I have an A30 connected via HDMI to a Samsung 1080p DLP and via optical to an Onkyo 605 surround sound system. I also have two copies of Planet Earth (because of a screw-up with the first one I received, and Discovery just let me keep both), and they both have the exact same audio and video issues. With the video, about 10-15% of the top of the frame seems to be out of sync with the bottom. I don't know how to describe it, and it's not constant, but it happens most of the time. As far as the audio goes, it's much worse. It'll play for a few seconds, stutter, and stop completely. It never comes back, and my receiver doesn't indicate that it lost sync. If I fast forward or rewind, the audio will come back and do the exact same thing. It's the same on every episode of every disc, both copies. I have no problems playing any other HD DVDs.

This is so odd... I have the exact same problem that you've mentioned. I even asked for a replacement and they sent it to me, while letting me keep the original copy. I found that on my original set... the other discs besides the 1st disc work, but on the second set I received, all of the discs are faulty. When I first watched disc 1 of my first set, it worked flawlessly, but now I'm having the audio/video jutter and soundloss problem too :(

I'm on an A20 connected through HDMI @ 1080p/24... the audio is just optical out to my receiver

This is crap, obviously they're sending out defective stuff, and we can't even return it. This will definitely be the last time I buy anything from Discovery.

Tried washing or boiling the discs?

Tried washing or boiling the discs?
I haven't, but the discs look pristine.

Just opened mine guess good thing I did disk 1 and disk 4 have marks and rubs all over them disk 2 and disk 3 look fine.Going to e-mail them now

I have an A30 connected via HDMI to a Samsung 1080p DLP and via optical to an Onkyo 605 surround sound system. I also have two copies of Planet Earth (because of a screw-up with the first one I received, and Discovery just let me keep both), and they both have the exact same audio and video issues. With the video, about 10-15% of the top of the frame seems to be out of sync with the bottom. I don't know how to describe it, and it's not constant, but it happens most of the time. As far as the audio goes, it's much worse. It'll play for a few seconds, stutter, and stop completely. It never comes back, and my receiver doesn't indicate that it lost sync. If I fast forward or rewind, the audio will come back and do the exact same thing. It's the same on every episode of every disc, both copies. I have no problems playing any other HD DVDs.

No idea whether it would solve your problem or not, but wouldn't it make more sense to connect the A30 directly to the receiver via HDMI? 605 can handle bitstreamed TrueHD, or at the very least pre-decoded PCM TrueHD from the A30, giving you a leg up on audio. I have no idea whether it would solve your issues, but I think you'll be happy if you play a disc like 2001 or Batman Begins...

No idea whether it would solve your problem or not, but wouldn't it make more sense to connect the A30 directly to the receiver via HDMI?
The 605 doesn't have HDMI...

The 605 doesn't have HDMI...

You sure its a Onkyo 605 the 605 has 2 HDMI in 1 out

You sure its a Onkyo 605 the 605 has 2 HDMI in 1 out
Of course I screwed up. It's the HT-SR600.

how should I go about dealing with this? I don't think they accept international returns...(i'm in canada) or they'll probably just send me another faulty copy if I ask... sigh...

how should I go about dealing with this? I don't think they accept international returns...(i'm in canada) or they'll probably just send me another faulty copy if I ask... sigh...

I sent e-mail they shipped me another copy told me not to bother returning.

Try getting the BBC version of Planet Earth instead of the Discovery version. It's the superior release in every way (more footage, better narrator, better transfer).

would discovery be able to ship out the BBC version? I don't know if the discovery store carries it...

I got a bad set too. I just figured you guys were unlucky =(

Has anybody gotten a working replacement?

I have the Discovery Channel version,and the soundtrack shows as MPCM on my Yamaha AVR.It is perfectly loud and clear to my ears.
The transfers of the BBC and Discovery versions are both 1080i and identical.

I have the Discovery Channel version,and the soundtrack shows as MPCM on my Yamaha AVR.It is perfectly loud and clear to my ears.
The transfers of the BBC and Discovery versions are both 1080i and identical.

Try getting the BBC version of Planet Earth instead of the Discovery version. It's the superior release in every way (more footage, better narrator, better transfer).

Soooo...is the BBC version superior in every way including transfer and footage, OR are the BBC and Discovery transfers and versions identical??

These two quotes could not be more opposed. What are the facts? I have an unopened BBC version.

Everybody who is having a problem with this disc, try turning your Video settings on your player to 1080i. I had it on 1080p/24 (since we waited so long for it). Once i changed it to 1080i it worked fine.

Everybody who is having a problem with this disc, try turning your Video settings on your player to 1080i. I had it on 1080p/24 (since we waited so long for it). Once i changed it to 1080i it worked fine.
Thank you!!!!! I changed it to 1080p, and it worked just fine. I was ready to just write this off as a loss and toss the discs in the trash.

bump for people who do not know yet!

last bump! =)

Everybody who is having a problem with this disc, try turning your Video settings on your player to 1080i. I had it on 1080p/24 (since we waited so long for it). Once i changed it to 1080i it worked fine.

I tried it 1080p/60 and 1080i on an XA2, 2 sets and both sets discs 1-3 are jumping, pixellated and tearing. Disc 4 is fine. :mad:

Soooo...is the BBC version superior in every way including transfer and footage, OR are the BBC and Discovery transfers and versions identical??

These two quotes could not be more opposed. What are the facts? I have an unopened BBC version.
I believe everything is pretty much identical save for the narration. The BBC version has the superior narration though so I'd keep it.

I bought the BBC version back in Feb and just opened it up this past weekend. Three of the four dics have marks on them that cause my XA2 to stop playing. I washed them with hot water and soap and it didn't remove the marks. Too late for an exchange/ refund.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I bought the BBC version back in Feb and just opened it up this past weekend. Three of the four dics have marks on them that cause my XA2 to stop playing. I washed them with hot water and soap and it didn't remove the marks. Too late for an exchange/ refund.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I would e-mail them they know they have a problem I e-mailed them about my Planet Earth disk 1 and 3 were messed up they shipped me a new complete set didn't make me send the other one back.I had mine over a month before I opened it good luck.:)

Should I email Amazon or Discovery?

Should I email Amazon or Discovery?

I would e-mail both and see who will take care of it.

I bought the BBC version back in Feb and just opened it up this past weekend. Three of the four dics have marks on them that cause my XA2 to stop playing. I washed them with hot water and soap and it didn't remove the marks. Too late for an exchange/ refund.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I am having similar issues but slightly different. the first 3 discs on the XA2 plays but the picture jumps around, or I guess jumps back a bit constantly, it pixelizes and smears. Disc 4 is fine.
1st replacement set no scratches that I can see, yet has the exact same issues.
Sent this back for an exchange:mad:

I'm glad the company that mastered these discs won't be mastering any more HD DVDs!

I'm glad the company that mastered these discs won't be mastering any more HD DVDs!

You may be glad but in the meantime how many sets do I have to go through to find a good set? :D And, now I have to pay shipping.