Prime on freeview HD sounds like an old stretched cassette tape

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robjg63

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Topic # 113302 12-Jan-2013 20:13

Anyone else noticed that Prime TV (freeview HD) seems to have a real issue with audio lately?

When theme music is played it is really noticeable - sounds like an old stretched audio cassette tape!
I cant quite figure how a digital broadcast can have audio like this!

I think it was referred to as wow and flutter in ye olde times....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 743867 12-Jan-2013 21:00

I haven't noticed because I rarely watch Prime - the poor quality low bitrate SD picture is enough to put me off.

Peanutty

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Reply # 743910 12-Jan-2013 22:41

I know exactly what you mean. Like someone's playing with a pitch knob and turning it really quickly. As you say you can only really notice it when music or title soundtracks are playing but guaranteed it's there all the time. I'm running terrestrial straight into a Samsung lcd, a couple of years old. Haven't noticed it on any other channels.

seeyouaunty

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Reply # 743912 12-Jan-2013 22:51

I'm glad someone else is hearing the same thing, thought i was going mad!. I too have no idea how a digital broadcast can sound so terrible.

injuised

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Reply # 743962 13-Jan-2013 08:48

Be interesting to see if the problem still exists on the Sky transponder

sbiddle

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Reply # 743968 13-Jan-2013 09:16

seeyouaunty: I'm glad someone else is hearing the same thing, thought i was going mad!. I too have no idea how a digital broadcast can sound so terrible.

It's easy - remember this is the same company who delivers low bitrate pay TV channels at high prices, just because they can.

robjg63

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Reply # 744046 13-Jan-2013 12:59

As I said - its odd - it reminds me of the old days of Compact Cassettes when the tape used the stretch after a while - or the capstan (roller) used to glaze up - or the tape mechanism used to get sticky and you had to fast forward and rewind the whole tape a few times and hope that fixed it.

Man tapes were really crap! Now Prime is giving me a blast from the past!

It is not noticeable when people are speaking - but music sounds dreadful.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Jaxson

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Reply # 744081 13-Jan-2013 14:48

Heard this on the Prime news music last night. Weird in the digital day and age.

Virgo

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Reply # 744139 13-Jan-2013 18:08

I've encountered the same thing (wobbly background music) whilst watching programmes on Prime TV. Also when I was watching Antiques Road Show last night on Prime, the picture and sound totally dropped out. I had to turn both the TV and myfreeview set top box (JCMatthews) off and back on again to get back to watching. Moments later I got a "green screen" for a few seconds before the picture was restored to normal. Weird. The same drop out of picture and sound also occurred when I was watching the next programme, Silk, on Prime TV. I will try and get hold of Prime this week to find out what's going on.

PimpMyMagic

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Reply # 744397 14-Jan-2013 10:41

Virgo: I've encountered the same thing (wobbly background music) whilst watching programmes on Prime TV. Also when I was watching Antiques Road Show last night on Prime, the picture and sound totally dropped out. I had to turn both the TV and myfreeview set top box (JCMatthews) off and back on again to get back to watching. Moments later I got a "green screen" for a few seconds before the picture was restored to normal. Weird. The same drop out of picture and sound also occurred when I was watching the next programme, Silk, on Prime TV. I will try and get hold of Prime this week to find out what's going on.

I shouldn't imagine rebooting your set top box wouldn't have had much effect on Prime's transmission.

More likely an inability of it to cope with Prime's anomalies, or a dodgy signal.

Speaking of Silk, what happened to it? Gone by lunchtime - or after just 2 episodes.

They did the same thing with Crownies, an Aussie legal office drama. However, they seem to have restored it to replace the withdrawn Silk, though in a later time slot. Talk about Ping Pong Programming.

Ah well, back to downloads, I guess.

Deev8

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Reply # 744455 14-Jan-2013 12:00

PimpMyMagic: Speaking of Silk, what happened to it? Gone by lunchtime - or after just 2 episodes.

Silk is apparently off the air for two weeks - to allow Prime to broadcast more of American Idol.

robjg63

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Reply # 744463 14-Jan-2013 12:16

Virgo: I've encountered the same thing (wobbly background music) whilst watching programmes on Prime TV. Also when I was watching Antiques Road Show last night on Prime, the picture and sound totally dropped out. I had to turn both the TV and myfreeview set top box (JCMatthews) off and back on again to get back to watching. Moments later I got a "green screen" for a few seconds before the picture was restored to normal. Weird. The same drop out of picture and sound also occurred when I was watching the next programme, Silk, on Prime TV. I will try and get hold of Prime this week to find out what's going on.

Funny you should mention Antiques Roadshow - the Mrs and I were watching that - on Saturday night and every time they played the theme music my wife and I both winced - had noticed it before - but it was really bad on the music on AR - its what spurred me to post.

Never had any problems with picture drop outs though - just the awful sound!

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

ilovemusic

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Reply # 745813 16-Jan-2013 16:51

robjg63: As I said - its odd - it reminds me of the old days of Compact Cassettes when the tape used the stretch after a while - or the capstan (roller) used to glaze up - or the tape mechanism used to get sticky and you had to fast forward and rewind the whole tape a few times and hope that fixed it.

Man tapes were really crap! Now Prime is giving me a blast from the past!

It is not noticeable when people are speaking - but music sounds dreadful.

Only crappy tapes !

Good tapes, recorded on a good machine and well looked after will probably out-last you.

I have numerous 30yo cassettes that sound as good as the day I made them.

Virgo

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Reply # 746493 17-Jan-2013 17:57

I spoke to a Sky TV customer services person earlier this week and advised him of the poor sound quality on music soundtracks on Prime TV programmes. He said he would log the problem and I guess this will be as far as it goes. Also contacted JC Matthew customer support and Simon said to contact Prime TV. Felt like I was going round in circles!

Taugee

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Reply # 746499 17-Jan-2013 18:14

I heard the wowing problem on Freeview HD during both episodes of 'Sinking of the Laconia'. This is using a Sony TV. I also checked the Freeview satellite sound and it did not appear to be there during the same programme. Prime responded to my email saying I should talk to Freeview. Freeview responded saying they didn't deal with equipment issues. Take what you will from that but the circle is getting wider.

bfginger

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Reply # 746647 18-Jan-2013 08:35

If the others won't listen try talking to Kordia if they're the ones broadcasting Prime in your area.

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