Whether you’re running Windows Media Center or another homebrew HTPC/DVR where Windows 7 is the underlying operating system, you may have noticed that HDMI hot plug detection can be extremely annoying. New receivers that allow you to switch between different HDMI connected entertainment devices, often also register an HDMI hot-plug or auto-detect event in Windows 7. Specifically with my own setup (Sony 7.1 HDMI receiver) I’ve noticed that every time the TV is powered off and/or the receiver is switched to a different device Windows detects an HDMI unplugged event. I’ve tried every possible combination of HDMI passthru setting available on the Sony receiver, but the issue remains.
Consequently if the TV powers off due to an internal timer while the HTPC is playing video, it can cause windows to BSOD because of the unexpected hot-plug/auto-detect event. I’m not saying everyone is having this issue, but there are certainly a lot of posts on superuser, avsforum and other diy HTPC forums complaining about the HDMI hot-plug detection issue in Windows 7. Reading those forums is coincidentally where I found this ingenious solution:
[the problem]
Windows 7 HTPC detects HDMI hot-plug events when HDMI devices are turned off.
[the solution]
[step 1] Purchase the HDMI hot-plug detection disabler device (aka monitordetectkiller) shown below and plug it into your HTPC’s HDMI port, then plug the cable leading to your receiver into the other end of the device. The device looks kind of hoaky, but it works. Apparently someone has already copied the design and is selling a nicer version that claims to do the same thing on eBay.
Here’s the link to what I bought and I can confirm that for me this device is working as expected. No more screen resizing when the TV or Receiver is turned off:
Here’s a video by the creator illustrating how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y3jnk5g4UI
eBay:
Website:
http://monitordetectkiller.com/
New version that looks nice, but not confirmed working at this point:
eBay
Comments
6 responses to “Disable HDMI hot plug detection in Windows 7”
Hi David.
Thanks for the great comments about our “Monitor Detect Killer” device.
The design is improved now and looks a lot more sturdy.
Our clients are always in awe the first time they test it and wish they would of discovered it sooner.
Cheers
-Leo Papas
Monitordetectkiller.com
-Leo
19.99 USD – 2,23 USD = resistor + soldering?
HAHAHA, those are mighty expensive resistors :).
For the rest of us, Just read the HDMI specs.
You will either figure it out or not :).
Everyone has to do their own math…
For me to research HDMI specs to find out which pins have to be soldered and what resistors to use. To then buy a soldering iron resistors and fuck around on cables taking a chance that I’ll fry my equipment…yep 20 bucks was well worth it.
You are write, but that is not the point I was trying to make.
I think monitordeteckiller is asking way to much.
And to save everyone some research time:
Solder a +-10k resistor between pin 18 19.
If you want a fancy button to reset the detection (to force rechecking of screen)
add a button with wires to pin 19 and and 17 to pull the signal low.
Relevant pins:
17 — GND
18 — 5v (0.05amp max, 5v/0.05 = 100ohms so 10.000r is safe enough.
19 — hot plug detect (active high, disconnect low)
I used a 10k 805 smd resistor, its mostly the same thickness as the backside of the HDMI plug so it can be placed directly to the plug. You can also use a wire resistor, but please do add some heat shrink.
Thanks, I’m sure this will help someone. Help someone save some money that is. Much appreciated for the info.
Cheers,
David
Hey Hahaha,
I’d like to pay you to make and ship one of these to me. How much would you charge?
I believe it is Gefen that makes a device like this for like $80+.
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/ext-hd-edidpn.jsp?prod_id=14859
Holy crap, they’re more now.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gefen+hdmi+detective
I had to purchase one of these 10ish years ago to solve this problem. If the devices talked about in this post work similarly, then I’ll feel stupid for paying so much for this Gefen thing.
Regards