New 5lnb DTivo not working now...Please Help!

[nobodeuno]

So I had a HR21 installed along with a new 5lnb dish at my apartment. Currently its sitting on a tripod so the alignment is a bit shady but I'm getting good signal on most all sats and transponders 90+%. It seems that the even transponders are lower (some around 60% some around 80-90%) than the odd but my signal looks great for my HR21. Now my bedroom receiver is a HDVR2 DTivo and when I went through dish setup it would not make it through detecting satellites.

All the signals are fine for all satellites a/b/c however it does have the same issues with the even transponders. When it attempts to detect the multiswitch and satellite it returns the error message:

Multiswitch: 4

Satellite A: Found
Satellite B: Not Found
Satellite C: Not Found

And I can't get past this point. Because I get the same even transponder issues on my HR21 I tend to think its not my HDVR2 but rather something to do with the multiswitch or something. But its brand new?? And the HR21 works fine but I guess maybe the Tivo is more sensitive to this??

Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot this? Or should I just get a tech out? I would really like to try and fix it myself if possible so I don't have to take a half day off of work again!

The system isn't grounded but I think that is just for lightning issues right...doesn't have to do with the signals.

Anything else? I checked the connections at the LNB's and it all looks fine.

Regards,

Justin

[jdspencer]

I assume that you don't have an external multiswitch connected. Try using different combinations of connections from the LNB.

[litzdog911]

Try connecting the HDVR2 where your HR21 is connected. Does it work there?

[nobodeuno]

Ok did that...no luck. No external mutliswitch connected and I've tried different LNB connections with the same results.

I still have 0 on a few of the transponders but my HR21 is not having any issues...could the HDVR2 be more sensitive to even transponders? Could it be a bad LNB?

[litzdog911]

Ok did that...no luck. No external mutliswitch connected and I've tried different LNB connections with the same results.

I still have 0 on a few of the transponders but my HR21 is not having any issues...could the HDVR2 be more sensitive to even transponders? Could it be a bad LNB?

If it's only happening on the HDVR2 and not your HR21, then I doubt it's a dish/multiswitch/LNB issue. Sounds like your HDVR2 tuner has problems.

[samrs]

If your using flat cable take it out and try barrel connectors.

[RegGeek]

nobodeuno - are you using the "auto detect" set up or the set up where you tell it what type of dish you have? If you haven't, try using auto detect. I also have the 5 LNB dish now and whenever I've had to set up my Tivo units, I have problems unless I allow it to auto detect.

[Canis Lupus]

I think this is good advice. IIRC on my DTiVo there is no option to select a 5 LNB, and even though, IIRC, I was advised by DirecTV to use the 3 LNB setup, this didn't work, so I did Auto Detect.

Keep in mind too that you may have to run the setup as many as 3 or 4 times under Auto Detect for it to take.

[nobodeuno]

Ok so I tried that and it seemed to get further. When I did the auto-detect it passed but when it goes to "Acquire information from satellite" it fails...it never even goes past 0%??

Also just to clarify:
Yes the HR21 works fine...although lately I am getting some "Searching for signal" messages.

The HR21 exhibits the same low signal on even transponders, and the same 0 signal on a couple transponders.

Any other suggestions?

Regards,

Justin

[K4SMX]

Why don't you post your actual signals on the 101, 103(c), and 119 satellites tp by tp in grid form so we can see what's going on:

MENU Button on Remote, then PAR., FAV's & SETUP > SYSTEM SETUP > SATELLITE > VIEW SIGNAL STRENGTH. Use the L/R arrows to change satellites. Check both tuners, but don't post results for both unless they are substantially different.

[nobodeuno]

This was aligned by the tech and he noted the 0's and said that it wasn't an issue since my signal coming in fine. Also this is from the HR21...the HDVR2 signals were a bit lower but not much.

