HDMI Distortion from Rock / NUC to AVR

JD_Cincy · February 27, 2023, 11:32pm

Roon Core Machine

Intel NUC 11 Pro NUC11PAHi7 Home & Business Desktop Mini PC

Intel Core i7-1165G7 4-Core, 2.8–4.7 GHz Turbo，8 Thread, 12MB Cache,
16GB DDR4 RAM,
512GB PCIe M.2 (OS)
1TB SSD (Music Storage)

The most recent bios - PA0050.

ROCK (Roon 2.0 Build 1211).

Networking Gear & Setup Details

1GB Ethernet with all devices on the same subnet.

Connected Audio Devices

Denon x3700h over HDMI

Number of Tracks in Library

7,000

Description of Issue

I’m getting distortion over HDMI from time to time, sometimes I can play music for 10 minutes, others for an hour before it starts. The best way to describe it is highly metallic / digitized / distorted (Dropbox link to sample). The only resolution I’ve found is to unplug and restart the Rock.
I can play mp3, m4a, flac, dsd, mch dsd and none of those specifically cause the issue to start.
I have tried 2 HDMI cables.
Adjusted the bit rate to 24 to match the maximum capability of the receiver over HDMI.

Receiver HDMI Compatibility -

The last song it was playing when the distortion began. I was able to replay the same song with no issue after rebooting the Rock.

ipeverywhere · February 28, 2023, 3:57am

Post your signal path when distortion happens,

KMM · February 28, 2023, 4:53am

Looks like you store your music on the same drive you run ROCK on. I doubt that this is the root cause of your problem and Roon advises to separate Core from storage.

Robem · February 28, 2023, 6:22am

@KMM, that just means that it is internal in the NUC, rather than external (USB) or a network location.

JD_Cincy · February 28, 2023, 12:34pm

It was playing this same song with no distortion when I paused it yesterday evening. Hitting play this morning, the distortion had started.

