In Auto mode XT32 is better when it comes to do some manual adjustments then YPAO is superior.

First of all, thanks for the reply. As for trying different inputs on the receiver, the problem unfortunately exists regardless of which input I use. I've even tried swapping out the HDMI cable itself, thinking that may be the problem. As I noted in my original post, based on a few suggestions over on the DTV forum, I tried shutting off HDMI control entirely, as well as video processing ... neither of which seem to make any difference.


I have an HR-34 Genie in my master bedroom and two C-31 clients, one in my office and one in my Great Room. It is the C-31 client in the Great Room that's connected to the A3030. At first I thought it was the Genie client that was failing, but when I tried running the HDMI cable directly from the DTV box to the back of the TV (bypassing the AVR) the audio was fine. (Well, as fine as TV-speaker audio can be. ) I also tried swapping the client boxes, using the one from my office, but both client boxes lose audio when connected to the A3030.


What makes this troubleshooting difficult is that I don't watch TV in the Great Room very often ... I mostly watch Blu-rays there. So it's not uncommon for there to be months in between the times I actually try to watch DTV in that room. Although I only noticed it over the past couple of days, the problem could have actually existed for a few months and I wouldn't have known it. In that time there have been a couple of DTV software updates and at least one A3030 firmware update. Either (or neither) could be responsible. All I know is that when I first put in the A3030 and the DTV client box, all was working and I could change DTV channels without losing audio. So this problem is new. Exactly how new, I don't know ... but it's new. The other interesting thing to note is when this problem was first discovered a few days ago, at that point I could still change to *some* channels without losing audio, but not others. Over the past few days however, it seems to have gotten worse and as of now, I can't change from any channel to *any* other channel without losing the HDMI audio, regardless of the audio formats the channels are broadcasting in.


I'll try your two suggestions about switching to PCM, and also resetting the entire Receiver, and then I'll post back here. Thanks so much for your advice.


- Tom

Depends. For the lower frequencies XT32 is considerably better. I am running a mini DSP so I wasn't too concerned about the low end stuff. I agree that the ability to manually manipulate the curve with the Yammy allows for a much smoother response compared to XT32. The XT boys do have the same ability, albeit only after purchasing the expensive Aud add on software.

That being said; I'm still far from happy with the sound on my Yammy compared to my Onkyo.

While the surrounds and height/rear channels seem to be more active, for some reason they don't blend nearly as well as they did with the Onkyo. Sounds appear to be more localized, and not as diffused.

Above all, the center channel is driving me crazy. It's just really sharp and piercing sounding now. It's almost like fingernails on a chalkboard when people are talking. I'm going to tweak it further manually, but up to this point, I'm really disappointed with the performance ATM. It was smooth and buttery with the Onkyo.

So what exactly does Q do in the PEQ I understand the frequency but don't quite get what that does sorry for the simple question and thanks in advance!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_factor

quick question for the experts here:

when I'm doing a sub-crawl, how should I have my receiver set? The reason for the question is that my sub distance was set high by the receiver. I've adjusted it down and it sounds MUCH better. As there's a difference in sound based upon the actual distance versus the set distance, I'm guessing that having the receiver distance set "wrong" would have an impact on the sub-crawl results. Is that accurate? If so, how do I address the issue when doing the sub-crawl? Set the receiver for "through"?

Thanks,

Mike

Short version, a higher 'Q' value narrows the frequency range around the selected frequency that the adjustment is applied to. For example, a 4db boost at 65Hz will be wider when the Q is set to .5 than it will at 1.0 and will affect a narrower frequency range.

HTH,

Mike

bass -

how have you got the PEQ set? Have you run YPAO and confirmed the settings? I had issues with center being too 'bright' on the YPAO: Flat setting. Switching to YPAO:Natural helped, but I wound up going to Manual, mostly because I wanted to tweak the subwoofer frequencies.

HTH,

Mike

Well, thought I'd report back on this matter. I set the DTV (C31 Genie client) box to use PCM instead of DD, that didn't help. I also reset the AVR to factory. Problem still exists. I've now tried 2 Genie client boxes, 3 different HDMI cables and 4 of the HDMI inputs on the AVR. All of those attempts have failed to remedy the issue. Audio is fine until I change channels on the DTV box, upon which time I lose audio entirely. I can only get the audio back by toggling inputs on the Yamaha, or by power cycling either the Yamaha or the DTV box ... anything that causes the HDMI handshake to be re-negotiated will bring the audio back. Unfortunately, I'm finding now that even if I *don't* change channels, after a period of time (45 minutes to an hour), the audio will suddenly cut out by itself and I'll have to perform one of the actions above to get it back. Very frustrating.


