cruiserandma
join:2008-07-04
| Popping/clicking audio drving me nuts..
We've been experiencing clicking/popping noises lately that I simply can't debug. At first I thought it was specific to HD channels, but now I'm getting it on pretty much all channels, on both our DCH3416 (HD DVR), as well as our DCT3412 (SD digital tuner only) box. It's deifnitely coming through the audio signal in the line, because I'm hearing the same thing on both boxes in different rooms with different TVs.
The sound is like the popping or scratching you would hear on an old record.. I've called comcast support a bunch of times when this has been happening, and they try tons of stuff- sending reset signals to the box(es), telling me to make sure the cable box audio is set very low, and the TV audio high, and vice versa, "sending signals" to the boxes. And when I jump through all of the various hoops and tell them I still here the glitches, they end up saying it has to be the box, and I should take the box in for a swap. I've swapped both the DVR, and the tuner box (the DVR was swapped twice, even tried a different model (6412)) and the audio popping is still there.. This is driving me absolutely nuts!
Any advice on what I should ask them to do?
Has anyone else ever experienced similar audio problems with comcast digital cable TV?
Thanks for any ideas! |
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gar187er
Premium Alcoholic
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE | stray voltage perhaps...
btw- box volume maxed out, tv should never be maxed out |
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co
@atx.net
| reply to cruiserandma
For most of my HD Channels, my audio will go out once or twice an hour for about a second or two, VERY ANNOYING! I call Comcast, and they don't know what to do, except the usual unplug my Cable Box routine and let it reset crap. I may just go get new HD/DVR Box and see if thats the problem. I swear Comcast is the only company where the customer has to figure out their own problems! |
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wanger
join:2008-04-20
Reading, PA
 ·Comcast
| reply to cruiserandma
If you have swapped out the boxes multiple times now, why would you still think it's a cable box issue and not something associated with the TV or something else? Not saying it isn't a box issue, but from a troubleshooting stand point different boxes causing the same issue on two different TVs would lead me to to believe that it could be an electrical issue or something else in your place. A bad bond, a neutral going bad, old wiring, an AC unit/electric hot water heater turning on/off, microwave running, refrigerator's compressor, and the list can go on and on... |
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cruiserandma
join:2008-07-04
| I agree that it's not the boxes. Assuming there is some electrical interference going on here, what's a good way for me to check for things like frequent spikes?
Should an average power strip be enough to keep the condition of the current from spikes of the nature that might cause these audio pops?
Could it be an issue that the outlet all my stuff is running from is not grounded?
I appreciate any thoughts you guys have.
Thanks for the replies so far! |
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RR User
@rr.com
| reply to cruiserandma
Does it sound like these?
»www.freesound.org/samplesViewSin···id=41003
»www.freesound.org/samplesViewSin···id=11729 |
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gar187er
Premium Alcoholic
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE
| reply to cruiserandma
powerstrips dont condition the line....a good UPS would that specifically says 'line filtering'
it could be a bad ground anywhere if that indeed is the issue...usually high draw items cause the most problems, fridge, microwave, etc....
how many pieces of electronics do you have near cable box? any unshielded speakers?
cell phones do throw noise into audio speakers, but mostly when they are receiving a call |
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cruiserandma
join:2008-07-04
| The associated AV stuff is all that's anywhere near the box in the living room. And in the bedroom there's nothing but the associated tv even close by.
So if it's electrical interference from something else in the house, it's something much farther away, and is affecting cable boxes on different circuits- which is why I also kind of suspect there is interference coming in through the coax from Comcast..
Thanks again for the ideas! |
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gar187er
Premium Alcoholic
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE | reply to cruiserandma
that coax however is tied in with your house's ground at your demarc point outside.... |
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Mallego
@metrocast.net
| reply to cruiserandma
You didn't mention how you are connecting the audio to your TV/amplifier. However, I doubt that the problem is electrical interference, if so it would show up in the picture.
More likely is a problem back in the headend, I would suggest a buffer overflow or underflow issue at the MPEG level. You may ask why aren't others complaining, they may be but no one at Comcast has put it together. Or, I have found that some folks don't know enough to ache when they are in pain and they don't complain.
Try to get a supervisor at your home. Have specific details and information for him/her. Programs, time of day, channels,etc. The phone support or trouble technician doesn't have the horsepower to deal with this kind of problem.
Retired CATV engineer. |
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cruiserandma
join:2008-07-04 | You may ask why aren't others complaining, they may be but no one at Comcast has put it together. Or, I have found that some folks don't know enough to ache when they are in pain and they don't complain. |
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RR User
@rr.com | reply to cruiserandma
Can you record a clip and post it? |
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sparky1
@comcast.net | reply to cruiserandma
Turn of all the breakers in your house except the one the television and cable box are on and see if the problem goes away. |
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wanger
join:2008-04-20
Reading, PA
·Comcast
| reply to cruiserandma
It could very well be that the outlets you have all your stuff in not being grounded. If you had a true electrical issue, you would see Hum Bars on your TVs. However, like I said before it could be some device actually turning on or off. Do you have the coax running parrelle with your electrical lines in close proximity? Also, maybe a Ham Radio operator close by could be causing the issues. Having old/poorly shielded cable may lead to many issues for your digital cable experience. |
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BleedMarshal
join:2009-04-11
| reply to cruiserandma
Saw this problem before and it was a bad drop. Changed it as a last ditch effort and the popping/cracking stopped as soon as I hooked up the new drop. Funny the drop was an rg6, and looked less than a year old. This may not be the cause at your home, but it is a thought. |
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cruiserandma
join:2008-07-04
| reply to RR User
Listen to the attached audio file to hear how this sounds..This is definitely happening at or before the split where the cable enters immediately inside the house. Because from that point it splits into three completely different routes through the house. One ends up at a 3416 HD STB, another at an older SD STB, and another goes directly into a TV that has a digital tuner built-in. All three points exhibit this audio popping... |
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BleedMarshal
join:2009-04-11
| reply to cruiserandma
Sounds like the popping I heard when I replaced the drop. That is my guess still since I don't have a meter at your house to check carrier noise or ingress, or anything else. *shrugs* Sorry, but that is all I can say right now. Wish I was of more help. |
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cruiserandma
join:2008-07-04 | What exactly is the drop? Is that the line going from the street to the house? I'm going to call and ask them to send someone out.
Thanks for the responses! |
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koshoka
join:2006-12-01
Pottsville, PA
| When most people say "drop", they mean the wire from the pole to the house.
Technically, the drop is from the tap to your terminal devices (converter box, modem.)
--
*******
Disclaimer: I am a Comcast employee. Any statements are my own and should not be construed as official Comcast communications. |
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markofmayhem
join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA | NBC...
How about USA or Discovery or TNT? I chose those because they are muxed nationally for Comcast. |
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