Audio Dropouts [Archive]

kmkraft_1974

07-04-07, 09:02 AM

Is anyone else having persistent audio drops while watching the ESPN2 coverage of Wimbledon (channel 72)? About once a minute, the audio drops for less than a second. Every so often, this is accompanied by a slight pixelation. At first, I thought this was due to a dish alignment issue, so I had that taken care of. All of my signals are in the mid to high 90s, except for 103 (which ranges from 79 to 97) and 99 (which ranges from 77 to 86). I have also noticed this on HBO-HD (channel 70).

I really don't want to go through another re-alignment scenario (calling Directv, setting up an appt, etc). I have tried to reboot my HR-20, but still the problem exists. My cable run from the satellite is probably about 70 ft.

Interestingly enough, I just noticed that while watching the recorded version, I get the audio drops. I am now caught up to live TV and been listening for 15 minutes, with no drops.

So, I guess my new question is this: Has anyone experienced audio drops on a recorded version of ESPN2 (channel 72) Wimbledon coverage?

texasbrit

07-04-07, 09:13 AM

Is anyone else having persistent audio drops while watching the ESPN2 coverage of Wimbledon (channel 72)? About once a minute, the audio drops for less than a second. Every so often, this is accompanied by a slight pixelation. At first, I thought this was due to a dish alignment issue, so I had that taken care of. All of my signals are in the mid to high 90s, except for 103 (which ranges from 79 to 97) and 99 (which ranges from 77 to 86 ). I have also noticed this on HBO-HD (channel 70), .

I really don't want to go through another re-alignment scenario (calling Directv, setting up and appt, etc). I have tried to reboot my HR-20, but still the problem exists. My cable run from the satellite is probably about 70 ft.

Interestingly enough, I just noticed that while watching the recorded version, I get the audio drops. I am now caught up to live TV and been listening for 15 minutes, with no drops.

So, I guess my new question is this: Has anyone experienced audio drops on a recorded version of ESPN2 (channel 72) Wimbledon coverage?

I haven't noticed anything on ESPN2 but I have noticed (and other people have reported) a similar thing on the NBC Wimbledon coverage while watching live and also on the recording. They use the same feed, only the production is different, so maybe it's an issue in the feed, which I assume is the BBC feed in 625 lines widescreen, upconverted to HD resolution (it's definitely not HD but is better than SD)

MizzouTiger

07-04-07, 09:35 AM

I havn't noticed any audio dropout or pixelation/macroblocking on either ESPN's coverage or NBC's.

psweig

07-04-07, 10:49 AM

I haven't been able to record WGN (MPEG4 6am) news and get consistent audio. The other morning I awoke at 5AM and couldn't go back to sleep, so I tried it live. Not a single dropout !! Later I watched the recording and same old, same old. What's going on?

BJM

07-04-07, 11:49 AM

I posted a similar problem in Issues: 0x178. I fear it is a tuner problem with the HD channels. I haven't experienced it on the broadcast HDs, just in the channels in the 70s.

Wolo

07-04-07, 04:00 PM

I've had the same problem with ESPN, ESPN for quite some time now. :(

kmkraft_1974

07-04-07, 07:40 PM

exactly. I've only had troubles with channels in the 70s (70 and 72 to be exact). I am on the latest national release (0x168). and I'm now having the audio drops while watching non-recorded espn2 wimbledon coverage.

I posted a similar problem in Issues: 0x178. I fear it is a tuner problem with the HD channels. I haven't experienced it on the broadcast HDs, just in the channels in the 70s.

BJM

07-05-07, 09:13 AM

Someone in another thread has suggested hitting 'replay' once which helps (!)

UTVLamented

07-05-07, 11:03 AM

I posted a similar problem in Issues: 0x178. I fear it is a tuner problem with the HD channels. I haven't experienced it on the broadcast HDs, just in the channels in the 70s.

I also posted this problem in the Issues:0x178 thread. It is not a channel problem it appears to be a tuner problem. That is why sometimes a channel seems ok and sometimes not. Luck of the draw on which tuner it is using.

