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Home Theater Audio issues

I've been having a lot of issues with crackling/popping on my center channels during action scenes with most movies. This has mostly occured during action scenes (gunshots, explosions, etc) [Mostly on the HBO/Cinemax Channels, but others as well].

I would usually chalk this up to the receiver/set-up issues; however, I've watched the same movies using the On-Demand feature and they sound perfect during these scenes (for example, gunshots on Die Hard will be horrendous and crackle during its braodcast; but watching it On-Demand it sounds great).

My question, is the issue my box? I've eliminated my equipment so it has to be some kind of Verizon issue.

I'm using the QIP7100 P2 STB.

Does anyone have any suggestions to improve audio out of these boxes? I'm currently connected competely through HDMI.

Comments

gs0b

Try using an audio connection other than HDMI. HDMI can use copy protection (HDCP). It could operate differently between live and on-demand, and your receiver could have a problem with the live mode.

Try a SPDIF or Optical connection. If they work, then the problem is most likely an incompatibility between HDCP modes used by the set top and ones supported by your receiver.

Good Luck.

Shasta85

I've connected via hdmi to the receiver with different cables and stb's, connected via hdmi to tv with different stb's and different hdmi cables; problem still exists. I would highly doubt an hdcp handshake issue at this juncture.

Update: Connected STB to TV directly w/o surround sound; same issue. This has to be a source issue.

gs0b

Interesting. So you've tried a lot of different combinations of equipment. It seems the only common item is the use of HDMI for audio. You may still want to try optical SPDIF just to make sure HDMI audio is not the issue.

The only other idea I have is to try a different make/model of STB. You said you've tried other STBs. If they are the same model then you haven't ruled out a STB issue completely. It would be best if you could test a STB from a different manufacturer.