So, if anyone has any other thoughts, I'd appreciate it. Of course, the folks over on the DTV forum have come to the conclusion that the problem is in the AVR, especially since I can get HDMI audio just fine when connected directly to the TV set, and the fact that both C-31 clients are behaving the same way when connected to the Yamaha. It just seems that the RX-A3030 and the Genie C-31 client just don't "want to dance" anymore.


Thanks.


- Tom

Tom -

you've done an excellent job of thoroughly troubleshooting the issue. If I were in your spot, I'd be on the phone with Yamaha at this point. I can't imagine it being anything other than an issue with the receiver itself.

If that genie is a dvr, have you tried pause then resume.
I have a similar issue with my re-v3800 and a Tivo series 3. It doesn't happen often, but a pause/resume restores audio every time.

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It does look like the receiver is broken. By dtv forum do you mean here?
This is the best directv forum. http://www.dbstalk.com/forum/32-dire...-and-services/

LOL. No, by DTV I did mean the DirecTV forum. Thanks.

Well, I've just learned something new. Over on the DirecTV forum, a few more folks have posted to the thread I started about this problem. It seems I'm not the only one. A couple of others are reporting the same issue between their Genie units and their Yamaha receivers. Furthermore, they report the problem just started recently and there's some speculation that it may be the result of a Genie software update (but that has not been confirmed in any way). What's interesting is that those who are reporting this problem (including myself) are all using Yamaha receivers, but all different models. For example, one person has reported that the problem is happening on his CX-A5000.


So, this *could* be a Yamaha problem or this *could* be a DirecTV Genie problem. I can just imagine the scenario: DirecTV: "It's Yamaha's Problem" - Yamaha: "It's DirecTV's problem".

This all sounds suspiciously like a HDCP handshake issue. These handshakes occur periodically during a program. Unfortunately, handshakes are an "end - to - end" event involving all connected components.

One work-around might to to try using SPDIF audio from the DVR, with appropriate setup in the AVR to assign that to the HDMI video. At the least that would be a good trouble-shooting step. You might also try turning off the "monitor check" option in the AVR setup. Anything to simplify handshakes. Make sure the AVR is set to video "direct" on that input.

Look in the DVR setup to see when the last firmware update occurred, was it around the time this trouble started? No doubt it might be resolved by a firmware update on either the DVR or AVR, its just a matter of which one gets around to it first.

Tom -

I don't recall if you said - what model of Genie do you have? My HR34/700 is not seeing the same issue and last firmware update was on or about 7/23.

I wonder if this could be related to the audio cut-outs for On-Demand content? Could an HDCP issue contribute there as well?

I have the HR34-700 too, but as noted in my previous posts, the problem is with the C31 Genie client boxes, not the master. I don't watch On-Demand very often. The problem I'm seeing occurs when changing from any one of the "live" channels to any other.


Interestingly, I just checked and there was a client software download on 9/16 ... just a couple of days before I noticed the problem. (I don't watch TV in that room every day.)

Funny you should mention the updates. I just posted a reply to another the message above about that. I checked the DirecTV Genie download history and noticed that the C-31 clients received an automatic update on 9/16. I discovered the problem on 9/18, which is the first time I'd watched that TV in a few weeks. This seems to coincide with the other folks who, on the DirecTV forum, are now posting similar problems between the Genie clients and a Yamaha receiver. They're claiming it just started within the past week too!

Can you provide a link to the dtv thread you started? I found it.
http://forums.directv.com/thread/11257799

Both people that replied 'Litzdog911' & 'Peds48' are both very active at dbstalk.com. You are in good hands there.
So far I don't see a similar thread over there. Directv recently wrote code that messed up the video playback on the full genie.
They finally fixed it a month later. Looks like you have a similar problem that just started. Eventually they will fix it.

http://www.dbstalk.com/user/423606-litzdog911/ Over 11,000 posts at dbstalk. Directv expert for sure.
http://www.dbstalk.com/user/471715-peds48/ Almost 11k posts at dbstalk. You attracted the best around.
Just keep calling directv and complain.

I just got Direct TV, they installed it while I was away on Wed., and just my wife was home. I have the Yamaha 2030 receiver. I'm having the same problem in my theater. Every time I change the channel the audio is gone, only way to bring it back is change source and then come back to TV. I tried changing inputs, didn't help. I was hoping to find some easy solution here.


I have a plasma hooked to the 2nd HDMI out, same thing happens when watching on that TV


I'm totally bummed. I spent a fortune on this receiver and went with Yamaha because of HDMI issues with the my Integra.


I also have a Yamaha receiver in my family room, it's connected to the full DirectTV box and it works fine...now what!!!

