Sound cuts out for a second during playback (1 Viewer)

[MrTRiX]

I have used Media Portal for about a year now and through many different versions and installs I have always noticed that when playing videos the audio will drop out sometimes for no reason. Its at random times and only happens for a second and I notice sometimes on my stereo that the Dolby or DTS or whatever logo disappears for that second. I use SPDIF through RCA and have a Panasonic SA-HT05. I use AC3Filter but I have heard it happen on video without AC3 at all. During Transformers x264 last night it dropped out 3 times over the 2+ hour show. I have always ignored it and its not a big deal but I was wondering if anyone has heard of this and if there is an easy fix for it.

 

[charli181]

I am having a similar issue when I am watching HDTV in Australia. Every minute or so I will get about a half second of silence (at the same time, amp (Kenwood) seems to resync digital input). I have tried both the MPA and AC3Filter and get same results. Video does not drop any frames when sound is lost.
Strangely though this does not occur on any of my DVD's on Hard drive. These movies sometimes have DTS and I will not have an issue. It seems to be only with the AC3 audio source for TV for me. I am running 0.2.3 stable and TVE3 is on a seperate server.

Has anyone got ideas what this could be?

 

[Kossan]

i have the same problem with HD-content video. Audio through HDMI. Tried all combinations of codec.
Have you guys any luck?

 

[cics]

Wireless or wired ether?

 

[charli181]

I am running wired 100M. My situation has improved although not perfect still. I am of the belief that it is the signal or external noise(Power/???) that is causing it. Signal strength is around 80% and quality around 90-100% on a good day... very hard to track the real issue. I really don't think it is a network issue though as I can watch HD material and copy data across the network and there is no stall on the MP side.

 

[cics]

I believe its an external signal issues too. I've work hard for the past 2 years to create a htpc for high end music player (currently there is no such high end sound card, current best solution is a good sound card with digital output to an external DAC).

Wireless issue: In my experience; wireless card next to sound card may randomly pause music. The wireless card can cause interference with sound card.
Solution if wireless issue: use external USB wireless adapter or move the internal as far as possible away from sound card(s)

Noise/spike from power line: I haven't seen this make video or sound to drop out. It does make noise to the sound stage and give a sound spike when for ex. you start the microwave to warn your fastfood.
Solution to power line issue: If you want better sound and video image when you need main power filter. But this don't solve the randomly sound cuts.

ATI Video driver: I've experience older video driver from ATI can cause sound to randomly hang for 2-3 seconds.
Solution ATI driver: upgrade to latest driver or use NVidia.

Sound driver: I never experience issue with sound driver causing this sound cuts.

Do you have this issue if you play movies or musics from an other application such as VLC or WMP?

 

[charli181]

movies and music all work perfectly as does SD TV. it is only HD that I have a problem with.......but like I said, it has become less frequent although I have not done anything to my machine since my post in december so I can only put it down to something external. Maybe it's the neighbours with those damn christmas lights (similar to the National Lampoons Christamas "the griswalds house at the end"....hahaha). Will keep searching and talking with people to see how I can diagnose it more accurately.

 

[ShockValue]

Having the same issue. Optical output to receiver. Pretty sure it's not a network issue because it happens in all of my sources. TV, Recorded Shows (Both local hard drive), Music and Ripped DVD movies (both via 100MB network.)

Could optical output be the common piece?

 

[MrTRiX]

I have since then built a new system and the problem stopped, maybe its some sound cards optical out.

 

[some1]

Add me to this issue.
I have tried various numbers of codecs and no luck. (currently using SAF package)
Then I tried 3 different sound cards. SB fatality, Ati gfx (sound out via HDMI) and some realtech (onboard audio) and all 3 has same result.
I have also tried both on XP and win 7 (32bit) and no luck at all.
This never happened before (8-9 months ago maybe) all was fine.

Currently using win7 and MP 1.1 with some svn build.
The music plays fine (mp3, cd) but when playing anything with digital 5.1 or higher the sound sometimes drops out for a second.
This is totally random and happens about 5-10 times during a 2h movie.

all different cards has been connected digitally via spdif or coax.