[Doc]

The point I was trying to make in my earlier post is that a BD player update shouldn't change the HDMI stream, including the basic way the HDCP functions. If your BD player/projector played a disk (lets say one made in 2009), it should still play that disk because there wouldn't be any new "version" of HDCP for that disk just because it's 2012. As you mention, the problem is most likely a failure in your projector - read on. The person that told you your projector "can't do HDCP decryption" is full of baloney because it has been and does - it's just losing the handshake intermittently. HDCP makes use of a code the projector sends to the source device which verifies your projector is an HDCP enabled device. If your projector works intermittently, it's still recognized by the source device and HDCP must be working for that to happen. There is some other handshake problem taking place or the projector is dropping the EDID code for some reason.
Try this as a last resort: Connect your Panasonic BD player to your projector (forget the Samsung - take it out of the equation), and get a power inserter. .........

http://www.yourcablehookup.com/cables-rapidrunreg-digital-hdmireg-voltage-inserter-42223-p-22224.html .......

By the way, I did purchase this, but no help. I also tried newly purchased HDMI cable, certified for highspeed, without luck. I was thinking about HDfury option, but if my projector is capable of HDCP, why go that route? So I have put HDfury option on the shelf.

 

[RBTO]

Follow up ......

I contacted Runco customer support as Runco bought Vidikron a few years back. Over the phone the tech was very quick to mention that my video processor is not fixable. It is out of date and it is not capable of handling HDCP content. She added that my only resolution is to BUY a new system of at least the video processor from Runco. She also added that there will not be any support available for Vidikron as it is "OLD" model. :huh:

:nono: Well, I find lot of issues with that "support". First of all Vidikron manual and the spec sheet clearly states that it is capable of HDCP handling. Second, I had been playing HDCP content just fine for 3 years prior to the problem! Third, according to projectorcentral.com my projector model (Vidikron vision model 85) was last shipped in Feb 2011. This comes with full 2 years warranty. If this is correct, then some of the late shipped projectors are still under full warranty. Why a recently shipped projector would not be capable of HDCP and not at all fixable?

addle:It appears to me that Runco does not have any intention to fix something that is already sold. They are interested only in selling yet another item. As above was just a phone conversation, I can not prove it that it happened. So I followed up with emails. I will place additional follow up of my email conversations.

It sound's like they may have a group of techs who are not familiar with your unit since your points are quite valid and 6 years (time you've had your projector) is not that long. Did you mention the manual to the tech you talked to? It's quite possible that all the techs are Runco and don't talk Vidikronese or want to go there. Next call, ask for a Vidikron specialist if they have one.

There's no reason a unit should suddenly quit playing HD content due to HDCP issues. Maybe new content might not play, but old content that once played should still play. Also, HDCP issues usually aren't intermittent. If some content won't play - it won't play, period (no sometimes about it). Something failed or is borderline.

I thought you said you purchased a Panasonic player and it worked???? Refresh us on that if you will.

 

[Doc]

The panasonic player that worked was in July 2012. However, that was the replacement for Samsung that seemed like not working. Anyway, Once I connected the Panasonic, I found out that the HDMI cable was bad -as Panasonic signal could not be detected. Once I changed the cable it worked. After watching one movie, just for kicks, I hooked up Samsung back using the new cable. Voila, it worked too. Now with diagnosis that it was not the Samsung but was the cable, I kept the Samsung in place and used the Panasonic at other place.

After watching 1-2 movies on Samsung - few months down (I watch mostly from my server, not from the disk) - I discovered the same problem again. Now I was not sure, and blamed the samsung and tried Panasonic again. It did not work this time. Rest of the story already stated before.

As far as the tech is concerned at Runco, she was adamant, despite my various arguments as I stated. She actually also said, that the Vidikron being old (even though same model was still shipping in Feb 2011), it's HDCP chip is old and now with newer encryption, it requires a new chip. However, you can not get a new chip, you just have to change the video processor.

