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View Full Version : FOX-HD (not OTA) audio problems. What's so special about FOX?


rfowkes
03-21-06, 10:00 AM
I realize that a lot has already been written about the audio problems (dropouts, sync, etc.) with the 622 and some of the "interesting" ways to get around a couple of them. (Things like pausing, fast forwarding, going back, burning incense, etc.). I also understand that it has been said that this is a software issue and is being addressed, although it appears that L355 may have made the problem worse - at least on FOX-HD. Having participated in a lot of these 622/audio issues threads there is still one thing that I'm curious about. Specifically, what is it about FOX-HD that makes it particularly susceptible to these audio problems? Do they somehow send out their audio different than the other HD channels (all of which now seem to be working for me) or is it a regional thing (I'm in the NYC metropolitan area).

At first I thought that my Dish signal might have been "marginal" on some HD channels, but this past weekend Dish came out and finally replaced my legacy LNBs and SW64s with DP LNBs and DPP44s so I could use signal separators on the dual tuner boxes. And as part of the installation my signal strength was vastly improved, especially on 61.5 where it went from an average 81 to well over 100. In fact, both 110 and 119 come in at over 120 strength (almost pegging the indicator at 125 in some cases). Therefore, I don't really think it's a signal strength problem.

Last night I was looking forward to watching (on DVR delay) both Prison Break and 24 on FOX-HD. Unfortunately, the audio dropouts (every couple of seconds) were so bad that I had to stop watching. Totally unacceptable. Luckily, I had a backup on my 942 so I watched FOX in SD with no sound problems. I really didn't expect the audio issues to still be there - especially since every other HD channel I've recorded has perfect 5.1 audio (Sopranos, some NBC Stuff, some ABC stuff, etc. etc.) Yes, I know that L355 has some audio issues (and I've tried all the audio sync on SD or HD options to no avail) but FOX audio sticks out like a very sore thumb.

So I ask again, why is it just Fox-HD? It looks like the lip sync problems have been resolved but the stuttering on this one channel is unacceptable. I'm curious about why this seems to be isolated to FOX and nothing else. Granted, it might be related to the feed that Dish is getting, but shouldn't that then eliminate "software" issues - or am I missing something? I keep thinking back to my terrestrial TV antenna days (Channels 2-13) where a bent or broken single element could make a single station's signal become compromised, but I just don't understand the digital/satellite equivalent of this - if there even is one.

Can anyone else confirm FOX-HD (only) audio dropouts using L355? And is it only limited to the Northeast?

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on all this. (I've contacted DISH to add another data point to the ongoing issue.)

rfowkes
03-21-06, 10:16 AM
A point of clarification. I'm using the digital audio output from the 622 fed into my Lexicon MC-8 for sound and the HDMI output for video only so this is not an HDMI/622 audio issue in my particular case. I don't even have the display's internal speakers turned on.

ronstan
03-21-06, 12:29 PM
Exact same problem last night with Prison Break & 24 on Fox here in NYC. Also, had to watch the back up recording on my 942. Anybody else?

RonC

liferules
03-21-06, 12:31 PM
I found my ViP frozen during 24 and had to do a manual reboot (lost 5 minutes of the show)...kind of frustrating.

Rogueone
03-21-06, 12:31 PM
hope that was only a NYC fox issue :(

Bill R
03-21-06, 12:36 PM
In my area Fox is the only station doing 780P, all the other HD stations are doing 1080I. I wonder if it could be related to that?

moman19
03-21-06, 12:42 PM
In my area Fox is the only station doing 780P, all the other HD stations are doing 1080I. I wonder if it could be related to that?

Chances are your ABC affiliate also transmits in 720p. ESPN-HD channels on sat are also 720p.

Rob Glasser
03-21-06, 02:27 PM
Both 24 and Prision break were fine for me last night via Seattle OTA.

rfowkes
03-21-06, 03:15 PM
Both 24 and Prision break were fine for me last night via Seattle OTA.

Yes, it appears to be only via satellite that this audio problem exists. Obviously something in the chain from FOX HD --> DISH --> Satellite --> Customers is at fault. FOX HD --> Customers via OTA doesn't appear to have the audio issues.

Is there anyone out there who was able to watch Prison Break and 24 on FOX via satellite who had no audio issues with those two shows on 3/20?

To say that this is unwatchable is an understatement (actually unlistenable). I hope that there is a solution forthcoming in timely fashion. And I still don't understand why it's a single station issue (which is why I'm not too quick to blame my 622).

???

DvrJunkie
03-21-06, 05:11 PM
I also have had an audio drop issue since instalation of 622 in february.I thought it was only on fox,but also got audio drops when replaying csi miami of the dvr.Funny thing is i was watching fox ny hd for an hour w/audio ok but as soon as the show i wanted to watch started ,immediately the audio was so bad i had to switch to sd.This is three weeks in a row the audio was bad for that hour at least.I also have audio out of optical to surround rcvr & this was ok w/previous 811 & is ok on most channels on 622.It only happens as far as i have noticed on the new hd channels 6300-6303 whether live or recorded.And i should also note that if i rewind recordings audio drops are not in the same place each succesive play.

DvrJunkie
03-21-06, 05:16 PM
...P.S.also get a lot of pixelisation/blocking on playback of some recordings.ie:csi miami on cbs hd ny....And another thing,have you noticed you have to turn the volume way up on the new hd locals in comparison to all other channels?

rfowkes
03-22-06, 12:26 AM
...And another thing,have you noticed you have to turn the volume way up on the new hd locals in comparison to all other channels?

FOX-HD is particularly bad in this regard. I have to turn up the volume significantly to hear 5.1 and when it goes to a commercial break which is not in 5.1 the volume becomes so loud I have to grab the remote quickly to prevent waking the dead.

Something is definitely wrong with FOX-HD and the 622 via Dish Satellite.