Channels & viewing

[dmitche3]

I've bought an Ultra a few years ago and only recently started to view the Live TV and Roku Channel.  But it is very fustrating as the sound keeps randoming increasing and decreasting.  I do not have auto-leveling on any longer as that made things worse.  Also, the popping and screetches that occurred made it unwatchable.

I have reduced things a bit more, other than turning off the Auto-leveling on sound by changing my TV to be recognize stereo and not PCM. I've changed the box to be always Stereo and streaming format to DTS as y TV supports that.

I want to rbuy another one for another room as I love the Live TV and Roku Channel but I can't pull the switch if I'm going to be annoyed every time I use it.  I see MANY others reporting the same glitches, whether a box or a Roku TV, and the issue has been around for years.

Is there a solution or is Roku a finish product?

[Bratty1-]

My Roku does this too.  It’s so annoying.  I thought maybe I had a faulty Roku system but apparently it’s something else.  

[RokuTakashi]

Hi, @dmitche3 @Bratty1-

Thanks for posting here in the Roku Community.

We appreciate you for informing us about the issue you have encountered concerning the audio and volume levels with Live TV and The Roku Channel. Our team is eager to gather specific information to conduct a thorough investigation. Kindly provide the details below:

• What Roku device you are having issues with?
• When did you first encounter the issue?
• Is this issue happening to specific content with the Live TV and The Roku Channel, or does it happen with all of the content being streamed?
• Have you attempted any troubleshooting steps such as a system restart?
• Do you have any external device such as a soundbar or an AVR?

We hope for your response and the details we have requested so our team can investigate this issue further.

Best wishes,
Kash

[StreamerUser]

@dmitche3 @Bratty1- 

If your Roku is an Ultra model 48xx (4800/4802/4850):

1) Configure passthrough:  Settings/Audio/Digital output format = Passthrough

Otherwise for all models:

2) Disable sound modes:  During playback press Options (*) on your remote/Sound settings/Customize sound modes/Volume Leveling & Dialog Enhancement = Off or Options (*)/Volume mode = Off 

Other info:

1)  Ad insertion during playback may/can cause audio issues (distortion, dropouts, latency, static, popping, volume shifts) - there is nothing that can be done about this other than to complain to Roku about the issue (for its apps/services) and to avoid using such apps/services.

2) The Roku Channel app uses DD (Dolby Digital/AC3) for its 5.1, and if connecting to/through a TV may be transcoded to DD+ (EAC3) or otherwise processed relative to the TV's audio settings/configuration causing this (you may be able to re-configure the TV to work around/solve this problem).

3) Changing the Preferred streaming format = DTS does nothing as there are almost no streaming services using DTS (and not Live TV or TRC); this really only impacts RMP (Roku Media Player) or other local media playback when a file has multiple tracks (e.g. with both Dolby and DTS) - this does NOT transcode output audio to DTS.

[Dmitche31960]

Thanks. I was out recovering from a heart attack.  Now, I can’t find my dmitche3 login information. LOL. 
the problem is on a Roku Ultra streaming box. The problem is only with the Roku channel and Live TV. I don’t subscribe to or use others. I have no problem streaming from Spectrum or from my own Universal Media Server box. 

[RokuRiamie-D · Accepted solution]

Hi @Dmitche31960,

Thanks for the update!

We get that the audio issue only happens when you stream on the Roku Channel and Live TV Channel guide. We would like you to try the following troubleshooting steps below:

Remove the Roku Channel App:

1. Press Home on your Roku remote
2. Move to the right and highlight the app you wish to remove
3. Press Star  on your Roku remote to open the Options menu
4. Select Remove app and confirm when prompted

Restart your Roku device:

1. Press Home on your Roku remote 
2. Scroll and select Settings
3. Select System
4. Select Power. If you do not see a Power submenu, skip to the next step.
5. Select System restart

Add the app again after you restart the system. Also, make sure you check for updates on your Roku device by going through Settings > System > Software Update > Check Now.

For more help, please visit our Roku support article: How to resolve a channel playback issue | Official Roku Support 

Please let us know if the issue persists, we would be more than willing to assist.

Regards,
Riamie

[StreamerUser]

@Dmitche31960 

Again, check/change the settings I mentioned in the previous post (set to passthrough, disable volume modes), and otherwise just realize ad insertion may/does cause audio problems (direct all complaints about audio problems caused by ad insertions to Roku CS for LiveTV/TRC).