Sound Issue

[Rykster]

I recently scanned in the 7Bravo channel 75 to my DP2 - and found that I have no audio on this channel. Picture is fine, just no sound. All other channels functioning normally.

I've rebooted, re-scanned and played around with settings - nothing seems to fix the issue.

Any ideas, please?

Ric

[MrQuade]

I recently scanned in the 7Bravo channel 75 to my DP2 - and found that I have no audio on this channel. Picture is fine, just no sound. All other channels functioning normally.

I've rebooted, re-scanned and played around with settings - nothing seems to fix the issue.

Any ideas, please?

7 Bravo broadcasts audio as AAC (as opposed to MPEG or AC3/Dolby), which the DP2 doesn't understand.

Some of the other "extra" channels such as Racing use or have used AAC in the past, so it was only a matter of time before a more mainstream channel picked it up too. (AAC is generally better quality, and/or requires a lower bitrate than the alternative encoding schemes).

On one hand, the DP-P2 is super old now, and has earned a retirement. But on the other hand, you are really not missing much by not being able to record from 7 Bravo!

[Rykster]

Thanks MrQuade - I'm inclined to agree with your sentiment regarding the content on 7Bravo!

Still, I presume there is no workaround to this AAC/MPEG issue?

[blip]

Have a look at this thread. There might be a firmware floating around that can decode AAC audio.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9737

[Rykster]

Many thanks.

It appears from that thread that an upgrade to 1.07.350 or 1.07.351 firmware may be a workaround - can you advise how that is done?

I have just had a T4 that was in storage upgraded by Nasa, and was waiting for the P2 to finally die before changing over (its part of an integrated audio/visual/lighting/automation system, so not a simple exercise, for me) - but if the firmware upgrade lucks out, that maybe the trigger!

[blip]

You will need to find the firmware update file and copy it to a USB drive. If I remember correctly there were two different versions of P2 chip sets and which firmware you need can be determined from the serial number. There's a good chance I have a copy of both firmwares somewhere and probably the update instructions. It will be a day or two until I have a chance to try and find the files. If you can't get hold of them anywhere else in the meantime I'll see if I can find them and upload them somewhere when I get a chance.

[Rykster]

Fantastic! Greatly appreciated.

[Rykster]

Just did something I should have done at the outset - checked my current firmware version - it is DPP2-1.07.351 - and yet I have the sound issue.
Loader version1.1.3.1.74, whatever that means.

I guess it's time to hook up the T4.

[blip]

Well that saves me trying to find the firmware files. It seems the P2 is due for a well earned retirement.

[Rykster]

Thanks for offering, all the same.

[blip]

Happy to try and help. It's a shame the P2 is no longer fully up to the task.

[Rykster]

It is. It's been a rock solid machine in every other respect - hope the T4 matches its longevity.

[Paul_oz53]

If the T4 tuner regulators and heatsinks have not been replaced it may fail catastrophically. As a precaution, I sit a low-noise 120 mm USB-powered fan over the tuners to prevent overheating.

In my case, the T4 is rarely used and I have a spare T3 so I haven't bothered fixing it but repair is a recommended approach.

[Rykster]

Yes, so I understand - I had Nasa Electronics do the upgrades you suggested, so fingers crossed!

[Paul_oz53]

Yes, so I understand - I had Nasa Electronics do the upgrades you suggested, so fingers crossed!

Should be fine then.