Audio problem on HD STB

[RobMonge]

I just got my HD STB from the cable company today and hooked it up only to find that the sound when using it seems to be delayed (about 1 second on most channels, longer on others). I have a DVR from the cable company hooked up as well, and when viewing that, or anything else that I have connected (DVD, Xbox), the sound comes through fine. Also, I have no video problems on the HD STB. Anyone know what the problem could be?

For reference, my equipment:

Toshiba 51H84 TV
Koss KS5190 6.1 Receiver/Progressive Scan DVD Player
Brighthouse Cable (Scientific Atlanta) HD STB and Digital DVR

The STB is connected via DVI -> HDMI and digital coax cable to the receiver.
The DVR is connected via S-video and standard RCA audio cables to the receiver.

The coaxial cable from the wall is split and connected to both the DVR and the STB.

[57U]

Which model STB and DVR do you have? Is the DVR HD? Why do you have two STBs? Why don't you have the DVR connected via digital audio (no inputs on the receiver)??

Is it possible that you have video from one box and audio from the other (probably not, but I had to ask)?

[RobMonge]

Which model STB and DVR do you have? Is the DVR HD? Why do you have two STBs? Why don't you have the DVR connected via digital audio (no inputs on the receiver)??

Is it possible that you have video from one box and audio from the other (probably not, but I had to ask)?

The STB is Pace DC550P, the DVR is an EXPLORER 8000 DHCT. The DVR is not HD, we have 2 STBs because I share the living room with a roommate and he likes to do his own thing as far as the television is concerned. The DVR isn't connected digitally because I never use it and my roommate doesn't really care one way or the other.

It's not that i'm getting video from one box and audio from the other, I suppose I mixed it up in my first post. The HD STB's audio is connected to the receiver while the DVR's audio is connected directly to the TV. (Also, I'm not THAT dumb :P)

[57U]

So, if I can trim down the problem, the Pace box is giving you audio delays via the receiver. The rest of the information is really "extraneous", although we appreciate the info - it sometimes comes in handy.

1. Have you tried connecting the Pace to the TV (or receiver via analogue audio)

2. Is there a setting regarding audio in the Pace that could be causing the delay.

3. Some Receivers have a "delay" setting, is it possible it's turned on?

Just shooting in the dark...

[RobMonge]

So, if I can trim down the problem, the Pace box is giving you audio delays via the receiver. The rest of the information is really "extraneous", although we appreciate the info - it sometimes comes in handy.

1. Have you tried connecting the Pace to the TV (or receiver via analogue audio)

2. Is there a setting regarding audio in the Pace that could be causing the delay.

3. Some Receivers have a "delay" setting, is it possible it's turned on?

Just shooting in the dark...

On the delay issues, I have all the settings normal, there is nothing that would be delaying the signal.

I disconnected the coax cord and plugged in some RCAs and that seemed to solve the problem, when I plugged in the coax again I made sure everything was turned off and all the connections were tight. Now it appears that the only channels getting the delay are certain HD channels.

[oman321]

Robmonge,

Unfortunately it is not your STB's, it is your Koss 6.1 surround sound system. When I purchased my set I needed to go the cheap route for a new surround and picked up the Koss as well since it had digital inputs..

Both my cable and Xbox were hooked up to the receiver/DVD player through coaxil and optical. DVD's will play just fine and sync up correctly, but the digital processor apparently has a problem with outside digital sources(DD, 5.1). If it is just stereo it works fine, but if you try your digital channels or HD channels with digital audio it exhibits the delay you described. I noticed a longer delay on digital channels when first tuned in and slowly got closer but not perfect. Xbox also had the delay 1 to 2 secs.

You should mostly notice when the receiver shows the 6.1 audio on the display. I took mine back. Good luck.

PS. It is not happening on the DVR because you are using an analog connection for that.

How is XBOX hooked up, optical or rca's? Delay is tougher to notice on xbox but it's there.

[RobMonge]

Robmonge,

Unfortunately it is not your STB's, it is your Koss 6.1 surround sound system. When I purchased my set I needed to go the cheap route for a new surround and picked up the Koss as well since it had digital inputs..

