CBSHD + NFL = Terrible Quality

[UncleMeat]

Hi guys,
First off, I searched on this issue and found people with similar, but still different problems... so hopefully I didn't miss anything.

I *only* watch CBS for NFL games, so I can't say just yet if this is a constant problem. I'm on TWC in Brookfield and have the SA 8300HD box connected to my Westy 37" 1080p tv via HDMI. When I watch 505, games are terrible. The audio has constant digital anomolies (as best I can name it). The audio pops, blips, drops out, distorts. It's not a clipping issue, as it happens when there is no audio at all. The video will have random pixilation that is not always connected to the audio problems. This also happens on commercials, from what I can tell, local and national commercials. So it seems to be a problem with the stream comming to my house, more so than from CBS nationally. The problem happens on the SD channel 5, but not nearly as regularly. I've tried plugging in via HDMI, DVI and Component and the problem doesn't change. So it's not a cable issue.

I can post a video of the issue in action if it will help anyone diagnose the problem.

The problem happened when I lived in Waukesha as well... so doesn't seem to be connected to where I am living right now.

I'm waiting for Time Warner to call me back, but I don't know anyone else in the area who has TWC HD that can confirm if they have the same problem. My sister-in-law who has Direct TV said her HD CBS broadcast is flawless right now. So I'm hoping other TWC customers can comment on what they've experienced.

Any suggestions? I'm ready to drop TWC as I only went HD to watch football and I'm really ****ed about not being able to see the Pats game right now. I just don't want to do that if it's a problem I can somehow correct.

[Bebop]

Using OTA not an option?

Switching to DirecTV will not solve your problem since it doesn't carry 58 for the local.

[klwillis45]

I'm watching here in MIL/BD with no issues. Have you tried a different 8300?

[UncleMeat]

OTA not an option, my Westy is just a monitor... no antenna in the house.

I was thinking more uverse for switching, but I'm not sold on the various reviews I've read.

TWC is coming by Tuesday. 2nd time in a week they'll be here. Last time I was having problems with quality on EVERY HD channel. Turned out they had multiple splitters going into my apartment complex that were not needed. Problem solved for all other channels, but not CBS.

Oh, this is my original 8300. Haven't tried a new one. Think that might be it? Haven't heard of people only having problems with one channel being receiver related, but I don't read every troubleshooting thread.

Furthermore... I checked into it, and the fiance does indeed watch some primetime shows on 505. Lot of them actually. Never a problem with quality. Seems like major buffering issue only on NFL broadcasts.

Here's the video:
http://jayratkowski.com/movies/CBS505HD.wmv

3.51MB file size

[jeffski]

ive noticed audio dropouts as well on 505. Im in Waukesha. Not to mention their audio is ALWAYS louder than other locals. :bang:

[Bebop]

I saw the same commercial using OTA and it was perfect. Something is wrong with your source or equipment.

[Mikey]

I get the audio dropouts also. I'm up in Grafton.

I've noticed when the audio drops, my Onkyo receiver area where it normally says PCM also goes black, then when the audio comes back, the PCM lights up again. It's not just sound dropping, it's the entire audio signal.

I've also noticed when it drops, sometimes it comes back louder/clearer.

And it isn't rare, it is a consistent issue.

VERY annoying.

[Skywalker]

Actually, switching to DirecTV would solve your problem with one caveat. You would have to buy the NFL Sunday Ticket as well as the NFL Super Fan package.

[gb4fan92]

Using OTA not an option?

Switching to DirecTV will not solve your problem since it doesn't carry 58 for the local.

I was talking to my brother-in-law Saturday about Direct. He lives in Cudahy and he says he gets 58 from Direct. I asked if he gets it from his antenna and he said no. He only uses the antenna as a backup. Can this be true that he gets 58?

[Milwaukee12]

I was talking to my brother-in-law Saturday about Direct. He lives in Cudahy and he says he gets 58 from Direct. I asked if he gets it from his antenna and he said no. He only uses the antenna as a backup. Can this be true that he gets 58?


No. 58HD is NOT on Directv. The only way to get it is to have the H20 or HR20 with an OTA tuner.

[gb4fan92]

No. 58HD is NOT on Directv. The only way to get it is to have the H20 or HR20 with an OTA tuner.

To be a bit clearer. He doesn't have an HD Tv or an HDTV package. Could he be getting the SD version?

[bubbaridesfast]

To be a bit clearer. He doesn't have an HD Tv or an HDTV package. Could he be getting the SD version?

He definitely is getting the SD version of 58 on D* but still no HD signal for 58 from D*.

[zoothorn]

I had this same problem with the dropouts just like Mikey described it. If you watched the audio receiver as it dropped you'd see the PCM light go out and then come back on. Happened a lot, pig pain in the rear.

TWC came out and fixed it I know for sure, I just can't remember what it was they did. It was something with the cable after it was in the house I believe. Like you said in your case they fixed most of it with them redoing or eliminating splits. Call them back and have them take another look.

Since they fixed it maybe a year ago I've not had any problem at all.

[UncleMeat]

Had the 2nd guy out in two weeks... I guess I had one of the best guys in the area looking at my stuff. No resolution yet. They put my IP on their "list" to watch for weird bitrate errors. I told them to wait until Sunday, as it only happens during football games.