Beating a dead cat: DD on 811 w/269 Not Working

[luckycat]

OK So I thought by some miracle that the new 269 update would fix the problem I've had since day #1 with my 811, which has honestly bugged me more than any of the other myriad of problems... On my receiver, a Kenwood VR3080, which works flawlessly with all of my other system components, including my old 4922, prior 6000 and current 721, just "clicks/chirps/pops" when I enable Dolby Digital, or Dolby Digital/PCM. PCM works just fine but of course that isn't DD!

And yes I'm configuring my Kenwood and Dish receivers correctly.

What the hell?

I know some people (most, it seems) have said they don't have any issues with DD, but some people are. For those who were having issues, did the latest upgrade correct your problem? If you have a problem, do you get the same thing I'm getting (these occasional "clicks/chirps/pops" of audio)?

I was told by a person who called after email to ceo@dishnetwork.com that the problem was NOT hardware, it was a known issue with some receivers, and it would be addressed in an upcoming software patch. This was like 5-6 months ago! Maybe it is my receiver???

 

[BFG]

It sounds like hardware, and you should call back until you'll get someone to replace it. I've never had problems with DD. I think by now the CSRs will say anything you tell them about the 811 is a known bug just to shut you up

 

[hancox]

nope - it's your receiver. Kenwood's are notorious for not being able to handle DD signals from certain components. It's not just the 811. I would take a trip to AVSForums and do some searching

 

[OdiOdin]

I've had two replacements to try and fix the DD problem. I finally emailed ceo@dishnetwork.com and got the usual phone call. They told me it was a configuration issue with the hardware and would be fixed in a future software release. He said specifically that 269 wouldn't fix it. I was also promised that if they couldn't find a software fix that they would supply a hardware fix.

So, I'll be patient for a while.

Still think they should send me a free 921

 

[GaryPen]

It's dead horse.

 

[WeeJavaDude]

Some good suggestions there. One thing I noticed on my Pioneer Elite Reciever is that I see it pop on 96mhz or something like that when I turn on my 811. I read some posts saying that some components cannot handle this rate. Some people allueded to this being some peoples issue. Maybe the 811 is only outputing at this rate and the fix is to have it output at a lower rate. Just a guess and since i have like zero knowledge how DD works, I could totally be off base.

Just a thought.

 

[hancox]

is that after a hard reset? My Pioneer gives a PCM msg only after a hard reset/check switch

 

[WeeJavaDude]

is that after a hard reset? My Pioneer gives a PCM msg only after a hard reset/check switch

I believe I get this when I turn on and off the 811 when I have the receiver on. I could be wrong, but I don't think it only occurs after a hard reset. I will play with it over the weekend and post back. I do remember noticing the 96 Mhz because someone mentioned it in this thread.

 

[Bulldog]

I've had two replacements to try and fix the DD problem. I finally emailed ceo@dishnetwork.com and got the usual phone call. They told me it was a configuration issue with the hardware and would be fixed in a future software release. He said specifically that 269 wouldn't fix it. I was also promised that if they couldn't find a software fix that they would supply a hardware fix.

So, I'll be patient for a while.

Still think they should send me a free 921

Yep, probably after the warranty wears out, then you will either live with problem or pay to have it fixed.

 

[luckycat]

I've had two replacements to try and fix the DD problem. I finally emailed ceo@dishnetwork.com and got the usual phone call. They told me it was a configuration issue with the hardware and would be fixed in a future software release. He said specifically that 269 wouldn't fix it. I was also promised that if they couldn't find a software fix that they would supply a hardware fix.

So, I'll be patient for a while.

Still think they should send me a free 921

Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like based on the other thread it may be that the Kenwood receiver only receives DD at a certain rate, not the one supported by the 811...so toss up, is it a Kenwood issue (which I know won't be fixed), or will the 811 at some point support the data rate that the Kenwood supports. Everything works great with my 721, so I'll hold for a while...maybe someday I'll just get a 921/941 or whatever and I'll be happy as a clam, and maybe replace my Kenwood receiver (which is in fact 4-5 or so yrs old).

 

[Charles Lapple]

The truth is, some AV receivers are not compatible, with the 811. My Sherwood receiver produced DD just fine, with my 6000. The only way I could ever get any sound out of the 811, was PCM Only. Never any DD. As soon as I replaced the 811 with my 921, DD was again not a problem. The problem is the 811. Either hardware or soft ware.

 

[jmattas]

Here's the reply I got from Dish today regarding my inability to use 811 Dolby Digital with my Marantz SR4000 receiver:

"The Dolby Digital problem should have been fixed with a previous software download. Please call 1-800-333-3474, and ask to be transferred to the Advanced Technical Team as this trouble shooting is best done over the phone rather than via email. Please ask them to complete an Uncommon Trend report that will be forwarded to our engineering team." -Tom H., Technical Support


Has anyone ever actually seen an improvement with this supposed software fix? I don't believe it.

 

[Stacy A]

luckycat,

My father-in-law has the same problem with his 811. He has had it since day 1 (and I think his 811 was the first installed in Texas, although I could well be wrong on that). He traded it out with another 811 and continued to have the problem. His receiver is a Rat Shack cheapy RCA and I do believe certain receivers are having problems with the 811 (or vice versa). Anyway, he hasn't connected the optical cable again to check out whether or not its been fixed by a software patch.