Sound Choice Audio Drop-out

[tymzend]

I have had this once or twice before, but it happened again last night to me. I was doing "You're Sixteen" (Ringo Starr version - Sound Choice) and I had a short audio drop-out, maybe .5-1 second long. The video kept going, so the graphics were ahead of the audio. Now, I'm certain that this is not an issue like we are having with the current PHM stuff, because it doesn't happen every time.

Do you folks think it might be something hardware related? I had no other programs open during the show, just Hoster.

It's something that happens very sporadically, so I'm thinking there's something in my hardware settings that has my computer out doing something else now and then. It's not anti-virus, because I don't have one installed at the moment. I don't use this PC for e-mails or anything, and it's rarely connected to the net, only for updates.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

P.S. - Other than this and the PHM issue, the PC and software have performed flawlessly.

[gduns - with the Lord]

BUT, IF YOU ARE SET FOR AUTOUPDATE, OR AUTO ANYTHING, IT WILL CAUSE DROPS.

Sorry about the caps, but I ain't retyping. I have to work in caps all day.

[dbl_trbl]

Hey JJ,


Man, after reading about all the problems with this audio drop-out so many people have been having, I'm wondering if maybe I should wait before I switch over from using CDG's.

Al

[S. Parks]

Does it drop out at the same moment in the song each time, or is it a random thing? If is a random thing, it more than likely the setting on your computer, and the guidelines given in the Manual for audio drop outs should take care of your problem. What soundchoice disc number is it? The more details you can give about this, the better. dbl_trbl, I wouldn't let the audio drop out post scare you away from the awesome Hoster experience. Admin is working on the PHM thing, and the problem is nearly non-existant on any other brand. Hoster and karaoke are about as good as it gets.

[tymzend]

Hey Al,

By the time you get everything you have converted, it will be fixed. No worries. The problem is mainly PHM stuff, recent stuff.

The other problems are most likely hardware related, and not a big deal. Those can be tweaked.

The PHM thing (to me) was a MAJOR issue. Some people weren't having the problem, though, which confuses me, because the problem is with the Hoster software, and they are working to fix it now. Not sure how those few avoided it, but they are lucky.

You can plan on at least 4-6 weeks to convert everything you need to convert. By then, these drops should be a thing of the past.

JJ

[tymzend]

S. Parks,

It's wierd, because it might happen once on a disc, and never happen again. I'm going to go back and check what gduns said about the autoupdate stuff, and see if something got toggled back to auto by mistake. Most likely, that's the type of issue that it is. I'm certain it's not a software issue.

Thanks!

[rraike]

I have been having these dropouts regularly since I loaded version 2.212.
Most of them are at the beginning of the song. I did a little test and played one particular top tunes song 50 times and the dropout rate was about 30 out of 50. i have since reloaded version 2.127 and did the same test and the dropout rate was zero. I think there is something in the software that is creating the problem. It's all very nice having all the features the new versions offer, however if the show is affected whats the point? I am going to stick to the old software until this is resolved.
PS I followed the Troubleshooting guide to the letter..but it didn't do anything
Still love the the Program
Cheers

[gduns - with the Lord]

I have played probably 20 shows, and used it nightly at home, and have yet to have a drop out with 2.213 at home or at a show. I know of 3 others who are using it in various machines who have absouletely no dropouts, WE all use Phm's Top tunes, and soundchoice.

These computers were all setup by me, and I set them up the same consistently. I can't tell you what I did in the set up that is different than what you guys did.

Mtu will get to the bottom of this soon, and it will end up being a hair pulling experience for them. Hoster is a complex program, and does a lot of different functions at the same time. But the problem is because of the different settings and platforms, and os's avalible, combinations of cards etc..

all computers address code in a different way, INTEL and AMD have their quirks, and then you have the Chipset, and BIOS makers thrown to the mix. MTU has to figure out how to rewrite a UNIVERSAL code that will overcome all odds. You might even expect tradeoffs. maybe even loose a feature or two.

