Audio drop out with hdmi

[J5J]

I've tried 2 cables with the same problem, my tv has two analog connections that I'm using for other things.

So I need to use the hdmi for the uverse dvr

thanks,

J5J

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

Check to make sure the audio setting on your dvr is set to stereo.

[J5J]

I tried and it makes no difference

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

Are you interested in using component cables and red and white audio outputs to your tv?

[J5J]

My tv has 2 component inputs but I need them for other things so I need to connect the dvr with the hdmi.

I'm sending audio signal from the dvr to my receiver with the optical output but I hate being dependent on my receiver for sound 

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

Try switching another stb with that one and see if you still have the audio drop out problem.

[gdfleo]

You know this is a well known issue with uverse and it's dropping of audio in HD. It's not our connections or receivers or cables,it's ATT's lousy feed.

Last night I had blocky video on Grammys with plenty of dropped audio. All audio has dropped sections whether live or recorded.

Try a Google search and the web is full of unsatisfied customers like me.AVS forum is an excellent place to start.

It can't be fixed so we've been had.

Just changed from Charter cable end of Dec.and never had this problem so needless to say I'm not happy.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

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J5J wrote:

My tv has 2 component inputs but I need them for other things so I need to connect the dvr with the hdmi.

I'm sending audio signal from the dvr to my receiver with the optical output but I hate being dependent on my receiver for sound 

---

Typically changing your DVR to stereo, from surround, solves the audio drop problems as RC already pointed out.

If you want to increase your analog video/audio inputs on your TV here is a "4 Port Component Video Switch" from monoprice for $20. It comes with a remote and you can look at the back view in the top left to see the inputs (RCA red/white analog stereo audio signal). Component video cables do support HD with the U-verse boxes and the cables are real low priced at monoprice. You can try still using your HDMI for video and composite audio cables (RCA red/white) for TV sound in going through the switch.

Unfortunately the 5.1 surround sound audio drops in using any type of digital audio carrying cables (HDMI and optical) are a known issue with no fix.

Good luck.

[joeinkansas]

I have a new (less that 1 week) Home Theater setup using a Denon AVR-591.  When watching TV, the audio frequently cuts out. I am using a Motorola AT&T uVerse box that is HDMI connected to the AVR-591.  The AVR-591 is connected to 5.1 surround speakers. My Samsung TV is HDMI connected to the AVR591.  During periods of failure, I hear clicks and very short bursts of program audio.  The video continues uninterrupted when the problem is occurring.  If I briefly turn the AVR-591 off and back on, it starts working again. I have removed the unit from the cabinet to eliminate chances of overheating.  The problem is unchanged when running outside the cabinet. 

Update - I have changed my connection from HDMI to component video and optical audio.  This connection seems to work ok except for occasional very brief audio drops (less than 1 second?).  According to the posts that I read, AT&T has a history of poor HDMI support with their STBs. I really want HDMI because I need the component and optical inputs on my AVR591 for my XBOX. 

Your help please.  Joe

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

There's no way to avoid the 5.1 audio drops in using surround sound if your receiver is having this problem now. It's been a known issue for years.

Guess you need to determine if the audio drop were worse in using HDMI for audio than your current optical audio connection? If not you may want to go back to HDMI and try using a HDMI switch such as one of these from monoprice.com.

Unfortunately you would need 2 switches, one for component video and one for optical audio, if you wanted to keep your current connections and use your XBOX.

I have similar audio drop problems such as yours and run my HDMI straight to the TV from the STB and optical from the STB to my Sony HTS. I just have to make sure the STB sound is set to stereo when watching TV or the drops come through my TV speakers.

In doing this I miss not have an on-screen view of my HTS settings but this is the best workaround I could find.

It should be noted the 5.1 audio drops seem to be worse on certain channels and/or broadcasts.

You may want to try bypassing your HTS and see what happens to the TV audio drops. It is a known issue that running HDMI through a AV receiver may cause some problems with U-verse.

Good luck.

[joeinkansas]

Thanks for your reply.  I suspected that the problem was with the U-verse STB.  I confirmed with U-verse 2nd level support after I posted my problem here. According to Victor (AT&T 2nd level support tech), there is no solution and no projected time frame for a solution.  

