Audio Dropout on TWC locals

[kjnorman]

Here is the latest:

 

Analyzer shows no problems with any of the packet timings.  The next step is to get the Pioneer HD set top in a location where it can be closely monitored.  I would like to set it up in my office, but it may take a week or so to make that happen... we are getting ready for next Thursday's channel lineup changes for the division.  I will also re-open a ticket with SA so they can investigate further as well...  Meanwhile, keep noting if the problem only occurs during 16x9 HD sessions.

Kerry Norman wrote:
 
I think the upgrade has improved the sound issue at least in my experience.  I would not say it is cured, but I for one, have found 504 much better the couple of times I have had a chance to watch it.  710 still pops though and I find the 504 now seems to occassionally hiss rather than pop on my system.  It is quite a low level noise, so you may not notice it if you are in a noisy environment, but if in a quiet living room, it does become apparent.
 
Others though I still dissenting about the drop outs.  There are three others still claiming issues on http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000210.html.
 
Anything come up on your mpeg analyzer?

I find it odd that this problem still only occurs with the local channels that seem to be fed by fiber (PBS 710 & WTMJ 504).  WISN-DT is received OTA and to me atleast sounds fine.

Kerry

[Joseph S]

 

WISN-DT is received OTA and to me atleast sounds fine.

Not for me, the pops are still present on 504, 512, 710 and not 721 and 731. They are not correlated to drops on the OTA either.

[kjnorman]

I must say that I am still getting the sound issues on 504 and 710, so it looks like the firmware update on the 3100HD box did not help.

I am following up with the engineer at TW again to see if they have any new solutions out their.

Kerry

[kjnorman]

These sound issues may not be local to us.  I have noticed a trend in the AVS forums with people mentioning digital sound issues on HD cable.

So i posted a poll there, to see how widespread this may be nationally.

Poll is here

Kerry

[SLSCE]

I'm relieved to find out I'm not the only person with this audio problem.  For me, the audio repeatedly drops out (for about 1/2 second) during the first 15 seconds of watching 504, 510, and 512.  I am using the coaxial audio out.  Also, the audio will ocassionlay drop out again for a split second during the first 20 minutes or so of watching theses channels.  After about 20 minutes, the audio is generally perfect.  Contrary to some comments I have read in this thread, channel 512 tends to be the most notorious channel for audio dropouts.  Recently (Dec 29), I had a technician from TW come in and troubleshoot the problem.  He had heard nothing of the audio dropout problems from his engineers (and he seemed extremely knowledgeable and even bragged about what good communication he has with the TW engineering crew).  Anyways, after testing multiple cable boxes and component issues, he could find no solution to the problem.  He did report the issue to TW, but again, mentioned that it seemed to be an aberation--no one had mentioned the problem before.  Obviously, this seems to be a common problem.  Any comments and questions and a solution are welcome.  Thanks.  

Has anyone heard of any new developments?

--------------
TV: Sony KP57WS500
Receiver: Sony STR-K740P
Cable Box: Scientific Atlanta 3100HD
Cable Provider: Time Warner

[Shpeel]

All,

I live in Cary, NC, which is near Raleigh. I have had TW HD for several months with an HD3100 STB and have been experiencing  problems very similar to what you have been describing. Audio drops out for a second or two, usually more frequently when first switching to a new HD channel... almost as if it's buffering data.  Then, at seemingly random intervals, the audio will continue to drop out. Sometimes I can make it through an hour without problems and then all of a sudden it will experience several drops in in a few minutes. More often than not, the video will also suffer. It will freeze, become pixelated, or even black out for a second. This is quiet annoying when you are watching a football or hockey game. :mad:  This happens on the local channels as well as HBO.

I've written to my local TW tech support, so if I get a valid response, I'll pass it along. I just wanted to let you guys know that it could be a larger issue affecting all TW customers nation wide.

Shawn

[torgo]

I routinely get audio dropouts on the PBS HD channel (whatever the channel number is now) on TWC. Also, I would occasionally get dropout on HBOHD (of course, usually during the Sopranos.) The dropout only occurs via the digital audio, as when I switch to analog audio, the problem does not occur. I haven't watch the ABC or NBC feeds enough to make a judgement yet, but when I watched Leno the other night, it was fine.

[kjnorman]

I chatted with the TW chief headend engineer today on this, and they and Scientific Atlanta still do not have a resolution on the problem.

S.A. have asked for a 60 minute stream recording of one of the channels, so they can play it back in their lab.  At the moment that is technically difficult for TW (We're not the only ones with no HD PVRs ) so they are trying to get a SA technical guy on the plane up here to experience this first hand.

So no joy at the moment but they are still trying.

[SLSCE]

I was just wondering if anyone experienced severe audio dropouts while viewing the Superbowl (512).  The picture was terrific, but the sound consistently "popped" off and on.  Usually, the pops would occur frequently for a short period of time (maybe a minute) and then the audio would be fine for the next ten minutes.

[kjnorman]

Generally I find ABC to be one of the better local stations on sound quality, though it is not always great.  

Apart from some rear-front speaker mixing issues which were part of the ABC presentation I did not notice any serious flaws in the sound for the Superbowl (but then we had a very noise room of people...)

(FYI - I will be cancelling TWC soon, and so I will no longer be interfacing these sound problems to the TW headend engineer)

[mhz40]

SA is in town trying to capture the mpeg stream while the audio dropout problem occurs.
We monitored PBS's feed all afternoon (1-4 pm & 5-6 pm) and never caught an episode to capture.  We will be monitoring ER and Leno tonight.
SA is leaving Friday afternoon.  We will have use of the recorder through Monday or Tuesday, then they will want their $30,000 toy shipped back.  In the meantime, any further feedback on this issue is appreciated on this thread, so we can try to capture this bug and get it into the lab for analysis.

Thanks
MHz