Receiver HDMI problem

HDMI cables are not analog. There's no such thing as a degradation in quality. You get sparklies or nothing at all.

Unfortunately, HDMI troubleshooting doesn't follow the same logic as we've been used to in the analog world. It can be maddening at times and defy logic, but that's the new reality with HDMI. It's an entirely different beast because there's much more back and forth communication happening along the signal chain as opposed to simply passing the signal. In other words, analog troubleshooting and analog indicators don't carry over necessarily to HDMI networks.

I never knew this was such a big problem. I assume you are talking about the audio portion of HDMI. I've been using HDMI, video only to TV's and computer monitors with no issues.

He is correct. HDMI ha shaking issues quite unique. Only real certified cables will let them hand shake properly over that long distance.

As Cerrot says the handshake is vital. Also make sure all your resolution settings are the same on each component in the signal chain. Whether it be 720p or 1080p, everything needs to be the same to help in that "handshake" with HDMI. In my experience also, make sure you give the time required when switching. In my system sometimes I get picture and no sound and find that switching source inputs on the processor can trigger that handshake between the two, but also sometimes it can take two or three minutes to get results. In short HDMI sucks but we are stuck with it.
You can argue cable brands and quality here all day long, but my finding has been that matching the brands helps. This all my opinion based on research, seminars and frustration/experience. Good Luck!

"You can argue cable brands and quality here all day long, but my finding has been that matching the brands helps."

When you say matching the brands, are you talking about cables or components?