Official Harman/Kardon AVR x54: Problems and Solutions Thread - Page 2

Originally Posted by SoapDoctor

Picked up a 354 this weekend at BB to give it a try. Love it except for the fact it doesn't like to play nice with the PS3.

Thought I would add that the television announcer voices drop in NCAA 09. Very similar in style to MGS4 and GTA4. Everything plays fine except the voices are missing. Switching surround mode and then back to auto fixes it until next time it happens.

I'm new here (1st post) and don't know too much. The sound that seems to drop is normally scripted voice/dialouge, independent of the rest of the normal game sounds, and I would assume is supposed to come through the center channel. Anyone know of a way to figure out if it is the center being dropped or sent somewhere it's not supposed to go?

Will probably be returning it next weekend and going back to my old sony reciever until this issue has been figured out.

Originally Posted by jayhawk11

First off...good analogy. I might start using that now

I completely agree though. I'm out of the building until Wednesday, but I'm going to dig up our H/K rep's contact info and try to dig some information out of him regarding the firmware update. I can always use the old "I have customers screaming in my ear, threatening to return your products" line. Works like a charm with every manufacturer

Originally Posted by Metalheadisme

RGB: Full has a benefit for PS3 games- the setting shouldn't really make a difference for blu-ray movies, but it can also be beneficial in calibration.

Originally Posted by piki-iki

I really hope HK addresses the issue ASAP, like in the next couple of weeks or so. I mentionned earlier that I ended up buying a Pioneer 1018 to test and compare. Well, it's growing on me. The sound is really close to the HK after a little bit of tweaking and figuring out the system. It's even better, less harsh for some songs, like Dani California from the Chili Peppers. But most importantly, it WORKS! I have my PS3 hooked up through HDMI audio, and I can hear everything, including the XMB clicks. The bluray movies play great with the HD audio codecs (so far). Oh, and it's dead silent, you can stick your ear against it, no fan noise whatsoever. But I'd say the biggest inconvenient is how convoluted the setup is, and how miserable the layout of the remote is (which is sort of a non issue thanks to my Harmony remote, but still...it's more complicated than a graphical calculator!).

Anyway, I'm giving HK 30 days or so (before the return period expires) to either come up with or at least announce firmware fix. If they don't, I'm returning the HK and keeping the Pio. I do like pretty much everything better in the HK, except for the fact that it just doesn't work with the PS3.

It's like buying a BMW that would have just a little problem: the hood pops up every now and then, while you're driving, and the only workaround is to turn off the AC and leave it off.

Originally Posted by funkbucket007

I found the SQ difference night & day, in favor of the 254 by a long shot.

You hear no fan because there is no fan in the 1018.

Originally Posted by Metalheadisme

I'm still waiting on my 354 from SoundPros, but was wondering where the issue in MGS4 on the ps3 can be replicated?

If the issue is similar to what my dad had going on, I fixed that by going into manual audio setup and only checking the LPCM 5.1 at the lowest bitrate- so I'd be interested to hear if anyone has tried that.

Originally Posted by Typhus

I am on hold again with Harmon Kardon...but...as I'm holding I am thinking moving this discussion out of the main forum was a mistake.

We know this thread is here and will look for it, but for those who have just purchased doesn't it make more sense for all information to be in the "Official owners thread". For future reference if someone buys one (and say there is a firmware fix) wouldn't those new owners goto the official owners thread and search.

I'm not a heavy poster on this site so really just wanted to throw my 2 cents out there. I know the number of postings irritated the people in the group not having the issues...but it seems to be a bit of sweeping under the rug to me.

Hope to have something from HK on this call...the hold music is awful!

Shawn

Basic setup info

I am using a 5.1 setup, not 7.1.

Playstation 3 connected to AVR254 through HDMI @ 1080p

HTPC connected to AVR254 through HDMI @ 1080p

HD cable box connected to AVR254 through HDMI @ 1080i


I had a very weird audio problem when I was testing Blu-Ray discs with my Playstation 3 last night. I was testing 5th Element BR with both the TrueHD5.1 and LPCM5.1 tracks and both did not sound 'right'. Sounded like the SUB was super loud at parts, especially when the Mangalores are grunting. Also, the special effects sounded muted. Casino Royale Blu-Ray sounded pretty much the same with the LPCM track. I checked and adjusted the following settings but did not fix the issue.



-Double-checked my Playstation 3 audio output setting was set to Linear PCM (decoding is done by PS3 as it cannot bitstream HD audio thru HDMI)

-Changed x-over settings (80hz for front, 100hz for center/surrounds, sub is set to 10”)

-Checked that all audio processing in the OSD menu was 'off'

-Lowered the level adjust for the sub to -10db than any other channels, still sounded louder than other channels

-Ran the test tones to make sure I didn't hookup my speakers wrong



There is another forum member at AVSForum that is experiencing the similar problem.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1411

HOOPY and Jehanzeb, can you do me a favor and listen to a specific part in the Fifth Element Remastered BR? Try both DD5.1 and LPCM5.1. Start on the chapter when the diva starts singing. Notice the parts when the Mangalores speak (in bold below) and also when Leeloo fights the Mangalores. Please report back what you hear.

