Strange Audio Problem w/ Receiver

[hashiriya1]

So I have a few systems hooked up to my audio receiver. Also included in this mix is my cable box. I never have a problem with any of the game systems' or DVD player's audio. But when I watch TV sometimes all of the sound goes to the front-left speaker (out of 5 speakers). If I jiggle the speaker wires, sound comes to all of the speakers. Sometimes it'll all go to the left speaker again in the middle of watching. I swapped the cable box, same problem. What's strange is that another cable box in another room did the same thing for a while, but then stopped. If it's the speaker wires, then why doesn't this happen when I play games/watch a DVD? Same thing if it's a problem with the receiver. It only happens when I watch cable. I even tried plugging the cable's audio out wires to a different input on the receiver.

Any idea what could be causing this?

[CRTGAMER]

How is the cable box hooked up to the TV and receiver? Maybe check the connections there with different cables?

Also are the other components going directly to the receiver for audio or thru the TV?

Does the cable box and TV have options for surround, stereo and Dolby 5.1? Set to stereo.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Use an optical or coax audio cable instead. All modern cable boxes have an output for either it or a digital coax on the back.

[hashiriya1]

How is the cable box hooked up to the TV and receiver? Maybe check the connections there with different cables?

Also are the other components going directly to the receiver for audio or thru the TV?

Does the cable box and TV have options for surround, stereo and Dolby 5.1? Set to stereo.

The cable box is hooked up to the receiver via AV cables. The other components are going directly to the receiver. As far as I know, the cable box is set up for 5.1 surround. This problem occurs 50% of the time, it's so frustrating!

Use an optical or coax audio cable instead. All modern cable boxes have an output for either it or a digital coax on the back.

I suppose I can try that since I have extra optical cables laying around. I don't know of my cable box has an optical out. I guess I'll see when I get home. Thanks for the input.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

How is the cable box hooked up to the TV and receiver? Maybe check the connections there with different cables?

Also are the other components going directly to the receiver for audio or thru the TV?

Does the cable box and TV have options for surround, stereo and Dolby 5.1? Set to stereo.

The cable box is hooked up to the receiver via AV cables. The other components are going directly to the receiver. As far as I know, the cable box is set up for 5.1 surround. This problem occurs 50% of the time, it's so frustrating!

Use an optical or coax audio cable instead. All modern cable boxes have an output for either it or a digital coax on the back.

I suppose I can try that since I have extra optical cables laying around. I don't know of my cable box has an optical out. I guess I'll see when I get home. Thanks for the input.

Trust me it'll solve everything. Plus you'll actually be able to hear it in 5.1, stero cables are only good for stereo or Dolby Pro Logic which is false "matrixed" surround sound.

As for if your receiver has it I haven't seen one without either optical or coax well.....ever. Digital cable typically all comes in 5.1 for free so it'll be a blast to hear in 5.1.

Also, what's it doing hooked up to your (I assume) HDTV via regular AV cables man? Use Component or HDMI on that sucker! It's a world of difference between the two when you actually see them side by side.

[hashiriya1]

How is the cable box hooked up to the TV and receiver? Maybe check the connections there with different cables?

Also are the other components going directly to the receiver for audio or thru the TV?

Does the cable box and TV have options for surround, stereo and Dolby 5.1? Set to stereo.

The cable box is hooked up to the receiver via AV cables. The other components are going directly to the receiver. As far as I know, the cable box is set up for 5.1 surround. This problem occurs 50% of the time, it's so frustrating!

Use an optical or coax audio cable instead. All modern cable boxes have an output for either it or a digital coax on the back.

I suppose I can try that since I have extra optical cables laying around. I don't know of my cable box has an optical out. I guess I'll see when I get home. Thanks for the input.

Trust me it'll solve everything. Plus you'll actually be able to hear it in 5.1, stero cables are only good for stereo or Dolby Pro Logic which is false "matrixed" surround sound.

As for if your receiver has it I haven't seen one without either optical or coax well.....ever. Digital cable typically all comes in 5.1 for free so it'll be a blast to hear in 5.1.

Also, what's it doing hooked up to your (I assume) HDTV via regular AV cables man? Use Component or HDMI on that sucker! It's a world of difference between the two when you actually see them side by side.

Oh, I am using HDMI for picture, but for sound I am kinda forced to use the ole red n white.

[CRTGAMER]

Oh, I am using HDMI for picture, but for sound I am kinda forced to use the ole red n white.

Maybe run the Audio out from your HD to the receiver?
May fix the cable box problem and a better control of volume too.

[hashiriya1]

I saw that my cable box does have an optical out. That solved the problem and my system sounds much better too when I watch TV. Thanks for the advice!!

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I saw that my cable box does have an optical out. That solved the problem and my system sounds much better too when I watch TV. Thanks for the advice!!

Anytime!

Make sure to set your Cable Box's output to whichever form of surround your receiver supports too! Lots of channels are broadcast in 5.1 these days for free and it's a blast to listen to.