NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
PJL
Master - Level 3

There are a couple of threads that walk around this issue, but I've created this new one to indicate what appears to be the cause and effect of a recent Verizon change to the STB functionality, and to offer a workaround until Verizon gets its act together and fixes the bug that was introduced.

The week of 8/27 some of us began getting an audio alert beep on the STB when starting to delete a DVR recording, a reminder appearing, etc.  This is actually a nice feature until it was discovered that that Dolby 5.1 sound was no longer presenton on any channel.  The workaround to this problem is to disable audio alerts in the STB menu, and then reboot the STB.  If you re-enable the alerts or don't disable them in the first place, a reboot may temporarily fix the problem but it will come back.

Verizon has now broken a key audio functionality (Dolby 5.1 sound) because, apparently, they missed this when they tested the added audio alert functionality.  I presume they tested -- but maybe not.  Not that I did not use the word "assume" for obvious reasons.

Sigh.

Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
tns
Master - Level 2

They haven't recently added the audio alert feature.  Its been there a long time already.

Probably something went wrong on some boxes, perhaps triggered by something verizon did with the streams, and these two problems are the result.

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Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
armond_in_nj1
Master - Level 1

@PJL wrote:

 ... The week of 8/27 some of us began getting an audio alert beep on the STB when starting to delete a DVR recording ... it was discovered that that Dolby 5.1 sound was no longer present on on any channel.  The workaround to this problem is to disable audio alerts in the STB menu, and then reboot the STB ... 


Thanks for the notice.  This issue is also mentioned on both DSLReports and AVS Forum (where the fix you suggested is also mentioned).  There is additional speculation regarding possible HDMI-related issues.  It appears that the audio alert feature (aka "bug") was incorporated into the most recent 1.9.1 IMG software, but not fully enabled until last week.  This is starting to resemble a Microsoft project.

However using the fix you suggested I can live with the issue, but I hope I am not treated to more good ideas like this any time soon. 

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Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
PJL
Master - Level 3

@tns wrote:

They haven't recently added the audio alert feature.  Its been there a long time already.

Probably something went wrong on some boxes, perhaps triggered by something verizon did with the streams, and these two problems are the result.


This feature was indeed enabled last week.  Although the audio alert menu item was added with the 1.9 upgrade, it was never functional until last week.  What is it that Verizon could have done to the "streams" that would cause this problem?  The 5.1 stream works just fine, as it always has, but the decoding on the STB was impacted when the audio alert function was enabled.  And the reports on this and other forums are across all STB models.  Something "going wrong on some boxes" doesn't just happen at the same time on many STBs.  It happens because something in the functionality of the STB has changed.

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Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
jackmcgann
Specialist - Level 1

Note to Moderator;

This thread is a perfect candidate for a "pin".

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Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
tns
Master - Level 2

@PJL wrote:

@tns wrote:

They haven't recently added the audio alert feature.  Its been there a long time already.

Probably something went wrong on some boxes, perhaps triggered by something verizon did with the streams, and these two problems are the result.


This feature was indeed enabled last week.  Although the audio alert menu item was added with the 1.9 upgrade, it was never functional until last week.  What is it that Verizon could have done to the "streams" that would cause this problem?  The 5.1 stream works just fine, as it always has, but the decoding on the STB was impacted when the audio alert function was enabled.  And the reports on this and other forums are across all STB models.  Something "going wrong on some boxes" doesn't just happen at the same time on many STBs.  It happens because something in the functionality of the STB has changed.


Reports is they changed the guide data over in some VHO to a multicasting stream for the guide data.  Some are blaming this for slow reaponse for channel changing etc.  Perhaps this is also related to this problem, but those who know haven't given out any info. 

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Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
patrickpiteo
Enthusiast - Level 2

Glad I cheacked here thought I was going crazy...  Just noticed the alerts working even though I had them turned on before. Then noticed my DD going off only a reboot would bring it back. Just turned it off the alert was a annoying anyway..

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Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
Larry_L
Newbie

Ditto. 

I spent over an hour on Labor Day trying to figure out why I was not getting 5.1 sound.  I had just reconfigured menu options on my Surround Sound AVR and was really stumped because I figured I screwed up something in there.  I eventually concluded FIOS had a problem. 

They do have a problem, they release updates without proper testing, and don't fix the problems until the next release (maybe).

I would expect an issue this BIG to warrant a quick system update. If they can't do that, then a message in the FIOS STB message system, and an email to every subscriber about the problem and how to fix it.

This is BREACH of contract. I pay them for full service, including 5.1 audio and there is NO WARNING.

Yes I am ticked that I spent my Labor Day holiday trying fix Verizon's problem.

I would call CS, but I lost enough of my life on this issue.

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Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
PJL
Master - Level 3

@Larry_L wrote:

Ditto. 

I spent over an hour on Labor Day trying to figure out why I was not getting 5.1 sound.  I had just reconfigured menu options on my Surround Sound AVR and was really stumped because I figured I screwed up something in there.  I eventually concluded FIOS had a problem. 

They do have a problem, they release updates without proper testing, and don't fix the problems until the next release (maybe).

I would expect an issue this BIG to warrant a quick system update. If they can't do that, then a message in the FIOS STB message system, and an email to every subscriber about the problem and how to fix it.

This is BREACH of contract. I pay them for full service, including 5.1 audio and there is NO WARNING.

Yes I am ticked that I spent my Labor Day holiday trying fix Verizon's problem.

I would call CS, but I lost enough of my life on this issue.


When I have a problem, the first thing I do is check this forum and DSLReports.  Had you done that, it may have saved you that hour on Labor Day.  The problem and a workaround was posted on Sunday 9/2.

Good luck proving "breach of contract."  I don't think it has a chance, IMHO.

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Re: NOTE: Audio Alerts Killing Dolby 5.1 Sound -- Workaround
armond_in_nj1
Master - Level 1

@Larry_L wrote:

 ... This is BREACH of contract. I pay them for full service, including 5.1 audio ...


Can you provide a reference or URL that describes the 5.1 part of your contract?  I may need that sort of information in a future lawsuit.