low audio on comcast using RCA

[jtreid]

I just got my Panny 50PHD8UK installed this weekend. I had to redo the entire A/V system. I wired my Tivo to the HD Comcast box using S-vid and RCA audio. I have the component and optical going to my receiver. The Tivo is connected to my receiver S-vid and RCA.

After setting this all up, I noticed that the audio from Tivo, live or recorded, is very low compared to watching the comcast box using the optical. The Tivo sound effects are not affected. That is, if I turn my receiver up enough to hear the audio, the sound effects are extremely loud.

I turned the volume of the comcast box all the way up and it still is not loud enough.

Has anyone experienced this?

[braytonak]

Yes! I was just searching for info about this problem. Your setup and description are exactly what I'm experiencing. What cable box does Comcast use? Here we have the Motorola 6208. Decent box, except that either its RCA audio output is low, or the Tivo is low for some reason compared to the Optical signal. Unfortunately, my receiver (Denon AVR-2805) does not allow levels to be set per-input.

At least I found someone else with the same issue.

[jtreid]

I have the DCT6200 (I think). I've fiddled with this thing trying to figure out why the RCA audio is so low. Like you, my STR-DA5000ES does not allow individual volume control of sources. I'm going to start asking Motorola about it.

Does anyone else have this problem?

[mdscott]

I have the same issue -- and for me at least it is not caused by the TiVo. It is either Comcast or built into the technology. I get the same lower level with analog vs. digital audio whether the analog goes through the TiVo or is connected directly to my AV receiver bypassing the DVR.

I have put it into my "learn-to-live-with-it" category.

Michael

[braytonak]

Could it be that the Motorola boxola has an artificially decreased line level output in order to compensate for the wide dynamic range of DD sources? You can experience the same thing if you compare, say, a DVD and an old style basic TV show (non DD).

Maybe I'll try playing with the Dynamic Range compression setting on the cable box to see if that helps. I doubt it will, because I think that only affects the digital output. One thing is for sure, though... This "quiet" line level output drives me nuts. I had turned off the Tivo sound effects, but that removes some of the feedback you need while using it.

[Andrel]

Same issue with a Motorola DSR505. This is a new satellite HD receiver. My old motorola 405 had a very high output. What a contrast!

[jtreid]

This is what I sent.....

I just installed a DCT6200. I am using the optical output to connect to my receiver for watching HDTV directly. I am connecting the RCA audio to my Tivo and then to video in on my receiver. The RCA audio is very low. I have adjusted the volume of the STB to maximum and it is not near what it should be compared to other televisions in the house with a Tivo using the older non-HD motorola box. I replaced a non-HD box with this box and the audio was fine before. I have run across one other person who has the exact same problem. Is there an issue with the RCA audio?

This is the response.....

There are no known issues between the DCT 6200 and the RCA audio equipment. You will need to contact your provider and ask them to update the firmware on the unit. I do apologize for the inconvenience and I hope you have a pleasant day.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reply to this email or call us 24/7 at 1-877-466-8646. Thank you again for choosing Motorola and have a nice day.

Angela Dawley

END OF RESPONSE

So I guess it's off to comcast to see if there is a firmware update that corrects the problem.

[braytonak]

Well then, I'll Email my cable company about it, too. There's also a group of local people that hang out on a thread at the AVS Forum.

I've switched my audio setup on the Motorola to the maximum compression level. I think that will only work, technically, if the DD source supports it. I have not, since changing the setting, listened to the Tivo. I don't use the Tivo on a daily basis anymore (channel changes are sluggish due to the blaster and the cable box is actually faster than the Tivo as far as menu drawing is concerned.)

I'll post the response from my cable company, provided that they reply. My bet is that they'll suggest I trade the box for a replacement.

[jtreid]

Here's Comcast's response.

We apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry. In order to trouble shoot this issue, could you please disconnect the Tivo unit and have the analog audio placed into the receiver bypassing the Tivo unit- WITHOUT the optical link connected to the STB. It should function without audio degradation. If all is fine, then place the audio through the Tivo to the receiver. Be sure to have quality wires connecting the units.

We have no information on a firmware upgrade for the DCT 6200.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any more questions.

Thank you for choosing Comcast.

Sincerely,
David
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

END OF RESPONSE

So I'll give it a try. I know it's not going to change anything, but I've got to follow their directions so I can keep whining.

[morac]

I've found that the audio is very low using a Motorola DCT-2000 on digital channels using the RCA jacks so it seems to be all Motorola boxes on Comcast.

In fact because it's so low I keep the volume on my TV pretty high. If I used any TiVo volume other than low I think I'd go deaf. As it is low is very loud.

[braytonak]

I got home from work early tonight, so I decided to do some critical listening of this with my system. I left the connections as they were and used the receiver to switch between the Tivo and Motorola inputs directly. The only thing that I changed each round was the compression level in the Motorola's Audio Setup menu.

I was surprised by what I found, in a good way! With the Compression level set to None, the Tivo volume was very low, while the Motorola volume (fed by the optical cable) was loud by comparison. I progressively stepped through the compression levels, finally noticing that when set to Heavy, the Tivo's volume was actually louder than the Motorola's optical feed.

I don't know if the Compression is the same as the Night mode on Dolby Digital decoders, but it seems to directly affect the RCA line out jacks only. I'm using the Tivo now and the built-in sound effects are now just a subtle sound.

Try out the Heavy compression setting and let me know what you find on your systems.

[morac]

My setting of "Tv Speakers" which my box was currently set on sounds the same as "Heavy" compression. This is the loudest setting, but still not that loud.

[jtreid]

I tried the compression and at heavy, the Tivo is now slightly louder than watching live TV. At the lower setting, the audio was still too low.

So far, I'm happy with this setting. I think I'll leave it alone until something else changes.

Thanks for everyone's help.