MiSTer FPGA Forum

The other day I got a HDMI splitter so I can quickly switch between my laptop and MiSTer (because my LG monitor's interface is pretty cumbersome when it comes to input switching... now I only have one button to press).

I quickly realised that the HDMI was keeping the LEDs and (sometimes) the fan operating. Now, I know about the issue and have read multiple discussions on that, but one thing is not clear to me:

Will this contribute to wear&tear or otherwise damage my setup? I mean, if the system spends a couple of hours a day getting that little current will it somehow adversely affect its health?

Thanks!

You are having CEC issues. Here a thread I wrote a while back discussing the issue at detail. It's more of a HDMI issue than a MiSTer issue, but MiSTer is one of the many devices affected.
HDMI CEC and the MiSTer. viewtopic.php?t=2474

To sum it up quickly, you are having CEC issues, CEC was supposed to let HDMI devices network with each other, problem is there no set standard among manufactures. The Easy solutions are get a CEC-less or CEC blocking HDMI Adapter. You can buy a preexisting adapter or make your own CEC-less cable (the how to is on the other thread)

Here an adapter off Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BFL8TM8

As I said, I know about this issue; I have read that thread. I'm not asking why, all I'm asking is, will it damage my MiSTer?

[EDIT] I've amended the topic title to make it more clear.

Krakout wrote: ↑Thu May 12, 2022 12:24 pm As I said, I know about this issue; I have read that thread. I'm not asking why, all I'm asking is, will it damage my MiSTer?

[EDIT] I've amended the topic title to make it more clear.

Unknown, but even if it does not damage the MiSTer, it could damage other devices on that device chain.
The DE 10 Nano is quite robust, so I want to say unlikely. One thing is clear is there a easy fix, so as long as you find away to block CEC, damage to the MiSTer is a non-issue.

I dove into the topic when I notice my MiSTer will wake up my PS3.

Yeah, I've seen others having issues with the rest of their setup like consoles, TVs and soundbars, but for me the setup is pretty bare: a monitor that is connected to my laptop and to the MiSTer, with two desktop speakers plugged into it through a normal audio jack, so I'm not really experiencing much frustration in that regard...

ARC is a separate issue from CEC
CEC is a "Networking feature" of HDMI while ARC is more an alternative to S/PDIF to transmit Audio.

A dental pick popping out a pin in a short HDMI extender or Male to Female coupler, or buying a remade adapter should eliminate the powering up issue entirely.

Yesss I know of the solutions

Hello everyone,

Just to let you know I bought and just received and tried this: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00DL48KVI/

Yeah, no difference, leds and fan still power up...

This solved that problem for me.

SwedishGojira wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 1:12 pm This solved that problem for me.

This one does seem better off at first glance.

How much is it? It doesn't offer shipping to me and can't see the price...

Krakout wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 5:13 pm How much is it? It doesn't offer shipping to me and can't see the price...

Says $15.99. Bit on the higher side for something like this but it does pack a fair few features to be fair.

Yeah, though it's bulkier and requires a second cable... Beginning to look like a right mess

I did find this Reddit post about getting rid of CEC by just plucking the right pin from the HDMI plug. Seems pretty complicated though.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/com ... e_cec_pin/

SwedishGojira wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 1:12 pm This solved that problem for me.

To be more exact. This one solved the power going back into the MiSTer issue by just plugging it in and not supplying any extra current.

To make it clear, the power issue have nothing to do with any CEC problems.
To solve that you have to get anoter plug or cable to remove CEC. I have to use both of them to not have any issues in my system.

The HDMI on the mister is not very safely incorporated to the board.

Well, though, the adaptor I linked to lacks the CEC pin so I'm not sure any more if the 'remove pin' hack is reliable? There's something fishy here...