HE-AAC audio not working via HDMI

[mickstoj]

Hi

I have a DP-P2 purchased in 2010 (and still working well) with firmware 01.07.351.

I have read quite a few threads on audio problems in this forum on a similar issue to mine and I have attempted all fixes that I have come across but none of them have worked for me. Thus I am now writing about my specific problem.

My specific problem seems to be that since I connected my PVR to my TV with an HDMI cable (was previously connected via Composite for many years) quite a few video files with HE-AAC audio are not playing any sound. The video is fine.

I tested several different HDMI cables. I tested two different HDMI slots on the TV. I tested different A/V configurations in the settings. I think I tested all possible permutations, unless I've missed something.

There are two ways I managed to get the audio to work. One was to connect the DP-P2 via the Composite connection that I had previously.

The other was to convert the file using a video converter.

These are the audio properties of the (original, ripped) file whose audio doesn't work via HDMI cable

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : HE-AAC / LC
Format settings : Explicit
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 1 h 30 min
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 32.0 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 55.8 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz / 24.0 kHz
Frame rate : 23.438 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 20.6 MiB (4%)



These are the audio properties of that file converted via a video converter:

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 1 h 30 min
Duration_LastFrame : -1 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 161 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 104 MiB (17%)
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1


I'm not that much of a tech geek to notice if there is anything significant. I can see that the Format Setting is Explicit in the original file and that the Bit Rate is Constant instead of Variable and a few other minor differences but I can't say I know what impact that would or should have, if any.

FYI: the original file does work when played via my WDTV Live through my Onkyo amplifier which, of course, is connected via HDMI cable, an identical cable to the one on the PVR. But, as I said, I tried multiple HDMI cables and connections on my TV and none worked with the DP-P2. As far as I can recall I have no audio problems watching TV via the DP-P2 (I don't watch too much TV) and not all files have this problem.

The reason I'm asking if there is a fix is that most of these files are, mostly, my daughter's DVDs ripped onto my network and I'm kind of sick of having to convert them all just so she can watch them. Or I go back to the Composite connection for the DP-P2 but I kind of like the picture quality of the HDMI cable and that it's just one cable instead of multiple connections/cables.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[IanSav]

Hi Mickstoj,

Have a look at the following thread: Recommended Audio Settings...

Try making sure that analogue output is also enabled.

Regards,
Ian.

[mickstoj]

Hi Ian

I actually have that post bookmarked as it's a good reference should I ever need to do a reset.

I tried all the permutations, none worked. I also tried the 2ch option, also didn't work. Yet any of those permutations that I tried worked with the Composite connection.

Cheers
Mick

[IanB]

Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz

I have a vague recollection the DP series had problems with 44.1 kHz media

[netmask]

If the program was important to me I would pop the TS file in a MKV container MKVToolnix and then run the resulting MKV file through Popcorn MKV audio converter to change the audio to AC3. It does it in situ and is reasonably quick only re-encoding the audio...

[mickstoj]

Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz

I have a vague recollection the DP series had problems with 44.1 kHz media

Yes, I had noticed that difference between both audio tracks, as well, but the 44.1 kHz file works via the Composite connection. Thus if that is an issue then it's something to do with the HDMI and DP-P2 not just the DP-P2. I haven't come across another file (whose audio worked) with a 44.1 kHz sampling rate. I might have a look for one and I can test and report back.

Cheers
Mick

[mickstoj]

If the program was important to me I would pop the TS file in a MKV container MKVToolnix and then run the resulting MKV file through Popcorn MKV audio converter to change the audio to AC3. It does it in situ and is reasonably quick only re-encoding the audio...

Yes, that is an option however I really only use the DP-P2 these days for my daughter's kids TV shows and DVDs (mostly ripped as mp4) as she is not able to, nor do I want her to, turn on my Onkyo amp and speakers just to watch her cartoons. I've already spent heaps of time ripping the files once and I'd rather not have to spend time again fixing them all so it's either a solution I haven't come across yet or it's back to the Composite connection for her.

Cheers and thanks
Mick

[Jeddie]

I raised this before > viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8715&p=117082#p117082

I don't think the P2 likes 'HE - AAC' audio via HDMI. I could not get it to work.

I just used composite cables instead of HDMI.

[sub3R]

... Or I go back to the Composite connection for the DP-P2 but I kind of like the picture quality of the HDMI cable ...

Component will be better than composite.

[mickstoj]

... Or I go back to the Composite connection for the DP-P2 but I kind of like the picture quality of the HDMI cable ...

Component will be better than composite.

My bad. I meant Component. I can't believe I've typed Composite on every previous post. D'oh!

[mickstoj]

I raised this before > viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8715&p=117082#p117082

I don't think the P2 likes 'HE - AAC' audio via HDMI. I could not get it to work.

I just used composite cables instead of HDMI.

Thanks, Jeddie. I must've missed that thread in my search as I had not come across anyone else having the same issue as me yet you seem to have had exactly the same problem as me.

It looks like it's Component or convert audio.

Thanks to everyone for your help.
Mick

[prl]

My bad. I meant Component. I can't believe I've typed Composite on every previous post. D'oh!

Composite or component, the audio will be exactly the same (but the picture quality won't be, obviously).