Issue with Audio Only connection on Z3000 Pro

Hello,

I received my Zidoo Z3000 Pro last week and updated it to 1.2.40 firmware using the online update function. I have the MAIN HDMI connected to my Samsung OLED TV and the AUDIO ONLY HDMI connected to Tonewinner At-300 processor and set to RAW. The audio was working fine until today, I have no Audio now from the AUDIO ONLY output. I changed the connection so that everything is going out form the Main HDMI and connected it directly to the processor (with audio set to RAW) and I have audio.

I prefer to restore my previous connection method in which the audio output is separate through the AUDIO ONLY HDMI output. How to fix this problem and get my audio back?

 

@Markswift2003

Hello Mark, is this a known issue? Can I fix it by changing some settings?

 

Not a known issue - Audio should really be set to Auto so that it respects the EDID, especially when using two HDMI outputs.

 

I've just made many experiments with settings including selecting Auto both HDMI but still no sound coming out from the HDMI Audio port.

I even restored the original settings for the device from the settings menu and without changing anything I tried to play a movie file but still have the same issue!

What baffles me is that it was working fine during the past week and it is a brand new device. Is it possible the HDMI Audio port is faulty and I should return the device?

 

I do not recommend anyone to use AUDIO-ONLY HDMI output, as it has always been faulty and can even negatively affect video playback via HDMI-MAIN for certain content (stuttering).
If possible, it is better to loop HDMI-MAIN through the AVR or use HDMI-ARC (eARC) from the television.

 

Stupid question, but you're not outputting PCM over HDMI2 are you? And the volume is turned down on the Zidoo remote?

Always make sure volume passthrough mode is switched on then this can't happen. Obviously this doesn't affect bitstream audio.

 

Volume Passthrough is ON

HDMI2? You mean the eARC on my TV?

Zidoo HDMI Main is connected to HDMI3 input on my TV
Zidoo HDMI Audio is connected to my Processor via one of its HDMI inputs
TV HDMI2 (eArc) connected to the processor's HDMI eArc and set to Passthrough (not PCM)

When I switch Zidoo audio source to HDMI Main everything works (cz the audio is sent to the TV then from it to the processer via eArc.

When I switch Zidoo audio source to HDMI Audio then I have video but no audio.

 

In that case why would someone buy the Z3000 Pro? For the power supply only?

I like the HDMI Audio Only option because it uses better clocking for the audio and separates it from the video signal. If it is not usable then I should downgrade to the Z9X and use a good power supply with it!

 

For what it's worth, I've been using the Z3000 Pro's Audio-out HDMI directly to my receiver, and the video through my TV for the last month and a half so far (admittedly, not long), and I haven't experienced any issues...yet.

Edited my post because I put "TV" where I meant to put "receiver", and vice-versa.

 

A larger case, large display, no antennas, built-in better power supply, slot for 3.5" HDD. Not as expensive as the UHD8000, and if you don't need a DAC.

At first, I also used HDMI audio, but had stuttering problems with certain DV videos. I even bought 1000 Pro to be able to play these videos.
Then it turned out that the problem was the connection via HDMI audio. In addition, there is a
larger sound delay after the pause via this output, which is annoying.
The video comes on, people are talking, and you don't hear anything for the first few seconds.

 

Strange wiring. Could you please explain in more detail why you are doing this and what equipment you have?

Logically speaking, you already have an audio signal on the television via the receiver, and to my knowledge, it is not possible to separate the video, e.g. via HDMI1, and the sound via HDMI2 on the television.


There is always something new to learn.

 

I mistyped. I still haven't had my (optional) morning coffee. My Zidoo Z3000 Pro HDMI1 is outputting Video directly to my TV, not my audio. I have the Z3000 HDMI2 outputting audio directly to my receiver. The models aren't really relevant, but I hope that information clears up the confusion I caused. Editing my post above now.

 

As I said, it was a stupid question but you wouldn't believe how many people ay they get no audio only find they're using PCM and the volume is turned down. If you have Volume Passthrough on then that's fine.

I don't know what's going on here - have you tried different codecs? ie AC3, DTS, THD and DTS-HD.

As a test try taking eARC out of the equation - connect the amp to the TV using a non eARC input.

Things like this are always a process of elimination.

 

I disconnected eArc and nothing new.

Tried different formats and nothing new.

Tried something awkward: switched hdmi cables on the back of Zidoo (audio goes to TV and video goes to processor) and of course nothing happened (no audio nor video).

Then returned hdmi cables to their original place (audio to TV and video to processor).. THE MIRACLE HAPPENED!

I have audio now from the HDMI Audio output, the same as last week when it was working. It is as if that port was asleep and something woke it up!

 

It'll be interesting to see if it keeps working or what happens. I'm sure you'll let us know. Hopefully it keeps working.

 

Hmmm - I can't quite figure out why but I think this is something to do with EDID...

One trick, assuming you don't need to use a custom EDID (and I don't think you do), is to save your own EDID and then load it back into the box and activate it so that the box always has access to that EDID regardless of the power state (and power on order) of the connected components.

 

I will

 

What you are saying is too advanced for me since I don't know what is EDID. If you think this is important or useful for future debugging I can ask ChatGPT to explain EDID and help me do what you mentioned.

 

Or if there is an online resource I can read and understand EDID

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_Display_Identification_Data