Virgin + sound drop out

[Hoover.]

As I have an old processor I am running the sound to it via optical toslink cable........ I have noticed that I am getting intermittent sound dropouts on HD broadcasts/on demand with DD sound.

Checked all connections, including running different inputs / devices to isolate the problem........ conclusion it's the set top box, anyone else experienced the same issue here (trawling AV forums it appears to be an issue but with no real conclusion).

[TonyRPH]

I have the same problem, seems worse with my HK receiver.

What amp are you using?

[Hoover.]

using a yamaha dsp e800 (old but does me),

having done some research it appears to be an issue with Virgin + samsung box optical out connection, and not the amp/processor issue(checked this via running BR via same route/inputs... checked cales as well)

[TonyRPH]

I used a DSP-E800 with my older Virgin box without issues.

My son now uses it, with the current Virgin box and as far as I know, he doesn't have the dropout problem.

It seems to only affect certain boxes I think.

I previously also used a Joytech A/V switcher with mine, so that would have buffered the optical output.

But my current amp (Harman Kardon DPR-1005) is plagued by dropouts, both on SD and HD channels.

Needless to say, Virgin claim the box is fine!!

ETA: My BR player is faultless, as if any other digital device.

ETA (again) The DSP-E800 is indeed a good amp!

[Hoover.]

hmm....I only get it on HD, maybe a suprior amp highlights further weakness in virgin V+ boxes.

There is a complaint list/feed on virgin media website with approx 250 people with similar issues....... and a thread also on AV forums I found, albeit the av forums thread is non conclusive it leans towards the V+ box.

[TonyRPH]

Hoover. said:

hmm....I only get it on HD, maybe a suprior amp highlights further weakness in virgin V+ boxes.

There is a complaint list/feed on virgin media website with approx 250 people with similar issues....... and a thread also on AV forums I found, albeit the av forums thread is non conclusive it leans towards the V+ box.

I also suspect it's the V+ box.

Do you have some links to the forum posts you mention?

[pmanson]

I had a wierd problem with our V+ box last night...

Watching a recording of Criminal Minds (Sky Living HD) which we recorded on Friday evening we had sound effects but no sounds from any of the actors.

Very weird.

[Hoover.]

Tony....

AV Forum post here...... the virgin one is in the opening post there.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/virgin-media/143370...

[condor]

I had the problem of no sound last GP weekend, rang the helpline and the Virgin chap talked me through the resetting of the volume ( I'm still an old ntl customer). It had set itself to 0 - it was the same weekend as the digital switchover in my area, so I think that had something to do with it.

[Hoover.]

Just noticed this affects recorded programmes, and also SD albeit no where near as much.

Time to get hold of VM by the throat me thinks.

[TonyRPH]

Hoover. said:

Just noticed this affects recorded programmes, and also SD albeit no where near as much.

Time to get hold of VM by the throat me thinks.

Reading throught those other forums, some people were suggesting it was difficult to repeat it.

But just like you, I also find the dropouts are recorded.

And if I get a dropout on live TV, and rewind and replay, the dropout occurs in the same place...

[mnkiboy]

Just to say I have the same issue with a Virgin V+ box connected to an Onkyo TX-SR507. Occasional sound drop-outs, during which the Amp goes from displaying DOLBY D to STEREO.
No issues with my BR player or anything else routed through the amp.

[TonyRPH]

Another issue I have;

Sometimes after (or even during) the viewing of on demand content, if the picture is paused - the amp will refuse to lock on again. I usually have to turn the amp off and back on again to get the sound back.

This suggests to me that there is something not quite right with the digital feed from the optical out on the V+ box.

I never had any issues with the older V Box (also Samsung).

I am currently feeding the optical signal via a Joytech video switching box, to see if it helps to buffer (and probably re-amplify) the optical signal. It's early days yet so no comment to add as yet..

Just as mentioned above, I have absolutely no problems with any other digital devices I use (BR player, CD player, Logitech Squeezebox) so it has to be the V+ Box.

[Hoover.]

Be good to know if if your buffering system works... in theory I can't see how it will if the V+ box is sending out a dodgy signal, but live and learn.

I've got an engineer coming over on Wednesday as the chap I spoke to today on the phone said it sounded like a box issue.

[pmanson]

Hoover. said:

Be good to know if if your buffering system works... in theory I can't see how it will if the V+ box is sending out a dodgy signal, but live and learn.

I've got an engineer coming over on Wednesday as the chap I spoke to today on the phone said it sounded like a box issue.

If they give you one of the new boxes let me know - occasionally have issues with ours restarting at random times so i'd like to get a replacement sorted at some point.

[TonyRPH]

Hoover. said:

Be good to know if if your buffering system works... in theory I can't see how it will if the V+ box is sending out a dodgy signal, but live and learn.

I've got an engineer coming over on Wednesday as the chap I spoke to today on the phone said it sounded like a box issue.

Ok, it's early days yet, but since putting the Joytech box in, I haven't noticed any dropouts - yet....

Mine was doing it fairly frequently so I think this is progress.

This is what I have.

"Joytech AV Control Center"

[pmanson]

pmanson said:

Hoover. said:

Be good to know if if your buffering system works... in theory I can't see how it will if the V+ box is sending out a dodgy signal, but live and learn.

I've got an engineer coming over on Wednesday as the chap I spoke to today on the phone said it sounded like a box issue.

If they give you one of the new boxes let me know - occasionally have issues with ours restarting at random times so i'd like to get a replacement sorted at some point.

We've got Virgin coming out on Friday so hopefully they'll be replacing our box. Damn thing kept restarting during the F1

[Hoover.]

Oddly this seems to have disapeared since coming from a weekend hooning round Derbyshire with 500 TVRs....... wonder if signal ha been boosted... if it has, will as soon as engineer been round be back to problems...sorry v suspicious mind

[Hoover.]

Dispite problem seeming to have dispeared I still let VM send their engineer round,

He admitted that there has been known issues with the optical link failures, and has replaced the box....... fingers crossed all is well and good.

[Hoover.]

no joy ... still dropping out

VM told me that if it happeened I would need to get a prof in to sort out set up..... but this should be simple plug n play issues, not happy at out come..... Humphhhhhh !!!!!