New Tivo - Coughing Metallic Noise on Channel Changes

[NYHeel]

I just had a new Fios TV installation with 2 new Tivo HDs all went smoothly with 2 M-cards. I'm having one issue. I get a digital metallic coughing sound when I change channels or start a recording on my digital out using an optical cable via my Yamaha reciever. I have my Tivo set at 1080i fixed and I tried swapping optical cables. Also, when I used my TV speakers via HDMI I got no such sound. Could there be something wrong with the optical digital audio out on the Tivo? Is it a setting I need to change? It's not the end of the world but it's kind of annoying. Also I've used that port on my receiver before for my Directv Hr20 DVR and I never had any issues with it.

[bkdtv]

Do you have an older A/V receiver?

The TivoHD interrupts the Dolby Digital signal on trickplay functions, rather than sending a mute signal like some other devices. This causes problems for some older A/V receivers and HTIBs (mostly pre-2006), which were never designed to handle interruptions in the DD signal.

I'm not aware of any 2006-2009 A/V receivers that exhibit the issue, but there are more than a few 2002-2005 HTIBs that exhibit the problem.

The original TivoHD software did not exhibit this issue. At some point around the v9.2 software, TiVo is believed to have changed from muting the DD signal to breaking/interrupting the DD signal. Nobody really knows why TiVo did this, as it does cause trouble for some older A/V receivers and HTIBs.

If you changed Settings -> Audio -> Dolby Digital to PCM, that would likely eliminate the problem on your receiver / HTIB, but then you would lose DD5.1.

[NYHeel]

Do you have an older A/V receiver?

The TivoHD interrupts the Dolby Digital signal on trickplay functions, rather than sending a mute signal like some other devices. This causes problems for some older A/V receivers and HTIBs (mostly pre-2006), which were never designed to handle interruptions in the DD signal.

I'm not aware of any 2006-2009 A/V receivers that exhibit the issue, but there are more than a few 2002-2005 HTIBs that exhibit the problem.

The original TivoHD software did not exhibit this issue. At some point around the v9.2 software, TiVo is believed to have changed from muting the DD signal to breaking/interrupting the DD signal. Nobody really knows why TiVo did this, as it does cause trouble for some older A/V receivers and HTIBs.

If you changed Settings -> Audio -> Dolby Digital to PCM, that would likely eliminate the problem on your receiver / HTIB, but then you would lose DD5.1.
My receiver is from early 2006, a Yamaha model. It was the standard entry level HTIB. It's an HTR-5830. So is there any solution to retain the DD and get rid of the metallic noise? I guess I'll just deal with the annoying noise. The interesting thing is that it doesn't happen on trick play but only when going from the NPL to a show or changing channels and it's not when the Tivo sounds would ordinarily go. Could there be something wrong with the Tivo's digital audio port?

[bkdtv]

So you don't experience this issue with fast forward, replay, or 30sec skip when watching DD5.1 recordings? Do you experience the same issue with TiVo sounds off?

I suppose there could be a problem with the digital audio output, but that sort of thing would be extremely rare. Verizon FiOS doesn't pair their CableCards, so you can swap a CableCard into another TiVo (without the need for a service call) to see. I would probably try another optical cable first, if you have one, just to confirm it is not cable related.

Through Google, I see the first reviews on that HTIB are from August 2005, so it was released some time ago. I don't do much liveTV viewing, but a screeching sound every time I pulled up the NPL would be way too annoying for me to live with. I'd probably have to dump either the TiVo or the HTIB.

Does your HTIB have a digital coax input? I do recall that one person solved a similar issue by using an optical -> coax converter (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2948&seq=1&format=2). That's really more of a shot in the dark though, I think.

[NYHeel]

So you don't experience this issue with fast forward, replay, or 30sec skip when watching DD5.1 recordings? Do you experience the same issue with TiVo sounds off?

I suppose there could be a problem with the digital audio output, but that sort of thing would be extremely rare. Verizon FiOS doesn't pair their CableCards, so you can swap a CableCard into another TiVo (without the need for a service call) to see. I would probably try another optical cable first, if you have one, just to confirm it is not cable related.

Through Google, I see the first reviews on that HTIB are from August 2005, so it was released some time ago. I don't do much liveTV viewing, but a screeching sound every time I pulled up the NPL would be way too annoying for me to live with. I'd probably have to dump either the TiVo or the HTIB.

Does your HTIB have a digital coax input? I do recall that one person solved a similar issue by using an optical -> coax converter (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2948&seq=1&format=2). That's really more of a shot in the dark though, I think.
Correct. I only experience the issue on channel changes. That's why it's not as big a deal but still kind of annoying. I checked and it only happens with DD on. It went away with PCM. I'll have to check tonight with Tivo sounds off. I tried it with a different cable although it was an identical looking cable and the problem was still there. I'm going to try and pick up an optical cable from Radio Shack and check that. Otherwise I might try that converter from monoprice.

