Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Surround sound

Oct 22, 2015 5:16PM PDT

I recently moved and had to re set-up my surround sound. The only difference is that I have Fios as opposed to Comcast. I have a Sony star-dn1050 receiver and all Cambridge sound works speakers (the good ones). I have the tv and PS3 switching through the receiver via HDMI. So hdmi out from receiver to tv. HDMI from Fios into receiver. PS3 into receiver. When watching live tv or on demand I keep getting this almost audio hiccup. No blips in video at all. Does not happen at all with PS3. I cannot hear this hiccup when it's just gamble box to tv. I tried switching out the hdmis as well. Still happening. I can't image it's the receiver since the PS3 is perfect. I'm wondering if it is the cable but I just can't hear it hiccuping without the amplification? This is super annoying. Anyone have any thoughts? I work as an audio tech for 10 years so I am not low-tech I have a little idea of what I'm doing. Or so I thought.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Unplug the PS3
Oct 22, 2015 6:44PM PDT

then watch the TV and see if the sound is still there.

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Audio dropouts are not uncommon
Oct 24, 2015 2:18PM PDT

A quick spin with google would lead you to many threads on this topic. Make/model of the Fios box would help diagnose, btw (hint, hint)

And 'end run' around this problem sometimes is to run a digital optical cable from Fios box to receiver/HDMI cable from Fios box to HDTV. As an audio tech, you should understand that HDMI is a bit of a fussy beast Wink

Give us more details on what settings you have tried, and we can continue.

cheers

- Collapse -
Reply
Nov 12, 2015 5:58PM PST

So the hint hint jarred my memory. I have stb Arris vms1100. I changed the stb internal settings to pass through. No luck. I haven't tried lpcm yet but I don't typically like the sound. I'm trying to avoid optical cable for the mere fact it's 2016 and I don't want to have 800 cables to deal with anymore.

- Collapse -
Digital optical cables are still quite relevant, amigo
Nov 13, 2015 7:34AM PST

I suggest you take the chip off your shoulder and bite the bullet. You cannot change the reality of the plethora of issues we face w/ HDMI/ARC/etc. With the majority of the audio feeds being DD5.1 or less and passed along perfectly via digital optical or digital coaxial, sticking with only HDMI makes little sense IMNSHO Wink

- Collapse -
Whaaaaa
Nov 16, 2015 4:49PM PST

So I hooked up he DO and I'm still getting drop outs. Yes I made sure I switched the Audi output signal to DO so in good there. Receiver even says opt so I'm good. Well not really.


I'm at a loss. Back to square one. Cable box to tv and thats it. I'll start hooking things up one cable at a time.

I want to cry

- Collapse -
I see another potential fix
Nov 18, 2015 6:23AM PST
- Collapse -
Answer
I don't see the make/model for this "gamble" box.
Oct 22, 2015 5:40PM PDT

It could be the gamble? box's audio isn't 100% compatible but that box is an unknown so members can't check if others have complained or if there's an audio setting to try there.

- Collapse -
Answer
Ongoing duel between mfgrs.
Nov 17, 2015 5:46PM PST

Since the newest digital HDMI AVR units were released, I have done more re-cabling of home systems to forget using the AVR unit as a switching device for HDMI. ARC only works with devices from the same mfgr and protocols are not being seriously followed. If the HDTV has an optical audio output, that's the best way for each source to the TV is synced and the audio matches without any delay needed. The optical output also carries all the formats to the AVR so whatever format is being provided by the media (game, satellite, cable, etc) will get decoded properly.

- Collapse -
The OP has a slightly different issue
Nov 18, 2015 6:15AM PST

While I completely agree with what you have written in that context, the OP is dealing with a slightly different issue.

Dropouts are a little different than audio being out of sync (from your post). Attempting to use the HDTV as an audio 'hub' per se won't necessarily take care of his issue.