I guess for now I will have to settle for the component video and optical audio from the STB into my HTS until AT&T gets the problem solved (if ever).  I connected my XBOX directly to the TV.  I now have crummy XBOX sound through the TV speakers -- also more cables and remotes to wrestle. Bummer!!!

I think I'll call AT&T Customer Service and see if I can get some sort of billing credit accommodation for my inconvenience.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

You're welcome and after 4 years of 5.1 audio drop problems don't think a fix will be coming soon.

Believe I'd be trying to connect your Xbox to your HTS receiver through some type of optical cable switch or cables made for Xbox/gaming systems.

My Sony KS2300 AV receiver (matches Sony BDP-S550) only has 2 optical inputs. One of these inputs is connected to the STB and then I have a manual (3-1) optical audio switch connected to the other. My Blu-ray player and DVD recorder/player are connected to the optical switch. When my son comes over he can plug his PS3 audio into the open port on the 3 port optical switch for 5.1 audio.

The inexpensive "3X1 Optical Toslink Audio Switch" I have is at the top of this page but it is not in stock. It is not real high quality but seems to work for me. Kind of a pain to change manually and I've seen some better manual optical switches on Amazon for about $20.

Maybe you also should look at the "4x1 Component Cable for XBox 360" on the same page in the link. If you look at the close up of the end plug that connects to the Xbox there is an optical cable port on the back of the plug.

Just some suggestions and good luck.

BTW, calling CS for a credit for 5.1 audio problems is a good idea. You may reach a Tier 1 rep that doesn't have a clue and then ask to be elevated to Tier 2, or a supervisor. I only received a one time $60 credit but have read where others received more. If you don't already have HBO, or some of the other movie channels, ask for some freebies in addition to the credit.

[J5J]

I found a solution to my audio drop out problem,I changed the resolution output on my dvr to 720p which is not a problem for me because I have a 720 (1360x768) plasma.

If I changed the resolution on my dvr back to 1080i the audio dropouts quickly return.

[joeinkansas]

Now that I've had some time to observe the audio performance with the optical connection, I noticed that there are still short little audio hiccup in the audio.  Irritating....  I'll keep observing.  Maybe it's just when the sound is Dolby encoded.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

Yep, those 5.1 audio drops/hiccups are not going to go away using HDMI or optical connections while using surround sound. Know you said you read some about the 5.1 audio drops but don't know if you saw the below 6-month, 600 post thread (now closed), about the problem. Before that there was a 2 year old thread about the same problem, with 1,500 posts, that is no longer available.

http://forums.att.com/t5/TV-Programming/5-1-Audio-Fix-Implementation-Your-Feedback-Needed/m-p/203172...

The only solution I've found with my setup is to keep the STB set to stereo while just watching TV and using the TV speakers for audio. Believe I mentioned before the audio drops come right through my TV speakers via HDMI if I forget and leave the STB set to surround sound. When using my HTS I just hope I get a channel/program without lots of drops coming through the optical connection with the STB set to surround sound. It's kind of hit or miss depending on the programming.

[AaronD12]

I just tried the "drop to 720p" trick without success. I also dropped it all the way down to "widescreen standard definition" but still got the audio dropouts. This is rather frustrating. 

I guess since I don't use U-Verse for movies, I can change it to stereo with only a little annoyance. At least my PS3 and my WDTV box (my movie sources) have no problems with audio dropouts.

Anyone have experience with the new wireless STB? Does it have the same problems?

[christopherlang1]

