Cox Communications. Your friend in the digital age.
 
 
Untitled Document

No Sound or No Color
PRINTER FRIENDLY
• 

Printer Friendly Version
(328 KB/2 pages) Adobe Acrobat File


No Sound

  • Properly plug your television and Cox digital cable terminal into an electrical outlet.
  • Verify that the mute button is not in use.
  • Make sure all cables are properly connected.
  • Make sure the television power is turned ON.
  • If your settop includes a VCR and/or stereo, make sure they are properly connected to the Cox DCT.
  • Make sure your television is tuned to the proper output channel (3 or 4).
  • Make sure the volume is turned up.
  • If the problem is with channels below 100, check the SAP setting, referring to the handbook provided by the manufacturer of your television.
  • For channels above 100, check the Language Preference setting in the Cox Program Guide Settings Menu.

 


No Color

  • Make sure the current television program is broadcast in color.
  • Adjust the television color controls.


Video (Picture) Problems

If you're seeing the problem on broadcast network channel only (e.g. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, WB), it is most likely a problem with the quality of the television signal. These are usually intermittent problems and should go away. If the problem persists, please contact your Cox cable customer service representative for technical support.

If you're seeing the problem on cable channels (e.g. ESPN, CNN, USA):

    • If you have a VCR, turn it off or push the TV/VCR button to put the VCR in the TV mode.
    • If you have an A/B switch, try both switch positions.
    • If you have a cable converter, verify that the converter is plugged in.
    • If you're seeing a black screen, locate and adjust the brightness control.
    • If you're seeing wavy or rolling lines on your screen, adjust the fine-tuning control on your TV set.
    • If you're seeing a rolling picture, adjust the horizontal and vertical hold on your TV set.
    • If you're seeing poor color or no color, adjust the "color" control on TV.
    • If you're seeing a blue, green or red tint to picture, adjust the "tint" control on your TV set.

If the picture is still poor, you can check to see if the problem is with the converter equipment by bypassing the converter and connecting the cable directly to your TV. To do this, follow these steps:

    • Go to the back of the converter and TV set.
    • Disconnect the cable line going into the TV.
    • Disconnect the cable line going to the input ("in" or "cable in") port on the converter.
    • Hookup the line disconnected in Step 2 to the antenna input on the TV.

If the picture is clear after completing these steps, the converter may be faulty. You can return it to a customer service center for a new unit or call to schedule a service appointment to have the converter replaced.

If the picture is still bad after completing these steps, call your Cox customer service representative for technical support.

[Note: If you can not go to the back of the TV or cable connection or you do not wish to, call your Cox cable customer service representative for technical support.]


No Audio on Local Channels

If you have audio on most channels, but have silence on some or all of your local network channels, you may have the Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) turned ON.

  • The SAP feature allows your TV, VCR or Digital Cable box to tune in a second "track" of audio programming.
  • Not all channels broadcast SAP signals.
  • Some channels may not broadcast any sound when the SAP feature is activated. Local network channels are a good example of this.
  • Channels that utilize SAP usually transmit the dialogue in a second language (such as Spanish). Some channels transmit other types of audio programming, such as classical music.

To disable the SAP on your digital converter:

  • Press the "Settings" button on the digital remote one time.
  • This will bring you to the "Quick Settings" screen.
  • You should see an option on this screen that says either "Disable SAP" or "Choose SAP Language".
  • Highlight the appropriate option using the up or down arrow buttons on your digital remote control.
  • If you see the "Disable SAP" option
  • press the "Select" button and your audio should return.
  • If you see the "Choose SAP Language" option
  • Use the left or right arrow buttons to choose the "English" setting
  • Then press the "Select" button and your audio should return.
MTS, Stereo or SAP Problems
  • Verify in the program listing guide that the program has those features.
  • Check to see if the "MTS", "STEREO" or "SAP" light on the TV or VCR is on.
  • If not, push the "MTS", "STEREO" or "SAP" button on the TV or VCR.
  • Adjust the fine tuning on the TV set to restore the stereo or SAP.


Static/Buzzing in Audio

If you hear a static type sound, or buzzing in the audio while you watch a program, the audio settings between your TV and the converter may not be set in optimal quality range. You can correct these settings by doing the following:

  • Using the volume control buttons on the television itself (not the remote) turn the volume all the way down to 0.
  • Using the volume controls on the Digital Converter itself
  • Turn up the volume until it is at it's maximum.
  • Using the television's volume controls again; raise the volume to a comfortable level.
  • At this point the sound quality from the converter should be optimal. If you are still experiencing the audio problems on this television, it is possible there is a loose connection on the television.


Poor Audio/Low Audio Level on Premium Channels

If you are experiencing decreased audio on some premium channels or you are having difficulty hearing the dialogue, however the background sounds come through clearly, the "Audio: Range" is out of adjustment.

  • To correct this, push the [SETTINGS] button twice.
  • Locate "Audio: Range" in the menu and press [SELECT].
  • For the best quality audio on all channels, the "Narrow" option is the best.
  • For some programs, "Normal" or "Wide" may be used if you have a stereo audio system connected.
  • Not all programs are compatible with the "Wide" setting, so the volume may appear to be washed out, or too low to hear without turning the volume up extremely high.

Poor audio quality

  • Check the Music Choice or DMX digital light indicator:
    • If it blinks, check all connections from the wall to the MC or DMX converter.
    • If the light is solid, check all audio connections from the MC or DMX converter, through the stereo and out to the speakers.
  • Also, worn selector switches, volume knobs and tone controls can cause poor audio quality.
  • Call us, If the audio problem persists after taking these steps, please contact your Cox cable customer service representative for assistance.


Channel Out of Sequence or Channel Skip

If you have a cable box:

  • The box does NOT work properly when using the keypad on the box. you have the option of exchanging the box and remote control at the Cox cable customer service center or contacting the Cox cable customer service center to schedule an appointment for the exchange.
  • The box works properly when using the keypad on the box.
  • Check to see if it works using the remote control. If not, check if any buttons are stuck or if the batteries need replacing.
  • If the problem is still there,contact the Cox cable customer service center to arrange to have the box and remote exchanged.

If you do not have a cable box:

  • Verify that the "channel 3/4" switch on the back of the VCR is on channel 3.
  • If the TV or VCR has a programmable channel selector, go through the programming procedures in the operation manual. (Note that some TV's or VCR's will not program scrambled channels.)


TV Does Not Receive All Cable Channels

If the TV or VCR is cable-ready, there will be a switch or menu selection for "TV/ CATV".

Note: Sometimes the "TV/CATV" mode is selected via the TV's remote and not on the TV itself. Also, some remotes operate via a "Menu", and the menu must be used to access "TV/CATV" selection.

  • If there is a "TV/CATV" switch or selection method, select "CATV".
  • If you do not have a cable-ready TV, you must have a converter to watch all of the cable TV channels. You have the option of obtaining a unit at a Cox cable customer service center or having a Cox cable customer service representative schedule you for an Upgrade appointment.
  • If you still cannot receive all of the cable channels, contact the Cox cable customer service center.


Preference Definitions

SAP: Secondary Audio Programming

Language: Specify the language desired for the audio (alternate track digital channels only) or display (settop menus and help)

Audio: Specify the cable settop's volume level, output mode for analog and digital channels, and dynamic range compression

Settop Clock: Specify whether the cable settop LED displays time only, the current channel only, or time with the current channel numbe

© 1998-2008 Cox Communications, Inc.       Policies    |   Visitor Agreement    |   Privacy Policy    |   Parental Control