HD broadcasts can be either Dolby 2.0 or Dolby 5.1, and the HD receiver may also output PCM in some cases (don't use satellite, so I don't know how likely that will be). The format will change between programs (either on the same channel or different channels), and it also often changes for commercials (which are less likely to be in 5.1). The 990 needs to be able to determine what the incoming audio format is before it can properly decode it. For some reason, the DirecTV box is giving the 990 some problems, and it is briefly decoding using the wrong format (creating the screech).
There are two things that you might try. One is to switch digital inputs, since the H21 has both optical and coaxial. It shouldn't make a difference, but there's something peculiar happening with the H21 and it's worth at least trying. Another is to change the audio output setting on the H21. On page 51 of the
manual , you can see three tabs under the "Audio" settings. The third is labeled "Dolby Digital" and it will likely offer options for Dolby Digital or PCM. Dolby Digital is preferable, of course, as it lets you play 5.1 sources directly. If it is set to PCM, then I suspect the box is briefly outputting DD and then changing to PCM, thus confusing the 990. If it is set to Dolby Digital, then there's something odd going on with how the H21 outputs the bitstream and you might try changing to PCM to see if the problem persists.