Audio Dropouts on LILs ?

[cody21]

Have had the new HR20 & H20 installed for 4 weeks now. As previously noted in several other "Dropout" threads, we get this annoying Audio dropout on the MPEG4 LILs *ONLY* .... I have a FAVS set up that are only the SD Channels of those same stations (e.g., 2-1, 5-1, 7-1, 11-1) ... I *never* get a single Audio Dropout. This brings me to the conclusion that the issue is with the MPEG4 LILs. I went down the path of reporting this to D*, but their approach is to swapout my Receiver. Having gone thru 2 of these, I am CONVINCED that this has nothing to do with the H20 since I also get this dropout on my HR20 - intermittently, again on the MPEG4 LILs. And I *never* experieinced this Audio-only dropout on my H10-250 Tivo.

Note: This is Audio-only Dropouts -- the screen appears just fine, but the Audio goes away for a few seconds; normally after some wierd audio 'artifact' occurs.

Conclusion? There is something wrong in the MPEG4 LILs and the way the local broadcasters upload their signlal to D* and then D* spot beams it to us. The Spot beam technology was just implemented over the last year and still appears to be buggy. IMHO, it's going to take a Firmware or Software update to fix this for us at some point. But I'm no Engineer and YMMV ...

Hence this poll ... are you getting these Audio-only dropouts?

[Jon J]

I am getting a significant number of audio dropouts on my locals...and it's maddening. I know the problem is with DTV since the audio is fine OTA. :down:

[Michael D'Angelo]

I did have some audio drops yesterday watching football and the World Series last night.

But before yesterday it has been a while since I have had audio dropouts.

I have been having the audio stuttering problem. It happens a lot on all MPEG4 HD channels but it is the worst on my MPEG4 HD locals.

[cody21]

I have been having the audio stuttering problem. It happens a lot on all MPEG4 HD channels but it is the worst on my MPEG4 HD locals.


Exactly what I'm experiencing.

[Carl Spock]

While I've figured out what you're talking about, would you please help a n00b out?

LIL stands for what?

[cody21]

LILs = Local in Locals ... theyre the new MPEG4 "Spot Beam" stations for your local networks ... FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC ..... They all come from a separate source satellite. These are different than OTA ....

[Carl Spock]

Thanks. I just didn't know the acronym. :)

You don't know the days that went by before I figured out what CE is on this board. Coming from a career in retail stereo sales, in that trade CE is "consumer electronics" and nothing else.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Thanks. I just didn't know the acronym. :)

You don't know the days that went by before I figured out what CE is on this board. Coming from a career in retail stereo sales, in that trade CE is "consumer electronics" and nothing else.

This should help you out some.

http://www.dbstalk.com/acronyms.htm

[Sirshagg]

It was annoying enough that i switched to OTA.

[Carl Spock]

This should help you out some.

http://www.dbstalk.com/acronyms.htm
** ding...ding...ding...ding...ding **

We have a winner. Saved. Thanks, Mike. :)

[cody21]

It was annoying enough that i switched to OTA.

Yea, this is how I manage it as well ... when I *have* to watch something without getting the drop-outs, I use a separate FAVS list that includes OTA and SD format of the channel ... I start with the OTA -- but if I encounter reception issues, I just switch to the SD format and use stretch-o-vision ... At least I don't EVER get the Audio dropouts with those... I wish D* could get a handle on these MPEG4/LIL dropouts..

[cody21]

So based on this poll so far, I'm wondering if 90% of us have a "RG6 cabling problem" or if this is truly a D* issue ... ??

[cody21]

Has anyone else noticed that the dropouts seem to have spiked again this last week? I am certainly seeing a lot more than "normal" ... I wonder if D* is "doing something" or testing ... or even aware that this is happening?

[Lord Vader]

I'm getting a LOT of audio dropouts. I'd say in a half-hour show I get 3-5. In an hour long show, 5-10. Makes it so unwatchable that I have to watch and/or record OTA rather than the MPEG-4 LILs.

[Coffey77]

The audio drops I get are on both the H20 and HR20 LiLs that I get. Just about every show I get atleast one drop which doesn't correct for atleast 5 seconds.

[retromzc]

I rarely make it more than a half hour without the dreaded growl followed by about 5 seconds of silence. It happens on all D* delivered lil hd channels. Yes, it is getting worse again especially on our ABC station, 3 - 5 times per half hour.

[cody21]

ha ha ... yes, the dreaded growl sound. To me, it sounds a bit like Chewy of Star Wars...

[Lord Vader]

It's kind of like an electronic growl, and when it happens, it's automatic: no audio for 5 or more seconds. :mad:

[RVD26]

I too am getting audio dropouts on my local HD's
I get 1-2 during EVERY airing of "Grey's Anatomy" on a week to week basis
And I just got it watching the OSU-Michigan game
It's starting to become VERY annoying :mad:
Is there anything that can be done about it?

[Lord Vader]

Yeah, watch it on your HR10-250 if you've got one, or watch it on your OTA. Either choices works better.

[cody21]

Also, the SD channels don't have this issue. But of course you don't have HD on those... :-(

Maybe we all need to hound D* with the issue -- call them every time we have it occur? It would be nice to know if they are actually AWARE of this going on and are trying to toubleshoot it. It is clear (to me anyway) that it was introduce in the MPEG4 LIL channels.

[davring]

I have only seen (heard) it a couple of times, mostly our local ABC. The few times it was bad enough I switched to OTA and it was still there.

[QuickDrop]

It's kind of like an electronic growl, and when it happens, it's automatic: no audio for 5 or more seconds. :mad:

For a couple weeks about a month ago, I got the electronic growl at least once during each recording but it appeas to have died down. As my HR20-100 was on more than usual, I assumed it was an overheating issue, though that was only my best guest. I know I heard it on HD channels other than locals however.

[kevin1844]

Its pretty bad during the NASCAR race tonight but it seems to be MUCH worse during the commercials.

[Steve Robertson]

Mine seem to getting worse why hasn't D* addresed this yet.

[cody21]

I'm actually surprised more customers aren't experieincing this... or maybe this thread/poll is just in the wrong Forum area?

[StlChief]

I get audio dropouts as well. But not just on locals. When I start a recorded program, sometimes the audio drops for 5 seconds and then returns. Other times the sound doesn't return till I change the channel.

[bdonald]

well, I think we are getting it, just not enough people complaining. I'm guilty of that myself. I did call directv, and the guy tried telling me it was bad cabling. I figure I'll just run an off air signal for the hd stuff, since I seemed to get a good hd signal straight to the tv before getting the hr20.

[cadet502]

Its pretty bad during the NASCAR race tonight but it seems to be MUCH worse during the commercials.

Overall, I think commercials on locals is the only time we have been getting audio dropouts. When it happens, there might be 4 or 5 in a 30 second span. Of course the only time we notice it is when we're watching live, and that it rare. We don't seem to be seeing them during the shows themselves. But I guess I would have to say they are significant.

[PAULSTORM]

I'm getting audio droputs/cutouts on channels like FX HD, Cartoon HD, Fox Biz HD but not on any of the HD movie channels or stations like TBS HD, USA HD.

[adale]

I have noticed it too, but only on HD. Both OTA and via D*, but only if it Dolby Digital. I have a long therory but it is full of crazy math and my calculator is dead.

[B Newt]

I have dropouts on the Cartoon Channel.

[mauijiminar]

I have drop outs on my local CBS and FOX, not NBC. I also get drop outs on Cartoon network bad.