Don't leap to the conclusion that the Yamaha is at fault. DTV has done this before and they will eventually resolve it - till the next time. I also wouldn't assume that Yamaha is the only AVR seeing this issue. I don't see it here on my A2040 and DirecTV DVR. Make sure you have the latest firmware on the 2030.

Hello everyone!

I just bought my new receiver Yamaha RX-A1030 (moving from Harman/Kardon AVR 255).
Now I want to know if I'm doing something wrong because the OSD image is very bad. The receiver is connected to a Panasonic plasma 55VT60 through HDMI, using Supra cables (quality Swedish cables).
The image from the bluray through the receiver is excellent, like the bluray is connected directly to the tv.
I don't understand why the OSD is blurry, the colors washed out and the black is grey? Everything looks ok in settings and the TV recognizes correctly the resolution from receiver.
Above all, I saw a german clip on youtube with the review of the RX-A1030 and the image of the OSD on that Sony tv was punchy with bright colors.

Anyone notice this issue, or my reciever/settings are bad?

Thank you.

Check to see how the TV is set to handle RGB input. Panasonic has some other name for it which escapes me.

Thank you very much, HDMI was set to RGB FULL and when I set it to Normal, the OSD was displayed ok. If I set de HDMI to Full or Auto, the image of the OSD is pale, so I put it to Normal. Strange thing is that only the OSD is affected, the image from the source (bluray) is untouched no matter what settings I choose for the HDMI.

I connected the LAN cable to the RX-A1030 receiver and the menu says that a new firmware is available. The version of the firmware installed is 1.25. The receiver is working very well so my question is if the latest firmware has bugs or problems?

Thank you.

RGB-full is the same as RGB-PC, your display was stretching RGB limited to full, resulting in wrong black levels.
Blu-ray is YCbCr, so its unaffected. I think I read somewhere that a future firmware will implement color space conversions in the AVR so its always outputting the same thing. But when properly set up your Panasonic can handle all the above.

I think the current revision is 1.4. There's no reason not to update it and it may prevent some potential bugs. You can read the release notes on Yamaha's site.

I just went over to the website to see if I could ascertain this information and they do say that the speakers in their current presence positions can be used for Dolby Atmos. I'm guessing they'll add an algorithm to compensate for speaker position. Perhaps an option in their setup menu to choose between high or overhead. I assumed they would since Atmos appears to be replacing Dolby TrueHD processing.

^^
Not replacing, rather the Atmos track is layered on top of the Dolby TrueHD track, such that non-Atmos AVRs will still be able to play the Dolby TrueHD track when receiving audio from an Atmos BD.

Tom - Glad to see you are following this up. Great call to relate this problem to the 9/16 software rollout to the Genie.

It's important to note that reports of problems all involve the Genie client through an A/V receiver, whereas people who report their systems as working fine are using Genie servers, non-Genie DTV STBs, or have the Genie client directly connected to a television.

I too believe that this is an HDCP handshake issue. I have a customer now with an RX-A3030 that has HDCP issues with a Genie server/client configuration. Same firmware on the RX-A3030 with two FIOS boxes (Motorola) feeding main and second zone, main zone has Epson 6030UB projector, second zone has Samsung UN40F5000 (or some 5series). Everything worked fine.

Converted to Genie server for main zone, client for 2nd zone. If server is playing in main zone and second zone selects client, either of two things happen in 2nd zone: picture flashes video/black screen every second; or 'non-HDCP compliant/convert to component' message appears. However, if main zone is set to AppleTV or Blu-ray, for instance, then client can be selected in 2nd zone and video works fine. Main zone can then select Genie server and both display video. However, if you change source on 2nd zone to client while server is displayed on main zone's projector, no video problem happens.

This appears to be a different flavor of HDCP problems with DTV's Genie client boxes. Forums show DTV to be spotty in their understanding/implementation of HDCP.

Yamaha dealer support (tier 2) is getting plenty of reports of the audio drop-out issue with Genie clients, but I also see reports of that exact behavior with other AVRs (Denon, Onkyo) on forums. The problem is not seen when the clients are connected directly to TVs, but that doesn't mean that all the AVRs are at fault. It means that the Genie clients don't play with HDMI repeaters in the configuration, which is what the AVRs appear to be. Not surprising that DTV doesn't test with AVRs in their lab. They likely assume that their customers plug their Genie clients directly into a television. I consider that a bad assumption.

Thanks for your detailed reporting on the problem, Tom. I'd like to see everyone who's reporting good/bad experience with this issue note whether it's a Genie server, Genie client, or a non-Genie DTV box.

That makes more sense.