Looking for some help here, please.

I commented on another thread about a missing sound effect and a character reacting to nothing. But other people heard the effect loud and clear.

Watching the same episode online using the catchup service, the sound is definitely there. I noticed it was heard through the right channel only, and now I'm wondering if there's a problem with that speaker on my TV.

How can I test this out?

so no other noise is missing from that channel? speakers don't selectively omit stuff

I know that. But how do I know if any other noise is missing from that channel? Without a way to test it, I don't know what I'm getting/missing.

To explain, this was a character reacting to a door buzzer in Monday's episode of Coronation Street. I know that's what happened because she went over and answered it. But I heard nothing. As I have Sky+, I watched it three times, and turned up the volume each time. Still, nothing. I assumed it was a mistake and the effect hadn't been added in post-production, and I commented as such on the forum. But it turns out the sound effect wasn't missing, and when I watched it on catchup (on my PC, not on the TV) it was loud and clear (through the right channel).

So, I'm not sure what's going on.

As frasera said a speaker cannot selectively omit stuff. It either makes a noise or it doesn't.

The amplifier driving it could have a problem. But again it too cannot omit one particular sound effect then go on playing everything else.

Unless you have access to the proper test gear there is only so much you can do. If the TV has a headphone socket then try plugging a pair of headphones in and listening to the recording. If you hear the sound effect then that proves the sound is getting to the TV. If not then there could be a problem.

How hav you got the Sky box connected to the TV? If by SCART make sure it is solidly plugged in both ends. Try another SCART lead.

If the Sky box has audio output sockets (think it should do) try connecting them to an audio amplifier or stereo system if you have one. See if the sound effect is audible on that. If not then either the recording is screwed or your Sky box is.

If it is audible try connecting the audio output of the Sky box to an input on the TV. Most TVs will have a set of AV sockets for things like camcorders with a group of phono sockets. Connect the Sky box to the audio sockets of one of these Ignore the video). Select the AV input on the TV and play the recording. If you can hear the sound effect then the TV is OK and it may be the SCART.

If you can't hear it swap the left and right plugs around, ie plug the left out of the Sky box into the right in on the TV and right out to left in. Play the recording again. If the sound effect comes out of the left speaker and there is no sound from the right then the speaker or amplifier in the TV is blown.

You could burn a DVD? Windows Movie Maker (free) would probably do the job, then stick audio on each of the 5 channels in turn and see if that shows any gaps?

No point creating a surround sound audio track since the TV probably can't decode it.

Could try a stereo audio track though with sounds alternating between left and right.

Of course what we don't know however is if this missing audio problem only affects the Sky box. Or if it appears with the TV's own tuner (assuming it is connected to an aerial) or any other devices connected to it.

I know it sounds ridiculous, I know that myself. But, after watching it three times, I was sufficiently sure there was no sound effect there to comment on these forums about it being omitted in post-production.

I no longer have the recording (it was from Monday) but have put tomorrow's omnibus edition in the planner for tomorrow to see what I find then.