Dolby Digital Audio Problem with MySKY...

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richardgnz

64 posts

Master Geek

#65659 5-Aug-2010 09:01

I have mySky configured for Dolby Digital output via HDMI.

What is happening for me is if I change inputs on my amplifier (e.g to my PS3 then back again) I will get no sound from MySKY. To get sound I must press the mute button or change channel on the MySKY remote (When output is set to dolby digital the volume and mute controls on the MySKY remote have no effect on the sound ouput).

It is as if by changing the channel or pressing the mute button - sky realises that it should be outputing sound?

When the Dolby Digital option first came out (In a firmware update) it had the same problem - then at some point this was fixed. I cannot remember when but it was at least a few months ago. A freind of mine also confirmed at the time that this was fixed for him as well (He has a Pioneer amplifier and I have an Onkyo - so this problem would appear to be cross platform)

Since the latest update (with the new features) was rolled out to everyone a couple of weeks ago this problem has come back. Can anyone else confirm that they have this issue?

It is frustrating because it is a problem that was fixed at one point and now it is back...

vexxxboy

4245 posts

Uber Geek

#363476 5-Aug-2010 09:22

i had exactly the same problem with my Sony amp but since the update mine has come right dont no why but im not touching it lol

Common sense is not as common as you think.

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171 posts

Master Geek

#363895 5-Aug-2010 20:40

Now that's interesting. I have what seems to be the same problem. I think it may have begun for me with the firmware upgrade in September last year, but I am not exactly sure.

I have MySkyHDi output via DD and HDMI to an Onkyo 7.1 AV receiver. MySkyHDi box gets turned off at the wall every night, so I have to power it on every viewing day. When I do so there is no sound at all until I change channels. I think it occurs on every channel, but I am not exactly certain. I have not noticed if use of the mute button gets the sound back but I will try it next time to see.

PS. Just tried it with the mute button and yes. Mine behaves exactly as you describe.

yaymayorbee

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#369149 18-Aug-2010 10:18

On this topic,

I have just had mysky hdi installed and have an older receiver so cannot pass through hdmi.

Is there a way to turn off the audio through hdmi and have it just through coaxial? or does it just output audio through both by default and i can use my amp for audio and have the tv (where the hdmi goes into) turned right down?

Thanks in advance

manaia

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#369230 18-Aug-2010 12:35

yaymayorbee: On this topic,

I have just had mysky hdi installed and have an older receiver so cannot pass through hdmi.

Is there a way to turn off the audio through hdmi and have it just through coaxial? or does it just output audio through both by default and i can use my amp for audio and have the tv (where the hdmi goes into) turned right down?

Thanks in advance

I have a Bravia which has an audio option to use an external amp, so the TV just ignores the audio input on the HDMI. I don't think that there is an option on the MySKY to turn off the audio at that end.

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171 posts

Master Geek

#369291 18-Aug-2010 13:53

yaymayorbee: On this topic,

I have just had mysky hdi installed and have an older receiver so cannot pass through hdmi.

Is there a way to turn off the audio through hdmi and have it just through coaxial? or does it just output audio through both by default and i can use my amp for audio and have the tv (where the hdmi goes into) turned right down?

Thanks in advance

Yes, it can be a bit of a nuisance. All my components are connected to the AV receiver via HDMI. To stop the sound coming through the TV too I just turn the TV volume down to zero level. I then control the volume for everything via the AV receiver remote control.

The volume coming from MySKyHDi (via HDMI direct to the AV receiver) can be turned right down too but that makes no difference to the sound level on the AV receiver. It's a bit different for you though.

yaymayorbee

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#370512 20-Aug-2010 22:10

ok,

so i got this working using just a spare rca cable i had lying round...only running about 1.5 metres or so. the sound works fine and my amp identifies the signal as dolby digital but alas i dont hear anything out of my surround speakers. i know its not a problem with my speakers coz i just watched a dvd and they were fine with that.

with sky the sound is only coming out as stereo but still labelled as dolby digital on my amp (this is only for the hd channels/programmes) for example it doesnt come out the surrounds when i was watching knocked up on tv 3 and the league on sky sport 2 is the same.

whats up with that?