I have all the faith in these guys.

[S. Parks]

Gduns,
You always have very rational, very informative input to this forum, and I have always respected your opinion. Several times I have heard you make reference to sytems that you have "personally set up" that play these disc that MTU openly acknowledges that their software hase "issues" with. So PLEASE, for the benifit of the rest of use who obviously either can't follow instructions or fail to benfit from your wisdom, PLEASE share with us your secret! We all have the most recent versions of PHM, but experience this problem. What do you know that escapes us and MTU?

[gduns - with the Lord]

S. Parks,
If I could tell you the magic combination of components, and settings, I would do it just to save MTU The greif they are going through with this night mare. But there will still be the one computer combination of components out there that would cause it to happen.

I'm sorry if I come across like there is not a code issue that doesnt make hoster work under all conditions. MY point is that with a little work, tweaking will take out the problem. and will probably help the computer on most all other applicarions as well.

I will say that the computers I build are not thrown together like the $400.00 dell you can buy from tv. I only buy better components, OLextor, gigabyte motherboards, msi nvidea 5700 & above video cards. and soundblaster audigy 2 soundcards. I was having problems with a built in soundcard. But on another Identical system, I had to put in an audigy card.

There are variations from board to board, and I am lucky enough tho have a dealer that works with me on swapping out bad components. POP hits monthly definately does do something different that has a impact. I worked on a system for almost a week, getting it to loose the dropout on "the Love song" by jeff bates. I have had no problems since.

I really hope this matter gets resolved, But until MTU gets the code More portable, Try a little tweaking, you may end your own greif. One source of problems I had was a MSi video board a GE force440. if you are using that one beware.

Good luck

[MTUSUPPORT]

Tymzend,
Can you tell me if you have Reloaded Windows on this computer since I shipped it to you? Also, did you add a Wireless network card or another network card to this system?

[tymzend]

Brian,

I have not reloaded Windows. I did add a wireless network card, but the first 2 times this happened was before the card was added. I understand that I have already voided my warranty by adding the card. I do disable the card as soon as I start up the computer for a show (but it doesn't seem to make a difference).

If the problem is the wireless network card, then I guess it's just something that I have to deal with.

[gduns - with the Lord]

tymzend,
I am running the same wireless network card as you are, and am having no problems. I do not disable it during a show. No point unless the place where you are playing uses the same network, or you are searching for an adhoc system.

I used to disable most everything in the system tray, but found it had no effect.

[MTUSUPPORT]

Tymzend,
It shouldn't have this problem. The systems that I am currently building don't do this.

Can you tell me exactly what songs you are playing and what you are doing when you get the Audio drop?

I know for a fact that on any of the systems, if you start playing a song and then open a program it will drop the audio for a split second. If you open the Program before you start playing, then it will work correctly without dropping audio.

[tymzend]

It's random on songs, and not repeatable. So that's why I think it's not a Hoster problem. I think something is making a CPU spike on my PC, causing the drop out.

I've had it happen on the sound Choice version of Symphony of Destruction a couple of times, in the middle of the song. Otherwise, it's totally random.

It's not that big of a deal, just wondering if there's anything beyond the hardware settings that the manual talks about to try.

Thanks for the input, though.

[MTUSUPPORT]

Tymzend,
On this Sound Choice song, when it does this drop, is there any type of graphic or fade?

If so, the next version of Hoster should help fix this.

[tymzend]

There is a fade, yup, but not the kind of fading that's on the PHM stuff. More subtle.

I know you guys will get it taken care of, no worries.

[MTUSUPPORT]

This is probably all due to the Same issue with the PHM discs. We should have something to Beta test Tommorrow. We may want to send you a version of this, to have you test also.

[tymzend]

I'd be more than happy to test it.

Thanks!

[gduns - with the Lord]

tymzend,
which video port do you have your monitor plugged into the top (digital) or the bottom (analog).