Forum Discussion
klambert wrote: the best suggestion they can come up with is "turn it to stereo for everything" which is asinine.
I've seen it mentioned before that these things start looking like bait/switch (false advertising). Not just random bugs, but a pattern of not caring about delivering features that sold the tv. The FTC involves itself in that. Your state AG does too (or, knows of a state agency that does. If you're in Canada, you probably have better protections).
ku-sux has said he's finding the "free streaming" to be a misrepresentation, and was talking about going to the media (wall street journal).
In this case, for a TCL tv, even though I definitely understand the principle of the matter, it may be better to take the loss and move on. Post reviews to every retail site. File the complaints with government orgs. Plant a bug in the ear of class-action bottom feeders. A lot of this stuff looks like collusion tactics (TCL blames Roku; Roku blames TCL. Nobody's responsible. They're the winner that way. The customers of both orgs have one thing in common: losing.).
Figure you can sell the tv to someone without as much standards. Use the money to buy a Sony Android. (TCL makes Android tvs too. From one review I saw, those tvs will respond to a numeric remote. Like Roku, they don't come with one. But, if you spend $25 USD on a URC-7880 (for example), the Android version of TCL tvs will respond to the number keys, change channels, etc.).
If you read back through this forum. Roku never (I've seen) acknowledges a problem exists, or when to expect a fix (if any). People have been waiting years based upon "thanks, I passed it along." It's clear Roku doesn't care about its customers. One of the clearest examples I've seen is the so-called "cache clearing" (remote button sequence). That's really fixing problems for customers. But, last summer Roku mocked its customers to a news outlet, saying there is no cache (implying this solution is a myth). Eight months ago. Instead of explaining what it does, or why it's fixing problems, or what Roku would do to eliminate the root cause of customers having to use it, all they had to say to the news outlet was "there is no cache (eye roll) silly customers" (loose quotes).
We see that disregard for integrity over and over. Just sell it to someone who doesn't need dolby, etc., buy a different tv. Even a cheap TCL Android. That would give you some time to see if it delivers the advertised features (within the return window). Spend $50 USD on the 4-5 year extended warranty. I don't usually buy those. But, in the case of TCL (the lack of clarity about who's causing these problems), I'd do it. Definitely TCL Roku. Just not sure if Android on TCL is as problematic.
Just bumping this up.
Still on 9.4.2 version. Hoping a new version randomly fixes the problem, but highly doubting it.
- TarheelWes5 years agoStreaming Star
Was playing with the system a little this morning. The thought had occurred to me that maybe the software bug just makes the codec on the receiver disappear but that the sound mixing isn't bothered.
So, I put on season 1, episode 1 of Jack Ryan on Amazon prime. The opening bombing scene has nice surround sound. When I rewound, as expected, the receiver dropped the codec.
I DID still have sound from my surround speakers, but, without question it was different. When I exited the app, and restarted the scene, WITH the codec, it was night and day difference.
So, no luck on it simply being the missing codec. The sound is unquestionably affected.
Wonder if we could get some attention from like a 3rd party reviewer like CNET or Tom's Guide?
- TarheelWes5 years agoStreaming Star
Be Still, My heart:
Wow, TCL maybe is more responsive. Let's hope this is true.
- Pg-1314 years agoReel Rookie
Just following up about 6 months later. This is still an issue and is pretty frustrating. Before I watch content, if I care about the sound (i.e. Movies), I have to go through the restart or settings change process.
It's easy for me to tell because I have a Sonos and see the audio output type. I'm guessing most have no idea the TV is **bleep** and sending stereo to their AV setups.