Cinelink™ - Troubleshooting Playback/Display Issues

Table of Contents

1. Display Issues
2. Screen Discoloration
3. HDCP Failure (Playback -1 Error)

 

Display Issues

1. If you are using a single display, please ensure you are connected to HDMI 1.
2. If you are using dual-display mode, the Cinelink™ user interface is always displayed on HDMI 2, while the movie is displayed on HDMI 1.  
3. The HDMI ports are not currently hot swappable and should be connected before powering on. If the display device is unplugged or the input source is changed, the output may not return when reconnected. While re-starting the Cinelink is probably the quickest way of correcting the issue, the control video can be restored without having to shut it down entirely. There are two solutions to resolving this situation:
   1. Re-start the Cinelink
      • This can be done by pressing and holding the power button for several seconds or pulling the power cord.
   2. Pull both HDMI connections to the device
      1. Plug the control monitor (HDMI 2) back in by itself
      2. After several seconds, the control video will return.
      3. Then plug in the video playback display (HDMI 1)
      4. Video will return to the playback display
4. Try testing the Cinelink with the device directly connected to the display to determine if there is an issue with the player itself or if another device in the signal path is causing an issue.
5. Try testing with a known working HDMI cable.

Screen Discoloration

The discolored video you're seeing can be due to a number of possible issues:
 

• An HDMI pin (or pins) is not making a proper connection with the display's HDMI input.
• The resolution of the Cinelink output may not be compatible with the display.
• The refresh rate of the Cinelink output may not be compatible with the display.

The first thing we recommend to check is the Cinelink's video output settings.  We recommend setting the device's output resolution and refresh rate to something broadly compatible like 1280 x 720 at 30 frames per second.  If that works properly, then we would recommend stepping the resolution up to 1920 x 1080.

If that does not resolve the issue, the next thing we would check would be the display connection.  Try a different HDMI input on the display if possible.  If that does not work, try a different HDMI cable.  If you determine that the HDMI output of the Cinelink is faulty, we may need to arrange for a replacement.

Cinelink Playback -1 Error

If your Cinelink device fails to detect HDCP along the signal path for the device's HDMI 1 port, it may present a Playback -1 error when you attempt to play a movie.  You may also see a red HDCP indicator in the upper left area of the screen or the HDMI port(s) show "not connected" under Settings.
  

A red HDCP error indicator in the upper left of the main screen.

Resolving a Playback -1 error is very simple.

Follow the steps below to reset the configured display type stored in the Cinelink box to the preferred display value for the current configuration.

Preferred method: 

1. Start or Restart the Cinelink device
2. When the Initialization screen is displayed, press and hold down any button on the remote (or connected keyboard) for several seconds.

The Cinelink initialization screen.

Alternative method:

1. Power the Cinelink down
   • Either by using the Cinelink's power menu or pulling the power cord
2. Disconnect all HDMI cables from the back of the device
3. Ensure that all devices in your HDMI signal path are powered up -
   • The display or projector
   • The HDMI switcher (if applicable)
   • Any audio equipment
   • Any image scalers, etc. (if applicable)
4. Re-connect the HDMI cables to the back of the device
   • Be sure that your primary display or projector is connected to HDMI port 1
5. Power the Cinelink back up

This procedure clears the Cinelink's stored display information (also called EDID).  As the device re-starts, it will collect new information from the attached displays.  When the Cinelink boots up fully, you should now see a normal HDCP indicator in the upper left area of the screen.  The device should allow you to play a movie normally with no errors.

A normal HDCP indicator in the upper left of the main screen.

If you continue to encounter errors, please ensure that all devices in the HDMI signal path, including your primary display or projector are HDCP compliant. Please keep in mind that HDMI splitters will break HDCP.  For additional assistance, please contact Swank Digital Support.