B777-300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 15419; Flight Crew Type 6201
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation
Aircraft
While completing the before takeoff the Relief Pilot used the Takeoff Flight Attendants Directory automated message in place of the manual 'please be seated for departure' PA announcement. The Flight Attendants indicated during the cruise portion of the flight that the canned before takeoff announcement from the automated directory; was not heard in all parts of the cabin. We wrote up the issue.The Flight Attendants then indicated that this has been an issue; not hearing the automated takeoff announcement on the 777-300 model. Since we; the pilots; are not aware of this being an issue until we are told by the flight attendants; it may not be an identified hazard in the [reporting] data stream. Previously; [there was] an identified hazard of not hearing the takeoff announcement when the announcement was manually made and before the -300's and the automated takeoff and landing announcements were available.Should the automated announcement continue to be the only means of prepare for takeoff; or should the automated announcement be backed up to assure proper communication occurs?The FM currently identifies cycling the No Smoking switch at 10;000 feet to identify to the Flight Attendants of sterile cockpit conditions and the canned announcement of; Flight Attendants prepare for landing; on some of the 777 Fleet; if used as the primary on some aircraft may create confusion; or may not be heard in all cabins as indicates by hazard above?Should our procedures utilize the canned announcements for takeoff and landing announcements in addition to the FOM approved seat belt sign on announcements as highlighted in the FOM or continue with previous FM guidance for the takeoff and double chime for sterile cockpit?
B777-300 Captain reported an anomaly with the automatic announcement system.