDMI with that or VGA? Do you go into the TV or the side bracket ?

[Joanne]

This is what we do with Clevertouch's btw. Mini-jack to mini-jack straight from the PC to the TV.

 

Is this because you have a problem with the clevertouch's specifically? Only, my school is full of them so don't have any comparison screens. I've always assumed it was the intel driver...

[pixellip]

Hi Joanne.

I don't this is a Clevertouch issue - it's more to do with HDMI splitters - I assume this would happen with other HDMI gear....HDMI is a bi directional technology and somewhere along the line it's handshaking with the wrong device - I am assuming that.....

[Cazale]

Thanks Cazale. So do you use HDMI with that or VGA? Do you go into the TV or the side bracket ?

VGA, but no reason it wouldn't work with HDMI (I think? I know each VGA slot has a corresponding audio input. Not sure about HDMI without looking at one. Although thinking about it logically, maybe there isn't one for HDMI!). I'll have a look at one in the morning and post again.

Edited December 8, 2017 by Cazale

[Joanne]

Hi Joanne.

I don't this is a Clevertouch issue - it's more to do with HDMI splitters - I assume this would happen with other HDMI gear....HDMI is a bi directional technology and somewhere along the line it's handshaking with the wrong device - I am assuming that.....

 

I don't use HDMI splitters and I have this exact problem. Similarities are Intel driver and CleverTouch boards.

[pixellip]

So Joanne - you are saying that with the PC (or laptop) going straight into the Clevertouch via HDMI you find it is stopping at various points in the day? That is interesting. Which do you use - PC's or laptops?

 

Personally I decided to get rid of the HDMI splitters. For now I have fed the PC into the Clevertouch via HDMI and have made a copy of the video signal via VGA (in Display Properties in Windows) and run that into the computer monitor.

I have had no calls about sound going off since I did this - it might do but for now it seems ok. I will report back if this issue still occurs....

[Joanne]

We use laptops. HDMI straight into the board (we have 3 different iterations of the CleverTouch boards) and some are fine, some are not. I think it is the Intel Driver which causes the issue. Reboot normally puts the option of sound through the board back in the sound options.

 

So what happens is that it works, then after so long (of possible inactivity) the option of the HDMI sound output goes out of the window. Rebooting, or reinstalling sound driver fixes the issue.