TX-NR515 - Monitor out issues (no picture)

I have been an Onkyo dealer and installer for over twenty years and have never experienced anything like the ongoing issues with HDMI output that are happening with the TX-NR515 and TX-NR616. Although this is the first time I have ever posted on this forum I have been reading it since installaing our first 616 in early May and experiencing this problem.

We purchased and installed 3 of these units in May and June and they all suffered from this same malady. I currently have 2 of them sitting in our stockroom waiting for a firmware update that works so I can offer them to a customer at a reduced rate just so I don't lose all that money. Thankfully I have waited for a firmwware udate that is proven to work so I haven't "bricked" these 2 units into boat anchors. I would say that Onkyo's response (or lack of therein) at first seemed comical but now approaching 6 months is beyond belief. The new units will be coming out starting in March and it seems that Onkyo is going to wait for the new model year and just pretend that this never happened.

I don't find this acceptable and am sorry to say that Onkyo's BS position that this problem only occurs in .3% of these units is certainly refuted by my and others experience. I have remained patient but after replacing 2 of the 3 customer units with TX-NR717 models (at my expense for the price difference) and watching this go on for another 90 days I have reached my limit. Their questions about sources and cabling are almost laughable and are mere stalling tactics and nothing more.

If and when you (Onkyo Tech Support) read this please know that your handling of this matter is the single most unprofessional response I have seen in over 25 years in this business. I hope you know what you are doing because I've had enough! I will continue to sell Denon and Marantz (as I have been doing since this initially occurred) in spite of them not having all the features that Onkyo offers. I'm sure you won't miss our $20k a year in business.

Best of luck!

I just got a brand new TX-NR515 (in Holland), few days in use and are experiencing the exact same problem. Main HDMI out not working until power plug is reconnected.

Yesterday I had the problem on my TV, so I switched the hdmi cable to different output on the receiver, that worked. I plugged in my projector on the main hdmi out and today I have no signal on my Projector. Until, i powercycle the receiver. It does not seem to matter what device is connected, unless there is something specific about the device.

It does seem to only affect the MAIN HDMI out, which, in my opinion rules, out an issue with the Source or TV/Projector.

I've read enough about HDMI problems lately to know that HDMI has many, many issues, so I'm not convinced this is a hardware malfunction. Simply that it does work again after a power cycle could rule out faulty components. (not always) I think and hope this is a firmware issue that can be resolved, but I'm not going to wait for it forever.

Why not take the Reset/Init-script in the firmware that executes when power connects, and do the same when waking up from standby. We have a workaround (powercycle), so if you cannot fix the problem, at least build-in the workaround in the firmware so we don't have to physically replug the power cable everytime. I would even be happy with some key combination on the remote that forces a hdmi reinitialization, if that will give me my picture back on the main HDMI out.

I have 2 weeks from now to bring the receiver back and get a complete refund, no questions asked. I will do that and pick another brand receiver if this issue is not resolved by then. Not because I don't like the brand, but because it is taking Onkyo so long to come up with a fix and I simply want a working product.

Until then I will follow this topic daily and will be glad to offer any support that might help to resolve this.

Hi moderator,

I haven't seen a response back. Obviously, there are a lot of customers impacted by this failure in core functionality. Can you please expedite a firmware fix? Providing functional equipment and bug service fixes is the key value proposition of your business. Some users have even gone as far as to INVESTIGATE solutions on their own. I would say the firm is very lucky to have such understanding clientele. NONE of your customers should be alienated by going silent on the issue and not providing detailed updates.

Please fix the problem ASAP, 6 months for a fix is way too long. This is a new product. Everyone with a complaint purchased this unit first hand (e.g. retail).

Mark

Please check onto our Press Release section of our webpage for further information reagrding any pending F/W update to address this issue, as any released information will be provided and available from the Onkyo webpage. Those who have responded and assisted us with their information are appreciated and we also await any data from those consumers as well. We greatly appreciate all customers afflicted with this issue and your patience in allowing us to work to better resolve this issue. There will be an announcement regarding a firmware update for the affected receivers.

Cordially;

Forum Moderator

OnkyoUSA wrote:Please check onto our Press Release section of our webpage for further information reagrding any pending F/W update to address this issue, as any released information will be provided and available from the Onkyo webpage. Those who have responded and assisted us with their information are appreciated and we also await any data from those consumers as well. We greatly appreciate all customers afflicted with this issue and your patience in allowing us to work to better resolve this issue. There will be an announcement regarding a firmware update for the affected receivers.

Cordially;

Forum Moderator

Let it be known as of today, there still ISN'T any firmware update for TX-NR515/616 since Aug 9, 2012.
http://www.us.onkyo.com/download/software.cfm

Me and ALL the angry users here will be more than happy to see if you could prove me wrong.

