My 30 day test drive is up next Friday. I'm generally very happy with my 1050 with one exception: I watch TV using the Natural mode so that I can get some rear channel effects when watching a Pro Logic program (source is a Hughes DirecTivo box connected via optical cable). Quite often, however, I'll get an odd distortion sound coming from the rear channels (L/R only - don't have a rear center). It is quite annoying especially when there is a strong rear channel signal (X files, for example). If I cycle through the DSP's and return to the Natural mode, it will work fine for a while but will eventually return to the same distortion.

I realize that I could just use a different DSP mode but I really like the sound of the Natural mode most (when it works properly). I spoke with customer support (Scott, I think) and was told that I was the fourth person to have called with this problem (over some long period of time). They were never able to determine the problem with the other three but it had apparently been some time since anyone has had this problem. No problems at all when listening to CD's or DVD's.

It sounds to me like the problem cannot be fixed since they were never able to replicate it. So, my question is this: Has anyone else experienced this recently? If so, what have you done about it? Any other thoughts as to how I might go about fixing it myself (eg, I guess I could try a new optical cable)?

IF this is something I'll just have to live with, I might not be able to, which would be a shame since I really like everything else about this unit. I guess I need to make that decison soon.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Lardoggy