[cbrookhart]

I have been trying to get assistance with this particular issue through my cable company. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be too willing to help based on the replies I receive from them.

I am using a digital coax cable which is run from the cable box to the receiver. This provides the surround sound for the cable box instead of using the TV speakers. Lately, while watching a program, the sound cuts off and then back on again. This sound cutoff is usually no more than about 5 seconds. When I turn my receiver on, there is normally a clicking sound that is heard to indicate that the receiver is on and ready. I will hear a click when the sound cuts off and then another click when the sound comes back on.

This has been happening more frequently now, and as I mentioned, the cable company doesn't seem to want to provide too much help on this. When the initial cable connection was made for the sound, I made sure that both ends of the cable were firmly pushed into correct locations. I have not touched the back of the cable box or receiver since then.

Any ideas on how to fix this problem?

[Mark-P]

I assume you have aready tried switching cables and tested the coax hook-up with another source such as a DVD player. If you have eliminated all other possibilities and know that the cable box is the problem, I would insist that they replace it.

[Matt Tucker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrookhart

When I turn my receiver on, there is normally a clicking sound that is heard to indicate that the receiver is on and ready. I will hear a click when the sound cuts off and then another click when the sound comes back on. Any ideas on how to fix this problem?

To me it sounds like you are saying the clicking noise you normally hear when you turn the receiver on is happening when the audio cuts out and then back in. It seems like the clicking your are describing is the click of a relay inside your receiver. Most receivers let capacitors charge and the power amp settle down before closing the relay that connects the output stages to your speakers. If that is the same clicking noise you hear when the sound goes away, I would think the problem is with the receiver. Other than a bad receiver, that relay should only open if the receiver is trying to protect itself from a short.

Mark-P suggestion of trying other sources is good. Let you CD/DVD player run a long time and see if the problem occurs. If not, then it probably is your cable box. If so, then it is probably your receiver.

Matt

[cbrookhart]

I haven't tried replacing the cables yet, but I do know that this is only a problem when watching TV. The cable box has been replaced in the past, but not recently. If it turns out that this is a problem with a relay in the receiver, is that something that can be fixed?

[JohnRice]

Try basic trouble shooting, starting with using another coax cable. If it still happens, switch to a different coax input on the receiver. Try a DVD player that has always worked on the input you currently use for cable. It is possible it is the cble box, or just a mild incompatibilty between the box and receiver. It happens. I have a DVD player which tends to do the same thing with one receiver, but not another, and that receiver does not have that problem with any other source. The receiver looks for a properly clocked digital signal, and when it isn't happy, it shuts off the input until it is happy with what it is being fed.

[Jeff O.]

What type of receiver is it? Another possibility is that the receiver could be slow in locking on to coding format for the sound. On some stations, programs will be broadcast in DD and then switch to standard dolby for commercials, etc. At this time some receivers are slower to change the decoding scheme. I think HK receivers were especially prone to this. Next time it happens see if your receiver has changed to a new decoding scheme.

[DavidUL]

it sounds like its trying to find how the signal is coming in as mentioned above.. I have encountered similar with my DTV digital audio signal prior to getting a new dish and going HD i noticed the signal was much more tempermental in Dolby Digital. Sounds like the problem is with the cable co.