Tuner 1:
Sat 101
1-8: 96,0,95,52,95,59,96,70
9-16: 96, 63, 96,60,96,85,96,87
17-24: 95,0,96,80,9681,96,75
25-32: 95,0,96,5696,68,94,68

Sat 110
1-8: n/a - 95
9-16: n/a, 92, n/a, 96, n/a-

Sat 119
17-24: n/a -, 98,98,97
25-32: 0,100,100,100,0,100,100,100

*probably a non issue with the Directivo but I'll list them anyways*
Sat 99(b)
1-8: 59,59,0,78,56,20

Sat 103(a)
1-8: 0,0,0,0,0,0
9-16: n/a-,0,67
17-24: 87,0,61,66,77,0,0,0

Sat 103(b)
1-8: 83,83,82,83,81,81,79,83
9-16: 82,82,81,83,82,82,n/a-
17-24:86,n/a- , 81,n/a-

[Canis Lupus]

OK - when you say "a bit lower" for Tuner 2, how much lower? Sometimes a disparity in levels between Tuner 1 and 2 can mean an alignment issue, and it could be Elevation.

If your stuck at 0%, it could mean the TP you're trying to download from on the 101 is low enough to be a problem, or that you have some kind of cabling/switch problem that has cropped up.

Also - as mentioned above, how many times have you tried the complete Auto-Detect setup since you've made more progress? Just once or a few times?

You also mentioned that you are, in fact, getting some 771 on the HR-21. This again points to possible alignment that's not quite there.

As mentioned by K4SMX above ("don't post Tuner 2 unless the numbers are different"), I'd go ahead and post strengths for both tuners now, as it appears he might need to see those. I would suggest testing those strengths a few times during the day to see if the numbers jump around, or stay steady, or do they at anytime just drop to 0 one one Tuner.

You also mentioned the switch and the fact that your Dish is not grounded. This could also be an issue.

How many receivers do you have in the house? A multiswitch is not required if you only have 2 DVRs (4 tuners) total, so you might also test by bypassing the switch with barrel connectors and running direct between the dish and receivers.

[nobodeuno]

OK - when you say "a bit lower" for Tuner 2, how much lower? Sometimes a disparity in levels between Tuner 1 and 2 can mean an alignment issue, and it could be Elevation.

If your stuck at 0%, it could mean the TP you're trying to download from on the 101 is low enough to be a problem, or that you have some kind of cabling/switch problem that has cropped up.

Also - as mentioned above, how many times have you tried the complete Auto-Detect setup since you've made more progress? Just once or a few times?

You also mentioned that you are, in fact, getting some 771 on the HR-21. This again points to possible alignment that's not quite there.

As mentioned by K4SMX above ("don't post Tuner 2 unless the numbers are different"), I'd go ahead and post strengths for both tuners now, as it appears he might need to see those. I would suggest testing those strengths a few times during the day to see if the numbers jump around, or stay steady, or do they at anytime just drop to 0 one one Tuner.

You also mentioned the switch and the fact that your Dish is not grounded. This could also be an issue.

How many receivers do you have in the house? A multiswitch is not required if you only have 2 DVRs (4 tuners) total, so you might also test by bypassing the switch with barrel connectors and running direct between the dish and receivers.

Sorry if I wasn't clear:
- There is no difference between the Tuner 1 & Tuner 2 on my HR21. There is a difference between the signal readings on my HR21 vs my DTivo (HDVR2).

- I am having issues with my DTivo HDVR2

- The DTV did not install a multiswitch or ground because I'm in a apartment (until my house is built) and I only have two receivers. And i've only got 3 lines hooked up 2 to my HR21 and only 1 to my Directivo (HDVR2)

- I tried a few times to complete the Auto configuration and it gets successfully past the auto-detect each time but when it gets to "Aquiring signal" it fails and never moves past 0%.

I will give it a try a few more times...I will also see about realigning the dish a bit and see if that helps.

Thanks,

Justin

[Canis Lupus]

OK - this may be way out there, but since you have only one line running to your D*TiVo, have you tried swapping that one cable to the other Tuner input and running the setup from there?

And i've only got 3 lines hooked up 2 to my HR21 and only 1 to my Directivo (HDVR2)

[nobodeuno]

Yes I actually did do that and it fails because there is no way to tell it to pay attention to only tuner 2....if you set it up as a 1 tuner Tivo then it assumes Tuner 1 so unfortunately that doesn't work.

Thanks again for all the help so far. I was really hoping to figure this out without getting DTV involved since they are probably just going to throw their hands up and say its your DTivo and want to replace it...which I don't want to do right now.

