Rogers HDTV Preview Channel - digital audio signal 'skipping'?

[descartes]

Rather obscure question here, but has anyone noticed that the digital audio signal on the Rogers HDTV preview channel (501) 'skips'? I was all excited to hook up my boxing day treats only to notice that the sound skips, sort of like a record skipping or listening to a damaged CD. I have tried both optical and coaxial cables and same result. Shame, because I was secretly looking forward to hear Coldplay in digital --there, I've admitted it.

Anyone have the same results for this channel only? Thanks.

 

[andrew-g]

I just got a rogers 3250HD box and I noticed the same problem, I was going to call them but I had a good idea what the retards at the other end of the phone would say. I guess now its most likely the channel and not the hardware. Let me know if you end up fixing it.

 

[Reload]

I talked to one of the repair technicians that came to my home to fix another problem and asked about the HD preview channel and it's audio skipping problem myself. He told me it's a problem with the channel and Rogers hasn't come up with a solution for it as of yet. The problem will affect all Rogers HD cable subscribers. This was at least 8 months ago.

So to answer your question, I've noticed the audio skipping as well. It's not just you that's experiencing it. However, the other HD channels seem to work fine.

What I don't like is that there's only about 25 HD channels and not all HD channels are broadcast in HD 24/7. We need more stations available in HD.

Saw a couple of hockey games and the Grey Cup in HD and 5.1. Looks and sounds amazing. I wish all hockey games were broadcast in HD.

 

[descartes]

update

Ok guys. If you use normal RCA cords it sounds fine, but of course not the same quality.

A fellow terbite commented that this only happens for the much music broadcasts, which I now notice (Coldplay concert and MMVAs). Maybe they don't want people recording and replaying them??? hmmmmmmm... I wonder. If that's the case... those bastards!

 

[MarkII]

Rogers has had an audio problem for quite some time.

I purchased an HDTV about five years back, hooked up to the Rogers Digital at that time...and the sound was always lagging or dropping out. Due to the limited number of HDTV channels at that time I dropped the HDTV feed.

Even though the major US networks were in HDTV..the sound was terrible, and there were not enought channels to justify the extra expense..

The apartment building I was in went Bell Express view..but again I didn't add HDTV due to the limited channel selection.

I moved 18 months ago to a private residence..and put in Bell Express with HD.

The sound seldom lags or drops out. The only problem I ever have is inclement weather messing with the direct signal path to the dish. I have two digital HD PVR's in the house and I can tape anything for playback later in surround if I wish. I have two of them as I got a deal, and there's always more than enough to tape for later viewing or archiving.

Rogers has had this problem, as another posted, for years. It's not hard to overcome it. It means boosting the signal strength and improving the cable structure used to deliver the signal.

If the Rogers tech comes to your house and says you need a line booster or amplifier it means the signal in your area is weak. If they put that amplifier on it does two things. It will improve your picture quality, but it will add "noise" to your audio signal. That's the skipping or lag your expensive TV set is trying to resolve.

Rogers delivery system in Toronto is OLD. Expect problems when it comes by cable unless you're in a very new area, or a new building where a lot of construction has happened to create the need to replace existing cabling.

Unfortunately the best delivery system is the one with the shortest length of travel involved. Your Rogers signal originates from a receiver dish somewhere and arrives at your home after god knows how many miles of cabling.

That's why, if you can get it, satellite is going to be better. It's only the length and quality of cable from the dish to your TV that will affect the majority of signal problems.

Rogers while cheaper with bundling is not always going to be 100% reliable.

M2

 

[descartes]

Looks like it's fixed!

M2,
Thanks for the input. I live in a fairly new condo building, so the signal is pretty decent and the only issue I had with the sound was the preview channel, but last night I noticed it wasn't skipping anymore. At the risk of jinxing everybody, I believe they may have fixed the problem. Perhaps there are some Rogers technicians reading this on TERB?!?!?

Let me know if anybody else has noticed this. Thanks.
D.

 

[Casa_Nova]

yeah, mine was like that a few months ago,but noticed that it went away about a month or so ago. I'm sure Rogers were aware of the situation and were fixing it bit by bit.

 

[descartes]

Coldplay concert fixed... MMVA's still skipping

Oh well. It's ok I can't stand those damn MM veejays. The blonde one is cute, but they're all terribly annoying. I must be getting crusty in my old age. But I digress.

 

[cyrus]

Rather obscure question here, but has anyone noticed that the digital audio signal on the Rogers HDTV preview channel (501) 'skips'? I was all excited to hook up my boxing day treats only to notice that the sound skips, sort of like a record skipping or listening to a damaged CD. I have tried both optical and coaxial cables and same result. Shame, because I was secretly looking forward to hear Coldplay in digital --there, I've admitted it.

Anyone have the same results for this channel only? Thanks.

A) The Easy Way:
It could be a signal conversion / processing lag by HDTV, you may be able to fix that by setting your HDTV resolution to the native 720P otherwise the TV has to do the conversion
Most newer HDTV's convert 1080i / 480p to 720p internally, so eliminate this bottleneck to help the lag.


B) The Hard Way:

1- Verify TV Video and Audio Match / synchronization

Test the audio/video synchronization with different input signals. If the sound and picture are unsynchronized with only certain signal sources (for example, the audio from cable television is in sync but the sound from a DVD player is not), the problem lies with that external source.

If the audio and video are out of sync from all signal sources, the television's internal delay may have to be adjusted by a technician


2- Otherwise, the time lag you experience maybe caused by the electronic circuitry used to produce High Definition quality pictures. Picture data is momentarily stored in memory and processed to produce high quality video. When you are watching normal TV programs, the time lag is not an issue, but when you watching certain high quality programs, the lag become noticeable.
The time lag is most apparent if the connections are by the Composite inputs on you HDTV because the TV must do more processing to create high quality video from signals coming through these inputs. To reduce the time lag, attach your HD box video out to you HDTV's Component video inputs (Component 1 or Component 2). Also, make sure you attach the audio cables from the box to the audio inputs associated with the Component video input you are using.