Audio problem

[ts0323]

I own a Vizio VA370M HDTV and an Insignia NS-WBRDVD Blu-ray player.

I just bought my first BD today (National Treasure) and for some reason, the audio seems to not be in sync sometimes. I'm also getting an audio buzz sometimes, and I've tried changing the audio settings to no avail.

I have it hooked up via HDMI, and I'm pretty sure the problem isn't with the HDTV, as I've hooked up my Macbook via the 1/8 audio input and it sounds fine.

What should I do to fix this other than getting a PS3?

EDIT: I forgot to add that I still have the problem even when I'm plugged into the headphone port.

[ts0323]

Also, if it makes any difference, I tested it with the component cables. The video of course looked horrible, but I didn't notice the audio sync or buzz.

[progers13]

Could be that your TV is having trouble taking the audio over HDMI. I take it that you're not running audio to a receiver setup?

I'm not familiar with your model TV and blu-ray player, but can you run the HDMI cable for video and a separate optical cable to the TV for the audio?

Also, you might need to check your settings in both the TV and the blu-ray player. If you're not running a separate audio system, you might want to change the audio to 2.0 stereo. Downmixing the HD audio from 5.1 isn't always flawless, especially if your source is trying to send a signal that the TV isn't able to decode. One or the other is likely converting it to 2.0, which could be causing the problem if your TV doesn't handle this well over HDMI. In your blu-ray player's settings, see if your audio out (over HDMI) is set to PCM. Then see if you have options on a speaker setup, and see if it is set to 2.0. Hopefully that will help solve your problem.

If that doesn't work, get a PS3. j/k

[ts0323]

Unfortunately my Vizio doesn't have an optical audio input. Even if it did, there's no way to override the HDMI audio without unplugging it.
I tried changing all the settings to 2.0, but it still didn't help.

What's strange is that the problem only happens some of the time, not all the time.
When I unplug the HDMI and replug it from either end, it suddenly starts working again.
I did buy the Insignia refurbished, so it's possible that it's just a bad unit.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by ts0323

Unfortunately my Vizio doesn't have an optical audio input. Even if it did, there's no way to override the HDMI audio without unplugging it.
I tried changing all the settings to 2.0, but it still didn't help.

What's strange is that the problem only happens some of the time, not all the time.
When I unplug the HDMI and replug it from either end, it suddenly starts working again.
I did buy the Insignia refurbished, so it's possible that it's just a bad unit.

Sounds like it could be a cord or port issue. You should try another cord and/or moving it to another hdmi input(assuming the tv has more than one).

[ts0323]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Sounds like it could be a cord or port issue. You should try another cord and/or moving it to another hdmi input(assuming the tv has more than one).

I tried my other HDMI cable, and it didn't make any difference.

I've also tried all the ports on the HDTV.

I did buy the HDMI cables cheap off eBay, but from what I understand they're all the same, right?

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by ts0323

Unfortunately my Vizio doesn't have an optical audio input. Even if it did, there's no way to override the HDMI audio without unplugging it.
I tried changing all the settings to 2.0, but it still didn't help.

What's strange is that the problem only happens some of the time, not all the time.
When I unplug the HDMI and replug it from either end, it suddenly starts working again.
I did buy the Insignia refurbished, so it's possible that it's just a bad unit.

too bad you didn't mention that in the first post. is the tv new or are you the only owner of it? I would dare to suspect that the refurbished player is where your troubles are. but the simplest thing is did you try a different cable yet and if you did, are you having the same troubles? the other think that kinda points to the player is that you said it looked bad with component cables too. try another HDMI cable then if you have a friend with a blu-ray player (ps3 or stand alone) that can bring it over, use it to test to see if it's your player, the tv or your cables. i suspect that you will find out it's the player. hope you didn't spend too much on it.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by ts0323

I tried my other HDMI cable, and it didn't make any difference.

I've also tried all the ports on the HDTV.

I did buy the HDMI cables cheap off eBay, but from what I understand they're all the same, right?

It could be the port on the player, but there wouldn't be much you could do in that case.

I use monoprice hdmi cables and have never had any issue. Don't know what type you ordered off of ebay, but it seems unlikely to be the issue.

