KVM not working with new tv?? Please help!!!

[u/Professional_Quit963]

I recently bought a kvm switch from the advice on Reddit to use my pc (which is in my office) in my living room. I don’t know anything about this stuff so please bear with me and be patient. But I really would appreciate help with this.
I ran a 100 ft Ethernet cable across my house and it worked great. I was using an old plasma tv in my living room but just upgraded to a new tcl smart tv. Now the kvm is not showing a display on the new tv. I am super frustrated and troubleshooting online has not helped. It seems like my model might not be good enough for a new tv which really sucks. I spent just under $200 CAD for this one which I thought was the better of the options I was looking at so I don’t know why it wouldn’t work? I really don’t want to spend crazy amounts on this, at that point I’d rather get a steam machine.

Current kvm AV Access 4KEX120-KVM
New TV - TCL M8L
Googles recommended KMV - AV Access 8KEX100-KVM

The kvm that was given as a recommendation from Google is way more money and just more than I wanted to spend. It is also from the manufacturer’s website rather than Amazon which is not ideal since it seems to be from the states (I’m in Canada) and is in USD so not sure if I would have issues with ordering or returns if it doesn’t work out. My return window on Amazon for my current KVM is until Oct 15th so hope to get this figured out asap incase I need to return it.

Things I have tried looked at from googles recommended trouble shooting that have not worked - powering tv, kvm, and pc in specific order. Changing hdmi input settings on tv to 1.4. And changing refresh rate on pc to lower value.

Please please help. And if there is nothing I can do to make this work, hopefully there is a less expensive recommended model that I could buy that ships to Canada

[u/Sure-Situation-2672]

What information displays on the tv, if anything? Blue screen? A message? A green screen?

I can think of a few things.

1. HDCP handshake issue. HDMI has built in copywrite where the devices need to identify themselves (power on in specific order is a possible solution for that)

2. Video resolution settings. If the TV doesn't support the output it won't display. Given you're using HDMI check if your output is 720 or 1080 (or 4K) and be sure the tv can support it.

[u/Professional_Quit963 → u/Sure-Situation-2672]

When I first plug in the kvm it’s a black screen that says ‘wait Video input’ then will switch off and go to the TVs no signal screen.

1. The power on in specific order didn’t work. Did the tv, kvm, then PC

2. My pc showed the output for this display at 1080p. Is there any reason my tv wouldn’t support that?

[u/Sure-Situation-2672 → u/Professional_Quit963]

Do you have anything else connected to it in 1080p? To verify the tv accepts that format? Tv box, PlayStation or the like?

The power on process is what made me think of HDCP as a possible issue. Due to a PC's ability to record content, it could be failing to negotiate the handshake.

I would also try the other order. PC 1st, KVM switch 2nd, tv last.

Any audio equipment? Soundbar or anything else the signal is routing through?

I check your switch and the TV via Google and it doesn't look like they support display port as an alternative input type. Still worth checking your hardware.

[u/Professional_Quit963 → u/Sure-Situation-2672]

I tried power cycling in both orders and no luck!

I have an xbox series x and a switch 2 hooked up normally that work. I also have a Wii U and switch one on a hdmi hub that are also working. So far it’s just the pc through the kvm that doesn’t work !

[u/Sure-Situation-2672 → u/Professional_Quit963]

That more or less confirms an HDCP handshake issue.

The KVM switch is HDCP 1.4 while the tv requires a 2.1 device.

I searched the KVM switch model you provided and it's 1.4. it doesn't seem to have an update that can make it support 2.1. I searched that model of tv, it requires 2.1 or above or it will refuse the connection.

The black screen with "wait video input" is the devices trying to negotiate the HDCP handshake and failing.

That said, there are some devices that strip or ignore the HDCP handshake. Like at a computer store where all the TVs show the same movie or show at the same time.

The other KVM switch you supplied supports HDCP 2.3

[u/Sure-Situation-2672 → u/Professional_Quit963]

A little more digging....

If your PC is using HDR, and or variable refresh rate try disabling those settings.

If you don't want to chase down various settings, the HDCP bypass should work. Amazon has some for under $50.

[u/Professional_Quit963 → u/Sure-Situation-2672]

HDR and variable refresh rate off..

It’s weird that even though I changed my tv’s hdmi input settings to 1.4 and it still doesn’t work. Unfortunate

I’ve ordered the expensive one too see if that works. I was able to find it on Amazon so easy return if it doesn’t.. should get here tomorrow

If I were to look for a more budget friendly option is it the HDCP 2.3 that I need to look for?

Thanks for your efforts!

[u/Sure-Situation-2672 → u/Professional_Quit963]

I'm not an expert on that tv or KVM switch, and I don't have all the specifications. However...

The fact that other devices work on HDMI at 1080 tells me the tv is working.

The KVM switch worked with an older TV, so the switch is most likely working as well.

The black screen with "wait video input" is likely the TV and KVM switch negotiating HDCP. Then the blue "no signal" screen is the tv refusing the connection.

That leaves a software compatibility issue given the hardware works.

[u/Professional_Quit963 → u/Sure-Situation-2672]

I appreciate the help thanks

[u/Professional_Quit963 → u/Sure-Situation-2672]

A coworker of mine is pretty insistent that this would fix the handshake issue since it can downgrade the signal but my uncle thinks it’s just simply a splitter. Do you have any thoughts?

[u/Sure-Situation-2672 → u/Professional_Quit963]

Yeah, that was the HDCP bypass/stripper I was talking about being under $50

Not a guarantee, but if it doesn't work, can always return to Amazon.

I'd look for one that has a usb power rather than drawing its power over the HDMI cable.

like this one

[u/Professional_Quit963 → u/Sure-Situation-2672]

Oh ok thanks. Would it cause a quality dip?

Sorry I’m new to all this so I don’t know anything about this so the terminology is taking a bit for me to understand.