Voices cut in and out on audio/dvd system

[RobLynn1860]

I am very new to this. I have read multiple things but can’t get a fix.
When we are watching tv or dvd the voices cut out of the program. Not always and sometimes they come back in and out. I read that it might be a wiring issue and the center channel. However I can’t find anywhere where it tells me how to fix it. Is it just open if it up and placing the wire in the right place? Anyone know how to begin troubleshooting this or a fix?

[clr]

First I would try the tv with the internal speakers to determine if your problem is the tv or the surround system problem. So find the remote for the tv, and turn the speakers on and up so that your can hear it, then turn off your surround system. If the problem is determined to be in the surround system, that is the tv works normally with the internal speakers. I would then make sure that the center speaker for the surround system is wired correctly and has no loose connections.

[RobLynn1860]

Originally Posted by clr

First I would try the tv with the internal speakers to determine if your problem is the tv or the surround system problem. So find the remote for the tv, and turn the speakers on and up so that your can hear it, then turn off your surround system. If the problem is determined to be in the surround system, that is the tv works normally with the internal speakers. I would then make sure that the center speaker for the surround system is wired correctly and has no loose connections.

Thank you so much for helping. I checked the TV and the speakers on the TV work correctly. Where do I find that center cable and I have read sometbing about RVs not being wired correctly at all. If that’s the case can I just take the center channel wire and add it to the left or right?

[tomkatb]

Maybe.

Cables come in various quality levels from terrible to real expensive.

Audio guys face this all the time. Sometimes you just have to carefully clean everything! Plugs and wires.

A can of contract cleaner! Maybe!

Often a tech will pull a plug in and out several times. Can help. Sometimes.

[rsdata]

First things first here...

I guess this happens with ALL DVD's you play and not just one?

This happens when ONLY playing a DVD?

Is the DVD player a separate unit and not built-in to the TV?

If it is a separate unit, then the player has a wire that ends in a white and a red connector that plugs into the TV or an AMP/RADIO unit that leads to the speakers. Those RED and WHITE plugs might be loose and could only need to be turned 1/2 turn and pushed in tighter to fix the problem.

Answer these questions and maybe you will be on the right path toward a fix.

[bikendan]

Moved thread to the Appliances and Electronics sub-forum.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by rsdata

First things first here...

I guess this happens with ALL DVD's you play and not just one?

This happens when ONLY playing a DVD?

Is the DVD player a separate unit and not built-in to the TV?

If it is a separate unit, then the player has a wire that ends in a white and a red connector that plugs into the TV or an AMP/RADIO unit that leads to the speakers. Those RED and WHITE plugs might be loose and could only need to be turned 1/2 turn and pushed in tighter to fix the problem.

Answer these questions and maybe you will be on the right path toward a fix.

The answer above is valid for the old-fashioned 2-channel audio (stereo). Newer systems use 5.1 audio. The five channels are:

• Front left
• Front center
• Front right
• Rear left
• Rear right.

This scheme provides a sound immersion experience.
The ".1" is for a non-directional sub-woofer (base).

On these units, all dialogue (talking) comes through the Front Center speaker. Most of these units enable the user to set the gain (boost) for each speaker individually. Typically you attach an included microphone and place it where you will sit. Then the system automatically adjusts (balances) the gain of each speaker for an optimum user experience.

There are some interesting things you can do with these units. For example, DW is hearing-impaired (too many rock concerts in her misspent youth). So after the automatic balancing is complete, we manually override it by setting the Front Center boost 2dB or 4dB higher than the system calibrated it, to emphasize the speech.

What does this have to do with the OP's original question? Simple. If the OP's unit is a 5.1 audio unit, here are a few things to try?

Manually set the balance to have audio only through the front center speaker; turn the others way down and front center way up. Does the intermittent sound occur? Then turn each of the others up in turn, with all the others down? Is it intermittent on all channels, or just the front center?

If it is just front center, go to the back of the unit and swap the connections with one of the other speakers and repeat the test above. Did the intermittent move?
If the intermittent moved when the wires were swapped, the problem is either in the speaker or the wires. Now put the wires back in their original positions. Undo the speaker grilles and swap the two speakers. If the problem moves, it is a defective speaker. If not, the wiring has an intermittent spot (near break).
If the intermittent did not move when the wires were swapped, the problem is in the electronics.

[Bob2019]

Be aware, you just may have a defective AV system/DVD player. My RV came with a Jensen unit for radio, DVD, surround sound and it would constantly drop music and jump back and forth to a blue screen. Jensen replaced the unit and have not had a problem for the past 3 years.

Best advice is check every connection to the head unit first that everything is plugged in tight and same with the TV connections too.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Bob2019

Be aware, you just may have a defective AV system/DVD player. My RV came with a Jensen unit for radio, DVD, surround sound and it would constantly drop music and jump back and forth to a blue screen. Jensen replaced the unit and have not had a problem for the past 3 years.

Best advice is check every connection to the head unit first that everything is plugged in tight and same with the TV connections too.

Bob, actually the goal of the troubleshooting steps I listed in my previous post was to determine EXACTLY what you are suggesting.

If the OP swaps a different speaker and wires onto that particular connection AND that particular connection continues to be intermittent, the problem HAS TO BE in the electronics.

The other steps are to distinguish a speaker problem from a wiring problem.

[Bob2019]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Bob, actually the goal of the troubleshooting steps I listed in my previous post was to determine EXACTLY what you are suggesting.

If the OP swaps a different speaker and wires onto that particular connection AND that particular connection continues to be intermittent, the problem HAS TO BE in the electronics.

The other steps are to distinguish a speaker problem from a wiring problem.

Larry, I agree with you completely - need to troubleshoot. I just wanted to add if none of the suggestions doesn't solve the problem, this was my past experience that led to my replacement of the amplifier.