You can test this by hitting "record" to lock in the tuner when you see the channel pixelating. Then change to another channel in the 70's, you will see no problem. You can also do the reverse test, hit record on a non-pixelating channel in the
70's then switch to another channel in the 70's and you will see it pixelating.

Odd that these reports are cropping up more frequently after 0x178. Coincidence?

psweig

07-05-07, 11:30 AM

I also posted this problem in the Issues:0x178 thread. It is not a channel problem it appears to be a tuner problem. That is why sometimes a channel seems ok and sometimes not. Luck of the draw on which tuner it is using.

You can test this by hitting "record" to lock in the tuner when you see the channel pixelating. Then change to another channel in the 70's, you will see no problem. You can also do the reverse test, hit record on a non-pixelating channel in the
70's then switch to another channel in the 70's and you will see it pixelating.

Odd that these reports are cropping up more frequently after 0x178. Coincidence?

Now that's a good test! My problems are mostly MPEG4, but I can try it there also. I am trying to record MPEG4 channels at random times so that I can also view them live. Don't have any results (correlations) yet.

kenva

07-05-07, 11:38 AM

I also posted this problem in the Issues:0x178 thread. It is not a channel problem it appears to be a tuner problem. That is why sometimes a channel seems ok and sometimes not. Luck of the draw on which tuner it is using.

You can test this by hitting "record" to lock in the tuner when you see the channel pixelating. Then change to another channel in the 70's, you will see no problem. You can also do the reverse test, hit record on a non-pixelating channel in the
70's then switch to another channel in the 70's and you will see it pixelating.

Odd that these reports are cropping up more frequently after 0x178. Coincidence?

After I forced getting 0x178 I started to get a lot of audio dropouts and pixilizaion on HBO HD Ch 70. It seemed to be in every movie that I recorded. I tried everything I could think of to clear it up. Rebooted, and even went back to using the internal disk instead of e-Sata disk. Eventually I gave up and went back to the national release. I havn't had a chance to watch too much since going back, but so far that seems to have fixed it. I hope this isn't a problem that is going to be passed on to everyone in the next national release.

UTVLamented

07-05-07, 12:26 PM

Correction - I meant to state "0x168" not "0x178". I am referring to the current national release.

psweig

07-06-07, 10:41 AM

I also posted this problem in the Issues:0x178 thread. It is not a channel problem it appears to be a tuner problem. That is why sometimes a channel seems ok and sometimes not. Luck of the draw on which tuner it is using.

You can test this by hitting "record" to lock in the tuner when you see the channel pixelating. Then change to another channel in the 70's, you will see no problem. You can also do the reverse test, hit record on a non-pixelating channel in the
70's then switch to another channel in the 70's and you will see it pixelating.

Odd that these reports are cropping up more frequently after 0x178. Coincidence?

Okay I can do your test (and repeat it) on MPEG4 channels. Yesterday, I scheduled continuous simultaneous recordings on pairs of MPEG4 channels; consistently, one was good and the other had dropouts/pixelation. Also, all my recordings of the Surface marathon (UHD, MPEG2) were unwatchable due to audio dropouts. I hope this is temporary. :mad:

kmkraft_1974

07-06-07, 01:44 PM

Okay I can do your test (and repeat it) on MPEG4 channels. Yesterday, I scheduled continuous simultaneous recordings on pairs of MPEG4 channels; consistently, one was good and the other had dropouts/pixelation. Also, all my recordings of the Surface marathon (UHD, MPEG2) were unwatchable due to audio dropouts. I hope this is temporary. :mad:

I hope its temporary also. Although, from the descriptions it seems like a hardware problem, being that one tuner works fine and the other exhibits problems. hopefully, I don't what the heck I'm talking about.

jrodfoo

07-06-07, 02:04 PM

yeah i noticed a slight audio drop out last night on something I recorded.. not sure if it was channel related.. hmm... i'll have to check this out again this weeekend

Wolo

07-06-07, 11:36 PM

Someone in another thread has suggested hitting 'replay' once which helps (!)