[NYHeel]

Correct. I only experience the issue on channel changes. That's why it's not as big a deal but still kind of annoying. I checked and it only happens with DD on. It went away with PCM. I'll have to check tonight with Tivo sounds off. I tried it with a different cable although it was an identical looking cable and the problem was still there. I'm going to try and pick up an optical cable from Radio Shack and check that. Otherwise I might try that converter from monoprice.
I moved my second Tivo Hd to my receiver and it also made the noises so I'm pretty sure that the issue is either the cable, the receiver, or some kind of Tivo software issue. I should have the new cable and adapter from monoprice in a few days.

[dimitri2000]

I have the same exact issue with the same receiver. I'm using optical out to the Yamaha.

[NYHeel]

I have the same exact issue with the same receiver. I'm using optical out to the Yamaha.
That's what I'm using. I guess we've narrowed to down to the receiver/Tivo combination. I'm going to try an optical to digital coax converter from Monoprice and see how that works. I should have it by the weekend. I'll let you know if it helps. If not I'll just deal with it as it's not so bad.

[NYHeel]

That's what I'm using. I guess we've narrowed to down to the receiver/Tivo combination. I'm going to try an optical to digital coax converter from Monoprice and see how that works. I should have it by the weekend. I'll let you know if it helps. If not I'll just deal with it as it's not so bad.
Neither the new cable nor the optical to coax converter fixed the problem. I think I've realized that it seems to happen when the receiver switches from PCM to Dolby Digital. I'm going to read my Yamaha manual to see if there's a way I can get the receiver to stay at DD somehow. I know very little about this audio stuff so what I'm saying may not make any sense.

[grenex]

I am having the SAME problem!
I just got the Yamaha receiver, and it is a BRAND NEW 2009 model RX-V565

The issue only occurs when changing channels

In messing around with the receiver settings, I have yet to find a way to correct for it, BUT... In the tivo audio settings, If i set it to Dolby Digital PCM, the issue goes away, but then I lose the receiver's ability to auto swtich between stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 based on the signal

the "Coughing" or "Chip (as i call it)" is definately related to the receiver trying to identify and set the audio signal while changing channels. It's REALLY annoying since it is a brand new system!

Anyone have have ideas? Should Yamaha be fixing this? Is there an acceptable solution to setting the system up? I too am fairly new to this.

[grenex]

I spoke to Yamaha today, and they asked to me exchange the unit. They claimed to have never heard of a problem like this before.
I went to the store, exchanged the unit for another RX-V565 and had the same exact problem with it.

I am going to look for another receiver. If you have any suggestions, let me know!

[bkdtv]

Pioneer and Denon receivers do not exhibit this problem.

[Joe01880]

I have the same exact issue with the same receiver. I'm using optical out to the Yamaha.

I also have the Yamaha 5830 H/T receiver and have my TiVo HD hooked up to it via optical cable and have NO issues at all!

[grenex]

Final update:
As a last resort, I swaped the unit again today, but this time upgraded to the 665 model which was just released. The same problem persisted.

Yamaha is not an option for me.

The manager at the electronics store was so nice, that upon bringing back the third Yamaha unit for return, he offered me suggestions on other units in my price range. The first was the Denon 1709, but it does not pass audio thru the HDMI ports, so I was not keen on that one.
He the offered me a Denon 1909 unit for the SAME price as the Yamaha 665 I bought earlier that day. $500! ($150 off the list price of $650!!)
I bought the Denon 1909, went home, hooked it up and the problem does not occur.

SHAME ON YOU YAMAHA! You lost a sale to a loyal customer!
Tivo HD Series 3 units and Yamaha 565/665 receivers DO NOT work well together. Avoid if possible!

[jjp007]

I was having the same issue but I only connect the receiver to the tivo via hdmi but yesterday or today it stopped :D I have a yamaha v465 and the tivo hd

[top_prop]

I have a Yamaha RX-V465 I just bought in June 2009. It does the coughing/chirping thing on fiber opitic or HDMI... it really sucks.

[bkdtv]

I have a Yamaha RX-V465 I just bought in June 2009. It does the coughing/chirping thing on fiber opitic or HDMI... it really sucks.Too late to return it, I suppose?

In May, Yamaha released a firmware update for the RX-V465 (http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=5027893&CTID=5000300&RLTID=1505&DETYP=RELATION) to improve HDMI compatibility. You might install that update to see if it makes a difference.

If it does make a difference, please post or send me a PM so I can update the FAQ.

[RickNY]

Its the Yamaha receiver.. I bought one about 2 months ago and brought it back and exchanged it for a Denon AV-2309CI instead, which does not exhibit the issue.

[top_prop]

Too late to return it, I suppose?

In May, Yamaha released a firmware update for the RX-V465 to improve HDMI compatibility. You might install that update to see if it makes a difference.

If it does make a difference, please post or send me a PM so I can update the FAQ.


Actually its not too late. I pulled it out of my cabinet and grabbed the receipt this afternoon... then I checked this thread to print it and bring it to the store as ammo as to why its not right.

So I just downloaded and installed the firmware update... reinstalled the Yamaha back in the cabinet (lots of cables!)... turned the Dolby Digital back on and got chirps.

Sorry, the update didn't fix the chirps! So now I'll pull it back out of the cabinet and head off to the store.

[dolfer]

Could the metallic noise be described as a "squink"? ;)