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dcwong504's avatar
dcwong504
New Contributor
6 years ago

Cox box not starting with Samsung sound bar

I just connected my Sony tv to a Samsung HW-Q90N sound bar via the ACR port on both units.  I also connected the sound bar to an Apple tv and a Cox cable box.  All connections use HDMI cables.  The problem is the cable box does not work, no picture or sound when I turn off the sound bar and tv and turn the devices on at a later time.  I changed the inputs for the external devices, and only the Apple tv works.  The cable box will only work if I do a hard reset.  Any ideas?

thanks

  • KevinM2's avatar
    KevinM2
    Former Moderator
    Hello, what HDMI input is the Contour receiver using? Is it HDMI 1, 2, 3, etc? Would you be able to attempt using another HDMI port on your television? To confirm, the Contour receiver does work properly, but only after a hard reset?

    How often do you have to perform the hard reset? -Kevin M. Cox Support Forum Moderator
    • dcwong504's avatar
      dcwong504
      New Contributor

      KevinM2,

      The Contour box only has two HMDI ports, one HDMI in port and one HMDI out port.  I have tried numerous ports on the tv without any success.  I also noticed that my tv does not "see" the cable box when I view connected devices on my tv.  The tv "sees the sound bar and the Apple tv.  

      • Bruce's avatar
        Bruce
        Honored Contributor III
        my tv does not "see" the cable box

        The TV obviously "sees" the cable box because the cable box works...albeit after a hard reset.

        This begs the question of your definition of "see."  Sony Bravia Link/Sync will not see a cheap cable box.  Do you see the cable box if you press the TV Input button on the remote?

  • Bruce's avatar
    Bruce
    Honored Contributor III

    I've read Samsung has bugs with its soundbar.

    If the TV is the hub for all HDMI sources, there are lip sync issues.  If the soundbar is the hub for all HDMI sources, there are ARC/CEC issues.  You can't blame Cox until Samsung fixes their bug.  In January?  You'll need to keep up with their updates.

    Or...if you have HDMI-CEC enabled on your Samsung (Anynet+) or Sony (Bravia Link/Sync), it just may be an issue with the power-on signal (One-Touch Play or System Standby) because cheap cable-boxes don't support HDMI-CEC.

    Try removing/disabling Contour from your list of CEC devices...either on the menu of your TV or soundbar.

    • dcwong504's avatar
      dcwong504
      New Contributor

      Bruce,  I am not blaming anyone.  I am trying to find a solution for the problem I am have with my sound bar.  You said cheap cable boxes do not support HDMI-CEC, so now I need to find out if Cox has an HMDI enabled box.

      • Bruce's avatar
        Bruce
        Honored Contributor III

        As far as I know, all Cox cable-boxes are HDMI enabled.  If your cable box has HDMI ports, it's HDMI enabled.  HDMI is hardware.  HDMI-CEC is a protocol.

        I don't even know if CEC is your problem.  I just suggested removing the cable box from your CEC bus...if applicable...and we'd go from there.

        HDMI is designed...fundamentally...for copy-right protection (HDCP).  With HDMI, you'll only get audio/video if connected to a display device or an authorized recording device.

        It sounds like if everything is powered, the soundbar bridges an HDCP connection from the cable box to the TV.  An authorized connection.  However, when you power everything down, the cable box loses that authorized connection (bridge) and revokes the license (HDCP) because it only "sees" a soundbar.