Issues with Samsung HD box

[James_Mitchell]

Anyone else having issues with their Samsung HD box? I've had the samsung box for about 2 years now.

For several weeks now, the audio and picture are out of sync on several HD channels. Sky One is by far the worst. It does seem to be getting worse. Just tried to watch Modern Family and it was a nightmare. The same program on my other Amstrad DRX890 HD box is perfectly in sync.

Also noticed that my Samsung box is way behind in terms of software/EPG versions. The Samsung is still on version SYSF26.80 & EPG ver 40.0.14.11 whereas Amstrad box is now on R003.047.28.00P & EPG ver 47.0.16.1. I've tried several manual forced software upgrades but a) the actual process now takes less than 2 minutes (the Amstrad takes a lot longer when performing the forced software check/update) and b) the software version never changes.

Also I see the telephone light come on several times a day on the Samsung box. It always comes on when I first switch the Samsung box on from been in standby. I don't think I've ever seen the telephone light actually come on with the Amstrad box, though I'm sure it does! Both boxes are plugged into the same phone line and both report 'telephone line connected'

[Scubbie]

How is your sound pied through your system?

Are you taking it directly through the HDMI lead or through one of the two Digital outputs to a surround sound system?

[James_Mitchell]

It's directly through the HDMI cable. Both boxes are set up the same way.

i did used to have an external surround sound system connected to the Samsung box but I could never can the sound to sync properly. With the TV sound left on I always got a big echo. The only way it would work was by turning the sound to zero on my TV so I sacked the surround sound external box. Spoke to both Sky and Samsung at the time (also the make of surround sound system) and neither could suggest anything.

[Scubbie]

Does your TV have an option to allow it to adjust the delay for the output? This would compensate for the issues. I don't have this on mine. The audio delay feature on my TV and the Sky STB are for the digital outputs (i.e. Coax & TOSLink).

As for the external surround sound, yes you should turn the volume down on the TV as this would affect the quality of the sound, even if they were in sync. I have a Samsung TV & Samsung HT. When they are both on, the TV automatically gets muted. A friend has a Sony surround system that takes it's feed from the Scart output on the TV. Her TV is muted and the volume control is disable on the TV.

I also have the TOSLink output from my TV connected to the HT system so that should I want to listen to something from the TV (i.e. Freeview) I can do so.

[Kenedin]

......Also noticed that my Samsung box is way behind in terms of software/EPG versions. The Samsung is still on version SYSF26.80 & EPG ver 40.0.14.11 whereas Amstrad box is now on R003.047.28.00P & EPG ver 47.0.16.1. I've tried several manual forced software upgrades but a) the actual process now takes less than 2 minutes (the Amstrad takes a lot longer when performing the forced software check/update) and b) the software version never changes.

.......

Different Makes & Models of Sky+HD boxes have different EPG/OS Version details. They are not the same for all. If you have tried a software update for the Samsung, and the details remain the same after the update is complete, then you have the latest version, and I would not worry about it.

The fact that the green phone light keeps coming on means that there is either a fault in the connection to the phone point, or within the box itself.

For the audio sync problem, try setting the box's HD Resolution Output to 1080i. Remember to press green to Save Settings.

Have you tried a Planner Rebuild? ( On the Sky remote, press Services 0 0 1 and press 'Select' to access the menu). Scroll to, and select, 'Sky+ Rebuild' and follow the onsceen instructions. This procedure does not wipe the hard drive.

As last resort, you could try a Full System Reset in the hidden menu ( access as above ). This will wipe the hard drive.

[James_Mitchell]

There's no audio sync options on my TV.

Spoken to Sky and the have also suggested a full reset (which I'm not doing unless Sky can provide me with a full backup of the recordings currently on my HDD which obviously they can't/won't provide me with). They also want a £60 call out charge (which again, isn't happening) so it looks like I'm stuck with a faulty box.

I don't several planner rebuilds which make no difference.

Yes I know I can go down the standard threaten to cancel route and get the £60 fee knocked off but TBH I can't be bothered as you now always have to go down that road to get anything out of Sky these days if your an existing customer which is pretty pathetic really!!

I'll get another box of eBay at some stage and avoid the hassle of involving Sky.

[Isitme]

I can confirm that your software does not appear to be up to date. Mine is OS - R003.047.25.00P and SV 47.0.16.1, version 973004

I have had no problems with it and fitted a 1Tb disk some years ago.