UMC-200 Sound Issue (dropping and re-handshaking)

[michaelvb]

I believe all my components and corresponding cables are set up correctly. I went over the manual many times and I re-verified how the various cables were run and connected. I also watched the Emotiva video which was very well done. I receive fantastic connections to the internet because I ran a cat 5 connection straight to the Blueray player and TV. The sound from Amazon Prime, Netflix, and my Blueray Player is perfect and without flaw or drop-out, however when playing the TV from my cable box the sound at time will drop for a millisecond and then re-establish itself. I lose sound for the shortest moment and then I see the note on the screen about what type of sound I am re-connecting with, which is the same as what I dropped.

To trouble shoot I went and re-checked all my cables to assure they were connected in the correct HDMI or RCA input/outputs. I replaced HDMI cables with newer high end ones just in case it was a faulty HDMI cable. I replaced the cable box in case it was the cable box, but I still have this issue of drop outs. There is no consistency to the frequency and it is random. Some nights it may not happen and others it could happen three or four times within a two hour period. This also happens when the TV switches from a show to a commercial. The sound in this situation is being processed differently and I can accept this switching drop out but not in the middle of a broadcast.

I am hoping that in the set up menu there is a setting that I may have overlooked. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, and yes I have the most recent update on the processor.

[Gary Cook]

You can almost guarantee that the cable box is the problem not the UMC-200. Like many others, I had the same problem with the previous generation cable box, which just doesn't happen with the newer generation cable box. HDMI HDCP handshaking is generational, older cable boxes don't work with newer processors and vice versa. I'd suggest trying different settings on the cable box first, if that doesn't work then try updating the firmware on the cable box. If you are already up to date on the firmware then try contacting the cable company and asking if they have a newer (more up to date HDMI/HDCP) box. By "older/newer" I mean HDMI HDCP protocol generation not how old the box itself is.

Cheers
Gary

[michaelvb]

OK, that sounds like a starting point at least I know the terminology to use. I would have thought Verizon in a big City would be using the most current standards but you never know. I did within the last 6 months switch out the box thinking I need their more current one. Maybe I just need to ask for a specific box capable of the correct HDMI HDCP protocol. Thanks for the suggestion.

[teaman]

Michael, I go through it with all of my Sherbourn PT-7020 pre/pros and SR-120 receivers. Same exact thing, brief audio drop outs when going to or from commercials...usually 5.1 to 2.0 mix. I have found that the Xfinity Comcast X1 boxes vary as to how often the drop outs occur, but I agree with Gary I think it is the boxes. I have updated and adjusted settings but the drop outs are still present. I am sure most people dwell on it but after a few years I have learned to overlook them. Don't get me wrong, it annoys the hell out of me but I would be swapping cable boxes all day trying to find one that doesn't have drop outs.


Tim

[michaelvb]

Unfortunately I am tired of just accepting this which I have been doing for far too long considering the amount of money I give Verizon the devil each month.

My set top box is the Arris VMS 1100 which seems to be the state of the art for Verizon. I am going to try and attempt to paste in part of the spec so it might help someone tell me if some protocol is missing.


IntroductionVMS1100Hybrid QAM/IP Video Media Server• Installation and Operation Manual2365-095-25654x.1This document is uncontrolled pending incorporation in an ARRIS CMSThe VMS1100 provides the following advanced functionality:•Whole home DVR support for up to fourconnected IP Clientset-top boxes•Authorization and purchase of on-demand programming•High-Definition television (HDTV) video decoding•HDTV output through component video (YPbPr) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface™ (HDMI™)•Surround-sound audio through a variety of analog and digital interconnection options•Live playback and LOD buffering capabilities to pause and time shift live video and seamlessly record for all connected televisions•Built-in MoCA 1.1/2.0HW supportAs with all ARRISdigital set-tops, the hardware features are enabled by core operating and third-party application software.Standard Features•Six 54 to 864 MHz video tuners with digital video processor •One dedicated tuner for the out-of-band (OOB) control channel•ITU standard 64/256 QAM/FEC/enhanced adaptive equalizer•CSAbased encryption/DCII (via inserted CableCARD™) access control•Out-of-band data receiver (70-130 MHz) 2.048 Mbps•Digital video scaling (picture in graphics)•Macrovision®copy protection•High-definition video output through:οHDMI (also compatible with DVI using an HDMI-to-DVI converter cable)οComponent Video (YPbPr)•Standard-definition video output throughBaseband (Composite)•Audio outputthrough:οDigital audio (S/PDIF) ATSC standard DolbyDigital opticalοBaseband L/R

Hopefully this helps someone figure out if its the set top box or a setting in the Emotiva.

[Percussionista]

Jun 8, 2017 17:51:06 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

You can almost guarantee that the cable box is the problem not the UMC-200.

+1

Happens to me too. I've changed HDMI cables to newer 4K capable cables just in case, even though we're still on 1080p in the theater room, and it didn't help (or perhaps it helped a little - I think the handshake happens less than before). We have Comcast. 99.99% most likely to be the cable provider.

[Gary Cook]

While I was waiting for the "new" cable box I ran the audio from the "old" box to the UMC-200 via a toslink interconnect. Still used the HDMI to the UMC-200 for video. In the Set Up Menu for sources/inputs in the UMC-200 we can have video for say HDMI #1 and audio from Optical #1, which is one input (which I called "Cable Box"). When the "new" box arrived I simply changed the inputs over to HDMI #1 for both audio and video. Works seamlessly and since most programs that I watched on the cable box weren't DTS-HD or Dolby True HD, the sound quality was just fine.

Cheers
Gary