DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Feb 23, 2010 14:28:23 GMT -5
dyohn, you have just settled my weary heart with your discovery of the direct tv issue. i now feel with complete confidence that the umc will do what i need it to do without needless interruption or minimal problems. thanks........... tchaik............. You're welcome. It worked for me, or at least it did last night - let us know if it works for you! |
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Post by roadrunner on Feb 23, 2010 14:44:59 GMT -5
dyohn
This appears to be an excellent workaround for the audio issues that the DirecTV HD receivers are prone to exhibit. Once DTV upgrades their software, it will be easy enough to check to see if they have really fixed their problems. If not, at least we have a viable solution due to the power and flexibility of the UMC-1. A big "Gold Star" for your detective work. This can make TV viewing much more enjoyable for many of us. ;D
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Post by jmilton on Feb 23, 2010 14:58:58 GMT -5
dyohn This appears to be an excellent workaround for the audio issues that the DirecTV HD receivers are prone to exhibit. Once DTV upgrades their software, it will be easy enough to check to see if they have really fixed their problems. If not, at least we have a viable solution due to the power and flexibility of the UMC-1. A big "Gold Star" for your detective work. This can make TV viewing much more enjoyable for many of us. ;D Interesting. I defaulted my DD2.0 to Neo Cinema6 from the get-go. Explains why I have not had a drop out issue...ever. |
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Post by broncsrule21 on Feb 23, 2010 15:11:54 GMT -5
Good work dyhon. Hopefully this helps some people out.
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Post by SticknStones on Feb 23, 2010 15:17:03 GMT -5
UPDATE re: the periodic audio "drop outs" I experienced while watching the DirecTV HR20 DVR previously reported. I noticed last night that when the "drop outs" occur, the UMC-1 displays that the audio mode has changed from Dolby Digital to Digital 2.0. Partly spurred by the discussion of bass management and how the settings in the Advanced Playback menu might affect this (thank you SolidState) I decided to try an experiment. I entered the Advanced Playback menu and checked the default setting for "Digital 2.0" which is "Direct." Remembering the discussion of how "direct" modes bypass bass management I selected a new mode "Dolby Digital." Instantly, the switching between modes stopped. The audio drop outs stopped. I was able to watch 3 hours of the normally unstable NBC Olympics coverage without suffering through a single "drop out" issue. My theory is there is an unstable audio stream coming from the DirecTV DVR that is causing the UMC-1 to switch back and forth between Dolby Digital and Digital 2.0 modes, creating what seems to be an audio drop-out that is really due to the second or two it takes to lock onto the new audio stream. With both modes set to the same decoding default, the UMC-1 no longer tries to switch between them as is sees them as the same, even if the DVR signal is unstable. I will do some more testing to verify that this work-around solves the issue, but for now it seems the power of the UMC-1 is able to compensate for the unstable HR20. Also, I noticed the default setting for "PCM" was also "Direct," so I switched this to "PLIIX-Movies" just in case. I encourage others who may be having similar audio issues to give this a try. Please report back if it has any effect on your systems. David Great post David. I can offer that I have this Direct TV DVR and I have the resolution set to Native in my setup. I do notice especially on commercials that the audio formats change on my Denon. If I select 720P for everything on my Direct TV receiver instead of "Native" then I do not get those audio changes. In my case using Native was causing audio drop-outs through my DVDO VP 20 until I got the new firmware which fixed it. I now use Native again, no dropouts but the audio formats change from one program source to the next. Not sure if this is related to what you all are going through but thought I would throw it out to you! |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Feb 23, 2010 15:17:05 GMT -5
In my case the "audio drop out" issue appears to be user error - mine for not realizing the Advanced Playback mode settings needed attention. If this permanently cures the symptom I will be very happy and stop pinging DTV for their promised fix.  An analogy has sprung to mind: The UMC-1 is like a professional 35mm SLR camera. It is extremely powerful and has a ton of auto-programmed modes, but it's not a point and shoot pocket camera. You have to focus it, you have the ability to set the aperture and speed, you must be smart enough to know how it works and what it's doing, you need to adjust the presets, and you have to be patient while setting it up. It's a professional tool for taking professional photos, not an auto focus digital for vacation snapshots. For this functionality I am actually very grateful. I just need to take my own advice and go slower sometimes. |
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lonnie
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Post by lonnie on Feb 23, 2010 16:30:47 GMT -5
