Fix missing audio in cable boxes

So, you were watching TV using your cable box adapter and all of a sudden lost the audio completely. You checked connections, your TV is not muted, you unplugged the cable box and plugged it back in 5 minutes. Nothing helps. At the same time other devices work fine on the same HDMI input of your television. Seems that you are out of options and must call Comcast support. Well, not really!

I have seen this problem twice on two completely different setups and was able to fix it both times. The first time I figured it out was actually forty minutes before the scheduled appointment with a Comcast technician. I contacted their tech support the previous day and they seemed to think that the only option was to send a guy and probably replace the device. Here is what I did instead.

It occurred to me that maximum sound is the sound to which no signal modifications has been applied. Wouldn't it make sense to bring the volume ALL THE WAY UP to reset sound decoding on a cable box? Whether or not this theory is valid, it works. I really wish Comcast told me about this trick. On my DC60x I simply raised the volume using the cable box remote to 60 (the maximum value). I suppose you could even mute your TV while doing it, so it's not too loud. Like I said, this worked on two different setups. My next door neighbors had the same exact thing happen to their cable box and I was able to tell them what to do over the phone (I did not bother going outside). This tells me that this is a common problem and that my solution will work for many people with the same issue. Of course, your experience may vary. Maybe you will need to have your cable box replaced. I did not, so far.

Panasonic SC-PT753 Home Theater System Review + Manual

Panasonic SC-PT753 Home Theater System, 900 Watt, with 5-DVD Changer


Pros:

• Does 1080p conversion
• Wireless rear speakers
• XM radio ready
• iPod dock that can charge iPods.
• Multiroom wireless capability with an optional SH-FX85 unit
• Dialog enhancer mode makes it easier to follow movie dialogs.
  

Cons:

• Does not play DiVx movies
• The wireless rear speakers setup is somewhat cumbersome
• No digital input (you will not be able to enjoy surround sound from other sources)
  

Manual (same manual for SC-PT750):

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/SCPT750.pdf

Official specs:

Wireless Freedom
With a wireless rear speaker, you can place the speaker wherever you like without the clutter of cables. You can also expand your music listening into three additional rooms with the SH-FX85 wireless multi-room speaker kit (sold separately).

Amazingly Vivid Picture
To give you the astonishingly high image quality of today's HD technology, the 1080p up-conversion function converts standard definition (720 x 480 pixels) images from DVDs to high definition (1920 x 1080 pixels). That means you'll get the most out of your HDMI-compatible HDTV, with sharp and exceptionally detailed high-resolution images. And unlike ordinary video up-converters that produce images with thicker edges and decreased sharpness, the HD Enhancer keeps edges crisp and clear, for outstanding detail.

Intensely Rich Sound
Enhance your home theater system with an incredible combination of Panasonic sound technology and 900 watts of power. Super Surround puts you in the action with lifelike sound from every angle, and a Four-Step Subwoofer Level Control puts you in command, with rich sound effects you can hear and feel.

Enjoy Your Favorite Movies and Music
Panasonic home theater systems are great for watching movies, but that's only where the fun begins. They also come equipped to deliver exceptional sound quality from portable audio players and other new music sources. So go ahead and listen to your favorite music on your iPod^® by adding the Universal Dock for iPod^® (sold separately) or tune into your favorite XM stations¹.

Smart Theater with Simple Operation
It's never been easier to use both Dolby Pro Logic II and Super Surround — functions that create a multi-channel sound effect from disc media and other sources. One button is all it takes: simply press the DPLII/S.SRD button on the remote control and the system recognizes whether the source is a disc or not.

HDMI cable - cheap and dirty

My Sharp LCD does is only a 26 inch unit, so I do not really gain much in terms of quality because of using the upconversion feature in the home theater. However, it was nice to get rid of a bunch of wires!

It has been noted by many that retail stores are running a very successful scam, selling HDMI cables for no less that $30-$40. I got mine at Buy.com. It's a 6 inch Belkin cable, which means that I still managed to get a decent brand. It only cost me ten bucks. It works perfectly. I just cannot yet figure out why I don't have an easy way to disable the sound input from the home theater to the television. After all, the home theater is perfectly capable of rendering the sound using its own speakers!

Regardless, this is a total 'buyer beware'. Do not pay $50 or so for a cable that you can get for $10 or $20. It's just wrong!