[Canis Lupus]

OK what about the option (at least temporarily) of hooking up a 2nd cable to the D*TiVo.
I don't know if it would make a difference, but I guess anything's possible.

[wildbill129]

Sorry if I wasn't clear:
- There is no difference between the Tuner 1 & Tuner 2 on my HR21. There is a difference between the signal readings on my HR21 vs my DTivo (HDVR2).

- I am having issues with my DTivo HDVR2

- The DTV did not install a multiswitch or ground because I'm in a apartment (until my house is built) and I only have two receivers. And i've only got 3 lines hooked up 2 to my HR21 and only 1 to my Directivo (HDVR2)

- I tried a few times to complete the Auto configuration and it gets successfully past the auto-detect each time but when it gets to "Aquiring signal" it fails and never moves past 0%.

I will give it a try a few more times...I will also see about realigning the dish a bit and see if that helps.

Thanks,

Justin


During setup, did you select the option of a single wire hookup, meaning only one tuner is enabled?

[nobodeuno]

Canis Lupus - Tried that and no such luck

wildbill129 - Yes I specified that during the setup

I just re-aligned the dish and pretty much everything is improved except the 2/18/26 on the 101 sat which are 0.

I'm going to try and auto configure a few more times on the dtivo.

Thanks,

Justin

[nobodeuno]

For some reason everytime I do autosetup it only detects the 101 sat.

This appears to be the problem...then when it tries to aquire sat info it fails.

I guess I'm just going to have to get DTV out here :(

[Canis Lupus]

After it detects the 101, does it boot up, or stay at 0%?

[nobodeuno]

it completes that phase then prompts me to move onto "Acquiring information from Sat" then it goes to 0% and never gets past that....eventually it fails and says there was a problem and prompts me to go to Tivo Screen or retry. If I go to Tivo screen I'm unable to watch live tv at all.

[Canis Lupus]

dangit - ok and you've tried the 30 minute unplug? (this prolly won't help either - frustrating).

i think when i had a problem i tried switching back and forth in the setup between 3 LNB and Auto-Detect, and then tried switching the output on my multiswitch. maybe try another output from your Dish?

[K4SMX]

With those signals on 103(b), which aren't perfect, but pretty good, you should have much better signals across the board on 101, which is much more tolerant of slight mis-alignment than 103b). Since you're having an acquisition problem on an entirely separate cable run, you've probably got these low 101 even tp signal strengths on whatever you hook up to that LNB.

The 101 evens are controlled by the same signal voltage as the 99 evens. Your 99 evens, although they're spot beams for other cities, don't appear abnormal, although it's hard to be absolutely positive, but there's probably not a signal voltage problem.

This pretty much leaves the LNB and the second receiver. Has that DTivo ever worked properly at a previous location? If so, that and the oddball 101 evens reported by the HR21 kind of point to the LNB.

The only other thing I would try is disconnecting all lines to the LNB and connecting the problem receiver directly to the dish all by itself with a brand new, el cheapo standard length coax with factory connectors from a big box store, just to make sure there's no cabling issues.

[Canis Lupus]

Thanks K4SMX - I was hesitating to go to the LNB because of the performance of the HR21, but the performance of evens there and the 771 mentioned could point to the LNB.

[nobodeuno]

Thanks for the info...I will give that a try and let you know the results.

To answer your question "This pretty much leaves the LNB and the second receiver. Has that DTivo ever worked properly at a previous location?"
- Yes it was working fine at this location before they installed the new 5lnb dish (previously had a 3lnb dish).

I re-aligned and overnight my HR21 was updated with the new firmware and I now get the following readings...note the slightly different readings and sat labels :)

Tuner 1:
Sat 101
1-8: 97,0,0,62,97,71,98,77
9-16: 98, 73, 99,66,98,90,97,92
17-24: 997,0,0,85,98,86,97,80
25-32: 95,0,0,49,97,65,96,67

Sat 110
1-8: n/a - 95
9-16: n/a, 94, n/a, 97, n/a-

Sat 119
17-24: n/a -, 100,100,99
25-32: 0,100,100,100,0,0,100,100

*probably a non issue with the Directivo but I'll list them anyways*
Sat 99(b) - this is now listed as 99(s)
1-8: 77,73,0,94,75,38

Sat 103(a) - now says 103(s)
1-8: 0,0,0,0,0,0
9-16: n/a-,0,69
17-24: 96,0,72,69,87,0,0,0

Sat 103(c)
1-8: 91,93,88,92,88,90,86,92
9-16: 89,91,88,92,88,92,n/a-
17-24:96,n/a- , 94,n/a-

----

[Canis Lupus]

Those are looking better. Nice job :)

I guess the real test remains with the TiVo. Maybe try the Auto-Detect again and see what happens. Let us know.

