Windows 7: Weird Symptom ~ No Audio on BBC/1 HD if Switching from Another Channel

Hi,

I appreciate the proposals but this cannot be a hardware issue (and in that I include cabling). The symptoms indicate a processing issue as the audio drop out occurs when either changing channel or whilst viewing a recording and the audio dropping on return to the transmitted programme after the ads (all within the recorded file).

I have already tried updating the nVidia video card driver.

Bit stumped really.

It must be something triggering the drop out that is contained within the recording that can also occur with live TV when switching between channels. Something to do with the audio data.

As I was writing this I thought I'd try to update the Creative soundcard drivers but their website stated that there is no more support for this card (due to its age). So I went to the Device Manager and right-clicked on the card and selected update driver and opted for it to automatically find the new driver. It located and installed and I restarted the PC.

Bingo! The recorded programme now plays audio before and after ads on that recorded programme (which I retained as a test vehicle). This, on its own, is not conclusive enough to demonstrate that the problem is fixed but it's a positive start.

I'll let you know and thanks for your interest and suggestions all .

Well, I still have the problem but am getting closer to finding the cause!

I noticed after the new driver install that all my settings had reverted to the default ones. It is this that caused me to believe that the problem was resolved.

The setting that is causing the problem is the speaker configuration (and I thought I'd tried this - see first post!). On any other setting than 2/2.1 (i.e. stereo) the problem persists. My preferred setting is 7.1 because that is my speaker setup but it also "fails" on 5.1 etc.

So we know it's a sound issue re 2.1 vs 7.1 but that doesn't explain the whole problem. Let me describe the scenario when testing above...

Watching recorded programme, an episode of Homeland on 4HD, with the speaker config set to 7.1 (or 5.1) and audio OK. Ad break starts and audio OK. Ad break ends and programme starts - no audio. Click programme back to the ads (audio returns) and then stop programme. Change speaker config to 2.1. Click "Resume" on WMC and ads play with audio, ads end and programme restarts and we have audio.

So far, pretty clear but this next bit is the confusing part (as described in an earlier post). Repeat the above sequence to be sure and recreate the problem by having the speaker config as 7.1 and the programme restarts after the ads with no audio. Now stop the programme without clicking back to the ads and the choose to "Resume" the programme and the audio returns even though the setting is still in 7.1 mode.

So, the cause, whatever it is, occurs when passing from advertisement break to a transmitted programme on an HD channel when not in 2.1 speaker config mode. I'm sure it does this at other times as explained in the first post but at least this condition is repeatable because I have the recorded programme to test with.

Ideas?

Check for updates to your receiver firmware. We have had the same issues as you have here in the USA since HDMI equipment took off. We had cable boxes and sat boxes that would lose sound on channel change, commercial breaks and so on. I personally had a Samsung TV that lost HDMI audio every time the wife wanted to watch something on Window Media Centre. I updated the firmware. I have updated firmware for many different devices and I would start at your receiver. Look at it this way.Program audio 5:1 Dolby Digital..Ch4 goes to regional commercial break, Advert is in stereo, audio bit stream format changes and audio drops out due to HDMI miscommunication. I spent many years repairing home theatre stuff in the UK and the USA and have seen exactly what you are experiencing myself and it is cured by firmware and software updates.

Yep sometimes it takes more than one or two goes at updating - well, just what I have experienced anyway with the usual stuff but I have to admit I ma not that well up on this stuff in any case but glad something ishappening for you Snakes

I'll try this when I get back home next Monday as I'm away until then.

However, the only "receiver" I have is the TV card in the PC. This is a brand new card and I think I have already tried updating the driver.

The other piece in the chain is the standalone amp. If it is that, how the hell do I update the firmware?

[QUOTE=Snakes;2130556]I'll try this when I get back home next Monday as I'm away until then.

However, the only "receiver" I have is the TV card in the PC. This is a brand new card and I think I have already tried updating the driver.

USA RECEIVER = UK Tuner Amplifier If your AMP has HDMI it will have up datable firmware

[QUOTE=Indianatone;2130738] On the money Indiana

You guys are leading him in the wrong direction here! The reason your audio sometimes works on adverts and sometimes on certain program's on hd isn't anything to do with hdmi leads,
It's codecs and drivers.

You need to have a suitable hd audio driver installed have you got this?

What codec is processing your sound? I had the same issue
And took me ages to find out but is simple! Play HDTV and find out what audio processor is running, look in settings and you will probably find your answer!

Hum I didn't think we mentioned leads Neil even I who is not that savvy would know that a lead isn't the problem mate - unless it is a dud of course.

I was under the impression that the problem lay in that secondary amp Snakes was using.

Myself I prefer DVI and a dedicated audio line to quite honest am not a fan of HDMI unless I run from the PVR to the TV.