[corolaelwis]

We recently got an LCD TV (32LG30) and then upgraded our cable to digital cable with all the goodies.

Cable comes into our box (Moto DCT6412 Phase III) and is connected via HDMI to the TV. I have been noticing that the sound sometime cuts out on all HD channels. It's usually only for a second or two and its frequency varies. The picture stays fine and carries on as if it didn't happen. It can be quite an annoyance. This happens on "live" tv as well as shows recorded from an HD channel. Playing a DVD through HDMI on the TV does not have this issue.

We don't have a sound system, so its just box to TV. Any ideas as to why this is happening? My father finds this particularly annoying and has been on me to find out what is going on.

Cheers all. [thumbup]

[Hamucevasiop]

Make sure to check all of the coaxial connections to be sure they are tightened as much as you get them because when a digital broadcast signal is weakened, the first to go is the sound. If that does not help you will have to get a tech out to your house to meter levels and find the problem.

[corolaelwis]

I went through and they are all tight. We used to have an issue with lines on the picture when it was damp out. Could this be our digital equivalent? I guess I'll get a tech out and see what they think. It's hard to predict so I'm worried I wont be able to recreate it.

[popandopulus]

I'm pretty sure this is a known issue with those motorolla comcast HD-DVRs. It's probably one or two of these things, perhaps both. First, I know those boxes have issues with sound over HDMI. Second (and more likely) the DVR processor is the culprit. Even though you're watching live, the DVR is still caching, and it's technically 2-5 seconds behind live. Anyways, next time you are getting sound drops, change the channel then change back. This almost always fixes it, and if it does, you'll know with reasonable certainty that the DVR is the problem.

The other thing you might try is to hook the audio up via Red/White composite or Optical. This could determine whether the HDMI sound output is the culprit or not. I'd bet anything it's the DVR though. If it keeps getting worse or is really bothersome, do a factory reset on the DVR and wipe the HD clean. If that doesn't work, get comcast to switch it out.

[corolaelwis]

I'm pretty sure this is a known issue with those motorolla comcast HD-DVRs. It's probably one or two of these things, perhaps both. First, I know those boxes have issues with sound over HDMI. Second (and more likely) the DVR processor is the culprit. Even though you're watching live, the DVR is still caching, and it's technically 2-5 seconds behind live. Anyways, next time you are getting sound drops, change the channel then change back. This almost always fixes it, and if it does, you'll know with reasonable certainty that the DVR is the problem.

The other thing you might try is to hook the audio up via Red/White composite or Optical. This could determine whether the HDMI sound output is the culprit or not. I'd bet anything it's the DVR though. If it keeps getting worse or is really bothersome, do a factory reset on the DVR and wipe the HD clean. If that doesn't work, get comcast to switch it out.

In Canada, so not with Comcast. It's usually never long enough to be able to switch and switch back. I will try isolating the sound (already have this done to be able to listen to the music channels with the TV off) and see if it cuts out too. I'll also try a reset if my dad ever catches up with the DVR'd movies. [rofl] Thanks.

[Injurnerona]

It may be related to signal interference, or signal switching performed by that particular set-top box.

When watching TV shows, sometimes the audio signal for the show is different to that which is used in the ads. Which means when you go to an ad break it will switch signals/audio types. e.g. A show may be in Dolby, then the ads may be in PCM stereo. When the signal switch is detected the STB usually needs to recognise this and change the signal being sent to your amplifier/TV. And if the STB does not do a good job of it, it will pop, click or drop out for a second of two.

Check it again and keep note of then it happens. If it happens between transitions from ads to programmes then this may be the case. If it happens during the show however, it is a dirty signal.

[corolaelwis]

If it happens during the show however, it is a dirty signal.

Defiantly happens during a show/movie. Like I said, we had weather related interference before we went digital. They came out once and did some tinkering and it improved a bunch. Maybe another trip for them is due.

[violetgorman]

It's a known issue with the box. Most cable companies use them and everyone has trouble with them. Shaw uses it, Cogeco uses it, Comcast uses it, etc. I have one and experience the exact same problem on Shaw. I've tried with HDMI, and with component using analog audio. It happens during live programming, it happens with recorded programming, it happens with SD (though infrequently) and HD (with variable frequency sometimes as often as a few seconds every few minutes) programming and it happens on every channel. Shaw cannot do anything about the problem and doesn't care. This will likely be the case for your provider as well.

The problem is the box. They are, on average, horrendous pieces of ****. Truly the worst sort of product in every regard. Each and every one is functionally defective, the storage cannot be expanded, none of the advanced connections on the back work and the software is cobbled-together garbage that is easily confused and often chooses to simply not record anything. It is a shining example of Motorola's technical prowess and an insight into that company's current, serious financial difficulties.

These boxes are riddled with bugs and critical deficiencies, which make me wish I could choose TiVo. I'd pay extra for the TiVo service and box just to be rid of this damned Motorola box, but of course Shaw will have none of it.

Sadly, for people who live in monopolized or oligopolized markets, it's this or nothing.

[corolaelwis]

Thanks for the insight Inept. Strange that it would be so widely used when it is riddled with so many problems. Stranger even that customers just put up with it.

[violetgorman]

Well, that's precisely what happens in monopolized markets. Customers put up with it or they put up with nothing at all. I'd rather have audio skips in my HD than no HD at all. There are some alternatives of course, including sattelite, but they really aren't markedly superior and it's just not worth the cost.