UPDATE re: the periodic audio "drop outs" I experienced while watching the DirecTV HR20 DVR previously reported. I noticed last night that when the "drop outs" occur, the UMC-1 displays that the audio mode has changed from Dolby Digital to Digital 2.0. Partly spurred by the discussion of bass management and how the settings in the Advanced Playback menu might affect this (thank you SolidState) I decided to try an experiment. I entered the Advanced Playback menu and checked the default setting for "Digital 2.0" which is "Direct." Remembering the discussion of how "direct" modes bypass bass management I selected a new mode "Dolby Digital." Instantly, the switching between modes stopped. The audio drop outs stopped. I was able to watch 3 hours of the normally unstable NBC Olympics coverage without suffering through a single "drop out" issue. My theory is there is an unstable audio stream coming from the DirecTV DVR that is causing the UMC-1 to switch back and forth between Dolby Digital and Digital 2.0 modes, creating what seems to be an audio drop-out that is really due to the second or two it takes to lock onto the new audio stream. With both modes set to the same decoding default, the UMC-1 no longer tries to switch between them as is sees them as the same, even if the DVR signal is unstable. I will do some more testing to verify that this work-around solves the issue, but for now it seems the power of the UMC-1 is able to compensate for the unstable HR20. Also, I noticed the default setting for "PCM" was also "Direct," so I switched this to "PLIIX-Movies" just in case. I encourage others who may be having similar audio issues to give this a try. Please report back if it has any effect on your systems. David This is fantastic news! Thank you for sharing. This also helps me out in that it helps me to isolate what is going on and where to look. Thanks again and big props! ;D Come to Emofest I'l buy the first round. For that fact I'l buy all the rounds. ;D |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Feb 23, 2010 16:46:05 GMT -5
Come to Emofest I'l buy the first round. For that fact I'l buy all the rounds. ;D Ha! Now that's a great offer, and difficult to refuse... |
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Post by moodyman on Feb 23, 2010 16:51:34 GMT -5
See what happens when people post their problems on the forum?? Stuff gets fixed. Contacting Emotiva with your issues is a must..but the forum certainly plays a role in getting things ironed out. Nice job... |
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Feb 23, 2010 16:53:08 GMT -5
This should work for cable STB also.
The audio changes formats during commercials all of the time.
Can someone confirm?
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Post by dkjohn on Feb 23, 2010 18:43:22 GMT -5
dyohn, you have just settled my weary heart with your discovery of the direct tv issue. i now feel with complete confidence that the umc will do what i need it to do without needless interruption or minimal problems. thanks........... tchaik............. You're welcome. It worked for me, or at least it did last night - let us know if it works for you! It works It works !!!  ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by RayoVac on Feb 23, 2010 19:56:24 GMT -5
Well I can confirm that my Dish VIP622 still does the Audio Dropout on the Center Channel. I have checked the Advanced Playback settings as DKJohn discovered. I have noticed this happening no less then 5 times in the last 3 days, especially when watching the Olympics in HD. Of course changing inputs fixes it.
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Post by zductive on Feb 23, 2010 20:19:18 GMT -5
There is a second issue with Directv that I don't think this fix addresses. I have found that if I am watching 5.1 Dolby (recorded) and I skip forward 15s a few times, the center channel audio goes away permanently. It does not return unless you change inputs.
Is anyone tracking this problem.
Yes, I did report it but, I am afraid that it will be lumped in with the momentary outages problem
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Feb 23, 2010 21:24:09 GMT -5
There is a second issue with Directv that I don't think this fix addresses. I have found that if I am watching 5.1 Dolby (recorded) and I skip forward 15s a few times, the center channel audio goes away permanently. It does not return unless you change inputs. Is anyone tracking this problem. Yes, I did report it but, I am afraid that it will be lumped in with the momentary outages problem Yes, that happened to me a couple of times with the original firmware, but it hasn't happened since I installed the firmware update. Your situation may be different... |
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Post by zductive on Feb 23, 2010 22:08:08 GMT -5
Didn't notice it until I tried to fast forward through the olympic opening ceremony. After about 5 or 6 of the 15s skips, the audio went away. Kind of hard to explain to your guests why you have to interrupt the picture because you fast forwarded the dvr.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Feb 23, 2010 22:11:18 GMT -5
FYI, my wife reports she had the system on all day watching a variety of channels from the DTV DRV (including pausing, fast forwarding and rewinding) and did not notice a single audio hiccup.