JD_Cincy · February 28, 2023, 12:45pm

Full log output from the Rock Server -

02/28 12:33:02 Info: [stats] 27082mb Virtual, 770mb Physical, 340mb Managed, 364 Handles, 88 Threads
02/28 12:33:13 Trace: [dbperf] flush 0 bytes, 0 ops in 1 ms (cumulative 1557515 bytes, 608 ops in 2502 ms)
02/28 12:33:13 Info: [library/albumdetails] found 1 ingroup alternates, 0 other alternates
02/28 12:33:13 Info: [library/albumdetails] Created album details screen for LibraryAlbum[971311, Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple]
02/28 12:33:13 Info: [library/albumdetails] 79004d5730303030343938373430, 79004d5230303031303730373339, 79004d5230303034323935363433, 79004d5230303032373432383539, 79004d5230303031303730303434, 79004d5230303030393839303438, 3e0131b7f08c1c8dd7379a03a2734df4c22b, 3e01f170f2f1057c5c48a4bce175b1cee92a, 3e01afaf032d61f01c398045acea86dd0400, 79004d5230303031303731333031, 79004d5230303031303730373039, 79004d5230303031303730393734, 3e0146f4f41135be2c4c91759e69a46147dd, 3e01078ca2067916864e8c7e62e2cd324709, 3e01889ab6d1623ea046bd038aa99126f2c9, a6003334343032373837, a6003334343230363736, a60033383233313933, a6003335303331393639, c80030383235363436393533373833, c80030303735363739393932383935, c80030383235363436393534343639, c80030383235363436393533383434, cd00306c554a5554634f2d424e4d786349597841
02/28 12:33:13 Trace: [dbperf] flush 0 bytes, 0 ops in 1 ms (cumulative 1557515 bytes, 608 ops in 2503 ms)
02/28 12:33:13 Debug: [easyhttp] [394] GET to https://api.roonlabs.net/metadatatext/1/blobs?objectId=191:0:525327&type=biography&sourceLangs=Rovi-albums:en,Wikipedia:en,Rovi-artists:en,Rovi-compositions:en returned after 226 ms, status code: 200, request body size: 0 B
02/28 12:33:13 Debug: [easyhttp] [392] GET to https://api.roonlabs.net/metadatatext/1/blobs?objectId=121:0:MW0000498740&type=review&sourceLangs=Rovi-albums:en,Wikipedia:en,Rovi-artists:en,Rovi-compositions:en returned after 258 ms, status code: 200, request body size: 0 B
02/28 12:33:13 Debug: [easyhttp] [393] GET to https://api.roonlabs.net/metadatatext/1/blobs?objectId=174:1:561b6a11-3c35-3f8e-a987-3b2b8d6639c3&type=description&sourceLangs=Rovi-albums:en,Wikipedia:en,Rovi-artists:en,Rovi-compositions:en returned after 339 ms, status code: 200, request body size: 0 B
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [zone Rock] PlayPause
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [zone Rock] Unpause
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [zone Rock] Selecting Source state=Paused
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [zone Rock] Unsuspend
02/28 12:33:15 Info: [Rock] [zoneplayer] Playing: /roon/sys/storage/mounts/InternalStorage/Roon Imports/DIZZLE-GAMES/imported at 2023-02-27T16-13 UTC-05_00/Gnarls Barkley/The Odd Couple/11  Gnarls Barkley - Blind Mary.mp3
02/28 12:33:15 Info: [Rock] [zoneplayer]     Open Result (Playing):Result[Status=Success]
02/28 12:33:15 Info: [Rock] [zoneplayer] Performing initial seek to 93000
02/28 12:33:15 Info: [Rock] [zoneplayer] Starting playback
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] StartStream Sooloos.Broker.Transport.RaatZonePlayer+Endpoint: StreamParams[SampleRate=44100, BitsPerSample=24, Channels=2, Layout=Stereo FrameCount=9057024] => StreamParams[SampleRate=44100, BitsPerSample=24, Channels=2, Layout=Stereo FrameCount=9057024] streamid=956700276
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] SENT [76]{"request":"setup","format":{"sample_type":"pcm","sample_rate":44100,"bits_per_sample":24,"channels":2,"sample_subtype":"none"}}
02/28 12:33:15 Info: [zone Rock] OnPlayFeedback Playing
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [LowQuality, 24/44 MP3 => 24/44] [100% buf] [PLAYING @ 1:33/3:25] Blind Mary - Gnarls Barkley
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [musicpowerstate] music is playing, preventing idle sleep
02/28 12:33:15 Info: [Rock] [zoneplayer] Queueing: /roon/sys/storage/mounts/InternalStorage/Roon Imports/DIZZLE-GAMES/imported at 2023-02-27T16-18 UTC-05_00/Marilyn Manson/[1994] Portrait Of An American Family/03 - Marilyn Manson - Lunchbox.mp3
02/28 12:33:15 Info: [Rock] [zoneplayer] Open result (Queueing): Result[Status=Success]
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [76] {"message":{"signal_path":[{"quality":"lossless","alsa_device":{"name":"HDA Intel PCH","driver":"HDA-Intel","longname":"HDA Intel PCH at 0x603d1a0000 irq 142","components":"PCH","id":"PCH","mixername":"Intel Tigerlake HDMI"},"type":"output","method":"alsa"}]},"status":"OutputMessage"}
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [prebuffer] ready 149940/441000 (34%) @ 93/205 sec
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [76] {"audio_port_tcp":32911,"status":"Success","clock_port":54272,"audio_port":0}
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Endpoint HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 State Changed: Idle => Prepared
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] synced to endpoint HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 clock: realtime=4829134030328 rtt=0us offset=-42471632969us delta=-42471632969us
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] SENT [77]{"request":"stream","stream_id":956700276,"first_seq":-1,"nak_port":-1,"buffer_size":10,"ready_threshold":0.2}
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [77] {"status":"Buffering"}