I have already communicated with the Runco via email. Hopefully, I can follow up in one week with all the communications.

 

[Doc]

Update of my communications with Runco:

-- They first asked me information about the Firmware. Once I provided the firmware information - which was the original factory firmware dated 2007 as projector was manufactured - they tell me there is no update to the firmware. Well, if the firmware had no updates since original manufacturing date, why would they ask me about the firmware version in the first place?

-- They repeatedly gave me one answer ---- Sounds like the Scaler needs to be replaced, we do have an updated version of the scaler either the Vivix/DHD III or IV version will support the Vidikron Model 85 (I have the same setup as you). The newer scaler will recognize the Model 85 as a Runco VX2000 (which is the equivalent Runco model to the Vidikron 85), also the newer scalers are full time 1080p scalers and will not pass through 1080p like the older Vidikron scaler, we do have trade-in programs available, Please contact C&E Marketing as indicated in this email string and they should be able to hook you up with a Runco dealer in your area who can obtain a trade up quote

-- I was upset with this attempt at selling more stuff rather than repair, so I sent a reply stating just that. I got a reply from higher up person as --- With all due respect this product was produced by Runco prior to Planar Systems acquiring the company, I am pretty sure it is not HDCP related based upon the symptoms you described, the fault appears to be with the main board of the scaler, specifically the output section, however these main boards are no longer available, nor do we have access to the source code for the firmware for this unit to make future changes as the previous company used an outside vendor to write the code, help design the product, etc. If I had a solution for you that did not involve an upgrade then I would have presented it previously. I would be happy to discuss this further with you of you like I can be reached at xxx-xxx-xxxx, I have been with Runco since 2001 and happen to owne Vidikron 85 as well. Take Care

Michal Hebert
C.S.E. Planar/Runco/Vidikron

-- Hmmm, well, Planar acquired Runco in 2007. Vidikron vision model 85 was manufactured and shipped until Feb 2011, so is he trying to tell me that Planar did not know any inside information about programming details or third party contracts for four years, but still produced the equipment?

-- See next post for conclusion.

 

[Doc]

Update and conclusion --

- After all above and no help from Runco, I contacted a nationwide reputable projector repair center and sent my projector. Guess what? They said the firmware is out of date!:clap: With a simple firmware update and voila, projector is working fine. I just got the projector back yesterday and watched Taken 2 (blu ray) from Panasonic player. worked great:T. As the projector is now "Serviced" along with the firmware upgrade, it appears to give a better picture. However, this could be just in my mind or calibration issue.

- Next step is calibration of the projector again. I will purchase the xrite i1 display pro and proceed. If anyone has other suggestions or ideas about calibration, you are welcome to provide - or pm to me.

 

[RBTO]

Update and conclusion --

- After all above and no help from Runco, I contacted a nationwide reputable projector repair center and sent my projector. Guess what? They said the firmware is out of date!:clap: With a simple firmware update and voila, projector is working fine. I just got the projector back yesterday and watched Taken 2 (blu ray) from Panasonic player. worked great:T. ....................

Number One - hang onto the name of that repair shop - they seem to know what they're doing in terms of Runco and you might be calling on them again.

Number two - give Michal Hebert at Runco a call, be very polite, and tell him what happened and suggest that they compensate you for the repair bill since you went to a lot of trouble with them and ended up having an independent repair shop fix your projector.

Number Three - when you replace your projector, don't buy a Planar, Runco or Vidikron!!!!

Glad your outcome was positive - good luck calibrating.

 

[ericzim]

Doc, glad to hear the projector is fixed. It is a shame Runco did not want to address the issue appropriately initially or at the very least recommend an alternate repair such as the shop you ended up having it fixed by. Should you not get any satisfaction from Michal Hebert at Runco, as mentioned by RBTO don't buy a Planar, Runco or Vidikron. If I have learned one thing in my life it is that word of mouth goes a long way and now reaches even more so with the internet.