Dolby 5.1 sound drops

[Mikejhe]

I am trying to get dolby 5.1 surround sound from fios arris vms1100 box to my AVR.  The audio drops while I am watching a cable channel like ESPN but not while watching basic channels like ABC or CBS.  The audio output on the BUI menu is set to AUTO.  This happens whether I run an optical cable from the VMS1100 box to my AVR, extract the audio from the HDMI output to an optical cable or use HDMI ARC thru my TV set.  Any advice would be appreciated.

[clem21]

Are you SURE the programming you are watching on ESPN is broadcast in Dolby Surround? Could simply be a stereo or mono feed that is being sent. If the box properly decodes Dolby Surround on other channels, that is most likely the case. You could also try setting the Audio Out to Passthrough and see if it changes.

[Mikejhe]

The audio plays in 5.1 surround for a while then drops; this usually happens after transition to a commercial.  Same problem with pass thru setting.  Using L-PCM there are no audio drops but sound is 2channel stereo.

[clem21]

Again, is it only ESPN or does it do it with other channels? You are correct, L-PCM from those Fios boxes is limited to stereo. Hate to say but you are probably going to get forced to update them soon, as they have been discontinued for quite some time now. Ask for the Fios One 4100 boxes, not the new Streaming boxes. You'll be happier in the end.

[Mikejhe]

Same problem occurs with other cable channels.  Wouldn’t drop outs occur with the arris 4100 as well ?

[clem21]

That is always possible. Just another guess, but have you tried changing the HDMI cable?  In your case the 1100 series don't do 4K, so it shouldn't have to be a High Speed certified cable, but it wouldn't hurt. Did you change to L-PCM in the service menu or the regular menu?

[Mikejhe]

Same problem with new hdmi cable.  Changed to L-PCM  in the service (hidden) menu

[clem21]

Are you using an AVR or a soundbar to decode the audio?

[Mikejhe]

Pionner vsx821  AVR receiver

[clem21]

Have you tried changing the input on the receiver you connect the Fios box to? Maybe the ARC input is not the best for the box? Just guessing at this point, sorry. It could also be an input level issue, the Fios box output level could be just under the proper threshold to detect DD. Also how long is the HDMI cable from the Fios box to the receiver?

[Mikejhe]

Same problem occurs using an optical cable either directly from the arris box or using an audio extractor

[clem21 · Accepted solution]

Have you tried getting the VMS box replaced?