ATV2 audio distorted

Greetings from Los Angeles,
I do tech consulting for a living with an emphasis on high-end multi-media installations, so this has me scratching my head - considering this is on the low-end of the spectrum for what I do!
Here's the scenario. A Mac Mini (2009 generation) serves as an HTPC with the following configuration:
1. Dish Network receiver HDMI OUT ----> Samsung HDTV HDMI IN1.
2. Apple TV2 HDMI OUT ----> Samsung HDTV HDMI IN2.
3. Samsung HDTV analog audio RCA outs ----> Mac Mini Line in
4. LineIn app in pass-thru mode passes all audio from Line In directly to the combo Headphone/Optical audio out minijack which feeds a Logitech Z5300 5.1 surround setup. No Dolby surround in this configuration, but we listen to music more than anything, so this is totally acceptable.
Internal audio (iTunes, youtube, Netflix, etc) on the Mini goes directly out to Logitech speakers and sounds fantastic.
TV audio (Dish Network) sounds fantastic. This works great for everything (except ATV2)!
Almost all Audio from ATV2 sounds distorted. Especially internet radio. It's completely unlistenable.
Called apple, they thought it was a bad HDMI cable. So I obliged and swapped it for (another) brand new one with the same result. Next, I tried to do a factory reset. Got as far as downloading and almost 99% of the installation. Just as it reached the end of the installation progress bar, it said that the update had failed. Took it back and exchanged it for another one...
Got it home... Unwrapped the 2nd one... Guess what? SAME problem. Soooooo Disappointed! C'mon Apple, don't let me down!
This leads me to a question and a theory. The question: is anyone else experiencing distorted audio from the new ATV2? And the theory: ATV2 is sending +10dB (Professional line level) instead of -4dB which is the standard for consumer gear. Assuming this is not a hardware issue, then apple should be able to push an update that configures the audio as -4dB.
Thanks and Discuss.
Anjeleno

I've been having a similar problem, although I found a rather odd (and inconvenient) solution. I originally had my ATV2 connected both via optical to a Peachtree Nova integrated amp and via HDMI to a 42" Philips LCD TV (which is connected to the Nova via coax). With this setup, I was getting static and popping over both inputs. Now check this out:
First, like others, I tried running the optical directly to my Macbook: no static.
Intrigued, I switched over to HDMI while the optical was still plugged into my Macbook. The static came back.
Thinking the HDMI cable might be the culprit, I unplugged the HDMI cable from the back of my TV and plugged the optical cable back into the ATV2. Still static.
Well, I had my answer. I unplugged the optical cable from the ATV2, and plugged the HDMI cable back into the TV. Bingo. No static.
So, apparently, just having the optical cable connected to the ATV2, even if there's no signal running into it, causes the ATV2 to emit static across both outputs.
I assume this comes down to a faulty optical output, but it seems pretty weird that this would affect the HDMI output as well. In any case, I guess I need to scrap my optical connection and just go with the HDMI for now. Which is unfortunate, since I'd much prefer to not have to keep the television on all the time.

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HI and Welcome to Apple Discussions...
Try the 10.6.2 combo update available here.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL959
Then repair disk permissions.
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Uninstall Flash
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RE: Macbook Stuttering, Audio Distortion

