HDMI blackout - picture only

[dlf]

I and or should we say are getting tired of getting HDMI blackouts randomly throughout movie playblack - mostly DVD. Hasn't really happened with blu-rays I think. It has NEVER happened when I play a game (see equipment below). The odd thing is when it black out it is ONLY ever the picture - we keep the sound. It may be like a quick second flash than back to a picture.

The equipment we have in this room:

• Sony PS3 slim 250 GB - although with a 750 GB hard drive & the latest firmware
  
• A Samsung 46" TV - A 630 (if I recall correctly)
  
• Onkyo HT R380 receiver (5 speakers, multiple HDMI ports)
  
• AT&T U-verse -- another HDMI connected to the back of the TV [it isn't on when watching movies]
  
• Nintendo Wii connected to the TV by RCA cables (like it could any other way )
  

The PS3 is connected to the Onkyo receiver solely by an HDMI cable. The receiver has another HDMI cable going from it to the back of the TV.

Simplified Setup:

PS3 -> Onkyo Receiver -> Samsung TV --- All connected to one another by HDMI cables.

• We literally just finished watching Men In Black 3 on the PS3 and it did blackout several times. A few days ago we watched it on a Samsung Blu-ray player (don't know the model #) - but it doesn't wifi built in - and it didn't happen once.When watching that it was also connected by HDMI to the receiver, I do not know if it has the latest Samsung firmware.
  
• If possible could I get a clear answer of why HDMI cables do this. Would (all?) digital cables (display port, and cables to come) would do this? When I eventually get a new computer with a HDMI port (either motherboard or GPU) would I get the same thing if I connected the system to a new monitor - with support for HDMI/display port?
  
• The PS3 does blackout even on the XMB screen, or playing music.
  
• Some days it won't black out ever on the XMB/playing music
  
• Never happens when playing games.
  

And thank you in advance.

[compl3x]

Have you tried replacing the HDMI cable(s)? They're pretty cheap, don't spend lots of money on overpriced cables.

[LUTZIFER]

Have you tried different scenarios? Like connecting your PS3 directly into the TV threw HDMI and checking to see if it still has problems, and if so maybe using different cables, etc. etc.

It may be something wrong with your PS3 or the Amplifier. Or maybe just a haywire cable.

I would have each device hooked right to the tv using hdmi or whatever the device is capable of using, and having the sound output from the tv go into the stereo amp.

I always thought it was just wrong for amplifiers to start having all sorts of inputs for audio/video.

Makes more sense to change inputs on the tv to whatever you want to watch on it than have the stereo do it.

Every device I have, computer, xbox, bluray player, HD cable box, etc. etc. is hooked directly into the TV. Then I have an optical cable running from the tv to my 3D Soundbar. Whatever Im watching on the TV will have sound threw the amp. Works great, no hassle.

[dlf]

Yes. The cable going from the PS3 to the receiver. has been changed several times with other cables we have. All cables we less than like $5 either from Amazon, Monoprice, and i think newegg.

[LUTZIFER]

Yes. The cable going from the PS3 to the receiver. has been changed several times with other cables we have. All cables we less than like $5 either from Amazon, Monoprice, and i think newegg.

Try going direct to the tv though. At least then if you still have problems then you know it isn't the receiver.

[dlf]

I watched 'video games live' blu and it didn't seem to happen with it going from the PS3 to the TV. Weird is that the Samsung player when connected to the receiver and playing MIB 3 didn't do it at all. We'll see if the Sony BDP S390 we just ordered does it or doesn't. Is the blacking out a issue with the HDMI cable? One of the ports? Some form of 'piracy' protection?