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Post by jimsfield on Feb 24, 2010 11:48:37 GMT -5
dyohn, that was a helpful post. Thank you.
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Post by jgeiger on Feb 25, 2010 9:30:44 GMT -5
For what it matters, the change did nothing for me.
Last night in 3 hours of TV I had one center channel dropout on Lost after coming out of a FF through (through, not watching) the commercials. I did a rew/ff and it came back without an input switch.
While watching American Idol (I hate admitting that) I had another issue while fast forwarding where the audio completely dropped out and did not come back after REW/FF etc. At that point I gave up and went to bed. The system was back to normal this morning.
I'm not running into 2/0 vs normal issues, but complete audio dropouts while in a DD 3.2+LFE source which require a source change or power cycle (cycle hasn't ever been needed but does have the desired effect)
Again, U-Verse Motorola -> HDMI -> UMC-1.
I'm likely going to pass the audio through the optical to see if it fixes it, but that just bugs me. I shouldn't have to work around that on my own.
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venaka
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Post by venaka on Feb 25, 2010 11:12:53 GMT -5
UPDATE re: the periodic audio "drop outs" I experienced while watching the DirecTV HR20 DVR previously reported. I noticed last night that when the "drop outs" occur, the UMC-1 displays that the audio mode has changed from Dolby Digital to Digital 2.0. Partly spurred by the discussion of bass management and how the settings in the Advanced Playback menu might affect this (thank you SolidState) I decided to try an experiment. I entered the Advanced Playback menu and checked the default setting for "Digital 2.0" which is "Direct." Remembering the discussion of how "direct" modes bypass bass management I selected a new mode "Dolby Digital." Instantly, the switching between modes stopped. The audio drop outs stopped. I was able to watch 3 hours of the normally unstable NBC Olympics coverage without suffering through a single "drop out" issue. My theory is there is an unstable audio stream coming from the DirecTV DVR that is causing the UMC-1 to switch back and forth between Dolby Digital and Digital 2.0 modes, creating what seems to be an audio drop-out that is really due to the second or two it takes to lock onto the new audio stream. With both modes set to the same decoding default, the UMC-1 no longer tries to switch between them as is sees them as the same, even if the DVR signal is unstable. I will do some more testing to verify that this work-around solves the issue, but for now it seems the power of the UMC-1 is able to compensate for the unstable HR20. Also, I noticed the default setting for "PCM" was also "Direct," so I switched this to "PLIIX-Movies" just in case. I encourage others who may be having similar audio issues to give this a try. Please report back if it has any effect on your systems. David This is fantastic news! Thank you for sharing. This also helps me out in that it helps me to isolate what is going on and where to look. Thanks again and big props! ;D Come to Emofest I'l buy the first round. For that fact I'l buy all the rounds. ;D ok ok ..you guys owe me a beer for sure.. Dont fix unless its broken !!I should have not touched my UMC! I read the post last night and I treid to do the above, even though I never had a "center drop" problem. My default on playback mode for digital 2/0 was PLIIx not Direct, and I went ahead and changed it to Dolby D. Well, all of the sudden watching from my Direct hr 21 i finally heard what I had never heard, the "center drop"" my umc would display digital2/0 which it has never had before..I was like hey!!. So I changed it back to PLIIx and still would get drops. I would fix it by changing the channels and changing it back and the center would work again for a while until my umc would go back to digital 2/0... how can I fix this. |
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Post by johnnyg on Feb 25, 2010 11:27:17 GMT -5
For what it matters, the change did nothing for me. I had high hopes, but the change did nothing for me either. Actually, I take that back, it did make one difference...now when the DD5.1 signal drops to 2.0 the dialog from the center channel is lost. When I had it set to PLIIx it would at least keep dialog audible, now the dialog is gone until I pause/resume to restore the 5.1 signal. I also still have the problem where some or all channels are lost completely requiring an input change to restore. Given the loss of dialog when it drops to 2.0, I had to change it back to PLIIx to make TV watchable. |
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