Transcoding .ts file error = audio chipmunks?

[doncote0]

I routinely record programs with my HD-PVR. I am very impressed with the quality of both the video and audio.

I am still using the SageMVP. This is typically what I do with the .ts files:

1. Have VideoRedo do a quick stream fix
2. Using the integrated sage transcoder, transcode the .ts file to DVD standard with AC3 (making it a .mpg)
3. Have comskip get rid of commercials

More and more often, I have been left with a recording that has great video, great commercial skip and audio that sounds like garbled chipmunk. Seems that the transcoding process is generating bad audio from good audio. (If I leave the original file, the original audio is intact and normal.)

If you have any idea how I can correct this audio issue within Sage or what I should check, I welcome any positive and productive advice.

In other words, "stop doing that...", "why would you...", "you can run comskip on .ts files" or "get a HD300..." are not welcome responses.

[doncote0]

My HD-PVR records from a Comcast HDTV box out using SPDIF (optical audio) and component.

My Comcast is currently setup for matrix'd audio with no compression.

I couldn't find anything that listed recommended audio settings for STB's feeding audio to the HD-PVR, so I chose the one that I figured offered the richest audio environment.

[bits]

Are you converting to mpeg just so that comskip can find the commercials?

With VideoReDo TVSuite4 + comskip donators version, you do not have to re-encode the file to mpeg in order find and cut commercials.

[doncote0]

Are you converting to mpeg just so that comskip can find the commercials?

No.

(Guess I should have included this exclusion in the original post.)

It still wouldn't explain or prevent "the chipmunk audio" from a transcode process, even if that were my reason.