OnkyoUSA wrote:Please check onto our Press Release section of our webpage for further information reagrding any pending F/W update to address this issue, as any released information will be provided and available from the Onkyo webpage. Those who have responded and assisted us with their information are appreciated and we also await any data from those consumers as well. We greatly appreciate all customers afflicted with this issue and your patience in allowing us to work to better resolve this issue. There will be an announcement regarding a firmware update for the affected receivers.

Cordially;

Forum Moderator

Are we expecting a post in the Press Release section today or in six months? There has been no post about the TX-NR515/616 in the Press Release section since Aug. 10th.

OnkyoUSA wrote:Please check onto our Press Release section of our webpage for further information reagrding any pending F/W update to address this issue, as any released information will be provided and available from the Onkyo webpage. Those who have responded and assisted us with their information are appreciated and we also await any data from those consumers as well. We greatly appreciate all customers afflicted with this issue and your patience in allowing us to work to better resolve this issue. There will be an announcement regarding a firmware update for the affected receivers.

Cordially;

Forum Moderator

I´m have this same problem here in BRAZIL. Is there any way to downgrade NR515 firmware, to see if this monitor issue disapear?

I live in the Czech Republic and bought my unit there a month ago. I started experiencing the same issue (no signal on the main HDMI output) after almost immediately. It happens approximately every other day and the only remedy is to power-cycle the unit by unpligging it from the electricity socket - HDMI Startup seems to fix it (that's what Onkyo shows on its display when I power-cycle it).
I tried different HDMI cables, but that didn't seem to affect the issue at all. I would really appreciate a firmaware update that would fix the issue (even if it would be some kind of workaround).

My setup is as follows:
Onkyo TX-NR515
LG 42LE8500 (HDMI1 <=> Main HDMI Output on Onkyo + Optical Out <=> Optical Input 1 on Onkyo)
Sony Playstation 3 (HDMI Output <=> Game HDMI Input on Onkyo)
LG BD-660 (HDMI Output <=> DVD HDMI Input on Onkyo)

Hello ZeroFusion;

Thank you again for those who have recently provided the information requested regarding the setup of your TX-NR 515 and TX-NR 616 receivers. I have noticed many forum users are outside the continental US- and we here would like to further assist you with your issue. Please provide the following information to the following email address and address to the attention of the " FORUM MODERATOR: TX-NR x1x FORUM ISSUE" :

- FULL NAME:
- FORUM USER NAME/ HANDLE:
- MAILING ADDRESS:
- CITY/ STATE/ PROVINCE:
- COUNTRY:
- EMAIL ADDRESS:
- CONTACT NUMBER(s):
- ONKYO MODEL NUMBER:
- CURRENT F/W version:


We are still in the progress of resolving this issue; but would like some information from those afflicted with this issue to provide the following data for further research:

• Make/model of source device(s):

• Does this happen with all sources? If not, which one(s)?

• Make/model and length of HDMI cables/extenders/etc :

• When does this happen (always at initial power on, when switching sources, while watching a particular source, combination)?

• Make/model of TV/ Projector:

• Approximately how often does this happen (1 out of 10 times, etc)?

• How many times has this happened?

• How long has the unit been installed?

• What is the exact firmware version (check by going to FW update via the "Home" button on the remote)?

• What is the HDMI Monitor Out setting (Auto, THRU, etc)?

• Are you using HDMI OUT MAIN or SUB?

• What is the Picture Mode (Custom, Cinema, Through, Direct, etc)?

• Is HDMI Control (RIHD) On or Off (look in Hardware Setup-> HDMI)?

• Is HDMI THRU On or Off (look in Hardware Setup-> HDMI)?

• Is Net Standby On or Off ((look in Hardware Setup-> Network)?

• What is the Incoming and Outgoing video resolution (press the Display Button on the front panel until it shows both… should be something like "1080p/60 -> 1080p/60")


We appreciate all responses and look forward to resolving this issue promptly. Thank you again for your patronage, patience, and cooperation.

Cordially;

Forum Moderator

OnkyoUSA wrote:

....I have noticed many forum users are outside the continental US- and we here would like to further assist you with your issue.

What ASSISTANCE are you talking about? The guy from ONKYO Hong Kong called me once. He is not familiar with the issue AT ALL, nor did he acknowlege such issue exists. He never even ask any pertintent question to pretend that he is interested in pursing my issue.
The whole conversation lasted less than a minute. There's no follow up action or anything!!!!

What a JOKE!!!!!!

enigmakrishna wrote:

OnkyoUSA wrote:

....I have noticed many forum users are outside the continental US- and we here would like to further assist you with your issue.

