Hey guys, it been awhile since I have been to the Saloon, but knowing how great & helpful you guys are, I'm back and in need of some help. My equipment: Outlaw 950 pre/pro, 7100 amp, JVC HD61Z585 tv, Scientific Explorer 8300HD cable box...
My problem,I lose the sound while watching tv. I have the cable box video out source (HDMI)to a HDMI splitter out to the HDMI input on the TV. Audio(digital out) from the cable box is into the digital 1 input on the 950...
The sound goes out for only a few seconds but always at a bad time durning the show. Any help other than changing systems will be very helpful.
What about the 1070AV? Are the boys at Outlaw going to come out with anything that supports HDMI? I really do'nt want to use a DVI to HDMI cable. Thanks...

What I believe is happening is the audio format is either changing (such as at commercials) or even being interrupted (signal loss to the cable box) - the 950's signal acquisition time is a bot on the long side (up to a couple seconds), even after the cable box does it acquisition after a break-up. You could use analog audio and see if the problem remains - if it is still objectionable, I'd contact the cable company and make sure the signal strength at your box was up to spec.

The 1070 or 970 would have a shorter signal acquisition time as I understand, so assuming the cable box isn't having problems the 970 could help. It'll probably be a while before anything with HDMI v1.3 comes out (and at this point HDMI v1.1 support for a new product is a dead-end, even though it would take care of most applications just fine) - here\'s the word from the boss on why it's just not time yet for an HDMI Outlaw.

For what it's worth, a DVI-to-HDMI cable doesn't have any detrimental effect on video, and the only audio formats that HDMI offers over coaxial or optical are DVD-A, SACD (HDMI v1.2), and the the new HD formats. My HDMI FAQ give some more details.

Dab,

I have noticed the sound briefly cutting off on certain HD channels in particular CBS (not good today since CBS is broadcasting the Super Bowl!). I have the DVI version of your Scientific Atlanta box, however I only use coax for audio and component connections for video. I've had the box replaced one time because of poor performance. I've attributed the intermitent loss of sound to the HD signal and the box on one occasion and not my equipment.

Does your sound cut off on HD and SD channels? If both I'd have your cable provider replace the box. Regardless, I'd have them check signal strength at your home to make sure they are providing adequate signal to the box. Let us know how this works out for you.

I'll add that the analog route is not really a good long-term solution if you have an HD box, because it will not allow you access to the Dolby 5.1 from HD broadcasts that offer it - it's really just for some troubleshooting.

Thanks for your reply guys. I know the format does change with a commercial, but most of the time the sound lost is durning the station program. The HD channels are the only ones that lose sound, and AvFan is right about CBS, it's the worst of them all. I'll check with my cable provider about the signal strength. I will also switch over to component vice HDMI and coax vice digital audio. Thanks again guys, I'll let you know something in a few days...

If it's happening in the middle of a broadcast, then it's most likely a signal strength issue of some sort. Let us know how it goes, though.

Dab,

I'd be curious if you would share the measurement your cable provider says will avoid the CBS audio cutout. I don't watch much CBS programming so I have not gone through the effort with my cable provider; its just a hassle to be home when they will make an appointment. However, if I had the measurement that would avoid the problem they may be able to do it outside my house versus needing to come inside. Let us know how it turns out.

I watched the superbowl on CBS via Comcast cable and every single commercial had cutouts for sound. So much so, that I had to mute all of the commercials. I would love to hear the fix as well.

Now its two posts in the same weekend

Just for the record, lately I have been losing audio on CBS broadcasts both in HD and standard broadcasts. Also for the last two weeks I have completely lost the HD feed for CBS. So tonight's Superbowl was in standard definition for me. I had a few choice comments tonight for RCN and they are showing up Thursday to check out everything here. They have been having a lot of trouble with their new Passport software in the Motorola boxes. Also there have been some major technical problems with RCN here in Massachusetts.

My Cox provided CBS HD signal was up to its old tricks during the Super Bowl; I had the audio cut out maybe a dozen times during the broadcast. No problems between the broadcast and commmercials, however. Looks like I will make a call to Cox to see what they can do to fix the problem. I expect I'll go through a couple of iterations with them because my past experinece has shown their field techs are not that savvy. Hope everyone will keep eachother posted on their results with their HD providers.

I receive CBS HD on traditional over-the-air broadcast, so in my case the cable provider has no impact. I also noticed frequent audio drop-outs during the superbowl. This also occurred frequently during regular games throughout the NFL season on CBS, so it is not just a superbowl issue. Similar audio dropouts rarely occurred while watching the NFL on the other networks.

Like I said, since I receive CBS on over-the-air broadcasts, this is more likely to be a CBS issue than a cable provider issue.