[ts0323]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

too bad you didn't mention that in the first post. is the tv new or are you the only owner of it? I would dare to suspect that the refurbished player is where your troubles are. but the simplest thing is did you try a different cable yet and if you did, are you having the same troubles? the other think that kinda points to the player is that you said it looked bad with component cables too. try another HDMI cable then if you have a friend with a blu-ray player (ps3 or stand alone) that can bring it over, use it to test to see if it's your player, the tv or your cables. i suspect that you will find out it's the player. hope you didn't spend too much on it.

The TV is brand new from Amazon.com. It does have a few dead pixels here and there, but otherwise it's worked fine.
And yes, I did try a different cable and had the same problem.
Composite looks bad because it's not capable of transmitting HD, not because of the player (assuming I understand correctly).

I don't know anyone with a Blu-ray player.

EDIT: I tried it with a Standard-def DVD and it seemed to work fine, no buzz or syncing issues. However, it did mess up with my burned Blu-ray.

[lokir1]

Originally Posted by ts0323

The TV is brand new from Amazon.com. It does have a few dead pixels here and there, but otherwise it's worked fine.
And yes, I did try a different cable and had the same problem.
Composite looks bad because it's not capable of transmitting HD, not because of the player (assuming I understand correctly).

I don't know anyone with a Blu-ray player.

EDIT: I tried it with a Standard-def DVD and it seemed to work fine, no buzz or syncing issues. However, it did mess up with my burned Blu-ray.

i once had sync issues with my setup and a ps 3 as well try all hdmi and re running your audio/video set up in the ps3 save the settings and try it then

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by ts0323

Also, if it makes any difference, I tested it with the component cables. The video of course looked horrible, but I didn't notice the audio sync or buzz.

Originally Posted by ts0323

The TV is brand new from Amazon.com. It does have a few dead pixels here and there, but otherwise it's worked fine.
And yes, I did try a different cable and had the same problem.
Composite looks bad because it's not capable of transmitting HD, not because of the player (assuming I understand correctly).

I don't know anyone with a Blu-ray player.

EDIT: I tried it with a Standard-def DVD and it seemed to work fine, no buzz or syncing issues. However, it did mess up with my burned Blu-ray.

you had me thrown off there, initially you said component (which is capable of running HD).

I still am inclined to think that your LG player is the problem. Apparently you have accepted the TV, dead pixels and all though, if you picked it up brand new i think you should be dealing with amazon about the dead pixels (which might be an entirely different issue unrelated to the one your dealing with about sound). i'd still say get someone that you know that has either a standalone blu-ray player or a ps3 and will bring it over and try that. if either of them play without any of those issues, after multiple starts & stops, powered on & off use the same movie(s) that you tried when you were having these problems and if you get no problems, it's your player. if you do get those problems and you have changed HDMI cables, then it's your tv.

with the dead pixels and the refurbished player it sounds like you might want to send them both back. if your money was good then the products should be good too. it seams everyone else got what they wanted out of the deals except you. think about it. get back to us when you can do those tests.

edit: if you don't know anyone with a blu-ray player or ps3, then do you know anyone with a hdtv? if yes, see if you can take your player and connect it to their tv with the hdmi and see if you get the same problem. if you could swing it, i'd be looking at that oppo bdp 80 it's under $300 and you won't beat it unless you buy the oppo bdp 83! i own them both, trust me, it's the best machine of it's type for the dollar. think about it.

[ts0323]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

you had me thrown off there, initially you said component (which is capable of running HD).

I still am inclined to think that your LG player is the problem. Apparently you have accepted the TV, dead pixels and all though, if you picked it up brand new i think you should be dealing with amazon about the dead pixels (which might be an entirely different issue unrelated to the one your dealing with about sound). i'd still say get someone that you know that has either a standalone blu-ray player or a ps3 and will bring it over and try that. if either of them play without any of those issues, after multiple starts & stops, powered on & off use the same movie(s) that you tried when you were having these problems and if you get no problems, it's your player. if you do get those problems and you have changed HDMI cables, then it's your tv.

with the dead pixels and the refurbished player it sounds like you might want to send them both back. if your money was good then the products should be good too. it seams everyone else got what they wanted out of the deals except you. think about it. get back to us when you can do those tests.

edit: if you don't know anyone with a blu-ray player or ps3, then do you know anyone with a hdtv? if yes, see if you can take your player and connect it to their tv with the hdmi and see if you get the same problem. if you could swing it, i'd be looking at that oppo bdp 80 it's under $300 and you won't beat it unless you buy the oppo bdp 83! i own them both, trust me, it's the best machine of it's type for the dollar. think about it.

