Dolby Digital problems

[caveman]

Hi all!

I'm a HDTV newbie so please excuse my ignorance!  I am picking up HD over the air.  Video (for the most part) comes in clear.  Regular digital audio streams (which my receiver plays through Pro Logic) are fine.  However, whenever the receiver recognizes true Dolby Digital signals (i.e. network primetime and channel 12.1 all the time) I experience periodic audio dropouts.  They occur anywhere from once or twice an hour to every few minutes (especially with 12.1).  I am wondering if anyone knows why this is and if this is normal.  I am hoping that I don't have a problem with the tuner in my tv!  I can switch the tv audio out to PCM and there are no dropouts but I would obviously prefer Dolby Digital.  Thanks in advance!

[jfelbab]

You're not alone.  It seems to be a pretty common problem especially with 12.1.  I'd like to hear from one of the network representatives on this issue.  Those dropouts don't happen on DTV SD from the network so I have to assume it is a local issue.

[StarvingForHDTV]

I get the audio dropouts on 12-1 once or twice per hour too.

[Jimboy]

I've been doing a little research on this subject for quite some time and have noticed there are some issues with various chipsets used in reception products.
So far I've only found one on the internet (I'm sure there are more) that address the problem. http://www.onkyousa.com/sp/faqs_detail.cfm?detail=1&id=233
Depending on what chipset is used in various OTA receivers and the firmware that controls them can also cause audio dropouts. But the receiver manufactors are not in a hurry to tell you that.

[kjnorman]

I've been noticing that we are getting audio drop outs on ABC as well.  It happened to us on last week's LOST.  We still record all our HD shows on our SD tivo as well, so we dropped to SD for a bit then went back to HD.  Major PITA.  

Even once or twice an hour is unacceptable and does not boost the WAF.  I get question on why we got HD each time we lose the sound as she still does not care about the picture quality - though she will admit to liking the full picture rather than 75% of the picture as you get with non-letterboxed SD.

Are ABC even aware of this issue?

[Edited for typos]

[caveman]

A receiver problem?  So if I understand that correct the majority of people woukd have to upgrade/replace their receivers?!  That does not seem like a very practical or consumer friendly option.  Isn't there an improvement that could be made in the way Dolby Digital is broadcast?  I've been hearing from more and more people having the audio dropout issue.  I'm having it a few times per hour on every HD prometime broadcast (not just ABC).  Hope this can be resolved.

[kjnorman]

I do not believe that you can apply a blanket "its the receiver" problem.  I have a Yamaha DSP-A1 (pretty old now - I know) but it only experiances sound drop outs that I notice on ABC.  The other networks do not have problems.

So, as my receiver has been working fine for seven years with any signal that have been thrown at it, but it now drops sound ONLY with ABC, how can it be my receiver's problem?

I would suspect the issue like more with ABC (or ABC's transmission path) than my receiver.

Kerry

[StarvingForHDTV]

My experience has been the same as Kerry's.

[basshive]

I just wanted to add that I too experience this issue. I had just generally accepted that in an hour long program the audio will drop out atleast twice for about 2 - 4 seconds it seems. Picture quality is always great, just loose the audio. Especially noticed during MNF viewings and Lost.