AVR/Directv

metal83
metal83 Posts: 1,219
edited February 2009 in Troubleshooting
When i'm watching TV using my Directv HD-DVR HR-21, the sound will cut out for a second and i'll see "Dial Norm -4" on my Pioneer Elite 92. It doesn't happen all the time, but often enough for me to be curious. Is this just something messed up with Directv, or could it be a problem with my AVR?

It doesn't happen when watching blurays using my PS3, or while playing games on my XBOX 360, so i'm lead to believe its the Directv Box, or something in general with Directv. I just figured i post here and see what some of you think.
Post edited by metal83 on
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2009
    What channels ? Check your cables from DVR to AVR. Try rebooting DVR.


    I have same DVR but no problems. You may have received a new update and need to reboot, from menu not red button.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited February 2009
    thsmith wrote: »
    What channels ? Check your cables from DVR to AVR. Try rebooting DVR.


    I have same DVR but no problems. You may have received a new update and need to reboot, from menu not red button.

    I've done all of the above.
    And it seems to happen intermittently on HD channels.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2009
    I would say it is your DVR then. Are you using Optical or HDMI ? SAT Signal strenght in the 90s?

    If you have tried a soft reboot and no effect then I would try removing all power from DVR and let it come back up.

    Might have more luck with answers over at dbstalk.com.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited February 2009
    I got the same problem on 2 Directv DVR's models working off one dish. One an old HR10-250 and the other H21-400 at first I thought bad drive in the HR10 but when I seen the H21 doing the same it's got to be weak signal. We need to tweak our dish's they are a little off. I'm going to get my roof replaced this week, so my dish's will need to be reinstalled and setup again. So this is not urgent for me right now.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited February 2009
    thsmith wrote: »
    I would say it is your DVR then. Are you using Optical or HDMI ? SAT Signal strenght in the 90s?

    If you have tried a soft reboot and no effect then I would try removing all power from DVR and let it come back up.

    Might have more luck with answers over at dbstalk.com.

    I'm using HDMI, and my Sat strength is up in the 90's with some of them being 100.

    Someone on another forum posted the following.

    "Metal I had the same problem with my comcast DVR box. After researching the problem it turned out the cable company had installed multiple splitters which cut my bandwidth down a lot so I was loosing the audio but not the video. I removed the splitters that weren't needed and installed a radioshack signal booster where the cable entered the house and problem solved." http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...&tab=techSpecs

    So i'll check and see if they used multiple splitters, maybe try the booster, or end up just calling Directv and asking for a new box.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2009
    I experienced something similar with my direct and Onkyo 805. The sound will cut out for a second as well. Found out it was the Onkyo switching processing. What I mean by that is if I'm watching a show with Dolby digital and it goes to a commercial that's not DD then the onkyo pauses and finds the right processing format.
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  • raidersrule76
    raidersrule76 Posts: 471
    edited February 2009
    I also have the same problem with my Yammy HTR 5790 but mine seems to happen when watching dvd's seems to happen between previews and during the menu phase of the movie. Never really thought that it was a problem because of the timing of it never noticed the sound cut out.
    Sig to be updated after dealing with the insurance company:(:(:(
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited February 2009
    Metal83, I agree with the other forum and Leroy. Some AVRs take a second or tow to switch between different audio decoders. If your's is doing it at random (not just when changing channles or when resuming a show from a commercial, etc) then it could be an issue with the cable signal strength.

    You could test that theory by just watching something from the DVR, like the DVD and Game console, that shouldn't be affected by the signal strength coming into your house unless the audio was screwed up when it was recorded. Of course that could be proven to be the case if the audio drops out in the same spots. But if its random from a DVR, then it might not be the cable signal.

    If it still does it at random from the DVR, I'd try swapping the HDMI cable out.

    The "Dial Norm -4" = "Dialog Normal -4dB" Its not an error or anything-its just teh AVR displaying the status of the AVR at the time it starts decoding the audio.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited February 2009
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    Metal83, I agree with the other forum and Leroy. Some AVRs take a second or tow to switch between different audio decoders. If your's is doing it at random (not just when changing channles or when resuming a show from a commercial, etc) then it could be an issue with the cable signal strength.

    You could test that theory by just watching something from the DVR, like the DVD and Game console, that shouldn't be affected by the signal strength coming into your house unless the audio was screwed up when it was recorded. Of course that could be proven to be the case if the audio drops out in the same spots. But if its random from a DVR, then it might not be the cable signal.

    If it still does it at random from the DVR, I'd try swapping the HDMI cable out.

    The "Dial Norm -4" = "Dialog Normal -4dB" Its not an error or anything-its just teh AVR displaying the status of the AVR at the time it starts decoding the audio.

    Thanks, i'll give those things a shot and see what happens.
    Oh and thank you for the "Dial Norm -4" explanation.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2009
    Metal how's your Directv signal during heavy rain and snow.
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited February 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Metal how's your Directv signal during heavy rain and snow.

    It's really not bad actually, i haven't lost my signal at all this winter, and we have had all sorts of crazy weather. Huge snow storms, heavy winds, even ice storms that knocked out power to 500,000 people. But my Directv has stayed on throughout it all. All though i haven't actually gone in and looked at what signals i was getting during any of these.

    The issues i've described in my first post have been pretty much the only complaints i have with Directv.
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  • Retro152
    Retro152 Posts: 985
    edited February 2009
    Yeah, i have seen this pop up from time to time. Havent had any issues with audio however.
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-05
    Amp: Emotiva Xpa-3
    Front L/R: POLK Rti-a9s':D
    Center:POLK Csi-a6
    Rear surround's:POLK Rti-a1s'
    Sub: Klipsch Synergy sub-12
    Sony Kdl-46w4100 46" LCD
    PS3
    Audioquest type 4 wiring.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2009
    metal83 wrote: »
    It's really not bad actually, i haven't lost my signal at all this winter, and we have had all sorts of crazy weather. Huge snow storms, heavy winds, even ice storms that knocked out power to 500,000 people. But my Directv has stayed on throughout it all. All though i haven't actually gone in and looked at what signals i was getting during any of these.

    The issues i've described in my first post have been pretty much the only complaints i have with Directv.


    I'm happy with Directv also except for having to fork out $200 for each hd dvr receiver and I needed 3.
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited February 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    I'm happy with Directv also except for having to fork out $200 for each hd dvr receiver and I needed 3.

    $200.....:eek:

    I only paid $100 for mine.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2009
    metal83 wrote: »
    $200.....:eek:

    I only paid $100 for mine.



    Around here the hd receivers are $99 and the hd dvr receivers are $199.
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited February 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Around here the hd receivers are $99 and the hd dvr receivers are $199.

    Well that sucks, i'd of still bought my HD DVR for $200 if i had no choice, but i wouldn't of been happy about it, especially considering we don't own them.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2009
    metal83 wrote: »
    Well that sucks, i'd of still bought my HD DVR for $200 if i had no choice, but i wouldn't of been happy about it, especially considering we don't own them.



    Did you get yours from a retail store of from directv?
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited February 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Did you get yours from a retail store of from directv?

    Directv.

    It's still leased whether it's bought from them or at an authorized retail store such as Best Buy.
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