Sorry I wasn't clearer in the beginning--- I meant composite, not component.
I've emailed Vizio, and they said they wouldn't replace it unless it's over 5 dead pixels.
It's near the edge of the screen and not very noticeable, so I haven't contacted Amazon about it.

All of my friends are technologically challenged; I'm the first to get either a Blu-Ray player or an HDTV.

I may call up Vizio again to see if they can send someone out to test it --- according to their web page, they will send someone out if the TV is over 30". If it ends up that the TV is fine, I'll go ahead and try to get my money back for the Insignia.

The Oppo looks great, but right now I'm strapped for cash. Maybe sometime in the future.....

[ts0323]

Oddly enough, the "dead" pixels went away --- i guess they were just stuck!

[cdot2four]

I bet the refurbished player and the BURNED bluray is your problem.

[solarrdadd]

it seems your sync and playback issues are limited to the blu-ray player so i'm pretty confident that it's the player. one other question i didn't ask is doe the tv play OTA HD and/or HD provided by cable, dish or directv (if you have any of those providers) signals well or are you having issues with any of these tv providers?

[ts0323]

Originally Posted by cdot2four

I bet the refurbished player and the BURNED bluray is your problem.

I tried it with Toy Story 1, 2, National Treasure, AND my burned Blu-ray.

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

it seems your sync and playback issues are limited to the blu-ray player so i'm pretty confident that it's the player. one other question i didn't ask is doe the tv play OTA HD and/or HD provided by cable, dish or directv (if you have any of those providers) signals well or are you having issues with any of these tv providers?

I don't get TV service at this point, so I have no way of knowing.
I did hook it up to my Macbook via HDMI>Mini Displayport, but that's just the video (as I stated before, I have the audio hooked up via 1/8 and it works fine).

I did notice that the problem seems to be triggered by skipping or fast-forwarding through chapters.
This would seem to confirm that it's related to the player.

The eBay seller I bought it from is taking it back, and I went ahead an bought a cheap Sylvania Blu-ray player from Amazon.com. It doesn't have as many features as the Insignia, but it does have 4.5/5 stars.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by ts0323

I tried it with Toy Story 1, 2, National Treasure, AND my burned Blu-ray.



I don't get TV service at this point, so I have no way of knowing.
I did hook it up to my Macbook via the HDMI, but that's just the video (as I stated before, I have the audio hooked up via 1/8).

The eBay seller I bought it from is taking it back, and I went ahead an bought a cheap Sylvania Blu-ray player from Amazon.com. It doesn't have as many features as the Insignia, but it does have 4.5/5 stars.

well, i'm glad the seller is going to take it back. please keep me/us posted when you get the player from amazon and test it out. at this point, since it's only connected to your tv you don't have to worry about the features too much. unless you were dependant on the netflix streaming thing. i never like streaming i prefer the full 1080p and the HD audio for myself. most streaming is in stereo anyway. though, i hear the ps3 offeres netflix streaming with DD 5.1

anyway, best of luck and again, keep us posted. and congrats on the amazon purchase.

[ts0323]

Thanks for all your help.
I'll keep this thread updated with any new developments.

I did notice something else that I thought was odd --- whenever I change the audio from 2.0 to 5.1 (or vice-versa) in the Insignia setup, it fixes the audio buzz temporarily. The audio is still out of sync, but if I skip a scene, it gets back in sync.

[ts0323]

An update on the situation:

I finally found another HDTV that I could test the Blu-ray player with. The audio sounded fine, so I assumed the problem was with the Vizio.

I called them up, and they told me to change the audio settings on the Blu-ray player to Bitstream HD. It ended up fixing the audio distortion. The video still seemed slightly out of sync, so I changed it to Bitstream Legacy (which seemed to work better). Bitstream Mixed was WAY out of sync.

Ideally, which setting should I have the audio on --- PCM, Bitstream HD, Bitstream Legacy, or Bitstream Mixed?

[ts0323]

The TV ended up totally screwing up on me; the picture started flickering and freezing up.
I sent it back to Amazon and got a refund. Now I'm waiting on my 40" 120Hz Toshiba!