Sky + Samsung + Sony... sound improves over time
Discussion
Hoping someone has a pointer that might get me to the bottom of an issue that has been plaguing me for far too long.
Long story short, when I first turn on my TV, Sky Q box and Amp the sound is usually quiet and "muffled" for a while (usually a few minutes but can be up to 10). Gradually the sound quality seems to improve, which doesn't make sense to the techie in me that says that something digital either works or it doesn't!
My Setup is as follows:
Sky Q 2tb connected via HDMI to Samsung MU7000 TV.
Samsung TV set to output the audio over optical to Sony STRDH800 Amp
When this issue occurs I have tried changing the sound output on the TV from optical to TV Speakers - there is no volume issue here. I've changed the optical cable just in case but it's made no difference.
Does this sound like my amp is on its way out, and/or is there anything I should be looking at in particular to resolve this issue?
TIA
Long story short, when I first turn on my TV, Sky Q box and Amp the sound is usually quiet and "muffled" for a while (usually a few minutes but can be up to 10). Gradually the sound quality seems to improve, which doesn't make sense to the techie in me that says that something digital either works or it doesn't!
My Setup is as follows:
Sky Q 2tb connected via HDMI to Samsung MU7000 TV.
Samsung TV set to output the audio over optical to Sony STRDH800 Amp
When this issue occurs I have tried changing the sound output on the TV from optical to TV Speakers - there is no volume issue here. I've changed the optical cable just in case but it's made no difference.
Does this sound like my amp is on its way out, and/or is there anything I should be looking at in particular to resolve this issue?
TIA
Probably a good time to switch to a slightly newer Amp with all the new HDMI switching and Atmos and wotnot.
You can probably get something pretty decent from Richer Sounds for <300.then just plug all your inputs into the Amp and one cable out to the TV
Generally your sound should be pretty consistent, assuming you've got everything setup on the Amp correctly
eg Set to 5.1 Dolby digital or Auto...(using optical)
And assuming you're listening to the right shows on the right channels..ie some things are broadcast in Stereo and others in 5.1..
And some shows on Sky in 5.1 still sound pretty quiet (centre channel) so you need whack the volume up more than normal...(and then down again when the ads come on...)
You can always test it by plugging in a bluray or xbox / ps4 and see how it sounds playing a film or Netflix or something other than the Sky box.
You can probably get something pretty decent from Richer Sounds for <300.then just plug all your inputs into the Amp and one cable out to the TV
Generally your sound should be pretty consistent, assuming you've got everything setup on the Amp correctly
eg Set to 5.1 Dolby digital or Auto...(using optical)
And assuming you're listening to the right shows on the right channels..ie some things are broadcast in Stereo and others in 5.1..
And some shows on Sky in 5.1 still sound pretty quiet (centre channel) so you need whack the volume up more than normal...(and then down again when the ads come on...)
You can always test it by plugging in a bluray or xbox / ps4 and see how it sounds playing a film or Netflix or something other than the Sky box.
I'd tend to suggest amp issue. If it improves over time, with no other changes it suggests a heat build up in the analogue circuity ie at the amplification stage.
Do you have another input on the amp you can try (the issue may be local to that one) or another source in try on the input in question to eliminate the other boxes?
Ideally you need to use the HDMI inputs though, Sky box to amp, amp (arc connector if available) to TV all over HDMI. Not sure if your amp has arc though?
Just makes everything simpler, more compatible and avoids lip-sync issues as best possible.
Do you have another input on the amp you can try (the issue may be local to that one) or another source in try on the input in question to eliminate the other boxes?
Ideally you need to use the HDMI inputs though, Sky box to amp, amp (arc connector if available) to TV all over HDMI. Not sure if your amp has arc though?
Just makes everything simpler, more compatible and avoids lip-sync issues as best possible.
Edited by hornmeister on Thursday 24th October 10:52
hornmeister said:
I'd tend to suggest amp issue. If it improves over time, with no other changes it suggests a heat build up in the analogue circuity ie at the amplification stage.
Do you have another input on the amp you can try (the issue may be local to that one) or another source in try on the input in question to eliminate the other boxes?
Ideally you need to use the HDMI inputs though, Sky box to amp, amp (arc connector if available) to TV all over HDMI. Not sure if your amp has arc though?
Just makes everything simpler, more compatible and avoids lip-sync issues as best possible.
Thanks for the responses. I've not had a chance to try some of the troubleshooting tips here but will do when I get a moment.Do you have another input on the amp you can try (the issue may be local to that one) or another source in try on the input in question to eliminate the other boxes?
Ideally you need to use the HDMI inputs though, Sky box to amp, amp (arc connector if available) to TV all over HDMI. Not sure if your amp has arc though?
Just makes everything simpler, more compatible and avoids lip-sync issues as best possible.
Edited by hornmeister on Thursday 24th October 10:52
Re setting it up as Sky -> Amp -> TV over HDMI, my amp won't pass through UHD hence why I've configured things the way they are.
We've actually noticed there are 2 slightly different issues:
1. Sometimes the sound is "muffled" for a few minutes.
2. We are having to set the amp volume much higher than before. 30 was always the maximum needed for TV viewing, now it is often nearer 40.
Does suggest an amp issue rather than anything untoward at the Sky end of the setup.
Sounds in that case then an amp upgrade is what is needed. tbh things have moved on a lot and a 4K HDR compatible one isworth the upgrade.
Just a tip though you can sometimes get round the sky set-up which can be a bit picky with a slightly non conforming amp.
Connect sky Q directly to the telly do the setu-up then reconnect through the amp. It might well work.
I needed to do this to get the sky box to accept 12-bit as for some reason the detection wouldn't work through the amp despite it being compatible. Works fine now it's set-up gooing through the amp, it was just the compatibility detection that wouldn't work.
Just a tip though you can sometimes get round the sky set-up which can be a bit picky with a slightly non conforming amp.
Connect sky Q directly to the telly do the setu-up then reconnect through the amp. It might well work.
I needed to do this to get the sky box to accept 12-bit as for some reason the detection wouldn't work through the amp despite it being compatible. Works fine now it's set-up gooing through the amp, it was just the compatibility detection that wouldn't work.
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