ESPN HD was going nuts today with sound and video skipping every three seconds.

I tried this out to no avail. :(

Dixon12

07-07-07, 04:12 AM

wolo, Im also in the sac area, and my espn has been unwatchable also. I think it started last weekend when i was trying to watch NASCAR on ch 75. They need to fix this ASAP!!!

Wolo

07-07-07, 10:44 AM

^^ Agreed, my friend.

I understand hiccups every now and again, but you said it perfectly: ESPN HD has been unwatchable.

psweig

07-07-07, 11:02 AM

Keep your fingers crossed. Simultaneous recording on MPEG4 are fine (so far) with CE 0x179.

pprather

07-07-07, 11:26 AM

I have this issue as well on 72. I've also noticed it somewhat on HDNET. I have not tried the recording test yet. that was a good idea.

kmkraft_1974

07-09-07, 07:25 PM

I have this issue as well on 72. I've also noticed it somewhat on HDNET. I have not tried the recording test yet. that was a good idea.

the home run derby on ESPN is dropping audio several times a minute. Is anyone with the latest CE having the same issues tonight?

Michael D'Angelo

07-09-07, 07:27 PM

the home run derby on ESPN is dropping audio several times a minute. Is anyone with the latest CE having the same issues tonight?

I have 0x179 and have not had a problem with the home run derby yet.

jflorez

07-09-07, 07:46 PM

I get audio dropouts in every HD channel at some point...no wait, I don't get any in the 94, 95 or 96 channels when I watch San Francisco Bay area sports on FSN HD. I do get them in HBO, DSHD, UHD,...yeah, pretty much every HD channel in the 70's. My signal is excellent. I have to believe it's a tuner issue. In any case, it's annoying and my wife is turning anti-HD which is the worst-case scenario. I told her about the new satellite having launched and she said, "oh great, more channels we can't bear to watch". :(

bobcpa

07-09-07, 07:47 PM

Everyone....I have had the same issues described above. However, it is not just the HD channels. I have experienced pixelation and audio dropoffs all over the channel spectrum increasingly over the last 3 weeks or so. Also, I don't think that this is a hardware problem. In addition to an HR20, I have an H20 on another television in my house. Same issues on that as well.

When I talk to customer service, they are unaware of any programming transmission issues. Signal strenghth is always in the 90s.

I am almost ready to call customer rentention for a credit until this is fixed.

Michael D'Angelo

07-09-07, 08:47 PM

the home run derby on ESPN is dropping audio several times a minute. Is anyone with the latest CE having the same issues tonight?

I have 0x179 and have not had a problem with the home run derby yet.

Well after watching it for 1 hour and 45 minutes I am now getting audio drop outs.

kmkraft_1974

07-10-07, 07:27 AM

Well after watching it for 1 hour and 45 minutes I am now getting audio drop outs.

yeah, I gave up and watched something else. Is this a widespread problem that DTV is aware of? Although I have seen only this problem with channels in the 70s, others have seen it elsewhere. I fear that people figure that they just have low signal strength and need to realign their dishes. that didn't help for me and now I'm just frustrated and can't think of anything else to do or try.

kmkraft_1974

07-10-07, 12:22 PM

Just got off the phone with DTV. We went through the game of checking satellite signal strengths on all my transponders. All are above 70, which they listed as the threshold that they look for. Most, in fact, are in the upper 90s. I mentioned others in this forum having similar issues and that it isn't an isolated case.

Bottomline is that they are stumped and don't know what to do other than have a technician come out, who will inevitably tell me that everything is set up and aligned properly. :confused:

bobcpa

07-10-07, 05:04 PM

Kmkraft_1974, I went through the same song and dance with them. There is no way this is an isolated issue. My satellite is securely fastened and there are no line of sight issues. I explained to the csr that I consistently get high signal (90s and above) readings. Like you, my CSR was completely stumped. Again, they wanted to send a tech out and I told them that would be a waste of time. If Earl or someone from Direct TV is monitoring this forum, how the heck can this be resolved?