Both my cable and Xbox were hooked up to the receiver/DVD player through coaxil and optical. DVD's will play just fine and sync up correctly, but the digital processor apparently has a problem with outside digital sources(DD, 5.1). If it is just stereo it works fine, but if you try your digital channels or HD channels with digital audio it exhibits the delay you described. I noticed a longer delay on digital channels when first tuned in and slowly got closer but not perfect. Xbox also had the delay 1 to 2 secs.

You should mostly notice when the receiver shows the 6.1 audio on the display. I took mine back. Good luck.

PS. It is not happening on the DVR because you are using an analog connection for that.

How is XBOX hooked up, optical or rca's? Delay is tougher to notice on xbox but it's there.

Well this isn't good news for me. I can't take mine back, it came free with my TV. Anyone out there know of a solution for this problem?

[57U]

If it's a "manufacturing defect" you should be able to return it for some credit or something else of "equal original value" in exchange.

I guess you could always use the analogue from both STBs?

Have you tried setting the Pace to PCM instead of DD (not sure if that option's available?) It would only give you two channel, like the analogue audio...

[oman321]

You can try getting a credit for it if it is still within the 30 days typically allowed and apply towards a different system. I know you go it for free but talk to the manager and let him know it's junk. If not tell them you plan on returning the set as well. If not it still works nice with DVD's. Good luck.

[RobMonge]

Xbox is hooked up via optical and I haven't really noticed the delay there. I guess I should have tested the system a little more thoroughly before I disposed of the box. I wrote an email to Koss, lord knows if they'll respond or not. Usually these places have terrible call/email level customer service and you can't get anything done by talking to them. Hopefully they'll acknowledge the problem and have a fix or some kind of compensation (perhaps another model system) for it. Until they respond I'll be trying to find a solution online. Of course I could just hook everything up analog, but I really would like a solution that allows me to have digital audio as it increases my TV viewing immensly. Thanks for all the help so far, if you guys or anyone else has a solution or something I could possibly try, please let me know.

[oman321]

Of course I could just hook everything up analog, but I really would like a solution that allows me to have digital audio as it increases my TV viewing immensly.

That was my thought as well, but it was pointless (for me since I paid for it) to have a 6.1 speaker system through an analog connection and only enjoy the 6.1 surround sound during DVD's only (saw a couple of good flicks with this unit, 6.1 was awesome). This was during baseball season, so imagine seeing the ball being hit and two seconds later you hear the crack of the bat,
it sucked.

I'd be interested to know what happens keep us posted.

[RobMonge]

I received an e-mail back from Koss' customer service, they pretty much told me what I was expecting:

We suggest you to reset the unit to resolve the issue

1. Make sure there is no disc inside.

2. Turn the unit off.

3. Unplug the main Power chord of the DVD player from the power outlet.
Wait
for 20 seconds and replug the power chord back to power outlet.

4. Turn the unit back on. Press the DVD button on the remote to take
the
unit to the DVD mode.

5. Now enter the digits "7" , "6", "4", "1", "9" using the remote
control.

- The VFD will be displaying " Goodbye" & power off.

- Press the "Power" button again

Please feel free to contact us for further assistance.

Of course, this didn't do anything. I replied and told them so, we'll see if they come up with any other brilliant solutions. I suppose I'll try to call them and see if I can't manage to speak to a competent person.

[greendx]

I also have the same Koss receiver that I got for free with my 51H84 from BestBuy. Now I know why these things were free. I haven't done much with the receiver/dvd combo but so far I've had problems viewing dvd's (Audio but no Video) powering the unit off and on fixed that. Also component cables didn't seem to work with the unit so now it's hooked up via RCA.

I don't think that threatening Best Buy that I'll return the TV will work as the price of the TV went up $300 since I bought it on Black Friday.

[telemike]

For the cable box, set it to PCM digital out. I have the SA8300HD from TWC and I set the digital out to the non Dolby Digital setting and the Koss syncs fine and it still sounds good using Dolby pro-logic II movie mode.

[Ratman]

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