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Monster is committed to helping you experience the absolute best picture and sound from your Monster Advanced for HDMI cable and HD entertainment system. Our helpful Hookup Guide and Troubleshooting Tips provide quick, easy solutions to the most common HDMI connectivity issues, so you can enjoy your HDTV or HD Home Theater trouble free. Plus, Monster Customer Service is always just an email or call away, if you have an HDMI connectivity issue we haven't covered here.

Monster Advanced for HDMI Hookup Tips

You've hooked up your brand new HDTV, DVD player, and AV receiver with their advanced HDMI connections. There's just one problem. There's no picture and sound! Wait, don't return the TV or cableMonster can help!

Follow our easy hookup tips to solve most HDMI connectivity issues, so you'll always enjoy the best possible picture and sound from your high definition components.

If you follow these hookup tips, but still can't get picture or sound, go to the Troubleshooting pages.


No picture and sound?

Check Your HDMI Connections
Moving components can loosen connections. Double-check that you have connected your HDMI cable to an output on your component (Blu-ray Disc™ or HD DVD™, video game console or cable/satellite box, etc.) and to the input on your TV.

If you use an AV receiver for source switching and surround sound processing, connect your sources, (Blu-ray Disc™ or HD DVD™, cable/satellite box, etc.) to HDMI inputs on the back of your receiver Then connect an HDMI cable to the receiver's HDMI output to you're an HDMI input on the back of your TV.

Still not working?

Check that HDMI is setup and selected in your component's menu.
Not all TVs and components are set to use HDMI by default, and may not automatically detect the connection unless you go into the menu and select it.

(The component's owner's manual will refer to special settings with use of HDMI connections. You can also find a list of all menus and submenus.)

1. Make a second connection (usually a yellow composite video cable, supplied with the component) between your component and TV. Note the TV input you used in this connection.
2. Once attached, power on the AV source (DVD player, cable/satellite box, etc.).
3. Switch the TV's input to that of the component you just connected.
4. Press "menu" or "setup menu" on your component. Change its audio/video outputs to HDMI.
5. Finally, Check the TV's audio/video input menu. Switch it to HDMI, if necessary.
6. You may now disconnect the second connection you used.

Again, this is where an owner's manual will have more detailed, precise directions of how to setup your component's HDMI connection.

If you have an AV receiver, make sure its AV menu settings are also set to HDMI

Monster Advanced for HDMI HDCP Troubleshooting Tips

In earlier versions of HDMI connections, there were connectivity issues caused by HDCP (High Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection)-a form of digital rights management-designed to prevent piracy of the high definition content. Most issues have been resolved through current HDMI standards and Simplay Labs™ HD Compatibility Testing of TVs and components.

However, if you find that you have connected your components correctly, and you are still not receiving picture or sound, our HDCP Troubleshooting Tips illustrate the two most common HDCP incompatibility scenarios you might face and how to resolve them.


HDCP Incompatibility Scenarios
Why is this happening?
HDCP prevents the transfer of digital content to unauthorized HDMI devices. HDMI devices must "handshake," (authenticate) with one another, before they will pass or display high definition content. Trouble occurs when the instructions in one HDMI chip does not match those of the connected device. The device will not display or pass through picture and sound as it suspects that the content may be vulnerable to piracy (being copied).

1. "Caught in the Middle"
In this scenario, HDMI works properly when making a direct connection between your source and TV. When you add an AV receiver, switcher or other device between your source and your TV, it stops working. Your cables and, surprisingly, your AV receiver aren't to blame. The issue is with your source component (high definition disc player, DVD player, etc.).
Problem: The source component (i.e.,DVD player) did not send a "repeat" code in front of its HDCP handshake code. As a result, the AV receiver wasn't directed to pass the HDCP code to your TV. No HDCP handshake occurred between your DVD player and TV, no signal reached the TV.


2. "One or the Other"
HDMI works properly when a single source is connected to your TV. However, you lose your picture when you connect two HDMI sources to your TV and switch between them. Your cables and AV sources aren't the problem. The issue is with your TV.



Problem: When one source is in use, the TV powers down its other HDMI input. Despite this, HDCP on each source's HDMI chip continues to monitor the TV's HDMI inputs for unauthorized devices. HDCP is unable to recognize the TV because of the powered-down input. HDCP blocks signal from the previously unused source to the TV.



Digital Cable/Satellite Issues
If you are unable to successfully connect your cable/satellite receiver via HDMI, the HDMI output on your set-top box may not be enabled and/or may require a firmware update. Call your regional cable/satellite provider for assistance.

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