Xfinity Xi6 and HomePod eArc incompatibility

[DVD1968]

So I have a couple of Rogers Xfinity TV boxes, model Xi6-A and Xi6-T with Belkin HDMI 2.1 ultra high speed cables connected to my LG B6 OLED TV. Another Belkin HDMI cable (same spec) connecting the Apple TV 4K (model A2169 with tvOS 18.3) via ARC.

I hear an intermittent buzzing sound every few minutes that cuts out the tv audio. It sounds like an MRI machine. Super annoying.

It doesn’t matter which audio setting I choose on the Xfinity box - auto or stereo or expert - all produce some sort of intermittent interference noise.

I also tried changing the audio setting on Apple TV to 16 bit, without luck.

Finally switched between both models of the Rogers Xi6 boxes and same result.

To rule out my tv being the issue, I played Netflix through both the TV app, and the Apple TV app. Neither of these scenarios produced the intermittent noise so I have to conclude that the issue is with the Rogers boxes.

I can’t use my HomePods as the TV audio source with this problem so hoping someone here has a solution. Thank you!

[RogersYasmine]

Hello @DVD1968,

We appreciate the detailed post!

Could there be an issue with your HDMI cords? I wonder if swapping them out might help eliminate them as the culprit.

I also understand that you have some third party equipment included in your set-up. I would recommend trying to connect your cable TV box directly to your TV, removing any third party equipment for now. Then you can monitor to see if the issue is still there.

If the noise issue IS still present, then we know it's likely not your third party equipment and additional troubleshooting will be required.

If the noise issue seems to be gone, then we can probably rule out the STBs and you can begin adding back in any third party equipment one by one. This will help you determine what is causing the noise issue.

I hope this helps! I'll also bring in some of our Resident Experts @-G- @57 @Datalink to see if they have any other suggestions.

Looking forward to your response!

RogersYasmine
 

[57]

@DVD1968 : Are you saying the issue is with the Rogers boxes and Apple TV box? 

Is the issue also with the Apple TV box?  If it is, then the issue is not the Rogers box.

Have you tried swapping the location of the two Rogers Boxes? 

Does the issue follow a single box to another TV, or stay with the same TV?

Are the boxes connected to two different TVs with the same problem on both TVs? 

Try moving the HDMI cable to a different input on the TV.

Try swapping the ends of the HDMI cable from the TV to the Box and vice versa.

This is done to check for a good connection.

Try the HDMI cable that came with the Rogers TV box.

Have you rebooted your Gateway (modem) and TV boxes?

I don't understand your HomePod comment. If it also has the issue, then the issue is again not with the Rogers box...

Reading your post I'm a bit confused, so please restate the issue in different words and try the suggestions above and in the FAQ below.

Here's an FAQ on "Things to Check". First thing, simplify - remove everything from the equation but a box, a cable and the TV.

https://www.digitalhome.ca/threads/faq-things-to-check-first.19694/