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171 posts

Master Geek

#370674 21-Aug-2010 14:06

You will only get DD if the connection from your MySkyHDi to the AV receiver is digital - either coax or HDMI. You also need to set MySkyHDi as follows - Setup/ System Setup/ System settings/ Audio & Language Settings

Audio output = stereo
HDMI digital audio output = Dolby ) whichever you are using
SPDIF digital audio output = Dolby )

If these settings are already OK then you need to check your connections and/or av receiver, the latter for its compatibility or settings. If the problem is still there the question then to pose back here is this: does anyone else have an AV receiver make ??? and model ??? that is outputting DD 5.1 channel stereo in a 5.1 speaker system correctly and how have they got its settings configured for correct DD output.

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yaymayorbee

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#371079 22-Aug-2010 16:58

checked all the settings and they are correct to your instructions.
i am wondering if it may have been just the programmes at the time? as i said my amp is saying that the signal is dolby digital but its only coming through as stereo not 5.1.

when i change the audio settings to "english alt" it changes to dolby pro logic II and comes through all the speakers fine....the problem i have with this is when you are watching a programme that doesnt have the best audio quality the sounds coming through the rear speakers sounds really bad.

and for reference i am running through a pioneer vsx 915 about 2 "generations" old.
Does it make any difference that i am using an rca cable? or do i have to spend money for a proper "coaxial cable" i was told that the cable i am using will do the trick.

allstarnz

1719 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#371082 22-Aug-2010 17:09

you really need to test it on a rugby/Warriors/Phoenix game from NZ to check the 5.1

commentary should come out of the three fronts, and crowd out of the back two.

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171 posts

Master Geek

#371126 22-Aug-2010 18:15

I guess that we all reach the stage eventually where we decide we have gone about as far as we can with our own knowledge and capabilities and decide it's time to call in a professional with more expertise and the right diagnostic equipment. Maybe he can bring in another more up to date AV receiver too so you can hear any difference. They can often do more in a few minutes than we can in a month. I have never regretted doing this.

Just a suggestion.

yaymayorbee

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#371535 23-Aug-2010 15:20

allstarnz: you really need to test it on a rugby/Warriors/Phoenix game from NZ to check the 5.1

commentary should come out of the three fronts, and crowd out of the back two.

Found out that the latest all blacks game came through perfectly on 5.1.....so i guess it is down to the source.

So NRL games are broadcast as HD but not in 5.1 aswell.....and as for tv3 movies in HD some are, some arent.

But I guess its problem solved.

Thanks every one!!

allstarnz

1719 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#371576 23-Aug-2010 15:52

yaymayorbee:
allstarnz: you really need to test it on a rugby/Warriors/Phoenix game from NZ to check the 5.1

commentary should come out of the three fronts, and crowd out of the back two.

Found out that the latest all blacks game came through perfectly on 5.1.....so i guess it is down to the source.

So NRL games are broadcast as HD but not in 5.1 aswell.....and as for tv3 movies in HD some are, some arent.

But I guess its problem solved.

Thanks every one!!

Pretty much nothing from overseas is in proper 5.1 on Sky Sport, only the occasional All Blacks game.

TV3 have 5.1 flags on their guide on their website.

Jaxson

8044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#371600 23-Aug-2010 16:09

Heaps of issues going on here:

Dolby sound can be 2.0 channel or 5.1 channel.
eg TV3 on freeview HD for example is 2 channel for most stuff, switching to 5.1 on specific shows.

Once your receiver gets a 2 channel source it might opt to switch to a simulated surround mode, which will appear as if there is rear sound.

Other receivers pick up that it is actually a 5.1 signal, but only the front 2 channels have any sound, the others just play nothing.

There's also dolby digital surround sound (the real stuff, like DVD's have) and there is prologic which is a step up from 2 channel but is not discrete channels of surround sound.

Problems could be source, sky box settings or receiver settings etc. Agreed though, all very tricky to step through.