H20 Sound and HDMI Issues

chrpai · 04-11-2007, 11:54 AM

A week ago I had a new DirecTV install including an HR20 and an H20.

The H20 was hooked up to a Panasonic CT-26WX15 via HDMI. It worked fine except for a lound audio chirp/pop that happens every other minute or so.

Wondering it if was an HDMI issue I pulled the HDMI cable ( without turning off the H20 or the TV ) and tried a different HDMI cable ( the one from the HR20 that I wasn't using ).

Now I can't get HDMI to work at all. It flashes, rolls the screen, looks fuzzy like analog with a yellowish color while I can see what's on the TV trying to be displayed. Really funky, like a bad LSD trip I suppose.

So I switched to component video and analog L/R stereo. The video is fine but I still get the loud audio chirp/pop from time to time.

I havn't tried moving the HR20 and H20 to see if I can resolve the audio or video problems. Even if it did resolve it, it would be academic as I want the DVR in the living room and the Non-DVR in the bedroom.

Any thoughts?

adhood · 04-11-2007, 12:04 PM

Disclaimer: I am not an expert at this.

*Did you try a R&R (reboot and reset) its the red button on the front of the H20

*After you try that, have you gone back in and gone through and redone the settings that your TV can do. (setting the resolutions)

Try those and see what happens.
Sorry if I can't be anymore assistance.

chrpai · 04-11-2007, 12:08 PM

Sorry yes, I tried the red button, I tried power off on everything for 10 minutes and I even tried `reset everything`.

I also tried switching output resolutions to 480i/p and trying the HDMI again after the component video was working. I also odd-man outted the HDMI cable.

Basically I tried everything that I could think of to try except for odd man out tests of the receiver and TV. Unfortunatly I can't odd-man out the TV because I only own one TV with HDMI.

adhood · 04-11-2007, 12:14 PM

Try switching the H20 with the HR20 like you mentioned.
If it does it with the HR20 I would guess it's the TV.

Could be a defective H20 since you have the audio issue with components cables hooked up.

basenji007 · 04-11-2007, 03:19 PM

On the HDMI issue, unless your tv supports dolby digital you will have problems with the sound through your tv speakers on hd channels if you are using the hdmi cable. You have 2 choices - listen to the dolby digital though a receiver and turn the tv speakers off, or change the audio output setting on the directv receiver to PCM instead of dolby digital.

chrpai · 04-11-2007, 03:24 PM

Sound was playing correctly, whether it was HDMI or Analog L/R RCA jacks, it's just occasionally there was a loud chirp that shouldn't be there.

jsbaker · 04-12-2007, 09:01 AM

According to directv tech support there is a known issue with the H20 and the HDMI output. Not sure if it applies to all H20s or just the H20-100. I too was having audio issues with my new H20 via HDMI. The sound was out of sync with the picture but we also kept loosing the picture. These problems only happened on the HD channels. You would be watching the TV and the screen would go blank but you would still have sound. Change the channel and the picture came back. Tech. Support said to switch to the component outputs for now and that there is a software update on the way for the problem. They don't know when it will be out but it is in the works. said if it kept happening they would replace it. Once I changed to component last night we kept loosing sound. We kept it mainly on one channel last night so I can't say if it was a channel problem or a receiver problem.

chrpai · 04-12-2007, 07:10 PM

Ok, someone PLEASE tell me how there could be some truth to this seemingly absurd statement......

A Mastec installer came by today to look at the chirping problem. While I was here, I pointed out that the installer who put the grounding clamp on the water house bib, left the clamp broken and not securely attached to the bib.

The installer then proceeded to say that this was normal and it was fine. Then he went on to say that they have been experiencing `problems` with HDTV and that they have been told to not ground the dishes and to break off the grounding pin on the receiver power cables.

Huh?

He's going to do an H20 swap out but didn't have any on the truck so he's coming by tomorrow...

1953 · 04-14-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrpai

Ok, someone PLEASE tell me how there could be some truth to this seemingly absurd statement......

A Mastec installer came by today to look at the chirping problem. While I was here, I pointed out that the installer who put the grounding clamp on the water house bib, left the clamp broken and not securely attached to the bib.

The installer then proceeded to say that this was normal and it was fine. Then he went on to say that they have been experiencing `problems` with HDTV and that they have been told to not ground the dishes and to break off the grounding pin on the receiver power cables.

Huh?

He's going to do an H20 swap out but didn't have any on the truck so he's coming by tomorrow...

Personally, I believe he is giving you misinformation. Have you talked to HD customer service about the grounding issue?

chrpai · 04-14-2007, 11:11 AM

Well he came by ( I was at work ) and while he didn't fix the broken ground clamp or break off the ground plug, he did drop off a new receiver. I've been listening to the new receiver for 6-7 hours total now and I've never heard it make that loud noise. HDMI is still hosed but I think that's my TV.

Strange thing is he left the old receiver. It seems he asked my wife if she wanted him to take it or leave it. Huh? I don't see another reciever on my account so I guess I'll be calling D* to find out how I return this before I get charge some fee.

tahoeone · 04-14-2007, 11:39 AM

Blanking out of video on h20-100 is a problem with some TV's not being compatible with some HDMI standards. Using component should fix that till they get a software fix for it.

If the Tech left the old receiver with you and it is leased, then there should be a return box sent to you within several weeks as it is done automatically now. Whenever a leased receiver is disconnected from account, it needs to be sent back. I would check on that to make sure that there is a return box sent.

If the tech takes the box, then you should definitely call in and inform them of that.

