DISH 6000 OTA and KABC Reception

[jzoomer]

I have a 6000 receiver with the OTA module and I can get all the LA area HD channels except KABC. Even though the signal strength is between 60 and 75, the picture looks like it is not locking on the signal. FOX, KTLA, NBC, CBSHD, KCOP, KCAL, and PBS all come in clearly, but not KABC.

My first thought was that this was a multi-path issue, but this seems unlikely. All the transmitters are located on the same mountain 40 miles away, so for all practical purposes, they travel the same path to my antenna. How could I have a multi-path problem on one but not the others? If it was frequency dependent, that seems unlikely because KABC is channel 53 and the channels above and below it come in fine.

I’ve seen the channel come in clear on a Samsung 160 receiver, so I know that the channel is fine. So this leads me to believe that the Dish 6000 OTA chipset might have trouble with the KABC signal for some reason. It is the only 720p signal being broadcasted.

Does anyone else have this trouble in the LA area?

[boba]

What type of signal strengths are you getting off the other ota channels. What you have posted looks close to the threshold of the 6000. Was the Samsung receiver connected to your system or was it on another system? Is KABC broadcasting with as much power as other stations in your area?

[jzoomer]

The Samsung unit is at a neighbors house. It would be a hassle to move it to do a more thorough comparison.

The signal strength meter is on the lower end of the other channels. There are ones lower which tend lock but occasionally have an error.

[normang]

You couldn't move your 6000 anyway, you need a Sat Signal for the 8VSB to work, unless your neighbor has a Sat Dish too..

to me it sounds like a signal strength issue. You may have to make antenna adjustments.

You may want to see if they are transmitting at full power.. The signal strength on a 6000 below 75% in my brief experience causes drop-outs and breakups.. Above that usually it stabilizes.

[pinkertonfloyd]

Hmm, I've had no problems with as little as 55% signal on my 6000. But you might be getting multiple streams of data (think ghosting). Sometimes turning the antenna to *LESS* signal will end up with a better lock-on. I've also noticed that some channels lock better if you play with the screen positioning... try moving it a little to the left or right and see what happens, sometimes if you are on the "edge" of the picture, it has problems locking on.

[scottcorinna]

Install a 10db video pad in line and see if that helps. Sometimes you can overload the OTA receiver. Plus the video pad will block most reflections that occur inside the video cable.

[HTguy]

jzoomer,

You don't say where you are located in the LA area but there are "pockets" where most channels come in well but one might not. For example, I have some custs in the Palos Verdes area where the analog Ch 7 is a problem altho for most people it's the best OTA ch. Similarly, there's a neighborhood in Redondo Beach where Ch 5 is the problem.

But this is the 1st I've heard of anyone having a problem with KABC Digital. I get it fine on my 6000/8VSB. In fact the SuperBowl was great looking for the most part.

But keep in mind that the 6000 has to upconvert ABC's 720p picture to 1080i for most displays. If the picture isn't "centered" it could be a little blurry.

Go into the System Setup menu under "Installation" & "HDTV Setup" and click the "Adjust" button.

[Robert James Clark]

I have a signal in the 60's from KABC too. It takes a few seconds to lock in when I first tune to it, then it;s fine...