Anyone Want to try tackling this problem?

[pbrown]

Hi all-

I have a PVR508 and a 4900. I have a problem that has started recently with the 508. I lose signal temporarily about every 5-10 minutes when watching certain channels, such as Fox Sports NW, or Comedy Central. I can't remember it ever happening on my locals. Dishchannelchart.com shows us that the two primary channels I have problems with are on E*7 at 119. My locals are at 110. My signal strength on 119 is over 100, usually 115. I have tried hooking up the 508 to the line the 4900 is hooked up to and it still happens. It has never happened on the 4900. I have tried numerous check switches and card pulls. Nothing has changed since P168 came down. Sometimes the dropouts are simple audio loss and pixelization, sometimes the "aquiring signal" screen comes up, but never more then 3-5 seconds.

Sound familiar to anyone?

[DishDude1]

Bad 508...common problem with them to lose signal intermittently

[Scott Greczkowski]

Can you swap your 4900 and put it where you 508 is? This will show you if its a receiver problem or a cable problem. :)

[Marcus S]

Gee, you just got a firmware upgrade, and havn't rebooted? Pull the power plug and see if things are magically back to normal.

[pbrown]

This has been happening since before the firmware update. I'll try trading out the 4900 and see.

[pbrown]

I traded the 4900 into the same spot as the 508 and it didn't fail. I had the 508 unplugged while I did the test for about 30 mins. I hooked the 508 back up and it failed after being on about 20 mins, then every 5 minutes after. Could it be heat related? It's not in an enclosed area, really, but it is in a shelf system. If you all think it's just the PVR failing, what's the best bet for getting a new one? Its under warranty still.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Call Dish and explain it to them and tell them the steps you did (including putting your 4900 in the same place with no problems) They will ship you another unit. Just be prepaired to pay $14.95 shipping. :)

[James_F]

You might also want to check out this tread to help pay for this stuff...

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4947

[smaccormack]

I have had the very same problem with the same set-up (4900 and a 508) in the Seattle area, and it is more common than Dish admits. Some people have had success changing out the 508, but others have gone through multiple 508s without an improvement. I have been advised by Dish to change out the LNBs, switches, etc., but all without much confidence on their end that it will succeed. So I haven't invested in new parts when the old parts work fine from either location for the 4900. Customer service is nearly useless after they run through the standard set of re-boots. If you have the patience I would try to get a new 508 and see if that solves the problem. Just know that it may take more than one try.

[Jacob S]

Sounds like another 50X (501 or 508) has gone bad for loss of signal problem. This must be a common problem.

[RW]

Do you have the same dropouts on the 508 if you leave the 4900 on a channel that's on an odd transponder (like Fox Sports NW, Comedy Central)?

I had the same problem. I replaced the 501 twice, checked to make sure it was grounded, replaced all the cable with RG-6 QS, and still had the 'Acquiring Satellite Signal' but only on channels that were on odd transponders.

I noticed that when I had the 3900 downstairs on a channel that was on an odd transponder, I no longer had the problem. So now I always leave the 3900 on WSBK and haven't had any dropouts since. I'm assuming I have bad SW-21's but they test ok on the switch test. I was hoping that when they added Spokane locals that they'd put some on 148 so I'd get a free 2nd dish and hopefully a new SW-64 to go with it.

Try leaving the 4900 on Comedy Central and see what happens on your 508.

Good Luck.

[Marcus S]

Is the fan coming on? Could be a bad fan and an overheat issue.

[pbrown]

I tried RW's suggestion, and it worked, so I guess I'll try getting a new one. I hope this isn't beginning a future of replacements over and over again.

[Jacob S]

I am sorry but it probably means it is.