Projectors freaking out on power up

[withoutfear]

I have had an issue with my projectors acting up from time to time after turning the system on.
Here is the setup: I'm using two benq hd projectors, two screens and mediashout on a pc... I have the signal coming from the computer using a VGA output on my gc to a Kramer switcher. That is then going to a tvone hdmi 4 way da splitter. The two hdmi cables go In to two separate tvone cat 5 baluns Which go to the projectors which are then converted back to hdmi.
I have been running into a problem when I power up the gear, It's a crap shoot if it's all going to come on properly and work with freaking out. Sometime one screen will like flash and blink which causes the other screen to blink( if you uig the bad screen the other side displays fine) You can see the content if fired for a second or two but then it usually goes to a blue screen that says " no hdmi" but will continue to blink and shoes flashes of my graphic content. Also on the splitter the sync light will be flashing which indicates no sync. I have found a few different ways to fix the issue. one is disconnecting the splitters power and replugging it in. Other times unplugging a balun will fix and it other times, it fixes its self after 10 minutes or so.... Im thinking My procedure for startup is wrong.... I usually turn on the projectors first then the computer then the splitter and switcher which are on a furmen power distro together....
Any ideas?

[SterlingAug]

I would try projector first, then splitter and switcher, then the PC.

The projector is acting like a monitor screen so if Windows doesn't see the projector on (without the splitter and switcher on) then Windows blue screens.

[Gracetech]

There are different types of splitters. Did you get one that splits or splits and amplifies?

crt

[wogster]

Originally Posted by withoutfear

I have had an issue with my projectors acting up from time to time after turning the system on.
Here is the setup: I'm using two benq hd projectors, two screens and mediashout on a pc... I have the signal coming from the computer using a VGA output on my gc to a Kramer switcher. That is then going to a tvone hdmi 4 way da splitter. The two hdmi cables go In to two separate tvone cat 5 baluns Which go to the projectors which are then converted back to hdmi.
I have been running into a problem when I power up the gear, It's a crap shoot if it's all going to come on properly and work with freaking out. Sometime one screen will like flash and blink which causes the other screen to blink( if you uig the bad screen the other side displays fine) You can see the content if fired for a second or two but then it usually goes to a blue screen that says " no hdmi" but will continue to blink and shoes flashes of my graphic content. Also on the splitter the sync light will be flashing which indicates no sync. I have found a few different ways to fix the issue. one is disconnecting the splitters power and replugging it in. Other times unplugging a balun will fix and it other times, it fixes its self after 10 minutes or so.... Im thinking My procedure for startup is wrong.... I usually turn on the projectors first then the computer then the splitter and switcher which are on a furmen power distro together....
Any ideas?

First things first, check all cable connections, HDMI like USB does not use a positive connector, like VGA and Ethernet do. If the connections are okay, then it could be a bad cable, data cables are amazingly fragile, they typically only see <5VDC and less then 1AMP so the actual wires are often very thin, have a look at an Ethernet cable, where it goes into the connector for an example. The thinner the wire, the easier it is for it to break if it gets strained or bent. If it's a new permanent install, some people get overly enthusiastic with the staple gun and will pinch the cable breaking a wire inside. CAT5 and other thin cable should not be tightly fastened to structures. If you need the wire tight, you should run another wire along side it taped to it, and fasten that wire tight, similar to the way they fasten hydro wires to your house.

[withoutfear]

Okay, I tried the power up sequence as recommended and it messed up again. I unplugged the wires on a balun and it fixed it.
Gracetech, it's a distribution amp model number 1t-da-654 by tv one.
Wogster, if it were bad connections loose wires ect would a reset of baluns or the DA fix it? That seems like it's a communication error between equipment. I can replace and terminate cables just to rule it out. I hope it's something that easy.

[wogster]

Originally Posted by withoutfear

Okay, I tried the power up sequence as recommended and it messed up again. I unplugged the wires on a balun and it fixed it.
Gracetech, it's a distribution amp model number 1t-da-654 by tv one.
Wogster, if it were bad connections loose wires ect would a reset of baluns or the DA fix it? That seems like it's a communication error between equipment. I can replace and terminate cables just to rule it out. I hope it's something that easy.

It could be an intermittent cable issue, a connection that is loose, rather then off, so that sometimes it makes contact and sometimes it doesn't. It's why I like positive connectors like VGA or BNC that screw together or RJ45 that clicks together, rather then connectors like HDMI or USB which don't. Wires can sometimes do this too, where a wire is broken, but it is in close proximity so sometimes it contacts and works, sometimes it doesn't.

It's also possible that you have a flaky balun or switch. You also could have an intermittent power problem. Wall warts (plug in power bricks) sometimes use thin wires as well and they can break, and they often use non positive connectors, meaning the equipment doesn't get power consistently.

[daver2]

We had a similar problem with one of our VGA splitter/amplifiers.

Changed the splitter/amp for another one - still no luck. Played with the cables - still no luck.

Eventually we replaced the "wall wart" (this one was in a fairly inaccessible location since some idiot built the drum cage on top of the trap door that houses it) - problem went away and never returned.

Dave