What ASSISTANCE are you talking about? The guy from ONKYO Hong Kong called me once. He is not familiar with the issue AT ALL, nor did he acknowlege such issue exists. He never even ask any pertintent question to pretend that he is interested in pursing my issue.
The whole conversation lasted less than a minute. There's no follow up action or anything!!!!

What a JOKE!!!!!!

I have forwarded your message to the appropriate upper management representatives and will update you promplty via PM or your email address (as previously provided). As this is a support site for North American Onkyo customers- this issue has been presented to upper management and Onkyo Japan for further assistance.

Thank you for your input;

Forum Moderator

OnkyoUSA wrote:
I have forwarded your message to the appropriate upper management representatives and will update you promplty via PM or your email address (as previously provided). As this is a support site for North American Onkyo customers- this issue has been presented to upper management and Onkyo Japan for further assistance.

Thank you for your input;

Forum Moderator

Cool. Wish we had a forum locally, so you won't be taking all the heat from all over the world.
Many thanks for your follow up.

No problem. I apologize that you were not provided any previous service regarding this issue- but have brought this to the attention of upper management now.

Forum Moderator

OnkyoUSA wrote:Please check onto our Press Release section of our webpage for further information reagrding any pending F/W update to address this issue, as any released information will be provided and available from the Onkyo webpage. Those who have responded and assisted us with their information are appreciated and we also await any data from those consumers as well. We greatly appreciate all customers afflicted with this issue and your patience in allowing us to work to better resolve this issue. There will be an announcement regarding a firmware update for the affected receivers.

Cordially;

Forum Moderator

As posted above, it sounded as if a firmware release should have been posted as of now? From more recent responses it appears that the issue has still yet to be resolved? Can you confirm?

I'm part of the 0.3% (times 2: 515 & 616)

Thanks,
Scott

I have recently purchased the NR515 from Amazon.

I was wondering if the "Monitor Out" issue also occurs if I do not do the Firmware update upon initial setup?

Well, there is a new firmware update out now that claims to "improve HDMI output", fingers crossed...

EDIT: notice that this update seems to be USB only, you cant download it via net.

EDIT2: Here it is, from yesterday: http://www.se.onkyo.com/en/articles/firmware-update-tx-nr515-05-10-2012-81041.html

TX-NR515
Version 1141-0108-0400

1. Improves problem of HDMI video output no longer working.

2. Supports Onkyo Remote2 for iOS version: 1.30 or later. Adds support for high end models & audio streaming from iOS device.

3. Supports Onkyo Remote for Android version: 1.30 or later. Adds support for high end models. (*it is also necessary to update the App)

4. Adds support of Home Media Function (Samba Server). Support for playback of music files like Apple Lossless via network/USB:

bjornr wrote:Well, there is a new firmware update out now that claims to "improve HDMI output", fingers crossed...

EDIT: notice that this update seems to be USB only, you cant download it via net.

EDIT2: Here it is, from yesterday: http://www.se.onkyo.com/en/articles/firmware-update-tx-nr515-05-10-2012-81041.html

TX-NR515
Version 1141-0108-0400

1. Improves problem of HDMI video output no longer working.

2. Supports Onkyo Remote2 for iOS version: 1.30 or later. Adds support for high end models & audio streaming from iOS device.

3. Supports Onkyo Remote for Android version: 1.30 or later. Adds support for high end models. (*it is also necessary to update the App)

4. Adds support of Home Media Function (Samba Server). Support for playback of music files like Apple Lossless via network/USB:

Anyone had chance to see if this IS a fix yet??

Well, I don't want to jinx things but after finally getting the USB update to work it appears that my unit no longer forgets to send HDMI video along with the audio after it's been off for a while. I checked it immediately after the update (took about 35 minutes) and it worked. I left it for 5 hours and it worked fine for about 3 hours until I turned it off. It's been off since then and I'm anxious to see how the morning treats it. Like a lot of you, I installed the unit about 2 weeks ago and it worked fine until 2 days ago.

Anyone else have some feedback?

OnkyoUSA wrote:Hello ZeroFusion;

Thank you again for those who have recently provided the information requested regarding the setup of your TX-NR 515 and TX-NR 616 receivers. I have noticed many forum users are outside the continental US- and we here would like to further assist you with your issue. Please provide the following information to the following email address and address to the attention of the " FORUM MODERATOR: TX-NR x1x FORUM ISSUE" :

- FULL NAME:
- FORUM USER NAME/ HANDLE:
- MAILING ADDRESS:
- CITY/ STATE/ PROVINCE:
- COUNTRY:
- EMAIL ADDRESS:
- CONTACT NUMBER(s):
- ONKYO MODEL NUMBER:
- CURRENT F/W version:


We are still in the progress of resolving this issue; but would like some information from those afflicted with this issue to provide the following data for further research:

• Make/model of source device(s):

• Does this happen with all sources? If not, which one(s)?