Frusted in Pacific Palisades, Ca

kmkraft_1974

07-10-07, 05:06 PM

bobcpa,

check out this thread. seems like the exact same issue. couple ideas on things to try over there. seems like its a growing problem.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=91628

bobcpa

07-10-07, 06:32 PM

Kmkraft_1974...thanks...I saw this thread before....by the way, this has nothing to do with the box, as I get this both on my HR20 AND H20

kmkraft_1974

07-10-07, 06:59 PM

kmkraft_1974

07-10-07, 07:28 PM

My problem tuner/input is #1. #2 works just fine.

I've removed the B-band converter on sat 1 and haven't heard an audio drop for about 10 minutes.

tonyd79

07-10-07, 07:37 PM

kmkraft_1974

07-11-07, 06:32 AM

Not sure what to make of this because I don't understand when the dropouts are happening or how often but ESPN has dropouts on Sunday Night Baseball and other events and they are ESPN's fault. I get them on cable, too.

For me, dropouts are happening on all MPEG2 channels (70-79) about once a minute, for less than a second each time, accompanied by a slight video breakup. This is the worst case scenario and sometimes less frequent. I've found that it seems to be limited to channels tuned in from the sat 1 input and it seemed to go away when I removed the B Band Converter. I will try to switch the sat 2 B-band converter to the sat 1 and see if I still have problems.

psweig

07-11-07, 03:02 PM

Kmkraft_1974, is your cat polydactyl?

kmkraft_1974

07-11-07, 03:25 PM

Kmkraft_1974, is your cat polydactyl?

actually, I must admit that this is not a pic of my cat, but my cat looks identical to this one (except for the extra toes). :)

psweig

07-11-07, 05:33 PM

You can't see it in this pic, but Hemingway has six toes on one front paw and seven on the other!

kmkraft_1974

07-11-07, 06:35 PM

is it possible to merge different threads? There are three separate threads dealing with this same issue. Seems like a problem a lot of people are having.

1. this one
2. Audio breakups/ pixelation on non-HD channels
3. Breakups and Pixelation on Satellite HDs

kmkraft_1974

07-12-07, 07:21 PM

In an attempt to try and determine if there is a pattern to these issues, it might make sense for everybody to post their particular situation to the thread listed below. This may show a pattern that the random posting on 5 or 6 different threads isn't really showing too well:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=91888

rjdude

07-13-07, 12:02 AM

For those trying to figure out if a specific tuner is responsible for the breakups, I inadvertently found a way to see which tuner is being used. I'm sure there are other ways to determine this, but I saw this as I was checking if my converters were installed and working. I think you need to have the B Band converter installed for this message to come up.

If you go to channel 499 (B band converter test channel), the message will be: "Searching for signal on Satellite In 1...(771)" or
"Searching for signal on Satellite In 2...(771)"

This can help pinpoint the problem tuner or sat line.

So are you saying that if it reads "Searching for signal on Satellite In 1...(771)" then Tuner 1 is bad and visa versa? I had read elsewhere here that if you DON'T
get a "Searching for..." error then the B Band is NOT working properly and should get it replaced before they activate the new HD channels. Can anyone clarify which is the case?

kmkraft_1974

07-13-07, 06:01 AM

So are you saying that if it reads "Searching for signal on Satellite In 1...(771)" then Tuner 1 is bad and visa versa? I had read elsewhere here that if you DON'T
get a "Searching for..." error then the B Band is NOT working properly and should get it replaced before they activate the new HD channels. Can anyone clarify which is the case?

I'm just saying that you can tell which tuner is being used by the "1" or "2" embedded in the on screen message.

ldmth44

07-15-07, 10:00 AM

THEY'RE BACK...!!! After a couple of days without any issues, the sound dropouts and pixelation issues are back on channels 70 through 79. Tech was out on Monday, 7/9. He secured alignment on dish, checked all connections, and checked receiver setup, which I verified. Tech was professional and polite. Signal strengths are excellent, in the high 90's, but issues popping up again. CSR's at D* have no clue. What is going on?