FYI
As discussed in Macbook Stuttering, Audio Distortion,
The solution to this problem is as follows:
The fix is to blow out nearly four years of dust (in my case), using the instructions given here (for replacing a fan...)
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Core-2-Duo-Fan/522/1
You don't need to remove the fan, but go as far as removing the keyboard, and then you can simply use an air-duster to remove every bit of dust you can find.
If your macbook's heatsink (as in my case) was cleaned by a professional in Apple Store, and you still keep having problems with youtube, ichat, skype and have stuttering, audio and video distortion and your 2+ghz intel macbook behaves as if it's an early iMac G3 - you have to do all steps described at ifixit.com.
When I have taken out my macbook's fan (the heatsink was perfectly sterile) I have found a 5mm thick layer of compressed dust blocking 97% of the air exit.
Removing the blockage has helped and my macbook is operating like it's new.
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Your processor is momentarily saturated. It's not really a 'defect' that is covered under warranty.
Flash is a widely-known resource hog. It's one of the reasons that Steve Jobs has 'banished' Flash from iPhones and the new iPad, and uses H.264 format video.
Have you also noticed that the fan becomes loud when this is happening? Almost any time the fan starts running at high speed, it's because your processor is working hard and needs additional cooling.
If you look at Activity Monitor when the stuttering occurs, you probably have a combined CPU utilization of the top two or three processes running of more than 100%.
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2. Try another browser. Some are better than others at running Flash. I use Safari primarily, but Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera are also available.
3. Add RAM memory, especially if you still have just 1Gb RAM memory installed. Upgrading to 2Gb or 4Gb (MacBook 2,1 actually only recognizes and utilizes up to 3Gb) will help somewhat. It doesn't cure the processor saturation, but it does give the programs running more 'breathing room' until it reaches the saturation point.
4. ClickToFlash gives you options for how Flash is handled. Free download here --> http://rentzsch.github.com/clicktoflash/
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Just looking at the waveform confirmed my initial reaction: Way, way
oversteered. Everything is clipped and your best approach is to
reshoot. That some players can handle this seriously mistreated audio
may be caused by audio limiters. They should, otherwise you would blow
up your speakers.
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Waveform at 00:00:00:21. No distortion, only high levels can be seen on this waveform.
Waveform after 00:00:00:21. Soft peaking in right (bottom) channel.
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******Clicking the Thumbs-Up button is a way to say -Thanks!.******
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Hi
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Volume will control the sound from the main Video track. I usually set it at either 100% or 0%, but no reason you cant use other settings.
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The distortion is hard to describe, but it sounds like amplifier clipping or a blown speaker - or an odd mix of a buzz and hiss during certain sounds made by the person I'm speaking with.
I have a Lumia 1020 that was purchased on July 27, so it is still under warranty. I'm changing carriers, so I cannot bring it to them for repair or exchange.
Should I try a hard reset or send it back to Nokia for repair? Or, any other suggestions?

Hello,
I am also suddenly experiencing sound distortion through my loud speaker during calls and loud speaker during playback of music. This is very strange as I have not even had my Nokia Lumia 1020 for a week and this has happened. Can someone please tell me how to get this repaird please????
BSausse wrote:
I'm getting a very light audio distortion in the earpiece during calls. It is not so distorted that I cannot hear the other person, but it is noticeable enough that everyone who uses my phone turns to me and asks "what's wrong with your phone?" It is really noticeable when I switch to my other phone right after using my Lumia and the other phone is crystal clear.
The distortion is hard to describe, but it sounds like amplifier clipping or a blown speaker - or an odd mix of a buzz and hiss during certain sounds made by the person I'm speaking with.
I have a Lumia 1020 that was purchased on July 27, so it is still under warranty. I'm changing carriers, so I cannot bring it to them for repair or exchange.
Should I try a hard reset or send it back to Nokia for repair? Or, any other suggestions?
Moderator's note: The oost is edited. Duplicate quote was removed.

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Hi everyone.
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http://www.ede.iastate.edu/wirecast/wirecastaudiodistort.mov
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This is my screen capture of capture card audio setup.
http://www.ede.iastate.edu/wirecast/audiosample.gif
This is my current hard ware setup:
Hardware/Encoder:
Dell Precision 390 Dual Core, Windows XP, 2 GB RAM
Capture Card: Osprey 230 with Breakout Box
Software Setup:
Live: MPEG4, 320x240, 15 FPS, Target Bit Rate is set to 220, Audio: 32 kbits, 32 kHz
Archive: H.264, 320x240, 15 FPS, Target Bit Rate is set to 220, Audio: 32 kbits, 32 kHz
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Answered it myself. VIDEORA! Works like a charm.

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Okay, I just fixed the problem on my machine. I deleted this Pro Apps preference file:
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Upon relaunching FCP, the audio output through the Firewire was normal again.
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Thanks!
Fritz
Message was edited by: Fritz Green

ATV2 audio distorted

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