• Make/model and length of HDMI cables/extenders/etc :

• When does this happen (always at initial power on, when switching sources, while watching a particular source, combination)?

• Make/model of TV/ Projector:

• Approximately how often does this happen (1 out of 10 times, etc)?

• How many times has this happened?

• How long has the unit been installed?

• What is the exact firmware version (check by going to FW update via the "Home" button on the remote)?

• What is the HDMI Monitor Out setting (Auto, THRU, etc)?

• Are you using HDMI OUT MAIN or SUB?

• What is the Picture Mode (Custom, Cinema, Through, Direct, etc)?

• Is HDMI Control (RIHD) On or Off (look in Hardware Setup-> HDMI)?

• Is HDMI THRU On or Off (look in Hardware Setup-> HDMI)?

• Is Net Standby On or Off ((look in Hardware Setup-> Network)?

• What is the Incoming and Outgoing video resolution (press the Display Button on the front panel until it shows both… should be something like "1080p/60 -> 1080p/60")


We appreciate all responses and look forward to resolving this issue promptly. Thank you again for your patronage, patience, and cooperation.

Cordially;

Forum Moderator

I would be happy to offer any help, but you never mentioned the email address you wanted me to send the info to. Anyway, I've performed a USB firmware update today and give it a few days or a week to settle down and see if the issue has been fixed with the update.

ZeroFusion wrote:I would be happy to offer any help, but you never mentioned the email address you wanted me to send the info to. Anyway, I've performed a USB firmware update today and give it a few days or a week to settle down and see if the issue has been fixed with the update.

The moderator's direct email is: onkyoadmin@us.onkyo.com

Hope it helps.

bjornr wrote:Well, there is a new firmware update out now that claims to "improve HDMI output", fingers crossed...

EDIT: notice that this update seems to be USB only, you cant download it via net.

EDIT2: Here it is, from yesterday: http://www.se.onkyo.com/en/articles/firmware-update-tx-nr515-05-10-2012-81041.html

TX-NR515
Version 1141-0108-0400

1. Improves problem of HDMI video output no longer working.

2. Supports Onkyo Remote2 for iOS version: 1.30 or later. Adds support for high end models & audio streaming from iOS device.

3. Supports Onkyo Remote for Android version: 1.30 or later. Adds support for high end models. (*it is also necessary to update the App)

4. Adds support of Home Media Function (Samba Server). Support for playback of music files like Apple Lossless via network/USB:

I noticed that this is their Swedish site. Can anyone confirm that I can load this on my US-based TX-NR515 without any issues?

CVuPlay wrote:

bjornr wrote:Well, there is a new firmware update out now that claims to "improve HDMI output", fingers crossed...

EDIT: notice that this update seems to be USB only, you cant download it via net.

EDIT2: Here it is, from yesterday: http://www.se.onkyo.com/en/articles/firmware-update-tx-nr515-05-10-2012-81041.html

TX-NR515
Version 1141-0108-0400

1. Improves problem of HDMI video output no longer working.

2. Supports Onkyo Remote2 for iOS version: 1.30 or later. Adds support for high end models & audio streaming from iOS device.

3. Supports Onkyo Remote for Android version: 1.30 or later. Adds support for high end models. (*it is also necessary to update the App)

4. Adds support of Home Media Function (Samba Server). Support for playback of music files like Apple Lossless via network/USB:

I noticed that this is their Swedish site. Can anyone confirm that I can load this on my US-based TX-NR515 without any issues?

It's available in many countries in europe, not just sweden - it's the same file each time e.g.
http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/articles/firmware-update-tx-nr515-05-10-2012-81041.html
http://www.eu.onkyo.com/en/articles/firmware-update-tx-nr515-05-10-2012-81041.html

I bought my receiver in NZ and have updated it.
Leaving it for a few hours on network standby to see if it fixes the issue (fingers crossed).

Unsure why they haven't updated the US Onkyo pages to show it yet - unsure if there are changes for the US version?
I wouldn't have thought so.

Another one with a dodgy NR515 in New Zealand. Will try the latest update (using the links above) and let you know. For me this happens on a daily basis and is only fixed by pulling the plug.

If it doesn't work, I will gather all the data and send it through. Then I will look for the receipt and the box the thing came in......

CVuPlay wrote:
I noticed that this is their Swedish site. Can anyone confirm that I can load this on my US-based TX-NR515 without any issues?

1) Can the forum moderator please confirm that this new firmware can be applied on all TX-NR515 globally?

2) Any feedback on the success of this firmware in rectifying the no-HDMI issue after standby? Many thanks.

UK/Europe Firmware loaded on my 515 here in NZ. All setup again. Now about to watch some stuff, go to bed and see what happens in the morning.