Why is this happening? Is it these Cisco iptv boxes? Or something upstream (for me the issue just depends on the content currently being streamed, a movie can have audio problems then when a commercial comes on the audio is fine, I would guess this is digital content vs stereo content --I have have also been able to go into the cisco boxes setup and change the audio to 2.0 and I would get all the sound back though sometimes changing this setting seemed to have no effect). It is Apr 2012 and I have been having this problem basically since getting U-verse earlier in the year. Seems some people have had this issue going back to 2008 or so. Have not gotten anywhere with support either, they knew nothing and yet all these threads on this topic. Level 2 stopped troubleshooting and said it was my problem when voice dialog returned while plugged into my 2.0 audio TV, Duh when the problem is 5.1 audio, so that was a waste of time and it has been 4-5 calls thus far. Knowing the issue was not my equipment well what do you know, I find all of these threads going back a number of years, some a couple thousand posts on the topic, and the problem still exists. Interesting. Not sure whether to be more annoyed at the level of support or that the problem has existed for so long. I have never had any audio problems using any other service providers STB and digital audio with my stereo. Nor have I had any problems using my PS3 or laptop for that matter. I use HDMI connections just like most everyone else that has this issue. I would try the optical link for audio as some people have done but it is already in use. So why is getting digital audio (5.1 with these boxes) over hdmi so problematic?

(at&t did send a replacement set top box and this box has the same audio issue)

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

It doesn't have anything to do with the brand/type of U-verse box and they're all running the same software platform. As you said, it's hit or miss if the drops come through certain programming. Also some audio systems don't have this problem, or they're minimal, while with other brands/models of receivers the 5.1 drops are noticeable.

Some reps know about the problems while others don't have a clue. Kind of surprised you couldn't find any Tier 2 reps who were aware of this problem since it's buried in the notes/scripts somewhere. At least they used to be.

It's not just HDMI where the drops occur and with my Sony system the drops are even clearer with an optic audio connection.

Have no answers why a solution has not been found after so long and the 5.1 audio drops are just there with many audio receivers/equipment. Sorry.

[christopherlang1]

"Have no answers why a solution has not been found after so long and the 5.1 audio drops are just there with many audio receivers/equipment. Sorry." Certainly seems to have been at&t's response if measured by looking for any results solving this issue. This issue has been occuring how long now? Speaking of other mfr's, this technology isn't new nowadays, it is 2012 and this is pretty basic functionality available even in low end equipment nowadays (I am refering to home stereo equipment, I would say similar about most STB's in that it seems most manufacturers worked out such basic kinks within the first couple of years of the boxes being introduced). If it is a software/platform issue, these are all Cisco boxes you are saying, running the same software? Do you have any links for that.Thanks

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

There is a thread where people have posted the 2250 dvrs have resolved the drop out issue.

[christopherlang1]

Hmm. I wonder if they would swap the one they just sent with one of these 2250's? My current DVR is an IPN4230. The 2250 seems to be Motorola as well and not a Cisco box like my currrent one.

(I read this model Cisco has been around since probably 2008 which explains a bit, but it doesn't explain why 4 years later the problem has not been fixed by Cisco or at&t). Lol and I found someone over on avforums wondering the same on whether at&t would swap his 4230. I cancelled my HBO/Cinemax or whatever it was in part because of this issue. It just did not make sense to pay the money with the audio drops.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

If you are in a Cisco market and currently have the IPN4320, the replacement generation 2 receiver you need to ask for is the ISB7500.

[christopherlang1]

Thanks a lot! I am in Chicago. I will ask about then when I phone support again. Do you know that the issue does not occur with this model Cisco device? I was more excited about a box from another manufacturer.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

Thanks for the explanation and specifics SJ. Guess I fell back into the thread which hasn't been posted in for 1 1/4 years and the ISB7500 5.1 audio fix slipped my mind.

[christopherlang1]

Hi. Sorry, but what explanation? I see a work around (replacing the box and that is if at&t will replace the box with the later model box and if that solves the issue --which it probably would) but what is the technical explanation or solution if one even exists, for the issue when using the 4320?

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

Don't know why you have to question every post I make, even if it's addressing another forum member. I just volunteer my time, while trying to help out, and we are not AT&T employees. Maybe you should get back on the phone with AT&T again and try to find out the technical explanation?

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

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christopherlang1 wrote:

Hi. Sorry, but what explanation? I see a work around (replacing the box and that is if at&t will replace the box with the later model box and if that solves the issue --which it probably would) but what is the technical explanation or solution if one even exists, for the issue when using the 4320?

