Audio lightning detector - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

JamesK · 2012-07-31, 04:50 PM

I experienced something really weird recently, with all the lightning & thunder we've been happening. I was watching a prerecorded show, when the audio blanked out for a couple of seconds and then there was thunder. At first I thought maybe the show skipped the audio for a couple of seconds, but when I replayed that bit, the audio was there. I didn't think anything more about it, but then it happened another 3 or 4 times. I could actually predict when I would hear the thunder, even without seeing the lightning flash.. This is with a Rogers 8300HD PVR connected via optical cable to a Panasonic receiver. The video was unaffected. I have never experienced this before and don't know if the audio was being blanked by the PVR or receiver.

Weird!

cptmds · 2012-08-01, 11:25 PM

I have had lighting affect my OTA signal, but it's extremely rare for it to affect something else that's not radio related.

That said, if there is a strike very close to my cottage (and I mean very VERY close), the HDMI on the DVD recorder, which is only running at 480p, quits for a few seconds.

I suppose it's the electrical interference simply being too much. I've never seen the effect at any other time, though, and that particular HDMI event only occurred once.

ScaryBob · 2012-08-02, 10:56 AM

This is happening with optical cable, which seems odd. That most likely means that the audio dropout is occurring in either the 8300HD PVR or the Panasonic receiver. Some troubleshooting needs to be done. Does the HDMI audio dropout at the same time? If so, this would implicate the PVR. Do other audio sources, optical or otherwise, drop out at the same time? This would implicate the receiver. I would try disconnecting possible outside sources of static entry, such as telephone or network cables. I would also make sure that the RG6 cable is properly grounded where it enters the house.

JamesK · 2012-08-02, 11:46 AM

I had already assumed it was one of those two devices, but have not done any other testing, as I don't have any severe thunderstorms handy.

It's not really a problem, just an observation. It's only happened the one time.
BTW, all the devices are on the same outlet, so it's not likely a ground issue.

Jake · 2012-08-02, 11:54 AM

The strike could be sending a ripple through the line that only the most sensitive device is detecting. I know my AVR will sometimes flash (click actually) in a storm while other devices don't seem to notice anything.

ScaryBob · 2012-08-02, 01:53 PM

Quote:

BTW, all the devices are on the same outlet, so it's not likely a ground issue.

That's a good idea but it doesn't always cover other lines like cable and phone. Running the cable through a power bar that accommodates it may help. The phone/internet blocks on power bars are usually next to useless.

Jake has a good observation. DD5.1 is fairly sensitive to interference. Some audio decoders will lose sync for a moment while some others, like HDMI video decoders, may not be as sensitive or recover immediately.

JamesK · 2012-08-02, 04:23 PM

There was no other indication beyond the sound. The only cables coming in would be power and TV. The Rogers cable would be connected to the building ground, along with the power, in the utility room. It might also be something like the speaker wires picking up induced currents. There is only one wire carrying audio to my receiver. Everything else is fibre.

2012-07-31, 04:50 PM	#1
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,042	Audio lightning detector I experienced something really weird recently, with all the lightning & thunder we've been happening. I was watching a prerecorded show, when the audio blanked out for a couple of seconds and then there was thunder. At first I thought maybe the show skipped the audio for a couple of seconds, but when I replayed that bit, the audio was there. I didn't think anything more about it, but then it happened another 3 or 4 times. I could actually predict when I would hear the thunder, even without seeing the lightning flash.. This is with a Rogers 8300HD PVR connected via optical cable to a Panasonic receiver. The video was unaffected. I have never experienced this before and don't know if the audio was being blanked by the PVR or receiver. Weird!

2012-08-02, 10:56 AM	#3
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	This is happening with optical cable, which seems odd. That most likely means that the audio dropout is occurring in either the 8300HD PVR or the Panasonic receiver. Some troubleshooting needs to be done. Does the HDMI audio dropout at the same time? If so, this would implicate the PVR. Do other audio sources, optical or otherwise, drop out at the same time? This would implicate the receiver. I would try disconnecting possible outside sources of static entry, such as telephone or network cables. I would also make sure that the RG6 cable is properly grounded where it enters the house. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

2012-08-02, 11:54 AM	#5
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,186	The strike could be sending a ripple through the line that only the most sensitive device is detecting. I know my AVR will sometimes flash (click actually) in a storm while other devices don't seem to notice anything. __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

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2012-08-01, 11:25 PM	#2
cptmds Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Montreal/Ogden, QC (Lake Memphremagog) Posts: 74	I have had lighting affect my OTA signal, but it's extremely rare for it to affect something else that's not radio related. That said, if there is a strike very close to my cottage (and I mean very VERY close), the HDMI on the DVD recorder, which is only running at 480p, quits for a few seconds. I suppose it's the electrical interference simply being too much. I've never seen the effect at any other time, though, and that particular HDMI event only occurred once.

2012-08-02, 11:46 AM	#4
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,042	I had already assumed it was one of those two devices, but have not done any other testing, as I don't have any severe thunderstorms handy. It's not really a problem, just an observation. It's only happened the one time. BTW, all the devices are on the same outlet, so it's not likely a ground issue.

2012-08-02, 04:23 PM	#7
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,042	There was no other indication beyond the sound. The only cables coming in would be power and TV. The Rogers cable would be connected to the building ground, along with the power, in the utility room. It might also be something like the speaker wires picking up induced currents. There is only one wire carrying audio to my receiver. Everything else is fibre.