7flix Has two Audio Tracks...

[IanSav]

Hi All,

Just noticed that 7flix in Melbourne now has two audio streams. One stream is the original HE-AAC. The new stream is MPEG2 . This should allow more older devices to work with this new channel.

Regards,
Ian.

[tonymy01]

Nice efficient use of the small bandwidth available... not! Why did they bother!?

[peteru]

Going with a more efficient codec seemed like a good idea at the time. Then they started getting a truckload of complaints, because, surprise, surprise, most people are not using (and will not use) FreeView certified receivers. So, they added an MPEG soundtrack, which they know will work. They probably could have gone half-way and just switched the AAC-HE codec to plain AAC, but things are never simple in broadcaster-land.

[DaveJ]

Quick check just now... 7flix only has one track in Perth. which is not to say it isn't coming.

But, perhaps, Seven have received more complaints from the Melb area and are trying a "fix" where most of their complaints are?

I might have thought using AC3 for sound - like 9HD - might have been a safer/broader option. *shrug* I donno - I just watch the thing.

[peteru]

Sydney also got dual sound track at the same time as Melbourne.

[glow]

Thanks for the tip guys. My DP-S1 now plays 7flix audio in Sydney so I won't have to load the 01.07.xx firmware and lose DVD support.
Pity I didn't know about this before doing the firmware change to 01.07.xx on my DP-P1 last week.

[IanSav]

Hi Glow,

I believe that the special HE-AAC firmware is fully reversible. You should be able to return to the 01.05.350 firmware if you so choose.

Regards,
Ian.

[glow]

Hi Glow,

I believe that the special HE-AAC firmware is fully reversible. You should be able to return to the 01.05.350 firmware if you so choose.

Regards,
Ian.

Yes I believe it can be done. However it took about an hour to do the original upgrade taking pictures of all the settings, doing the upgrade and factory reset, scanning all channels, restoring settings and favourites. The troops at home weren't happy that the TV was out of action during their prime viewing time (note to self don't do this in the evening).

[glow]

Spoke too soon - 7flix back to single audio stream inaudible with 01.05.350

[Gully]

Spoke too soon - 7flix back to single audio stream inaudible with 01.05.350

Still fine in Melbourne - 2 audio tracks.

[stevebow]

Spoke too soon - 7flix back to single audio stream inaudible with 01.05.350

I see you're located in Sydney. Here in Sydney I am currently seeing 7flix broadcasting both AAC-HE (avg. 47kbs) and MPEG (avg. 127kbs). Sounds like they can't make up their mind!

[glow]

Spoke too soon - 7flix back to single audio stream inaudible with 01.05.350

I see you're located in Sydney. Here in Sydney I am currently seeing 7flix broadcasting both AAC-HE (avg. 47kbs) and MPEG (avg. 127kbs). Sounds like they can't make up their mind!

Indeed it seemed to be changing daily and having replaced my DP-P1's firmware twice in response with painful factory resets I'll just ignore 7flix for a while. The firmware change itself is quick, it's putting in the settings and timers again which is slow and error-prone. Easy to make a mistake manually entering all the Beyonwiz settings - I had my left skip going forward instead of backwards.
Interesting that in going from 01.05.350 to 01.07.xx the timers were retained after a factory reset but not the other way around.

[prl]

... Indeed it seemed to be changing daily ...

Work experience kid on knobs and dials?

[DaveJ]

I noticed yesterday Perth now has two audio tracks for 7 flix ... AAc and MPG1.