Discussion of Bug: 811 optical out always "hot", even in standby

[Laverne]

Not creating sound, mind you, just having that little red light on, therefore confusing my Sony receiver.

1. Yes, I've looked and there is no other discussion of this being a problem for anyone.

2. Yes, I'm sure this is an *811* problem, i. e. my PS2 does not operate this way.

3. This is a problem on all channels, SAT, SAT locals, HD OTA, HD SAT. No, I don't think it matters, just figured someone would ask.

AND
4. Yes, I realize this is highly insignificant compared to the almost REVERSE problem of some having no sound at all. I have already started boo-hoo-ing for the rest of you. Just a stream, no rivers yet. I have also hidden all of your tomatoes. :D


I have 4 assignments across my receiver, DVD, Video, FM and AM. By virtue of the optical connection, my 811 shares its assignment with the VCR on the Video setting. I have an Input Mode button that selects Analog, Opt or Coax (for DVD), and Auto. Of course in Auto setting, it always defers to the digital signal if available. I leave it on Auto for both the Video and DVD assignments, but have come to realize it really doesn't matter for the Video when the 811 is connected via the optical cable. When I put the 811 in standby, there is still the indication of "Opt" on the receiver. I know from testing between the 811 and PS2, this is caused by the fact that the little red light is still on inside the 811. I have personally seen it. The PS2 light goes off when it's off, and there is no "Opt" indication on the receiver when it's off. All this to say, YES, I've done my homework.

Every time I (or mainly the kids, think of the kids! :engel02: ) want to watch a VHS, I have to come in and physically change the Input Mode to Analog, and then change it back to Opt or Auto when we go back to the 811. To make matters worse, this is the ONLY button on the receiver for which there is no corresponding button on its remote.

Now, I am holding out for the Harmony 880, and am hoping someone else has already figured out a code to change this via remote, but until then....

:confused: WHY do they leave the [insert proper terminology here] on in standby?? It makes no sense! Is there a fear :eek: that if it is turned off, that it will not come back on again and work properly? :sure: If I wanted someone to leave the light on for me, I would call Motel 6!! :D

[Jason Nipp]

Post forwarded to 811 team.

In the mean time, two things you can do so you don't have to get up off your backside and push the mode button are: 1) add a Toslink switcher, or, 2) get an AV Receiver with more inputs. :D Man, remote controls have spoiled this generation. :rolleyes: :lol: I wonder how our kids would react if they had to do a course and fine tune adjustment everytime they turned the channel knob? :rolleyes:

Laverne, your obviously very intelligent, and this is a great find. I don't believe any of us have discussed this before. As such trying to avoid "Tomatoes" is not required. Typically people in here are not going to "throw tomatoes" at you unless your a forum troll. I'm sorry if you got that impression.

:icon_peac

[Ron Barry]

Interesting Find. If I recall the PS/2 has a standby mode, is that what you are referring too when you say the 811 does not behave like the PS/2. By the way, not behaving the same way as another does not indicated a problem with the first product in my opinion. It indicates different behavior and from your post it sounds like your receiver does not like this behavior.

Just so I understand it a bit better, Are you saying that your receiver is sensing the audio based on if the line is live or not? Not sure if I would classify this one as a bug but possible a behavior change request. Interesting find for sure. I don't think changing the behavior to shutting down the Output would cause other user grief. Wonder if there are any cases where it would.

By the way. I have a 5 DVD changer (Yamaha) and you power it on and off using a push button. No discrete on and off codes. The optical is hot on that when not in use too. So there are other products out in the market with this same behavior. To me sounds like a bug in the Sony to do a little more analysis to determine if it is actually is getting a audio.

And I am not throwing tomatoes.. Hell they call me Mr Glass!!! Just an opinion.

Ohh... And by the way :welcome_s. Always nice to see a new face around.

[Mike Johnson]

I need to double check, but I believe my old HMDSR100 Dish/JVC D-VHS unit does the same thing. I don't think this is something new with the 811.

Also, I've noticed that Dish receivers always have a video signal on the outputs even when the units are in standby. (It is black video, but there is always a signal there.)

As to why they leave all the outputs active in standby, I do not know...

[Laverne]

Are you saying that your receiver is sensing the audio based on if the line is live or not?

Yes

Not sure if I would classify this one as a bug but possible a behavior change request.

Actually, I didn't originally use the term "bug". It was actually Jason who changed the title of my post.


I don't think changing the behavior to shutting down the Output would cause other user grief. Wonder if there are any cases where it would.

Having been married to a computer programmer for almost 10 yrs, I know well that there are lots of instances where fixing one thing creates a whole host of new problems. I'd hate to be responsible....


To me sounds like a bug in the Sony to do a little more analysis to determine if it is actually is getting a audio.

