BBC HD Audio droput when switching from 1080p to 1080i

[drchrissmith]

Hi

Just an enquiry on what the status is of the recently introduced problem on the BBC HD channel on the EX503 (and probably all 2010 Sony TV's that can receive Freeview HD). The new BBC HD codec now allows for dynamic switching between 1080p and 1080i content which causes a short dropout in the audio stream on Sony TV's. Is this problem going to be addressed by Sony/BBC with an update as it makes BBC HD fairly unwatchable with the continuous audio dropouts.

Other than this issue very happy with the TV (aprt from not being able to slect HD channel override so BBC1/ITV etc could be set to use the HD version by default).

Thanks

Chris

[MikeAustin]

I wrote: Still waiting for confirmation from Sony support ....

And this is it:

Dear Mr Austin

Thank you for your recent e-mail received on 17/05/2011 10.56 AM.

In relation to your enquiry, I can confirm that during the current stage of switch overs happening across the UK, the BBC are running tests which are switching HD programmes from 1080i to 1080p. This may cause some sound drop for a brief moment on some Sony BRAVIA models, but sound should then resume as normal.

Unfortunately Sony had no confirmation on how long this will last. At the moment we are currently in talks with the BBC about when the testing will be complete and when/ if such testing will be conducted in future.

Until we can determine exactly what is causing the audio drop-out, we cannot release a firmware patch for the TV to download.

However, once we have gathered more information, we will take whatever action is required to prevent this from happening again. Please keep checking www.sony.co.uk/support for updated announcements regarding this matter.

Unfortunately, we cannot reveal more at this moment in time.

Yours sincerely

Soleman Hashi
Customer Information Centre
SONY UNITED KINGDOM

[johns159]

Good to see a response but not necessarily the content....

Im still waiting for a response from Sony nearly 2 weeks after i was promised one....

Wtahced HD last night and the picture was also jumping about, think thats me though i changed it to full pixel as i read it somewhere and now i cant find how to put it back!

Is it me or are the manuals crap these days.... tells me what the function does but not where it is in a menu or how to change it, my new Sony Camera is the same no menu structure at all.... 

[specialist-convergence]

Please see https://www.sony.co.uk/discussions/message/660970#660970

[Pixelz]

This linked announcement looks like good news to me.  I can understand why a firmware fix would need to be regression tested outside the UK where HD terrestrial broadcasts don't use the same DVB-T2/H.264 standards.

I'm hoping the fix will also address the need to configure the full pixel display option twice (for interlaced and progressive modes).

[MikeAustin]

Re: Please see https://www.sony.co.uk/discussions/message/660970#660970

This looks promising. I would still like confirmation that a fix should be feasible. Then I would only need patience -  not a new TV.

[copicke45]

You didn't really expect a solution this soon after the announcement did you?

Sony have said 7 to 10 days until the next update on progress (which is not the same as availability of the patch).

Incidentally, Danielle Nagler (Head of BBC HD) has apologised via twitter for the situation.

http://twitter.com/#!/naglerhd

[gibster]

pressure increasing on sony - 'The Register' now covering this story:

http://www.reghardware.com/2011/05/23/bbc_hd_1080p/

[MikeAustin]

So the fix will now take 7-10 days from 22 May, not 19 May?

[Testcard]

I think you spoke too soon :smileyblush: On 'The Country House Revealed' tonight it's jumping from i to p and back again like a mad thing!

(On a separate note, and completely off topic, can anyone tell me how to stop the annoying emails I receive every morning from this forum asking me to "login and update my status"? Thanks)

[stevehicks]

I did speak too soon!

I guess the programme I watched had a lot of material that suitable for 25p.