No, I don't think this is related to the audio drop thread or hardware. I've experienced the same thing during the past couple of weeks. The audio is exactly as Nubio described. It is gargled. I first noticed it on ABC and switched over to CBS and the problem was still present. NBC was okay. The next night NBC was gargling and ABC and CBS were not. This is with component cable to my t.v., but the gargling is still present if I switch over to optical via receiver. I have seen this problem posted on another BBS and seems like the posts were mainly from the Dallas and Houston areas of Texas. I have the same Houston LiL's that Nubio receives. I have yet to contact Dish, hoping that it gets resolved before it gets to that point. Thanks, Nubio, for confirming that there are others out there hearing the gargled audio signal.