I have strange behavior with dogital coax audio. I have 4 AV devices with digital coax audio that I switch by using the Altona 4 input/1 output switch for 1080p and lower component video and digital coax audio. I think the switch is Altona AT-41CR? Anyway, I take the audio out and split it with an RCA type Y splitter, and connect it to 2 receivers, 1 in living room and 1 in bedroom. Note that I do use the house prewired by cable tv operator with RF coax cable, so I have to use RF/RCA connectors male/female etc.

The digital audio works on both the receivers most of the time. But sometimes, the audio becomes verry choppy with lots of hiccups, and stays that way for a long time. Obviously I then switch to analog audio. And next day it will be working fine.

This is very unpredictable. It can be fine with no problems for a couple of days, and then it will be choppy, and at times with no sound for an hour. Sometimes, I can make it work by powering down all devices, waiting for a while, and then it works.

What is going on? Does digital coax audio wirk with long RF cables? I must have at least 40 to 60 ft cable. Also, is it Y splitter? The splitter is way up in the attic, so hard to get there to do the test i.e. removing it. Are the RCA/RF connectors the problem.

Any advise/help will be greatly appreciated. Lately, I am only able to use the analog audio out, since the unpredictable digital audio is driving me, how to say, craaaaazy.

Thanks,

jhaveri

Anyway, I take the audio out and split it with an RCA type Y splitter, and connect it to 2 receivers.................

Also, is it Y splitter?Probably. You need a 4 in, 2 out switch. Or an additional 1 in, 2 out switch for the coax audio, only.

Are you trying to feed and use both receivers simultaneously? Even if you are not, the Y-splitter can still be the issue as some of the signal may be being shunted down the cable that is not being used. Have you noticed whether it happens when one of the receivers is completely turned off?

If you want to feed 2 receivers simultaneously, you'll need a 4 in, 2 out box or a 1 in, 2 out box for the coax audio that will allow you to use the 2 outs simultaneously. If you want to feed an identical signal via both outs, make certain the box, whether it is 4/2 or 1/2, has this capability. A 4 in, 2 out box may also allow you to feed the 2 receivers different material, a capability you do not have right now, so that would be a bonus. A 1 in, 2 out box for the coax audio would, of course, not grant you this.

If your coax is 75ohm coax, it should be fine. I do not know what the limits on the distance would be, though. Someone else will probably be able to weigh in on this.

One concern would be whether your Y-splitter and any adapters/connectors are also 75ohm. But I suspect the Y-splitter is the issue.

Thanks for your reply, I greatly appreciate it.

I use only 1 receiver at a time, and it does happen.

Since I use only 1 receiver at a time, should I go ahead and buy a 1 in/ 2 out coax audio switch? What you are saying is that the y splitter (cost only $4) is too cheap, and even though I am using only 1 receiver, some of the signla is going that way, and is being lost.

Anyone has recommendation where I can buy or order that?

Thanks for your reply, I greatly appreciate it.

I use only 1 receiver at a time, and it does happen.

Since I use only 1 receiver at a time, should I go ahead and buy a 1 in/ 2 out coax audio switch? What you are saying is that the y splitter (cost only $4) is too cheap, and even though I am using only 1 receiver, some of the signla is going that way, and is being lost.

Anyone has recommendation where I can buy or order that?Honestly, I'm just speculating. If you can access it, you could try disconnecting one branch of the Y-adapter and see if the issue goes away. What kind of Y-adapter is it? It could just be the quality of the adapter itself. If it is not 75ohm coax, that could be the problem.

It must have been the quality of the adapter. I did go to the attic, disconnected the y adapter, and connected a 4 input/ 2ouput powered audio switch from radio shack. So far the digital audio is working fine. I will check for next week and see if the problem has really gone away, and post the result here.

Looks like you did have the right answer. I am keeping my fingers crossed and see if this indeed is going to work for the long term.

Thanks again, and best regards,

jhaveri

It is probably the y adapter itself, not its quality. You lose half the signal strength that way, which is a nono for digital audio, which is why you're getting dropouts and the like. Test first by removing the y adapter and feeding the signal to only one receiver at a time. If it's fine, then it's the fact that you are ying the signal off. Either get a switch, or a distribution amplifier apropriate for the digital audio signal (with enough bandwidth).