[ggdfgtdfffhfyj]

The problem is the box. They are, on average, horrendous pieces of ****. Truly the worst sort of product in every regard. Each and every one is functionally defective, the storage cannot be expanded, none of the advanced connections on the back work and the software is cobbled-together garbage that is easily confused and often chooses to simply not record anything. It is a shining example of Motorola's technical prowess and an insight into that company's current, serious financial difficulties.

That pretty much sums it up. Could not be said any better.

[popandopulus]

Well, that's precisely what happens in monopolized markets. Customers put up with it or they put up with nothing at all. I'd rather have audio skips in my HD than no HD at all. There are some alternatives of course, including sattelite, but they really aren't markedly superior and it's just not worth the cost.

does your cable company not give out cable cards for the HD Tivos? If so, that sucks. I helped a customer install one of those as a favor, he liked it so much he ended up buying a second one to replace the motorolla HD box. I'm not a comcast fan, but they give the cable cards away for free. (i guess they can't differentiate between a new HDTV with cable card compatibility and the TIVO boxes) Maybe you should try that angle. Tell them you need a cable card for a new HDTV. Buy the HD Tivo at somewhere like Costco or Walmart, and if you can't get the cable card just return it.

also, not sure if you can legally have Dish Network or Directv in Canada, but both are markedly superior to cable imo. Maybe not hugely so, but if you're an onion and you like IQ and high tech, it might be worth it to you. Also, Dish and Directv now offer 1080p PPV content. I've got the Directv HD Dvr and love it, but I've helped people with the new Dish HD DVR's, and they are damn nice piece of tech as well.

[Hamucevasiop]

Buy the HD Tivo at somewhere like Costco or Walmart, and if you can't get the cable card just return it.

Or maybe check to see if you can get the cable card before going to buy the TiVo.

also, not sure if you can legally have Dish Network or Directv in Canada, but both are markedly superior to cable imo. Maybe not hugely so, but if you're an onion and you like IQ and high tech, it might be worth it to you. Also, Dish and Directv now offer 1080p PPV content. I've got the Directv HD Dvr and love it, but I've helped people with the new Dish HD DVR's, and they are damn nice piece of tech as well.

Both options are not available in Canada an it is surprising to see that one of their satellite providers, Star Choice, is actually owned by Shaw which is also a cable provider.

But yes I agree, the DirecTV DVRs (with multi-room viewing already in beta and working quite well) 100 hour HD and 400 SD capacity, remote scheduling via the internet, DirecTV2PC, etc. are quite superior to the Moto boxes with cable. They also offer a ton more HD channels over cable as well.

[popandopulus]

Or maybe check to see if you can get the cable card before going to buy the TiVo. very funny. it's not just a matter of obtaining the card though, you have to get it activated once the Tivo or HDTV is seated with the cable card. I had to call comcast and have them send a signal to activate it. I don't think they know whether it is in a TIVO or not. They just send an activation signal through the cable line.

How does the multiroom work with the Directv boxes? Do I need an RF accesory or something? (i'm assuming it broadcasts wirelessly?) I've got the HR20 (the silver one) I'd love to get multi-room working. I've seen the Dishtv version in action, very conveinent.

[Hamucevasiop]

very funny. it's not just a matter of obtaining the card though, you have to get it activated once the Tivo or HDTV is seated with the cable card. I had to call comcast and have them send a signal to activate it. I don't think they know whether it is in a TIVO or not. They just send an activation signal through the cable line.

How does the multiroom work with the Directv boxes? Do I need an RF accesory or something? (i'm assuming it broadcasts wirelessly?) I've got the HR20 (the silver one) I'd love to get multi-room working. I've seen the Dishtv version in action, very conveinent.

Oh now I see what you mean with the cablecard, I wasn't trying to be a smart ass I just thought you might have been over complicating things.

Right now only the H21-100 and H21-200 support the beta MRV from the HR2X boxes. If you hop on the weekly Cutting Edge stream and force a beta firmware download you can get it to work with the current supported hardware. To have MRV you need them networked either via a wired ethernet connection or a wireless bridge.

[popandopulus]

thanks for the explanation. what's cutting edge stream?

also, sorry for the questions, but have you added an sata drive to your unit? I was thinking of giving it a try. I remember reading about it a year or so ago, but haven't heard much since. I usually have 10 or so HD movies saved, so I find my space runs a bit low for other stuff i record.

[Hamucevasiop]

thanks for the explanation. what's cutting edge stream?

also, sorry for the questions, but have you added an sata drive to your unit? I was thinking of giving it a try. I remember reading about it a year or so ago, but haven't heard much since. I usually have 10 or so HD movies saved, so I find my space runs a bit low for other stuff i record.

The cutting edge stream is a stream that is opened in a few hour window almost every Friday and Saturday night by DirecTV for people to force download the latest beta firmware for testing.

I have the HR22 DVR which has 100 hours of HD recording or 400 hours of SD recording so I haven't found the extra capacity necessary. If you do add an eSATA drive it will override the internal drive.

More information can be found here.
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=66201

[XqrkN4a0]

Canada here, and I have had the same problem with my Shaw HDPVR since day-1. I've just come to accept it, although I can't say I've had the problem outside of HD broadcasts. Just last week, I noticed my friend, with the same HD setup through Shaw, had the same problem while we were watching the hockey game.

I suspect Inept is correct. It's a shame. Aside from wishing I could expand the HDD, nothing else about this box bothers me.

[violetgorman]

There are no cable cards available here, nor can you buy HD TiVo boxes. We have SD TiVo boxes but we don't get all of the American options.