For me, when the Mangalores are speaking the speech is faintly audible but the grunting is very loud. The sound effects during the fight scene (punches, etc) sound muted.

01:27:49,600 --> 01:27:50,900
Show time.

01:29:43,200 --> 01:29:46,800
I have a ship in trouble
requesting permission to dock.

01:29:47,000 --> 01:29:49,800
Put him in the docking garage.
Inform security.

01:29:50,300 --> 01:29:53,200
- Permission granted for one hour.
- More than I need.

01:30:08,200 --> 01:30:10,400
Champagne for the Diva.

01:30:10,700 --> 01:30:12,200
I'll take it.

01:30:46,400 --> 01:30:48,400
I found it.

01:31:23,300 --> 01:31:24,300
Get her!

01:32:58,400 --> 01:32:59,900
It was an ambush.

01:33:03,500 --> 01:33:05,400
If it's war they want...

01:33:05,500 --> 01:33:07,700
it's war they'll get!

Originally Posted by Typhus

I am on hold again with Harmon Kardon...but...as I'm holding I am thinking moving this discussion out of the main forum was a mistake.

We know this thread is here and will look for it, but for those who have just purchased doesn't it make more sense for all information to be in the "Official owners thread". For future reference if someone buys one (and say there is a firmware fix) wouldn't those new owners goto the official owners thread and search.

I'm not a heavy poster on this site so really just wanted to throw my 2 cents out there. I know the number of postings irritated the people in the group not having the issues...but it seems to be a bit of sweeping under the rug to me.

Hope to have something from HK on this call...the hold music is awful!

Shawn

Originally Posted by Typhus

I did get a call back from HK today (while I was on hold with their Tech Support irritated because they hadn't called me back ).

I talked to Andrew at HK yesterday (Monday) and although he did initially say that there were no documented issues on this he did take the initiative to follow up with the engineers.

So I think this was a good start...

His call back to me today was that they are still investigating and he will call me back tomorrow. So in short still no answer but I am encourged that someone appears to be taking ownership on this at HK.

I really don't want to take this receiver back!!!

Shawn

Originally Posted by Escrotumus

There have been like 20 guys that have called HK now with issues re: the ps3 and every time they are told there are no open issues re: the ps3 by the HK tech. HK is giving us the runaround. I have personally read many posts on those other 254 threads where people called them to tell them about these issues and they play the dummy about it. They do know and they ARE aware. Let them know that you know they are lying to you when they call back. This is beginning to be hilarious with that tired old line. Either they have the worst customer support/ incident documentation system in the world or they are all liars.

Originally Posted by mbyrnes

Why not just come out and say "We know about the problem and our engineers are working as fast as they can to fix it. We will have a firmware update ASAP to address your problem."

The run around sounds more like they cannot fix it and don't want anyone to know until they cannot return their units. I would think that is not the case but why lie?

I was looking hard at the 254 before I bought my new unit (Onkyo). I didn't because of a good deal, but I would have went another route by now. I guess loyalties still run deep in the AVR world. I stuck with Onkyo because I really like the sound. It looks like many of you are going to stick it out with H/K because of loyalty. I just hope you get your fix soon.

Originally Posted by dynamos

As a former AVR 247 owner, I have been watching this thread, as well as the other threads relating to the 254/354. Just curious to see if HK would have better luck with the new models than the 247. Looks like the new one has some problems.

I am sure many of those who have purchased the new models are aware of the problems that were experienced with the 247. One of those problems was a "handshake" issue with HDMI. In my case, the center channel dialogue would drop-out with various bluray DVD's. As far as I know, that issue was never fully resolved. I believe the 247 was first released around April of last year. It was near the end of the year before a firmware update was released, and then around February 08 before a second firmware update was available. Many users had difficulty installing the updates due to problems with USB/serial cable compatibility problems.

I am posting this information for those that are hopeful that HK well come up with a quick firmware update to resolve the issue with the PS3. Given that it took the better part of a year for HK to release an update for the 247, any quick fix for the AVR 254 seems unlikely.

On the plus side, I found HK tech support to be fairly responsive with a genuine attitude of helpfulness. (Andrew was very good.) Unfortunately, it did not appear that the techs always were provided all the information they needed to do their job.

Further, what appears to be happening with the 254 is another example of HK not fully testing a new product and getting the bugs out before the product is released for sale.

Originally Posted by dynamos

I am posting this information for those that are hopeful that HK well come up with a quick firmware update to resolve the issue with the PS3. Given that it took the better part of a year for HK to release an update for the 247, any quick fix for the AVR 254 seems unlikely.

Originally Posted by dogdoctor

I had followed the 247/347 and now the 254 and this was what I was afraid of. I hope it won't take them that long again to rectify this. In any case, to those that are affect I feel for you and I sincerely hope it gets resolved soon. As for me, I love my 335 and I'm sad I had to draw the line on Harman, but at this time I went with the Denon 1909.