missing audio with new comcast HD box

n9949y · 10-16-2009, 07:52 PM

Yesterday in parts of Eugene, OR the local power company disconnected its electrical service for 3 hrs. When power was restored my Comcast Motorola HD box failed- I understand that from the power company a surge often happens which destroyed my Comcast HD box.

Comcast delivered with a technician the latest Panasonic HD box. While the video output including HD to my LG 44" DLP monitor is satisfactory, the Comcast box's audio that’s connected to my receiver through optical cable does not excite my Pioneer GR-555 graphic equalizer, nor according to the lights on my 2 Yamaha YST-SW45 subwoofers is there any low frequency output. All other inputs to the Rotel RSX-965 receiver including the BluRay DVD player, 2 Hi-Fi VCR's, Laser Disc player, audio tape deck, CD player and Vinyl player, and of course the receiver's on board FM tuner, still excite and show up on the Pioneer graphic Equalizer which is connected to the receiver through an audio tape loop.

The technician talked with her office and a tech who advised that with the new HD boxes, Comcast is having "audio issues."

Watched a Jurassic Park being broadcast over Comcast-weird, no rumbles, no low frequency sounds and pounding T-Rex footsteps when compared with the actual Blu Ray DVD.

What’s with these Comcast boxes that they don’t deliver low freq? Haven't been confronted with a lack of full frequency response with any equipment since the 1950's!

lathirama · 10-21-2009, 04:38 AM

really enjoyed it

joekewl1971 · 10-22-2009, 12:25 AM

Sounds like the kind of obscure problem that you may have a hard time finding an answer to. Not everybody uses Dolby Digital 5.1. Many people do not have a sub woofer. My stereo will re-channel the bass to the appropriate speakers. Have you tried that?

I hate it when the Dolby Digital tracks are forced to 2 speakers only. There is no way to get digital surround sound. I have hooked backup analog for Impact, Encore, and Movieplex on demand. Used to be NBC, and Universal HD did the same thing. Eventually they improved.

Sykotic · 10-30-2009, 08:00 PM

does your tv have a optical out? Instead of running it straight from the set top box to the receiver, just run the optical from the tv. The HDMI is already 5.1 to the tv.

Loves2Watch · 10-31-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sykotic

does your tv have a optical out? Instead of running it straight from the set top box to the receiver, just run the optical from the tv. The HDMI is already 5.1 to the tv.

That probably won't work as most modern displays will only send 5.1 out of their audio output jack when the internal TV tuner is used. For any other sources they only output stereo if they output at all.

Sykotic · 10-31-2009, 09:42 PM

On tvs with a optical ouput, this is a 5.1 signal, same as the 5.1 signal sent in by the HDMI. At least on my Samsung. And prevents me from having to constantly change input selection on my surround sound. just stays on opitcal.

n9949y · 11-01-2009, 01:08 AM

Thanks everyone for all the advise. All the troubleshooting didn't solve the problem, so I spent a good 4 hours rewiring my whole system. Voila- everything video and all audio sources connected to my AVR are working just fine.

Receiver- Rotel RSX 965
TV Monitor, DLP, LG RU-44SZ63D
Laser Disc Player- Pioneer CLD 1080
Field Sound Processor- Yamaha DSP E300
Comcast Cable- Motorola DCH3200
Tape Deck- Kenwood Double KX-W5040
Blu Ray- Panasonic DMP-BD55
Graphic Equalizer- Pioneer GR-555
CD Player- Fisher DAC 195
VCR, Hi-Fi - Panasonic PV-4021
VCR, Hi-Fi- JVC SQPB
Turntable/Changer- Garrard Zero 100
Sub Woofers, 2 –Yamaha, powered YST-SW100 & YST WS-205
Speakers, 4, Paradigm Titan (2 for Rotel main fronts, 2 for Yamaha DSP front effects)
Speakers, 2 Dynaco A25 (Rotel rear effects)
Speakers, 2 Acoustic Research 18S, (Yamaha rear effects)
Speakers, 2 Realistic Minimus 7W ( Yamaha DSP Center, Rotel Center)
AC Voltage Activated Outlet Switch, Niles AC-3
Head phones, Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Loves2Watch · 11-01-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sykotic

On tvs with a optical ouput, this is a 5.1 signal, same as the 5.1 signal sent in by the HDMI. At least on my Samsung. And prevents me from having to constantly change input selection on my surround sound. just stays on opitcal.