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Endpoint HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 State Changed: Prepared => Buffering
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] [zoneplayer/raat] selected HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 as clock master
02/28 12:33:15 Debug: [raat/tcpaudiosource] connecting to 127.0.0.1:32911
02/28 12:33:15 Debug: [raat/tcpaudiosource] connected
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [77] {"status":"Ready"}
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Endpoint HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 State Changed: Buffering => Ready
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] wait for ready in 33ms
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Adjusting playback start offset from 50ms to 57ms
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Doing 'ASAP' Start since we are just playing to one device
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] SENT [78]{"request":"start","min_offset":57619047,"stream_sample":0}
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Endpoint HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 State Changed: Ready => Playing
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [77] {"status":"Playing"}
02/28 12:33:15 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [78] {"time":4829234179179,"status":"Success"}
02/28 12:33:15 Info: 
--[ SignalPath ]---------------------------------------------
SignalPath Quality = LowQuality
Elements:
    Source Format=Mp3 44100/24/2 BitRate=192 Quality=LowQuality
    Raat Device=HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0
    Output OutputType=Local_Alsa Quality=Lossless SubType= Model=HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0
------------------------------------------------------------
02/28 12:33:17 Info: [stats] 27095mb Virtual, 774mb Physical, 356mb Managed, 369 Handles, 83 Threads
02/28 12:33:20 Trace: [Rock] [LowQuality, 24/44 MP3 => 24/44] [100% buf] [PLAYING @ 1:35/3:25] Blind Mary - Gnarls Barkley
02/28 12:33:28 Trace: [Rock] [LowQuality, 24/44 MP3 => 24/44] [100% buf] [PLAYING @ 1:38/3:25] Blind Mary - Gnarls Barkley
02/28 12:33:32 Info: [stats] 27095mb Virtual, 774mb Physical, 333mb Managed, 369 Handles, 84 Threads
02/28 12:33:35 Trace: [Rock] [LowQuality, 24/44 MP3 => 24/44] [100% buf] [PLAYING @ 1:41/3:25] Blind Mary - Gnarls Barkley
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [zone Rock] PlayPause
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [zone Rock] Pause
02/28 12:33:42 Info: [zone Rock] Canceling Pending Sleep
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [Rock] [LowQuality, 24/44 MP3 => 24/44] [100% buf] [PLAYING @ 1:43/3:25] Blind Mary - Gnarls Barkley
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Pausing at streamtime_ns 9357737250 now_ns 4838591916429
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] SENT [79]{"request":"stop"}
02/28 12:33:42 Info: [zone Rock] OnPlayFeedback Paused
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Endpoint HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 State Changed: Playing => Paused
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [Rock] [LowQuality, 24/44 MP3 => 24/44] [100% buf] [PAUSED @ 1:43/3:25] Blind Mary - Gnarls Barkley
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [77] {"status":"Stopped"}
02/28 12:33:42 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [79] {"status":"Success"}
02/28 12:33:47 Info: [stats] 27095mb Virtual, 774mb Physical, 334mb Managed, 369 Handles, 83 Threads
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [zone Rock] [zone] no playback for 5s, suspending to release audio device
02/28 12:33:47 Info: 
--[ SignalPath ]---------------------------------------------
SignalPath Quality = LowQuality
Elements:
    Source Format=Mp3 44100/24/2 BitRate=192 Quality=LowQuality
    Raat Device=HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0
    Output OutputType=Local_Alsa Quality=Lossless SubType= Model=HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0
------------------------------------------------------------
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [zone Rock] Suspend
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [zone Rock] Stop
02/28 12:33:47 Info: [zone Rock] OnPlayFeedback Stopped
02/28 12:33:47 Info: [zone Rock] Canceling Pending Sleep
02/28 12:33:47 Info: [audio/env] [zoneplayer -> stream] All streams were disposed
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Endpoint HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 State Changed: Paused => Prepared
02/28 12:33:47 Info: [audio/env] [zoneplayer] All streams were disposed
02/28 12:33:47 Info: [audio/env] [zoneplayer -> stream -> endpoint] All streams were disposed
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] SENT [80]{"request":"end_stream"}
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] SENT [81]{"request":"teardown"}
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [Rock] [zoneplayer/raat] Endpoint HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0 State Changed: Prepared => Idle
02/28 12:33:47 Debug: [raat/tcpaudiosource] disconnecting
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [77] {"status":"Ended"}
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [80] {"status":"Success"}
02/28 12:33:47 Info: sleep 33ms after flush
02/28 12:33:47 Trace: [HDA Intel PCH HDMI 0] [raatclient] GOT [76] {"status":"Teardown"}

