57,

All problems with cables to the house and running up the street have been checked and repaired. There were several "taps" that had to be replaced.
There is no improvement in sound quality. The sound drop outs still occur quite frequently especially on the preview (501) channel and regularly on CBS hd, Cbc hd etc as has been pointed out in many previous posts.

I bought the 3250 to enjoy all the advertised features which include dolby digital surround sound output. The fact that it has an optical output was a key deciding factor in my purchase of this unit.

Plain and simple Rogers should remedy the problem or should not sell the unit if it is has known issues with coax or optical digital output. "Mickey mouse" solutions such as ""use the RCA output jacks" are not acceptable to me.

I am still awaiting further follow up from Rogers technical operations and will report their comments to this forum.

koogorge, there are lots of people using the SA3250HD and getting DD2.0 and DD5.1 just fine. The issue of Channel 501 has been documented, however the other channels come in just fine (there are occasional dropouts - say once an hour or so).

I used the SA3250HD for a year or so without problem and I'm currently using the SA8300HD without problem. So are a lot of other people.

I suggest there may be some incompatibility between your STB and your receiver, or a bad connection there. Have you tried a different optical cable or the digital coax connection?

Did you measure your signal strength? See the Digital Home FAQ "Tips for SA STBs".

What is the make/model of your A/V receiver?

This is a problem we've had in New Brunswick as well. I've called and complained and was told "You're the only one". I came on these forums and guess what - I'm not the only one.

I never watch the HD Preview channel.. but I experience this more than 2 or 3 times an hour .. it's noticeable and frequently blanks out dialog in a show. You miss a phrase or two on the West Wing sometimes and you are LOST. I notice it most on ABC, FOX and NBC HD out of Detroit.

I know it's nothing to do with my optical/digital cabling my speakers or my amplifier.. Mickey mouse solutions don't work here even.. the basic RCA L + R audio outs of the cable box go directly to my amplifier.. even those cut out. The audio drops for 1-3 seconds at a time.

And the digital link to my amplifier also cuts out at the same time.

And I have the Rogers PVR unit... so I can actually record the audio cutting out .. before the signal ever leaves the set top box. That alone means that instantly its nothing in my in house sound wiring.. it's something in the originating signal, the signal strength to my house (and the houses of the other people who have reported this same problem on the Rogers Atlantic forums).. or whatever.

J

I just noticed the stutter on ch.501 is a lot less today. I would say it is about 80% gone.

I current demo with the dark concert used to stutter every 10 seconds for me. Now, it only stutters about once in 1-2 minutes.

The real test is going to be the demo with Rob Williams (?) explaining the benefits of HDTV. That demo stutters the most! I didn't have time to wait for it. Maybe later.

Can anyone else confirm that the stutter is almost all gone?

Nevermind... I tested again with other feeds, and the stutter is still there.

Hi

I am watching Rogers Ch 501 Much Music Video Awards again today at 6:00Pm and there is no Audio dropout problem at all. I have not changed my equipment , I am still using the optical ouput on the 3250HD and every thing sounds great . What changed? The Much Music Award Show always had audio dropouts