Not the case with most TV 's.

10-16-2009, 07:52 PM	#1
n9949y What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	missing audio with new comcast HD box Yesterday in parts of Eugene, OR the local power company disconnected its electrical service for 3 hrs. When power was restored my Comcast Motorola HD box failed- I understand that from the power company a surge often happens which destroyed my Comcast HD box. Comcast delivered with a technician the latest Panasonic HD box. While the video output including HD to my LG 44" DLP monitor is satisfactory, the Comcast box's audio that’s connected to my receiver through optical cable does not excite my Pioneer GR-555 graphic equalizer, nor according to the lights on my 2 Yamaha YST-SW45 subwoofers is there any low frequency output. All other inputs to the Rotel RSX-965 receiver including the BluRay DVD player, 2 Hi-Fi VCR's, Laser Disc player, audio tape deck, CD player and Vinyl player, and of course the receiver's on board FM tuner, still excite and show up on the Pioneer graphic Equalizer which is connected to the receiver through an audio tape loop. The technician talked with her office and a tech who advised that with the new HD boxes, Comcast is having "audio issues." Watched a Jurassic Park being broadcast over Comcast-weird, no rumbles, no low frequency sounds and pounding T-Rex footsteps when compared with the actual Blu Ray DVD. What’s with these Comcast boxes that they don’t deliver low freq? Haven't been confronted with a lack of full frequency response with any equipment since the 1950's! Last edited by n9949y; 10-16-2009 at 08:51 PM.

11-01-2009, 01:08 AM	#7
n9949y What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	audio/comcast Thanks everyone for all the advise. All the troubleshooting didn't solve the problem, so I spent a good 4 hours rewiring my whole system. Voila- everything video and all audio sources connected to my AVR are working just fine. Receiver- Rotel RSX 965 TV Monitor, DLP, LG RU-44SZ63D Laser Disc Player- Pioneer CLD 1080 Field Sound Processor- Yamaha DSP E300 Comcast Cable- Motorola DCH3200 Tape Deck- Kenwood Double KX-W5040 Blu Ray- Panasonic DMP-BD55 Graphic Equalizer- Pioneer GR-555 CD Player- Fisher DAC 195 VCR, Hi-Fi - Panasonic PV-4021 VCR, Hi-Fi- JVC SQPB Turntable/Changer- Garrard Zero 100 Sub Woofers, 2 –Yamaha, powered YST-SW100 & YST WS-205 Speakers, 4, Paradigm Titan (2 for Rotel main fronts, 2 for Yamaha DSP front effects) Speakers, 2 Dynaco A25 (Rotel rear effects) Speakers, 2 Acoustic Research 18S, (Yamaha rear effects) Speakers, 2 Realistic Minimus 7W ( Yamaha DSP Center, Rotel Center) AC Voltage Activated Outlet Switch, Niles AC-3 Head phones, Sennheiser HD280 Pro

10-21-2009, 04:38 AM	#2
lathirama My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9	really enjoyed it

10-22-2009, 12:25 AM	#3
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 595	Sounds like the kind of obscure problem that you may have a hard time finding an answer to. Not everybody uses Dolby Digital 5.1. Many people do not have a sub woofer. My stereo will re-channel the bass to the appropriate speakers. Have you tried that? I hate it when the Dolby Digital tracks are forced to 2 speakers only. There is no way to get digital surround sound. I have hooked backup analog for Impact, Encore, and Movieplex on demand. Used to be NBC, and Universal HD did the same thing. Eventually they improved.

10-30-2009, 08:00 PM	#4
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	does your tv have a optical out? Instead of running it straight from the set top box to the receiver, just run the optical from the tv. The HDMI is already 5.1 to the tv.

10-31-2009, 09:42 PM	#6
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	On tvs with a optical ouput, this is a 5.1 signal, same as the 5.1 signal sent in by the HDMI. At least on my Samsung. And prevents me from having to constantly change input selection on my surround sound. just stays on opitcal.