JD_Cincy · February 28, 2023, 11:30pm

Probably unimportant, but I attempted to restart the server through the web interface and that does not clear the issue, I need to use the power button or plug to restart the NUC.

Another signal path example of a file playing with distortion -

noris · March 1, 2023, 6:47pm

Hi @JD_Cincy ,

Thanks for the report here.

Can you please confirm if you are also seeing this issue when your play to another HDMI zone, such as a TV? Or does the issue only happen on the Denon? Is there any change in behavior if you enable HDMI Passthrough mode on your Denon?

https://manuals.denon.com/AVRX3700H/NA/EN/GFNFSYkabkahie.php

JD_Cincy · March 1, 2023, 7:09pm

Passthrough and ARC were both enabled, although there was no Source set for passthrough. I do not use either of those functions, so I disabled both of them and will report back in a day or so.

JD_Cincy · March 2, 2023, 7:32pm

I’ve let it run for over 24 hours with no issue. But since this is a very inconsistent error, please do not close this quite yet, I will update again in a week.

JD_Cincy · March 4, 2023, 2:00am

Got distortion again after 48 hours. Thought it was solved with the eARC / Passthrough stuff. Any other ideas?

This would be less irritating if I could restart through the web ui.

I also still can’t play locally on my PC (different thread that never got resolved). Airplay and sonos works well, but basic play over HDMI either on a PC or AVR is a real problem.

JD_Cincy · March 10, 2023, 3:55pm

This is still an issue. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Riccardo_Sibilia · March 10, 2023, 7:06pm

Similar but on mch only. Zenyatta80 on 2 ch also
5.1 Surround Sound FLAC files stuttering via NUC HDMI
Distortion on NUC HDMI

JD_Cincy · March 10, 2023, 7:54pm

Thanks for the response, I saw your post as well. As an temporary solution it would be nice to give us a way to remotely restart the sound drivers or do a full restart of the NUC.

JD_Cincy · March 17, 2023, 5:19pm

Still an issue

Using a lifetime subscription on a recommended piece of hardware and crickets from Roon support here… Having to manually reboot this thing 5 or 6 times / day is unacceptable.

maddib · March 19, 2023, 11:08am

Hi,

Since “distortion” heard can be quite different the following is not a guaranteed solution. But, at least you could check these…

How long are your cables? HDMI signal gets corrupted easily if the distance is too high.
Check for the following device setting…

image1153×582 62.6 KB

Try setting the delay at around 6k to 7k.

I too have a Denon AVR connected via HDMI, and it is quite sensitive to this delay setting. In my case any distortion disappeared if set to ~6k.

Hope this helps.
Matt

JD_Cincy · March 20, 2023, 3:59pm

Thanks for this. I tried setting it to 6,000ms and it locked my AVR completely lol. I wasn’t able to play video or audio on any HDMI input until I rebooted. I’ve set it to 1,000 to give that a shot.

My HMDI cables are 1 meter and I’ve tried a couple different ones.

maddib · March 20, 2023, 8:42pm

Ok, I’d definitely exclude the cables as an error source, then.
Hhmm… behaviour of your Denon with 6k ms and locking is very strange. Usually you just have to wait for 6s then, before the next title is started. That gives the Denon time to “think”
Have you loaded the latest firmware on your Denon?
Ever tried disabling any HDMI option and video processing in your Denon?
Ever tried with a different HDMI port of your Denon?
Your NUC is not in fanless operation? Temperature…
You actually have a 5.0/5.1 speaker setup?
Sorry, I don’t remember, have you tried a different HDMI destination like e.g. a TV?
Does your NUC has more than one HDMI out? If yes try the other port.

Riccardo_Sibilia · March 20, 2023, 8:50pm

Similar issue as the other threads
No setup or setting changes whatsoever
Only change is Roon updates

maddib · March 20, 2023, 8:51pm

Oh, which roon update…?