Sony STR-DA1ES Says "unlock" on it.

[Bill Harris]

My Sony STR-DA1ESHigh Def. Receiver says "UNLOCK" when I change the channels on it. The words goes away after about 3 to 5 seconds and doesn't seem to interfere with anything except my curiousity. It seems to do that every time I change channels on the receiver. Please advise if you know what is going on as I am lost on this one too. Thanks in advance.
Bill

[Bill Harris]

Sorry for the bad post on the sat-hd200 but it is actually my Sony STR-DA1ES receiver that is displaying "UNLOCK" on it each time I change the channel. Please help if you can.
Thanks

[mfabien]

Do you have any channels that show as being "Locked" in your Settings. If you do, that may be the explanation...it would advise you between the two set of circumstances.

[Ratman]

Maybe the receiver is denoting that it no longer sees an audio signal on the digital audio input? As... not being 'LOCKED' in when changing channels?

I saw nothing in the 'users manual' for this indicator.

[Bill Harris]

It is really a strange one. Only appears when I change the channels and then quickly dissappears.

[Ratman]

Here's a test... if you have a DVD using digital audio (coax/optical), switch the audio receiver to DVD and either disconnect the cable or leave the DVD player "off". I'll bet that the receiver will show "unlocked".

[Bill Harris]

Ok..Great Idea..I have my DVD setup with Optical input to the receiver also. I will try that tonight after work..I will post back at you this evening. If it does then should I assume that all is functioning as intended and as I am switching channels it's just losing the Digital Audio signal for a few seconds?
Appreiciate it.

[Ratman]

Yep... that's my SWAG.

[Jester]

I also have a Sony receiver that displays the "UNLOCK" message. I believe that this indicates that the receiver is detecting a digital signal but has not yet started decoding it (or has not yet "LOCKED ON" to it -- to use tractor beam terminology). This happens when the signal changes from PCM to Dolby Digital or from Dolby Digital to DTS. I don't think this is the same condition as not having a signal present.

[Ratman]

Sounds plausible, but since it happens with every channel change, not likely IMO. That would indicate that every other channel selected would be PCM or DD. If there were only two channels... then I'd agree.

Anyway, I fired off a question to Sony Support. Let's see what they say. (And I'm not too confident they'll provide an accurate answer! :) )

[Bill Harris]

I appreciate the help and I will type back at your tonight after I do the DVD test as you suggested.

[Ratman]

Good, thanks! No matter the reasons, I'm sure that it's not any problem. But it would be nice to know the background.

It's really amazing that Sony doesn't document an explantion for that indicator. :shrug:

[Bill Harris]

Yeah I am amazed also that Sony doesn't. There is absolutely nothing in the manual on "unlocked" and I have searched the web briefly with no mention of it either.

[ernande]

Sounds to me like it could be a Parental Controls feature. There might be a setting that displays whether or not a channel is "locked" or "unlocked" that you can turn off. That would be my guess.

[Ratman]

:cheers: Here's Sony's response:
Response (Ruth) - 06/28/2004 10:51 AM
Thank you for contacting us with your query regarding the Sony STR-DA1ES Receiver.

Glad to know your interest in the Sony STR-DA1ES Receiver.

UNLOCK will display on a Sony receiver when a digital source component such as DVD is selected on the receiver, and the receiver is not LOCKED on or receiving the digital signal from the digital source component. UNLOCK may appear on the display for one of the following reasons:

1. The digital cable between the DVD unit and the Receiver may not be valid

- Cable should go from the COAXIAL out of DVD to COAXIAL in on Receiver.

- Check the cable connection as it may not be connected securely.

- The cable may be damaged. Try a different coaxial cable.

2. The receiver INPUT MODE may not be set correctly. Make sure that you press the INPUT MODE button on the receiver to select the correct input for the selected component (found in the manual). Each press switches the input mode of the currently selected component. Select AUTO INPUT to give priority to digital signals when there are digital and analog connections. If there are no digital signals, analog is selected.

< Select DIGITAL (COAXIAL) to specify the digital audio signals input to the DIGITAL COAX input jacks (DVD or LD only). >

3. The DVD player may not be set up to output a digital signal.

- Go into the DVD SET UP menu and select AUDIO SETUP.

- In AUDIO SETUP menu, the digital out of the DVD player can be activated.

- Dolby Digital/DTS options should be set once DIGITAL OUT is activated.

Please try the above troubleshooting steps to resolve the same.

I hope this answer assists you in resolving your query.

So... based on that answer, it appears that the HD-200 apparently stops sending a digital audio signal while changing channels. You can probably confirm with the test suggested above.

BTW... thanks for your contibution to the "New Server" fund! :cheers:

[Bill Harris]

Good deal..Thanks much..I am glad Sony got back to you quickly like that.

[Ratman]

Yeah... surprising!

[Smthkd]

Hi Bill,
Ive been reading everyones response to this thread first and am sorry I didnt have a chance to respond when it first started! But anyway, the "Unlock" message you are getting is normal! I have the Sony STR-DA4ES and get this message as well. Im guessing you have all your Sat. equipment running through your receiver. Right? Whats going on is this: Because your satellite decodes all incoming signals, your receiver is only able to detect that decoded info on the other had when no signal is received ( i.e. from changing channels) your receiver briefly interpet this as an error and ask the decoding processor on the receiver to check the datastream for that lack of a signal! Unfortunately, before any error is found usually the audio and video feed returns when you stop on a channel! Remember, if the message only say "unlock" everything is running normal. BUT!!! If it says "LOCKED" and repeatedly flash, you might have any of the following: Speaker wires touching, bad connection from other components, speakers rating are over alotted range and/or your speakers has not been properly calibrated (ex. Setting: Bass, spkr size, treble, etc.) or your satellite's coaxial cable is damaged or has exposed wires. I hope this info helps you further understand! I too contacted Sony about this but only I was able to talk with a tech. and not get a email. The tech explain to me that the email is sent automatically when key words are entered, but this info I'm writing to you was verbally explained when I inquired about this same concern!

[mech]

What he is telling you is correct, the first thing I thought was it's coming from a SAT. That is one of the major drawbacks IMHO about SAT, watching tv through your receiver blows with one. Then people always say it has been fixed with software updates, but even though you got rid of the popping noise there is still a delay with SAT. Hence your receiver does not have a signal when changing channels. I also have a SONY receiver and that is what it will do if you loose a signal. BTW that is a nice receiver!

[Bill Harris]

Thanks Ratman..You were right all along. The 2 replys we just received confirmed it and after I did the test it also confirmed it..Thanks a lot and thanks to the last 2 replys also.
This is a great site for help in the HDTV area and I hope all support them and help them out.
I'm gonna go watch some HDTV and not worry anymore and just wish I had a HDTV Recorder.. Maybe someday..