I knew there was a great possibility for this to turn into a vote from everyone for me to get a new receiver. That's OK, I can take it. But if you only knew how far we've come. Just to answer all those comments... Unlike a lot of you, HT is NOT our life. ("NOT that there's anything WRONG with that.") When DH said he wanted a new TV, oh and BTW let's make it a HDTV (no telling what he would have come home with, some Sanyo crap), oh and BTW we need a new VCR and DVD player(formerly playing all DVDs on the PS2), oh and BTW I don't think that $40 WM excuse for a surround sound system is going to cut it anymore. HTIB just seemed the way to go. We put the good money in the TV. And it works just fine for us too in our little living room, where everything has to be all cockeyed anyway. It looks "neat" because everything says SONY. Except for the 811, of course. :D OK all better now. :rant:

That was not directed at you personally, Ron, and I really appreciate all of your input, and the time you take to respond to questions such as mine. :)

OK, :backtotop

[JAC-AZ]

Laverne, the problem with the 811 optical sound output being always hot
has been a problem with this reciever since day 1.The red light on the cable
is always on,I believe it's a hardware problem and can't be fixed with software.
Your only way around it is to unplug the optical cable from your reciever anytime
you want to use different input.

[Ron Barry]

Y
I knew there was a great possibility for this to turn into a vote from everyone for me to get a new receiver. That's OK, I can take it. But if you only knew how far we've come. Just to answer all those comments... Unlike a lot of you, HT is NOT our life. ("NOT that there's anything WRONG with that.") When DH said he wanted a new TV, oh and BTW let's make it a HDTV (no telling what he would have come home with, some Sanyo crap), oh and BTW we need a new VCR and DVD player(formerly playing all DVDs on the PS2), oh and BTW I don't think that $40 WM excuse for a surround sound system is going to cut it anymore. HTIB just seemed the way to go. We put the good money in the TV. And it works just fine for us too in our little living room, where everything has to be all cockeyed anyway. It looks "neat" because everything says SONY. Except for the 811, of course. :D OK all better now. :rant:

That was not directed at you personally, Ron, and I really appreciate all of your input, and the time you take to respond to questions such as mine. :)

OK, :backtotop

Not sure what the Rant was about.. but thats cool... :D Actually Bug might not be the correct term. I was not recommending you get a new receiver. I was more commenting on that Sony's method of determining what input to use by the Audio feed is flawed. Jason forwarded your post to the 811 team so who knows they might feel disabling it is a better method. I am not sure if this is a hardware or software issue.

I hit myself in the head over the fact my Yamaha as a manual on/off switch. Should have gotten the Panasonic. What we are talking about here is Sony made an assumption and Dish decided to keep the feeds hot. Thus creating your issue.

If I offended, I apologize. Just trying to discuss the issue in general.

Good Thread!

[Jason Nipp]

Actually, I didn't originally use the term "bug". It was actually Jason who changed the title of my post. Yes I did change the title, I wanted to create more discussion.

I did send the post to engineering. They are looking into this and the possibility of shutting it down during standby.

[Laverne]

Ron,
Sorry but you're gonna have to try a lot harder than that to offend me. :D Seriously, it takes a lot.

I did know that my post would most certainly bring up the issue of Sony audio quality. I've just read many threads (not necessarily in this forum, just in general) where the regulars basically hijack a thread with their bashing of equipment instead of offering a constructive opinion or viable solution. I'm sure you've seen them too. But I'm not saying that's what you were doing at all.

[Laverne]

Post forwarded to 811 team.

In the mean time, two things you can do so you don't have to get up off your backside and push the mode button are: 1) add a Toslink switcher, or, 2) get an AV Receiver with more inputs. :D Man, remote controls have spoiled this generation. :rolleyes: :lol: I wonder how our kids would react if they had to do a course and fine tune adjustment everytime they turned the channel knob? :rolleyes:

Laverne, your obviously very intelligent, and this is a great find. I don't believe any of us have discussed this before. As such trying to avoid "Tomatoes" is not required. Typically people in here are not going to "throw tomatoes" at you unless your a forum troll. I'm sorry if you got that impression.

:icon_peac


Jason,
(Was going to respond to you earlier, but duty called and had to go to Astronomy Night at the Junior High.)

WOW, thanks! My humble little problem "forwarded to 811 team"? I have a voice now! :hurah:

DH would agree with you about getting off the backside. I was just discussing this problem with him, right after he finished watching Super Size Me . You can imagine his response. ;)

My second son would most certainly not survive my wrath if we still had course and fine tune adjustment knobs. He is already "King of the Button Pushers"! :whatdidid Actually, I'd have to say, the way they've been brought up, they do quite well. How many 6-yr-olds do you know who can use a laptop mouse?

Yes, I've heard it all my life. "You're not like all the other girls." And they don't mean it in the Michael Jackson Thriller kind of way. (Somehow that doesn't make sense anymore.) They don't just GIVE away those [ahem] 1230 SAT scores, ya know.

One of these days soon I will get back to something fun, like re-plumbing my whole house (yes FUN! :p ), and leave you guys alone. Until then, thanks for your interest in my 811 questions. :D