After the last updates to Roku and Tablo, The playback started acting like it was buffering. Playbacks would stop for a few seconds and then continue. I thought I had a hard drive issue or maybe a software update glitch. It was getting irritating. Then we started watching more streaming shows and the same issue was occurring for both the Tablo playback and my Philo streaming. The common elements were the Roku and the HDMI cable between the Roku and the TV. The HDMI cable was the easiest element to eleminate as an issue. I changed out the HDMI cable and the buffering has not reoccured. What I thought might be seious problem turned out to have simple resolution. If we had not started to watch the Christmas shows on Hallmark. I would have contined to look at the Tablo, Roku or harddrive for a solution and not the HDMI cable as the issue.
To save myself from this, what did you do to wear out your cable? I’d like to avoid doing it.
thanks
HDMI is a mystery to me. I suspect old, cheap cables or or possibly mistreatment. The only other time that I had a HDMI issue was a dirty port. It is not a good idea to leave unused HDMI ports uncovered.
I am getting ready to install a new TV and I will upgrade my HDMI cables with the new TV. I have already upgraded my either net cables and that solved a few issues. It also came as a surprise to me that coaxial cables should be upgraded as technology changes and the cables age. Problems are not always caused by the elrctronics.
Thanks! Yes, generally I discard the “free” cables that come with things. I have seen caps on new cables, but never for the ports. But yes they collect dust, so if for what ever reason, I swap cables or start to use one I’ll shoot some clean air into it.
As for coax upgrade, I understand it depends on your application. There’s nothing wrong with RG59 for antenna runs, depending on length. Considering the cost difference, RG6 has greater shielding necessary for higher frequency like satellite, cable and internet signals, as well as longer antenna runs. But just to upgrade for the sake for upgrading I find a misnomer.
I agree, sometimes you should start with some of the “simple” parts first, it’s not always that complicated.
Thanks for your insight
RG59 actually has higher signal loss than RG6 over longer cables runs, so it can make a difference.
The only problem I had with an HDMI cable is using a first generation HDMI to a 4K device replacing it with a newer cheap 2.0 HDMI did the trick never had problem anymore.
exactly…
I used “antenna runs” synonymously for “longer cable runs”.
Another thing to watch for that recently bit me: Sometime, if you connect to a cable faceplate that has been in place several years, the inner contacts on the female to female cable joiner have either distored or corroded just enough to prevent a good solid connection with the new cable. In either case, the result is a higher than expected number of pixelated images, without an explainable reason.
The solution is simple: if you remove the faceplate from the wall, replace the barrel connector or cable splicer. If you remove a splitter, especially one that has been outside, just replace it. If you must use a splicer (female to female connector) to extend your outside cable length, be sure to seal up the connection with electrical tape drawn tightly to keep the connection dry.
I just bought 10 rubber HDMI port caps. I’ll see if they do any good. I have been covering the unused ports with electrical tape.
Are the gold plated HDMI cable ends worth the extra cost?
Lots of variables. What’s the extra cost. How “high-end” is your equipment? I know the gold plating doesn’t oxidize aka corrode. Yes, they make a difference… all things being equal. My view, if you get “good” cables gold or not given the quality of your equipment I’m comfortable I wouldn’t notice any difference. But if the cost difference is tolerable for you in relation to your investment, don’t cut corners.
One not, just because a vendor put a nice pretty weaving on the outside doen’t make a 24awg cable better than any properly shielded 24awg cable.
In the time when TV is analog sure those expensive monster cable make a difference now where on digital a five dollar gold plated HDMI will perform the same as more expensive HDMI that sales person in the store will try to sell you.
Cnet agrees with you. They say buy highspeed HDMI cables without eithernet and don’t worry about it. They also say buy online and not in the store for the best price. Still, I will use my silicone plugs in my unused ports and consider coated cable ends for long term connections to the TV. My only problems have been cables that teminate at the TV. Once when starting to use a port on the TV that had had not been used in years and once with a cable that had been connected to the TV for years.