Center Sync crackle / static.

[MegaRid]

I'm having an issue using my A95K tv as the centre speaker for an HT-A5000 sound bar - namely crackle / static.

It is not regular, certainly not constant, but crops up from time to time and is quite off-putting.

The tv is connected to the sound bar via HDMI using the e-Arc channel. The sound bar is then connected back to the tv using the 3.5mm jack cable supplied with the tv.

I have contacted Sony Support over this but their trouble-shooting advice only went as far as to suggest unplugging everything. I have read, in a number of places, static if often caused by dirt or dust which can be blown away. I have also read suggestions of using compressed air to do the job but don't know if this sounds like the very most sensible idea!! 

Has anyone else had this problem?? Can anyone advise on the dust theory or suggest anything else that might help??

[MegaRid]

@HannahEd01 

So sorry for leaving this so long....

Thanks for your reply on this but I think we might be talking at cross purposes. I've read about people having hissing / humming problems when using their tv as the centre speaker with a sound bar (usually earlier models) but this is something different. The problem I am having is a crackle - like static noise - that occurs mainly when the tv is making a noise after a period of silence or quiet. A good example is going into the settings menu - when I move the highlight bar from option to option, the accompanying noise can often attract a crackle - and it only happens when using the tv as the centre speaker and I am sure it has something to do with the analogue cable and inputs.

I may just have to live with it. It is intermittent and not that often at that. Unless anyone else has experienced it and has any suggestions....??

[HannahEd01]

Hi MegaRid, have you tried contacting Sony about your issue?

[MegaRid]

Hi @HannahEd01.

I have, sadly. They were hopeless. The advice pretty much extended as far as switching off, removing all cables and then plugging back in and switching back on. I've had numerous issues with my set-up since I got it - I've had four or five threads open on here since October - and the advice is always the same (regardless of the issue). 

To be fair, they did then suggest I send them a video but how do you take a video of an intermittent problem??

I'm getting to the point where I am thinking I will just have to live with it. I've kinda gotten to that point with some of the other issues I have threads open for so what's one more eh?? It's a shame, I was so excited to get this tv (and sound bar etc) but the reality has been a bitter disappointment. 

[HannahEd01 · Accepted solution]

Hey MegaRid, since you're already there, I recommend you follow up on it as well. Even without the video, they should be able to pass it through for the technical team. 

[MegaRid]

Hey @HannahEd01 ,

That sounds like good advice - I have a phone call scheduled with support, to discuss some of the other issues, so will throw this back in. 

I'm going to close this thread down now and hope for the best with technical instead. Thanks for all of your help and advice though....

[Thomp223]

Hi,

So this is sadly an issue that Sony is aware of on all 2021 and 2022 Bravia XR TVs that support accoustic centre sync. I had an A90K paired with an A3000 with the same issue, and after a back and forth with Sony for around 5 months, I had an engineer try fitting an internal component twice which didn't solve the issue. I FINALLY got to exchange the TV at the original retailer, and exchanged for A90J. Sadly the same issue is on this TV too. It's actually beyond a joke how badly this feature works. We've a right to complain. Ever since Sony commited to to this road to zero plastic in the Bravia XR TVs, their build quality has suffered big time. My A3000 also has a whine noise coming from the power input too, along with the accoustic centre sync issue, so it's fair to say I'm massively disappointed in Sony. There is no firmware update that can fix the accoustic centre sync issue. You're stuck with it. Who knows maybe their 2023 TVs will have it fixed.

[SkyNet404]

I'm sorry to learn that buddy, but if you got the device repaired twice I think you should raise this further. 
And if you're saying that it's a known fault with that, then it can only be resolved with a software repair since apparently repairing or even replacing the unit didn't help, so we can only hope for a an update to address this soon, fingers crossed. 
 

[jofreet]

Hi,

I am also having this issue with my 65" A80J and I haver tried everything,, changing the centre sync cable, all of the settings and cleaning but it still has a loud "Pop" noise when changing channels. 

Sony have no clue as usual and just ask for everything to be reset etc.

Has anyone managed to solve this issue? Is it a static build up?

I read that fitting a ground loop isolator they sell on Amazon will solve the issue with static?

[MegaRid]

Jofreet,

Hi.

Thanks for replying on this thread.

I never did. In fact, in the end, I just gave up on it and stopped using it. I did prefer the sound with the accoustic centre sync 'on' (it was a reason for buying all Sony) but have gotten used to it without now.

I did read about adding an isolator but also read it affected sound quality (made it really quiet in some cases). 

Apologies, I know that won't be the sort of response you were looking for. Maybe someone else will chip in now the conversation has started back up again....!!

[jofreet]

Hi,

Thank you for replying on this thread.

Yes, the same unfortunately! Sony act like they don't know about it and run through the same old nonsense of unplugging everything and resetting everything when it's clearly a fault with the TV.

The sound is much better with the acoustic centre sync but that popping noise is so loud I just had to turn it off and will only turn centre sync on to watch a film if I remember. I wish Sony could be honest and get these problems sorted out and offer a free repair. I won't be buying another tv again for a while, hopefully they can resolve it for the next generation of tv's. This was one of the reasons I went for the A80J and the HT-7000 for the centre sync compatibility.

I will do some research before I buy from Sony again and see if it's been fixed