AppleTV struggles to find resolution at start up

Question

Hi Folks,
I love my AppleTV but it has annoyed me for the last time. When ever I turn the thing on, it blinks and blinks and acts like it is struggling to set the resolution. Sometimes it blinks around forever, never actually getting to a usable state. Usually it blinks around for 2-5 minutes then comes on normally.
I can't really describe what it is doing... because I am not that familiar with how the AppleTV and HD tv work. From my understanding of computers, it looks like a computer trying to set a resolution on a monitor that the monitor doesn't like. More specifically, it looks like it is trying to set a refresh rate that is incompatible. You don't see this much anymore with flat panel computer monitor, but you used to see it on old Glass Tubes.
My PlayStation 3 has no problems what so ever using the TV at 1080p @ 60hz, the AppleTV only has options for 1080i @ 50hz. I don't know the difference between the i and p in the 1080 setting.
I am using the Belkin HDMI cable that the Apple Store sold me with the AppleTV unit. I have tried switching the HDMI ports on the TV, between the PS3 and the AppleTV. Regardless of the port, the PS3 works fine, the AppleTV blinks. I have also tries using the PS3 HDMI cable on the AppleTV and that makes no difference either.
I am left to speculate that it is some setting on the AppleTV that the TV itself doesn't like. Perhaps the i in 1080i vs 1080p, or maybe the 50 vs 60 hz. Not sure.
I filmed the blinking, and in my little film you can see that the PS3 is working just fine (if you can read the settings on the PS3 it says 1080p) and when I switch to the AppleTV it takes almost 5 minutes of blinking before the AppleTV corrects itself and comes "on."
Here is the URL to my video:
http://gallery.me.com/lintila#100075

Answer 1

HDMI is far from perfect with all devices.
Yes, most tend to work, but some struggle or don't.
AppleTV certainly doesn't like being used through HDMI splitters/AV amps/switches - some work perfectly, other fail completely.
HDMI leads should just work on the face of it, but all leads can have dodgy connections and some may be poor quality but neitehr Sony or Belkin should be poor quality.
My understanding that HDMI devices negotiate connections between themselves, a bit like a computer establishing a link with another network device. The negotiation process involves the display telling the video device about available display modes etc, and the two thrash out what can and can't be displayed and reach the best compromise. Occasionally the process fails.
AppleTV can certainly output 1080p display, but it is set dependent - some of mine can reach 1080i, some 1080p.
It sounds as though the negotiation is giving Appletv the whole set o foptions the PS3 is finding - some TVs have firmware niggles that can cause problems. It's always hard to know in these cases if it's the TV or AppleTV at fault.
Can you test on a friend's TV set?
To be honest, for movies AppleTV can only playback 720p video anyway, which it upscales to 1080i or p if display is set to that. You might not notice much difference bewteen 720p option and 1080i/p anyway.
The 50Hz/60Hz might theoretically make a difference but in practice I don't see much difference whichever I choose.
If the AppleTV is always on and the problem happens when switching inputs back to AppleTV, i do see that from time to time,and suspect that that input is re-negotiating communication when re-selected.