Every manufacturer I am aware of tells you to power down everything when making or breaking any connections. I don't have anything using HDMI so I am not certain about it. What does your manual say? Personally, I would never do it hot, the risk seems too great. If it is that hard to turn off everything for you, and you don't mind taking that risk, by all means do it hot. Good luck with warranty if you blow something up doing it hot.
I accidently blew the video board on an Integra home theatre processor. It was 2 months shy of end of warranty so they covered it (I had to pay s&h both ways) but was very grateful as it would have cost over $500 otherwise. Integra was/is insistent that you unplug both units you are connecting hdmi cables to/from.
I have a new cable that I want to compare to my existing cable. I have an Oppo 105 that has two outputs. So, can I just plug the new cable into the other output on the Oppo (and to a second HDMI on the TV) and then I could just switch between the inputs/outputs via remote control to see differences in the two cables?
HDMI specifications include "Hot Swap". Argument that swapping anything hot is taking a risk doesn't really make sense. If it is designed to be hot swappable then it is (like USB devices).
As Kijanki indicated, HDMI is supposed to be hot swappable. However, there appears to be significant anecdotal evidence that can be found on the net suggesting that not all designs are implemented as they should be. The result in some cases being lockups, recovery from which may require power to be cycled, and in some cases even damage.
I have a new cable that I want to compare to my existing cable. I have an Oppo 105 that has two outputs. So, can I just plug the new cable into the other output on the Oppo (and to a second HDMI on the TV) and then I could just switch between the inputs/outputs via remote control to see differences in the two cables?
Yes. But before concluding that any differences you may perceive are attributable to the cables I would suggest that you verify that the same differences are perceived when the connections of the two cables are interchanged.
In the past a hdmi cart of my Meridian800 Daxv4 went on fire. It was fully distroyed. Connect hdmi cables when all devices are off. It never can go wrong!
I don't do it, because my cable box will loose its ability to relay the signal properly, and will just have a raster, until I pull the plug and reboot the box.
If you unplug a USB drive without "ejecting" it first, it's problematic, which is why you're supposed to eject it BEFORE removing it. Unplugging a HDMI cable while in use doesn't make sense, you're killing the handshake and video in mid stream, plus the voltage that can be present.
These are sensitive circuits and softwares, do so at your own risk.
Voltage is present in both interfaces and both are defined as hot swappable - that's why many attempt this "risky move"
SATA, Firewire, Ethernet are all hot swappable. If anything HDMI is designed better than USB, since it has separate pin #19 "Hot Swap Detect" while pin #18 carrying +5V supply is shorter to cut power earlier. Lockup, that Al described, is most likely "CMOS Latchup" - no longer problem in modern electronics.
If you unplug a USB drive without "ejecting" it first, it's problematic, which is why you're supposed to eject it BEFORE removing it. Unplugging a HDMI cable while in use doesn't make sense, you're killing the handshake and video in mid stream, plus the voltage that can be present.
These are sensitive circuits and softwares, do so at your own risk.
Agreed If the USB device is in use including viewing the contents. I lost data on thumb drives when leaving a folder open for viewing. Close everything and I have not had a problem since.
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