04-11-2007, 11:54 AM	#1
chrpai High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 552	H20 Sound and HDMI Issues A week ago I had a new DirecTV install including an HR20 and an H20. The H20 was hooked up to a Panasonic CT-26WX15 via HDMI. It worked fine except for a lound audio chirp/pop that happens every other minute or so. Wondering it if was an HDMI issue I pulled the HDMI cable ( without turning off the H20 or the TV ) and tried a different HDMI cable ( the one from the HR20 that I wasn't using ). Now I can't get HDMI to work at all. It flashes, rolls the screen, looks fuzzy like analog with a yellowish color while I can see what's on the TV trying to be displayed. Really funky, like a bad LSD trip I suppose. So I switched to component video and analog L/R stereo. The video is fine but I still get the loud audio chirp/pop from time to time. I havn't tried moving the HR20 and H20 to see if I can resolve the audio or video problems. Even if it did resolve it, it would be academic as I want the DVR in the living room and the Non-DVR in the bedroom. Any thoughts?

04-11-2007, 12:04 PM	#2
adhood High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 150	Disclaimer: I am not an expert at this. Did you try a R&R (reboot and reset) its the red button on the front of the H20 After you try that, have you gone back in and gone through and redone the settings that your TV can do. (setting the resolutions) Try those and see what happens. Sorry if I can't be anymore assistance. __________________ Samsung 42" DLP Sony 46" Bravia KDL-46S3000 Directv H20 Toshiba HD-A2 Sony Playstation 3 (40 GB) Nikon D40 Pioneer AVIC D3 Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit Yes I know I am a gadget freak. I am not ashamed.

04-11-2007, 12:14 PM	#4
adhood High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 150	Try switching the H20 with the HR20 like you mentioned. If it does it with the HR20 I would guess it's the TV. Could be a defective H20 since you have the audio issue with components cables hooked up. __________________ Samsung 42" DLP Sony 46" Bravia KDL-46S3000 Directv H20 Toshiba HD-A2 Sony Playstation 3 (40 GB) Nikon D40 Pioneer AVIC D3 Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit Yes I know I am a gadget freak. I am not ashamed.

04-11-2007, 12:08 PM	#3
chrpai High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 552	Sorry yes, I tried the red button, I tried power off on everything for 10 minutes and I even tried `reset everything`. I also tried switching output resolutions to 480i/p and trying the HDMI again after the component video was working. I also odd-man outted the HDMI cable. Basically I tried everything that I could think of to try except for odd man out tests of the receiver and TV. Unfortunatly I can't odd-man out the TV because I only own one TV with HDMI.

04-11-2007, 03:19 PM	#5
basenji007 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 25	On the HDMI issue, unless your tv supports dolby digital you will have problems with the sound through your tv speakers on hd channels if you are using the hdmi cable. You have 2 choices - listen to the dolby digital though a receiver and turn the tv speakers off, or change the audio output setting on the directv receiver to PCM instead of dolby digital.

04-11-2007, 03:24 PM	#6
chrpai High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 552	Sound was playing correctly, whether it was HDMI or Analog L/R RCA jacks, it's just occasionally there was a loud chirp that shouldn't be there.

04-12-2007, 09:01 AM	#7
jsbaker My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8	According to directv tech support there is a known issue with the H20 and the HDMI output. Not sure if it applies to all H20s or just the H20-100. I too was having audio issues with my new H20 via HDMI. The sound was out of sync with the picture but we also kept loosing the picture. These problems only happened on the HD channels. You would be watching the TV and the screen would go blank but you would still have sound. Change the channel and the picture came back. Tech. Support said to switch to the component outputs for now and that there is a software update on the way for the problem. They don't know when it will be out but it is in the works. said if it kept happening they would replace it. Once I changed to component last night we kept loosing sound. We kept it mainly on one channel last night so I can't say if it was a channel problem or a receiver problem.

04-12-2007, 07:10 PM	#8
chrpai High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 552	Ok, someone PLEASE tell me how there could be some truth to this seemingly absurd statement...... A Mastec installer came by today to look at the chirping problem. While I was here, I pointed out that the installer who put the grounding clamp on the water house bib, left the clamp broken and not securely attached to the bib. The installer then proceeded to say that this was normal and it was fine. Then he went on to say that they have been experiencing `problems` with HDTV and that they have been told to not ground the dishes and to break off the grounding pin on the receiver power cables. Huh? He's going to do an H20 swap out but didn't have any on the truck so he's coming by tomorrow...

04-14-2007, 11:11 AM	#10
chrpai High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 552	Well he came by ( I was at work ) and while he didn't fix the broken ground clamp or break off the ground plug, he did drop off a new receiver. I've been listening to the new receiver for 6-7 hours total now and I've never heard it make that loud noise. HDMI is still hosed but I think that's my TV. Strange thing is he left the old receiver. It seems he asked my wife if she wanted him to take it or leave it. Huh? I don't see another reciever on my account so I guess I'll be calling D* to find out how I return this before I get charge some fee.

04-14-2007, 11:39 AM	#11
tahoeone High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 81	Blanking out of video on h20-100 is a problem with some TV's not being compatible with some HDMI standards. Using component should fix that till they get a software fix for it. If the Tech left the old receiver with you and it is leased, then there should be a return box sent to you within several weeks as it is done automatically now. Whenever a leased receiver is disconnected from account, it needs to be sent back. I would check on that to make sure that there is a return box sent. If the tech takes the box, then you should definitely call in and inform them of that.