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Published 20 hours ago • verified publisher icon ValveSoftware

Steam Deck external TV connection fails if TV is connected to soundbar running CEC

Open DracoC77 opened this issue 1 year ago • 3 comments

Your system information

  • Steam client version: 1708129125
  • SteamOS version: 3.5.7 (and prevous versions as well for at least last 3 month beta releases)
  • Opted into Steam client beta?: No
  • Opted into SteamOS beta?: Yes
  • Have you checked for updates in Settings > System?: Yes

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

When plugging steam deck into TV via USB-C to HDMI adapter, steam deck does not connect to TV (and is on a black screen) when connecting to a TV that has a soundbar connected running CEC.

Also it seems like after encountering this bug on the steam deck, the next time you try to sleep the device the screen goes down and the main window goes away but stuff like overlay bar at the top and the menu bar at the left stays on but dimmed. Device doesn't seem to go to sleep fully afterwards

Steps for reproducing this issue:

  1. Turn on TV (The Frame) with Soundbar (Bose Soundtouch 700) connected via HDMI withe CEC Enabled

  2. Plug in USB-C HDMI adapter (with or without power, into steam deck or HDMI power first, no combination will work)

  3. Steam deck screen will turn back, TV will not detect or bring up steam deck video

  4. Try a USB-C HDMI adapter for monitors (no audio) -> Works well

  5. Use original USB-C HDMI adapter and Disable CEC via Soundbar App -> Works well (when I switch audio destination to sound bar/e-arc, audio works well out of sound bar)

DracoC77 avatar Feb 19 '24 02:02 DracoC77

I’ve been chasing this issue for years now. I hadn’t considered the soundbar being a factor. Well in any case, having the same issue and would really like a fix.

salsabeard avatar Jun 01 '24 02:06 salsabeard

As an update I found a hardware based fixed for this problem, they sell CEC blocker HDMI adapters that block the CEC signal from going from the TV/soundbar for the steam deck (example that I used).

This fixed the problem for me, I can plug in my steam deck anytime, it shows up on TV just fine and the audio gets properly sent over HDMI to TV and then forwarded to my soundbar.

This still feels like a software issue/bug that SHOULD be found and fixed, but at least there's a solution (if you figure out what it was).

DracoC77 avatar Jun 01 '24 02:06 DracoC77

I just gave this a shot, but no dice. I’m still having to power cycle the Steam Deck and TV at random intervals to get them to talk.-Nick

salsabeard avatar Jun 03 '24 18:06 salsabeard