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Audio dropouts can occur for many reasons, but it is known that 1st-generation U-Verse IPTV units (Motorola VIP1200, VIP1216, VIP1225, and Cisco IPN330, IPN430, and IPN4320) have chronic digital audio dropout issues on both optical and HDMI connections when the audio setting is set to Surround Sound.  While we, the people who frequent this forum and are not AT&T employees, have never been privy to the exact issue and cause, we have long suspected that the problem is a buffering/timing issue with the Dolby Digital audio frames inside the receiver that probably involves the hardware itself.

Experience has shown us that many people (not all) who have experienced this issue and have subsequently upgraded from a 1st-gen unit to a 2nd-gen IPTV unit (Motorola VIP2250, Cisco ISB7005, ISB7500) have seen this issue disappear.  This makes sense because the 2nd-gen units have completely different internal hardware, including a different CPU (Broadcom 7405C vice Sigma Designs 8634).

I cannot guarantee that audio dropouts will disappear completely for you or even get fixed at all if you get one of these new units, but there is a decent chance.

For 1st-gen units, there are no known workarounds other than:

• Set the audio setting on the receiver to Stereo vice Surround Sound.  This causes the digital audio to be output as PCM vice Dolby Digital, and the dropouts will then no longer occur.  Of course, the audio will be 2 channel vice 5.1 channel.  Note that the 2-channel output is matrix encoded, compatible with Dolby Pro Logic II, so a suitable DPL receiver can decode a non-discrete surround sound output.

• Use the 2-channel analog outputs vice the optical or HDMI digital output.  Again, sound will be 2-channel, but DPL encoded.

• Certain audio receivers are known to be much more tolerant of the dropouts than others.  If you have such an option to change audio receivers, the dropouts may be much less noticable.  The Pioneer VSX series from the last 2-3 years is known to be virtually unaffected by the dropouts.  I personally own a VSX-1018AH, using optical digital audio from a Motorola VIP1225, and the dropouts are virtually nonexistent.

[christopherlang1]

Thanks for your write up. I appreciate that. Well, so did at&t get a bum deal with these Cisco boxes? Who orders HD television and then can't get digital sound? It just boggles my mind. So to summarize the problem is with the CISCO equipment (not Motorole equipment since that is also being mentioned) and only the 1st gen equipment? Wow and the Cisco and at&t behemoths could not fix this? Wow. Other providers had problems with their stb boxes when HD was first being rolled out and when hdmi started showing up in addition to dvi, and they fixed their boxes yet Cisco and at&t could not fix their equipment? what the? You sure it was both Motorola and Cisco (gen 1) boxes exhibiting the issue? I read conflicting stuff about this.

I had to work through issues like this back in 2006-2007 using cable. I could understand then having to work through such issues, but not today. This stuff has been around to long now.

PS I used to have an old Pioneer VSX. Was nice.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

The digital audio dropout problem we're discussing is common to all 1st-gen equipment (Cisco and Motorola).

As stated, the speculation is that the problem is based in the hardware, and therefore can't be fixed with firmware updates. A box swap is required.

Also, neither Cisco nor Motorola designed these boxes, they are just the builders. Both of their 1st-gen boxes are based on the Sigma Designs reference board, who built their solution to Microsoft's specs, since the entire IPTV system in use here is Microsoft Mediaroom. The new 2nd-gen boxes are based on a different reference board designed jointly by (I'm guessing) Microsoft and Broadcom. Cisco and Motorola are still the builders.

Microsoft, AT&T, and Sigma Designs were all newcomers to the set-top box market when Mediaroom was deployed, so naturally they are now working through the identical issues with consumer equipment interoperability that other STB manufacturers like Hughes, Echostar, Scientific-Atlanta, etc. already went through years ago.

[christopherlang1]

Hi. Thanks for adding the additional background and highlevel. Yes, Years ago (if 4-5 or so is years lol) I had such interoperability issues when on cable using mainly hd motorola boxes, others had issues as well but it seems that issues like these were mostly resolved using software updates. If it is hw with the Cisco boxes I guess that explains some things then but I am still pretty amazed. Lol perhaps I shouldn't be, anyway I will try to get the 2d gen box. From what I read at&t was charging people to upgrade their boxes, but I also found some instances where they upgraded peoples boxes with no fee to resolve technical issues. Thanks.