Audio Dropouts

I've been having the audio dropouts over HDMI on my VIP1216 pretty much since the beginning. The problem is particularly bad when using digital audio (the "Surround Sound" setting) and an HDMI connection, although it also occurs over an optical connection and with normal "Stereo" audio, although less frequently in both cases.

I was never quite sure that my AV receiver (HK AVR-354) wasn't part of the problem until last weekend when the receiver died on me and I hooked the 1216 directly into my TV and ended up having the same problem. My replacement receiver (HK AVR-3600) also exhibited the same issues, so I finally decided to call Bell and have the STB replaced.

I also had an older silver 1200 in the bedroom from about two years ago as well which wasn't putting out any audio over HDMI -- I had to use a standard analog RCA cable to connect to my TV. I asked Bell to replace that one at the same time as well. I have a newer black 1200 in my daughter's room that has never had any issues whatsoever since it was installed last fall -- at the time the tech who was installing it indicated that the black 1200's are slightly newer and "more stable" than the original silver ones.

Apparently Bell isn't even stocking the 1216's anymore -- warranty and rental unit replacements are all 1232's. Since having the 1232 and new 1200 installed a couple of days ago, I've had absolutely no audio problems, even over a pure HDMI connection. By comparison the 1216 was consistently cutting out audio three or four times per hour when using digital audio over HDMI.

I'd definitely recommend getting your 1216 swapped out for the 1232. As an added bonus, the newer unit also has twice the hard drive space. Unless you actually bought the 1216, Bell should replace it for free under warranty. Mine was transferred to my ownership when I switched from BES to FibeTV, but the warranty on the 1216 was good until June, so I figured it was a good time to have it replaced. If you simply report the problem and ask for a replacement you should get a 1232, as several techs both on the phone and in person have told me flat out that Bell doesn't even have any 1216s on hand anymore as they can't be bothered keeping them around.

That's great to hear! Thank you very much for the info jhollington!

I'm definitely going to call Bell back and request that they replace the unit as it's still under warranty until approximately June / July of this year.

The tech I spoke to suggested that I would simply get a replacement VIP 1216, and would continue to have the same issues - but I'm not sure if that was just a 'tactic' they used to essentially save themselves some coin.

I'll definitely be calling them back and being a little more forcefull with the fact that I'd like the issue resolved properly - wheter it be a replacement of same model, or a new model. The issue should not be present and I'm not willing to shell out $500 for a new receiver.

Thanks again for the great info! It's just what I wanted to hear from someone.

Audio Drop outs

Have read with interest this thread, as I am having the same problem with my VIP1226 out here in Saskatchewan,, hooked up to Sasktel Max.

I read my TV instruction Manual and it said the issue might be with the new 1.4 HDMI and the old version 1 which these "OLD" boxes still use.

Interestingly thou the audio is good on all the standard defenition channels.

After calling tech support here in Saskatchewan, they told me that have been having this issue with all the motarola boxes on which people try to use the HDMI cable,, that is to say the frequent audio dropouts, on the HD channels

I did update the firmware on my new TV and that has made the audio problems even worse today. Sasktel says they are doing a firmware update on the STB's next week to see if that will help with the audio problems as well, so we'll wait and see i guess... in the mean time, back to that 5 bundle component and audio cable