I noticed starting about 2 weeks ago that occasionally some programming on Directv has distorted audio. I have the DVR in the family room and the non dvr hd box downstairs. It seems to happen with loud passages or effects. Sounds like blown speakers pushed too hard. I initially thought there was something wrong with my setup, but my Denon receiver and my Paradigms are all new this year. I switched hdmi cables, tried coax instead of hdmi. Switched inputs. No change. Thought it was an issue with my receiver. How to Train Your Dragon on HBO had several instances. I popped in the bluray disc that I own and it plays fine. I ended up DVRing HTTYD to see if it would reproduce and sure enough it does. I took my audio setup out of the mix and switched to the tv speakers. Still distorts. Finally went to my upstairs and played it straight off the DVR to the tv up there and, sure enough, it distorts too. I think I have effectively ruled out any equipment issues on my end. Two different boxes, two different tvs, 3 different sets of speakers. All the same. Sometimes it's perfectly fine. I noticed Xmen 2 on HBO had lots of distorted audio. Very random. Anyone else noticed any issues with audio lately??
Hubert. It sounds absurd but they blew me off and closed my case so they lost all the notes and information we collected. I called back and raised HELL. They gave me a credit and I'm supposed to call back in 50 days if the issue hasn't been solved by then.
To all the posters. This IS an HBO/Cinemax issue, and has been reported with DirecTV, Dish, some cable systems and FIOS. If you are having a similar problem on any other channel, chances are it is a different issue.
Last I heard, DirecTV had apparently reported this to HBO and any resolution was in HBOs hands. I believe someone on a FIOS forum was told that FIOS had reported it to HBO also.
for what it's worth, this past weekend episode of GOT was free from distortion on the recorded version. past few weeks i was using the on demand to view GOT and had no issues there, but recorded still had them. perhaps it is fixed on directv?
I'm kinda relieved to read this thread. I'd noticed it on and off with premium channels on DirecTV and after reading this realized it was on HBO and Cinemax. In fact the first time I heard it was way back last year with "How to Train your Dragon" exactly like one of the other posters.
Last night I was watching Mr and Mrs Smith and it was really bad, which caused me to investigate this issue. Fearing that it was my equipment, even though Blu-ray etc. is fine.
So while i'm relieved its also VERY disappointing to find that channels i'm paying good money for have VERY bad sound !!!!
It was suggested to me today to try using an optical cable for the audio to see if it cures the popping so I hooked it up that way. HDMI for picture and optical for audio. I'll report back.
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Originally Posted by wingnut4772 /t/1421005/audio-distortion-with-directv-programming/60#post_23494234
It was suggested to me today to try using an optical cable for the audio to see if it cures the popping so I hooked it up that way. HDMI for picture and optical for audio. I'll report back.
I'm running an Anthem D2v 3d. I'll have to find out what hers is. So far the optical cable trick seems to be working in my set up. Watching TDKR and the audio sounds great. Waiting for an action heavy scene.
I noticed really bad distortion on The Day after Tomorrow. The distortion issue for me seems to be getting much better. Have you tried using a different HDMI cable?
I told Directv I would have another case open mid next month if the audio issue hasn't been corrected. As of tonight the issue still exists. I will continue to check in and keep you guys updated once I follow up again with Directv. I have a lengthy case management history with them on this issue and it will accelerate itself once I initiate the call. I told them 3 months and that's what I'm going to give them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarheel1400 /t/1421005/audio-distortion-with-directv-programming/60#post_23505791
Hey guys I wanted to chime in.
I told Directv I would have another case open mid next month if the audio issue hasn't been corrected. As of tonight the issue still exists. I will continue to check in and keep you guys updated once I follow up again with Directv. I have a lengthy case management history with them on this issue and it will accelerate itself once I initiate the call. I told them 3 months and that's what I'm going to give them.
Just an update: I decided to order an Ethernet ready high speed HDMI cable to the exact same specs as the one going out from my Anthem D2 to the TV for the Directv Genie to the Anthem and I have no more popping. Who knows, maybe Directv just fixed it at the same time , lol. Previously I had an older HDMI cable going from the Genie to the Anthem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wingnut4772 /t/1421005/audio-distortion-with-directv-programming/60#post_23519099
Just an update: I decided to order an Ethernet ready high speed HDMI cable to the exact same specs as the one going out from my Anthem D2 to the TV for the Directv Genie to the Anthem and I have no more popping. Who knows, maybe Directv just fixed it at the same time , lol. Previously I had an older HDMI cable going from the Genie to the Anthem.
FYI, there are only two basic types of HDMI cables, Standard and High Speed. As long as they are certified for the length you buy, they will meet and exceed all current HDMI specs. 25' is the maximum certifiable length unless you go with Redmere (which are awesome cables). Most of us just use Certified High Speed and be done with it. Monoprice, MediaBridge, or Blue Jeans for example make very good cables for a very reasonable price. As far as ethernet goes, that's a spec that the cables have been tested for but there aren't any consumer devices that can use it so it's sort of a "future spec" that will probably never be implemented. The ethernet does absolutely nothing as far as cable performance goes.
^^^^^ it's always possible to get a bad cable with a loose connection so just replacing the cable sounds like it did the trick. Just stick with a High Speed cable and you'll be good to go for a long time, and steer clear of the "M" brand because they are grossly overpriced and performance is not any better.
Not a threat. We just agreed after months of tech support visits and emails to engineers that we would give it 3 months before I called back if the issue hadn't been fixed. If the issue isn't fixed this time next month I'm calling back in to open another tech support case. That's the only way to bring attention to the issue.
I got tired of doing the back and forth thing with two different case managers and them playing the middle man with Directv engineers. They credited my account to cover it not working correctly and I said If It wasn't corrected in another 3 months I was going to call back and want another case opened to get the engineers attention again. If It's truly not on Directv's side (which it doesn't appear to be) they still are responsible for communicating the problem to HBO/Cinemax. I volunteered to do so but as expected they wouldn't give me THAT number.
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