[mythtv-users] HDTV 5.1 sound rear channels become front channels?

[Jack R. Hyde]

I just saw the same thing recently with an HD program on CBS through QAM 
on an HDHomerun. My receiver showed DD the entire time, the front 
speakers where still working but I had to put my ear to them to tell. 
The rear set volume was much louder than normal, but it only lasted 
about two minutes or so, when it suddenly snapped back to normal. 
Guessing it was just a weird encoding glitch somewhere along the chain.
JS Boyd wrote:
> On Network HDTV recorded with the HDHomerun via QAM that is passed to my 
> stereo via SPDIF sometimes it appears that only the rear channels of a 
> 5.1 HDTV audio stream will be played or may be everything except the 
> center dialog channel. For instance, you will hear all the incidental 
> music and sound effects but no dialog or very muted dialog.
>
> It seems to happen when the network switches 2 channel audio to 5.1 
> channel audio. There is a perceptible shift in the audio as it changes 
> from 2 channels to 5.1 channels. My receiver identifies both the 2 
> channel and 5.1 channel audio as it shifts. The commercial before the 
> program starts will be fine in 2 channel, but the program will start and 
> there will be no dialog.
>
> The workaround is to just ESC out and restart the playback of that 
> program at the current position. But it appears like something is being 
> changed in the audio that Myth is missing. It happens with CBS regularly. 
>
> I'd suspect my receiver, except that it never happens with DVD playback 
> when they transition from 2 channel to 5.1 channel audio.
>
> Anyone else seeing this?
>
>