113

Discussion topic: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Reply
This message was authored by AndrueCope This message was authored by: AndrueCope

Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

I've been experiencing audio drop-outs when playing back recordings from Discovery HD. The drop outs last a fraction of a second and the frequency is random. They appear to be somewhat programme specific (Gold Rush:White Water is a particular problem). It's definitely only affecting recordings made on Discovery HD. No other channels. I never watch anything live.

 

I've contacted Discovery Channel direct three times now but never received a response. Could someone here attempt to escalate this?

 

Thanks.


Best Answers
This message was authored by Daniel-F This message was authored by: Daniel-F Answer

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Posted by a Sky employee

 

Hi all,

 

Just to update on this case, investigation teams have so far been unable to replicate the issue on the Discovery Channel and over the last week we have only seen one full example outlined in the request I made in July which was the following:

 

  1. Version of Discovery+ channel you are watching (HD, SD variation OR In app broadcast)
  2. Date / Time of the audio drop out
  3. How is sound put out in your home set up? IE Sound bar, TV speakers
  4. What sound settings are you using on Sky Q? IE Dolby Digital or normal?
  5. If you are using the dolby settings and set this to normal, does the drop out stop?
  6. How frequent are the drop outs during live broadcast?
  7. Does the drop out occur just on the show or also in adverts?

That being said, we would appreciate any fresh examples users have of this issue & should we get multiple we can look to escalate this again 🙂

 

Thanks,

Daniel
Community Moderator

View this Answer within the discussion

Reply

All Replies

This message was authored by oldfella This message was authored by: oldfella

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Posted by a Superuser, not a Sky employee. Find out more

@AndrueCope wrote:

I've been experiencing audio drop-outs when playing back recordings from Discovery HD. The drop outs last a fraction of a second and the frequency is random. They appear to be somewhat programme specific (Gold Rush:White Water is a particular problem). It's definitely only affecting recordings made on Discovery HD. No other channels. I never watch anything live.

 

I've contacted Discovery Channel direct three times now but never received a response. Could someone here attempt to escalate this?

 

Thanks.


Have you tried contacting Viewer relations @AndrueCope ?

viewerR@sky.uk

AndrueCope
Topic Author
This message was authored by AndrueCope This message was authored by: AndrueCope

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

I'll give Viewer Relations a try, thanks.

 

It's irritating. It seems to come and go with gaps of several months between it. I suspect an issue with their source material but am surprised no-one else has noticed.

This message was authored by dlake This message was authored by: dlake

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

I'm getting the same on the same channel. Making 'Wheeler Dealers' almost impossible to watch.

AndrueCope
Topic Author
This message was authored by AndrueCope This message was authored by: AndrueCope

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

If you set your box audio output to 'Normal' the drop-outs are barely noticeable. Luckily most of what I watch is on the 'documentary' channels so losing surround sound is not the end of the world. For what it's worth the problem does affect live broadcasts (I confirmed it last night) and that also showed that it affects adverts as well as the actual programming. The problem doesn't exist with the SD channels but that's probably because they don't support Dolby Digital.

 

I've emailed Viewer Relations so I'll just have to wait now.

This message was authored by dlc This message was authored by: dlc

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

I'm having same issue particularly on Expedition X and Expedition Unknown really annoying I've done software update on box but it seems to be only on discovery plus 

This message was authored by krg22 This message was authored by: krg22

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Same here with Discovery channel audio dropping out on programmes I have recorded. If I look for the same programme on catch up and download it that way it's fine. Dont have an answer. Never happens on any other channel.

This message was authored by Crossword This message was authored by: Crossword

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

I have exactly the same problem which only affects Discovery HD recordings. I'm not going to turn off dolby so will download from catchup.

This is another issue like constantly buffering Paramount +  and Sky Go stuck on updating that Sky don't seem to be addressing.

AndrueCope
Topic Author
This message was authored by AndrueCope This message was authored by: AndrueCope

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

The issue doesn't seem to affect catch-up and I'm wondering if that's because it doesn't support DD. Anyway I've come to the conclusion that there's not much DD material on Sky anyway. If you watch a lot of movies there might be more but I couldn't find any of my recorded programmes flagged as DD.

 

I'm exchanging emails with Viewer Relations and they appear keen to find out what the problem is so if you haven't contacted them yet it might be worth adding your voices. What I've found so far can be summarised as:

 

The drop-outs only affect recent programming. I did some testing this morning watching an old Wheeler Dealers episode (one of the Ant Anstead era) and it seemed fine. I also remember that only the last Expedition Unknown suffered from drop-outs. So that suggests it's a change they made sometime after the 7th of April. That could explain why I initially thought it was programme specific - perhaps I had some older recordings still to watch.

This message was authored by krg22 This message was authored by: krg22

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Thanks. I notice the issue watching Gold Rush White Water, the latest series. 

This message was authored by diesel71 This message was authored by: diesel71

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Also seeing this and found this thread when searching for an issue. So annoying.

AndrueCope
Topic Author
This message was authored by AndrueCope This message was authored by: AndrueCope

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Viewer Relations appear now to be suggesting that it's a fault with my equipment. They directed me to a page on their help site - one I already knew about. I think that's probably because I mentioned I was watching on a Samsung TV. The fact I said I normally played sound via my Onkyo receiver apparently escaped them.

 

Oh well. I've said that doesn't help me so we'll see where we go from there. For now though I've just disabled DD output on the box. I can barely here the problem then.

This message was authored by Crossword This message was authored by: Crossword

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

I too have a Samsung tv and Onkyo receiver which have been in use for quite a while without this issue.  ( my tv is not the model noted as affected by Sky)

Only since early April has this been an issue so Sky shouldn't blame viewers equipment but look to their software.

This message was authored by dlake This message was authored by: dlake

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Samsung TV and Yamaha receiver but the BSkyB Q box is connected directly to the receiver and then only the picture passed through to the TV. Glad this seems to be gathering a bit of momentum. They'll, surely, have to do something about it if more people start shouting.

This message was authored by diesel71 This message was authored by: diesel71

Re: Audio drop-outs on Discovery Channel

Sony TV and soundbar but also nothing has changed since it was working fine for months if not years.

Reply

Was this discussion not helpful?

No problem. Browse or search to find help, or start a new discussion on Community.

Start a new discussion

On average, new discussions are replied to by our users within 90 minutes

New Discussion