Disabling Pin 13 in HDMI cable

[timbo64]

How do I remove or disable PIN13 from one end of a HDMI cable. I just got an enhanced DVR(ARRIS DCX 3600XNG)from TWC.After installing I found that I lost CEC control from my Onkyo TX-NR 838 (AV Receiver)to my Vizio M43-C1( 4k flat screen tv).I also lost the ability of hearing sound through my system(I have a 3.0 speaker system)(The sound is ok through TV speakers)when I stream Netflix or Amazon.I have read on TWC forums of a fix for the CEC problem by disabling Pin13 on one end of the HDMI cable (the end that plugs into the Onkyo from the ARRIS DVR) What would be the best way to do this?

 

[Ralston18]

I would be skeptical about the "fix". Being of a curious nature I did some googling....

As I understand the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) channel Pin 13 has a specific use:

"Pin 13 is carries the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) channel, used for sending command and control data between connected devices."

Apparently that pin has been used for other purposes: grounding/earthing.

HDMI is a standard. If some manufacturer is not following the standard (i.e., some proprietary product) then I would not use products from that manufacturer.

Do a bit more research especially with regards to HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channnel). You may be reading about some hacks to get around that.

Overall disabling a pin just does not seem right.

One source I found suggested "got round it by using an hdmi to dvi adaptor connected to a dvi to hdmi connector".

That would be worth a try I think.....

 

[timbo64]

I'm surprised I only got 1 comment on this.I solved my ARC&CEC problen(due to the enhanced DVR set top box not being CONFIGURED correctly by TWC) by purchaseing a Lindy HDMI CEC Less Adapter, Female to Male (41232) on Amazon.I just plugged it into my Onkyo tx-nr 838(hdmi input)and plugged my hdmi cable(coming from my set top box) into the adapter and BAM! all functions worked again! The only other thing I had to do was go into the Onkyo's settings and turn ARC back on. From my research this is a common problem with enhanced DVR's and AV receivers.I believe it's the fault of the cable providers but who knows?

 

[Ralston18]

Would be interesting to know what the pinouts are on the Lindy CEC Less Apapter.

As I understand the specifications:

http://www.bestcables.co.uk/details/hdmi_cec_less_adapter_female_to_male.html

A signal on Pin 13 interferes with other devices using CEC. So if Pin 13 is being used for some other purpose (non standard, optional use) then things do not work.

Remove Pin 13 and all is well. Sans some additional tweaking such as you had to do with respect to Onkyo's ARC setting.

Thanks for the update - should help someone else.