[K4SMX]

Those 101 sig's are still screwy - missing tp's, weak evens. What brand of LNB is that? (The label is on the inside face)

[nobodeuno]

Those 101 sig's are still screwy - missing tp's, weak evens. What brand of LNB is that? (The label is on the inside face)

Yea that is my thought as well. Tivo still didn't work.

I just find it odd that the Tivo Auto configure only detects the 101 sat even though the signal tests on the unit show strong signal.

THe brand of the lnb is Eagle Aspen (is that what you are looking for)

If it is the LNB what should I say to DTV...I know they won't just send me a an LNB but since my HR21 is fine but my Directivo isn't...they are going to blame it on the DTivo. Also my DTivo is hacked so they will probably blame that as well. I guess they can't ignore the strange signals.

Thoughts,

Justin

[K4SMX]

.....I guess they can't ignore the strange signals......
No, they can't.

[nobodeuno]

FYI...finally resolved my issues.

The installer while he was really nice he tried to ignore my signals indicating "they were spot beams and the 0's were normal". I talked with him and finally convinced him that it was not normal and that while he was here to take a few minutes and swap out the lnb's finally after much deliberation he agreed and 10 minutes later I was up and running without any issues.

Perfect signal on all transponders and no 0's.

Anyways just wanted to follow this up in case others had a similar issue.

Thanks for all the help!

Justin

[curt8403]

So I had a HR21 installed along with a new 5lnb dish at my apartment. Currently its sitting on a tripod so the alignment is a bit shady but I'm getting good signal on most all sats and transponders 90+%. It seems that the even transponders are lower (some around 60% some around 80-90%) than the odd but my signal looks great for my HR21. Now my bedroom receiver is a HDVR2 DTivo and when I went through dish setup it would not make it through detecting satellites.

All the signals are fine for all satellites a/b/c however it does have the same issues with the even transponders. When it attempts to detect the multiswitch and satellite it returns the error message:

Multiswitch: 4

Satellite A: Found
Satellite B: Not Found
Satellite C: Not Found

And I can't get past this point. Because I get the same even transponder issues on my HR21 I tend to think its not my HDVR2 but rather something to do with the multiswitch or something. But its brand new?? And the HR21 works fine but I guess maybe the Tivo is more sensitive to this??

Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot this? Or should I just get a tech out? I would really like to try and fix it myself if possible so I don't have to take a half day off of work again!

The system isn't grounded but I think that is just for lightning issues right...doesn't have to do with the signals.

Anything else? I checked the connections at the LNB's and it all looks fine.

Regards,

Justin


looks like an alignment issue.
are you using a multiswitch?
it should be grounded for more than just lightning., mainly static

[K4SMX]

FYI...finally resolved my issues.

The installer while he was really nice he tried to ignore my signals indicating "they were spot beams and the 0's were normal". I talked with him and finally convinced him that it was not normal and that while he was here to take a few minutes and swap out the lnb's finally after much deliberation he agreed and 10 minutes later I was up and running without any issues.

Perfect signal on all transponders and no 0's.

Anyways just wanted to follow this up in case others had a similar issue.

Thanks for all the help!

Justin
Glad to hear that our suspicions were correct.. I'm really surprised you had to work so hard to convince that guy to swap out that LNB - it's not like it was at the top of a 40' ladder or that he had a lot of viable remaining alternatives.

I'm not keeping a detailed list of who made every failed Slimline LNB reported here, but at this point I'd say it seems they were pretty much evenly distributed across the four manufacturers. This is in regard to outright failure as opposed to the rather widely-reported 10-15 pt deficit on the Calamp 103(c) signals.